Bars 27-38: Tension builds This is a brilliant example of the principle of ‘subversion of expectation’ in post-romantic harmony. First, the expectation of Db Major created by the imperfect cadence on Ab7 in bar 26 is subverted by the use of E/G# in bar 27: A degree of continuity is achieved by the static bass [...]
Archive for the ‘Bruckner 9’ Category
Bruckner 9, bars 27-38
Posted in Bruckner 9 on October 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Bruckner 9, bars 19-26
Posted in Bruckner 9 on October 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Bars 19-26: Majestic-lyric passage These eight or so bars got me into Bruckner. As a 15 year old (as I recall) reading these notes out of a musty miniature score borrowed from the school library, Bruckner’s harmonies had me in rapture. The section presents an extension of the horn melody begun in bar 5. It [...]
Bruckner 9, Bars 1-18
Posted in Bruckner 9 on October 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
An Running Analysis of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (1896, unfinished), based on Ferdinand Lowe’s Piano Transcription of his 1906 Edition *** Movement 1: Fierlich, misterioso (Solemn, mysterious) *** Bars 1-18: Establishing tonal centre Establishes the tonal centre of the work. D minor harmonies arise out of a gloomy and foreboding bass pedal [...]
Intro to a Running Analysis of Bruckner’s Ninth
Posted in Bruckner 9 on October 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
In his marvellous Companion to Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas, Donald Francis Tovey exhorts listeners to simply listen to music before analysing it. We should start by merely enjoying the piece bar by bar and without trying to understand its construction, much the same as we may watch a movie. Only when we have finished listening, says [...]
