Jean le Rond d'Alembert's (1717-1783) treatise on music theory entitled (')Elemens de musique was a popular, concise summary of Jean-Philippe Rameau's (1683-1764) theories. It appeared in two editions, 1752 and 1762, and six printings. Between the two editions, Rameau and d'Alembert experienced differences of ideas brought on by Rameau's criticism of the music articles (several by d'Alembert) in the Encyclopedie. The 1762 edition was chosen as the basis for this study since it incorporates some of d'Alembert's newer theoretical ideas. An English translation by Thomas Blacklock (1721-1791) of this 1762 (')Elemens appeared as part of the "Music" article in Encyclopaedia Britannica, second edition (1784). Seven other encyclopaedias printed the Elements in part or in full. On examination of the first translation, archaisms of language, numerous errors, and the omission of d'Alembert's "Response to Rameau" reveal the need for a modern, accurate, and complete translation. The new translation is annotated by the present writer with d'Alembert's sources from Rameau's Traite, Nouveau systeme, Generation harmonique, Demonstration, Nouvelles reflexions . . . sur sa Demonstration, and Code. The commentary is divided into three portions: (1) the historical context of (')Elemens with a short biographical sketch of d'Alembert and an outline of d'Alembert and Rameau's professional relationship; (2) the two theorists' differences and similarities in theoretical concepts; four parties--Esteve, Tartini, the Encyclopedists, and Bethizy--besides Rameau may have contributed to changes between the two editions; and (3) a discussion of Rameau's principles "clarified, developed, and simplified" by d'Alembert. The majority of (')Elemens is a fairly successful summary of Rameau's theories despite d'Alembert's lack of knowledge of musical practice. D'Alembert does exclude Rameau's use of numbers and of string multiples to explain musical phenomena. He develops a common partials principle to justify or reject harmonic movement and chord formation. In conclusion, d'Alembert selects, tempers, and develops Rameau's ideas. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-05, Section: A, page: 1234. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1984.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75328 |
| Creators | Elsberry, Kristie Beverly |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, French |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 442 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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