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Tonality and Harmonic Motion in Copland's Appalachian Spring

In Appalachian Spring, Aaron Copland creates a unique tonal environment. Although often considered a tonal work, it contains many non-functional progressions and techniques that belie common-practice norms. The entire first movement, and sections of other movements contain no harmonic motion, in part because tonic and dominant chords sound together as a single sonority. In other movements, harmonic motion, in part because tonic and dominant chords sound together as a single sonority. In other movements, harmonic motion is increased by shifts to third-related keys, and non-functional progressions. Also, the variations on the melody "Simple Gifts" never employ common-practice techniques. Through the free use of materials, Copland creates an individualistic example of tonality in twentieth-century music.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc935698
Date12 1900
CreatorsRober, Russell Todd
ContributorsCovach, John Rudolph, Sovik, Thomas Paul, Bush, Deanna D.
PublisherUniversity of North Texas
Source SetsUniversity of North Texas
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Formatv, 90 leaves : music, Text
RightsPublic, Rober, Russell Todd, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights

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