by Daniel
d'Quincy
August 1997
| The work of Heinrich Schenker revealed that the
structural functions of tonal harmonic progressions are
based on an underlying linear progression of key tones.
This article demonstrates that Webern was able to
recreate analgous structural functions in an atonal
context with progressions of symmetrical harmonies.
Evidently, the nature of tonality and atonality have much
more in common than previously thought. Webern's
harmonic progressions are based on a remarkably simple,
and absolutely consistent principle of organization
controlling the octave registration of chord tones. This
method of procedure, while obvious, has never before been
described to my knowledge. |