A Theory of Musical Narrative » (New Edition)

Byron Almén is Associate Professor of Music Theory at The University of Texas at Austin. He is co-editor of Approaches to Meaning in Music (IUP, 2006).

Byron Almén proposes an original synthesis of approaches to musical narrative from literary criticism, semiotics, historiography, musicology, and music theory, resulting in a significant critical reorientation of the field. This volume includes an extensive survey of traditional approaches to musical narrative, a careful delineation of the essential elements and preconditions of musical narrative organization, an eclectic analytical model applicable to a wide range of musical styles and repertoires, a diverse range of musical examples illustrating the range and applicability of the theoretical apparatus, a classification scheme of narrative types and subtypes reflecting conceptually distinct narrative strategies, a wide array of interpretive categories, and a sensitivity to the dependence of narrative interpretation on the cultural milieu of the work, its various audiences, and the analyst. A Theory of Musical Narrative provides both an excellent introduction to an increasingly important conceptual domain and a complex reassessment of its possibilities and characteristics.

Pt. 1 A Theory of Musical Narrative 1

1 An Introduction to Narrative Analysis: Chopin's Prelude in G Major, Op. 28, No. 3 3

2 Perspectives and Critiques 11

3 A Theory of Musical Narrative: Conceptual Considerations 38

4 A Theory of Musical Narrative: Analytical Considerations 55

5 Narrative and Topic 68

Pt. 2 Archetypal Narratives and Phases 93

6 Romance Narratives and Micznik's Degrees of Narrativity 97

7 Tragic Narratives: An Extended Analysis of Schubert, Piano Sonata in B [flat] Major, D. 960, First Movement 139

8 Ironic Narratives: Subtypes and Phases 162

9 Comic Narratives and Discursive Strategies 187

10 Summary and Conclusion 222

Glossary 229

Notes 233

Bibliography 239

Index 245