Musical Form, Forms & Formenlehre:Three Methodological Reflections »

In Musical Form, Forms & Formenlehre, three eminent music theorists reflect on the fundamentals of "musical form." They discuss how to analyze form in music and question the relevance of analytical theories and methods in general. They illustrate their basic concepts andc oncerns by offering some concrete analyses of works by Mozart (Idomeneo Overture, Jupiter Symphony) and Beethoven (First and Pastoral Symphony, Egmont Overture, and Die Ruinen von Athen Overture).

The volume is divided into three parts, focusing on Caplin's "theory of formal functions," Hepokoski's concept of "dialogic form," and Webster's method of "multivalent analysis" respectively. Each part begins with a basic essay by one of the three authors. Subsequently, the two opposing authors comment on issues and analyses they consider to be problematic or underdeveloped, in a style that ranges from the gently critical to the overtly polemical. Finally, the author of the initial essay is given the opportunity to reply to the comments, and to furthe rrefine his own fundamental ideas on musical form.

Preface Ludwig Holtmeier 7

Prologue Considering Musical Form, Forms and Formenlehre Pieter Bergé 11

Part I William E. Caplin & The Theory Of Formal Functions 19

What Are Formal Functions? William E. Caplin 21

Comments on William E. Caplin's Essay "What Are Formal Functions?" James Hepokoski 41

Comments on William E. Caplin's Essay "What Are Formal Functions?" James Webster 46

Response to the Comments William E. Caplin 51

Part II James Hepokoski & The Concept Of Dialogic Form 69

Sonata Theory and Dialogic Form James Hepokoski 71

Comments on James Hepokoski's Essay "Sonata Theory and Dialogic Form" William E. Caplin 90

Comments on James Hepokoski's Essay "Sonata Theory and Dialogic Form" James Webster 96

Response to the Comments James Hepokoski 101

Part III James Webster & The Concept of Multivalent Analysis 121

Formenlehre in Theory and Practice James Webster 123

Comments on James Webster's Essay "Formenlehre in Theory and Practice" William E. Caplin 140

Comments on James Webster's Essay "Formenlehre in Theory and Practice" James Hepokoski 146

Response to the Comments James Webster 152

Epilogue The Future of Formenlehre Pieter Bergé 165

Bibliography 171

About the Authors 177