The concept of harmony in Johann Crüger's theoretical treatises a practical distillate of seventeenth-century musical ideas
Date
1983
Authors
Unger-Burn, Rosalyn Kay Helena
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Abstract
Johann Crüger (1598-1662) wrote five theoretical treatises that are classified as instruction manuals. These works, entitled: Praecepta Muiscae Practicae (1625), and an expanded version republished in 1650 called Quaestiones Musicae Practicae; Kurtzer und verstendlicher Unterricht (1625); Synopsis Musica Continens (1630); Synopsis Musica (1654); and Musicae Practicae Praecepta (1660); deal with a great many musical concepts prevalent during the seventeenth-century in Western Europe. The harmonic concept was being revolutionized at this time, and Crüger's manuals give concise explanations and understandable musical examples of this issue.
The study is divided into six major sections. A general background is given about Crüger, his works, and the musical, political, and social world he lived in. The term "harmony" will be defined and discussed in relation to modal and triad theory. The general concept of word/harmony relationship and the practice of Ornamentation and figured bass will be included so as to give explanations of performance practices of the day.
Investigation of these treatises reveals that Crüger believes the triad found within the species of the modal scales forms the basis for composition. Harmony is conceived of modally on a triadic basis.
It is hoped that this study of Crüger's concept of harmony will enlighten our knowledge of seventeenth-century pre-tonal composition and performance practices based on triadic harmony.