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The Style of Palestrina and the Dissonance: Book

$17.95 USD
$17.95 USD
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The Style of Palestrina and the Dissonance Cover Image
The Style of Palestrina and the Dissonance: Book

The Style of Palestrina and the Dissonance: Book

By Knud Jeppesen

Item: 06-442683
$17.95
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Description
This classic study remains one of the foremost works on the music of Palestrina, a rigorous and valuable analysis of the composer's handling of rhythm, line, and harmony. The heart of the book is a meticulous exploration of the treatment of dissonance in Palestrina's works, supplemented by what amounts to a full history of the evolving concept and treatment of dissonance before Palestrina, discussing the practice of composers such as Josquin Desprez, Gabrieli, Ockeghem, and Dunstable. This is an indispensable text for the student of counterpoint and among the most important works on this towering figure of sixteenth-century music. [5 3/8 x 8 1/2, 320 pp.]

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Additional Details
Series: Dover Edition
Publisher: Dover Publications
ISBN10: 0-486-44268-3
ISBN13: 978-0-486-44268-6
UPC: 9780486442686
SKU: 06-442683

More about this title

About the Composer: Knud Jeppesen

Knud Jeppesen was a Danish musicologist and composer whose scholarly work fundamentally shaped how twentieth-century musicians understand Renaissance polyphony. His meticulous analytical approach brought systematic rigor to the study of sixteenth-century compositional practice, establishing him as one of the most influential voices in counterpoint pedagogy.

Jeppesen's research bridged the gap between historical understanding and practical application for composers and students. His writings remain foundational because they combine technical precision with genuine insight into how composers like Palestrina solved the central musical problems of their era.

Why we love this

This book cuts through the mystique that often surrounds Palestrina and replaces it with clear, verifiable analysis. Jeppesen's systematic examination of dissonance treatment gives counterpoint students a concrete framework for understanding why Renaissance polyphony sounds the way it does, rather than simply asking them to imitate it blindly.

Who it's for

Counterpoint students, composition teachers, and anyone seeking to understand the technical foundations of Renaissance polyphony will find this text indispensable. It serves advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professional musicians preparing to teach or conduct Renaissance choral music.

How to use it

Assign this as primary text in a second-year theory or counterpoint sequence, pairing specific chapters with the actual scores students are analyzing. The historical arc provides context for a seminar exploring how composers from Josquin through Palestrina refined their approach to harmonic tension and resolution.

Skills your students will build

  • analyzing dissonance treatment in sixteenth-century counterpoint
  • tracing the historical evolution of dissonance practice from the medieval period through the Renaissance
  • recognizing harmonic and rhythmic structures in Palestrina's motets and masses
  • understanding the relationship between syntax and sonority in polyphonic writing

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