Techniques for Atonal Music – Analytical Techniques (MUSI 611)

Week 5 (Sep 18): Analysis Symposium #1

For our first analysis symposium, we will focus on a classic piece by Anton Webern, his Variations for Piano, Op. 27.

Week 4 (Sep 11): Serialism

This week you will learn about 12-tone serial techniques and the variety of ways this can be implemented. You’ll learn how to identify row forms, do a row count, make a matrix, and interpret serial pieces. You will also do a guided analysis of a piece by You’ll be analyzing the first movement of Ernst Krenek’s Suite for Solo Cello, Op. 84.

Week 3 (Sep 4): Set Theory

This week, you will learn about set theory and segmentation. You’ll analyze music using set theory, apply set theory terminology, and critique the usefulness of set theory.

Note: set theory ≠ serialism! We are learning serialism next week. Make sure you aren’t confusing these things!