Rimsky-Korsakov’s Harmonic Theory
is the first comprehensive study of his concept of harmony that also traces the history of tonal relationships. Larisa P. Jackson describes and examines Rimsky-Korsakov’s distinctive harmonic theory using his
Practical Manual of Harmony
as a basis, and places it in historical context of nineteenth-century music theory. She explores in great detail a concept of tonal relationships, fundamental to Rimsky-Korsakov’s view of harmony, and relates this to ideas by German theorists of the period and the Russian theoretical tradition.Jackson examines the concept of modulation and of the relationship of keys and presents a model of his tonal space/map extrapolated from his harmonic system. She identifies specific treatises that help to trace ties between German theoretical ideas and Rimsky-Korsakov’s work.“This is a significant and interesting piece of research—it makes a noteworthy contribution to the history of music theory and to that of Russian music.”—Richard Taruskin, author of
The Oxford History of Western Music
and
On Russian Music