Counterpoint and analysis in fourteenth-century song

Journal article

This paper advocates the use of fourteenth-century counterpoint teaching in analysis of the harmony of fourteenth-century secular songs. Specifically, basic counterpoint, as taught in treatises, is employed as a way of understanding the style of Machaut's ballades, although it is hoped that the notation and procedure of the analysis will find a broader application. The basic consonant dyads proper to simple counterpoint are posited as underlying and governing the rhythmically decorated and often highly dissonant musical surface of these pieces, even those in more than two parts. Elements of Machaut's ballade style, such as dissonance treatment, rhythmic figuration and melody, are accessed by an investigation of the relationship of an arhythmic, consonant contrapuntal background to the rhythmic, and frequently dissonant, foreground.

Authors: Leach, EE

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Duke University Press
• Journal: Journal of Music Theory
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 45-79
• Publication date: 2000-04-01
• DOI: 10.2307/3090669
• ISSN: 00222909
• Language: English