The Music Shelf

Rimsky-Korsakov's Harmonic Theory
Larisa P. Jackson
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
www.untpress.unt.edu
9781574418606, $29.95, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Rimsky-Korsakovs-Harmonic-Theory-Practical-Tradition= s/dp/1574418602

Synopsis: With the publication of "Rimsky-Korsakov's Harmonic Theory: Pract= ical Manual of Harmony, Its Sources, History, and Traditions", Professor La= risa P. Jackson presents the first comprehensive study of this legendary Ru= ssian composer's concept of harmony that also traces the history of tonal r= elationships.

Professor Jackson describes and examines Rimsky-Korsakov's distinctive harm= onic theory using his Practical Manual of Harmony as a basis, and places it=
in historical context of nineteenth-century music theory. She also explore=
s in great detail a concept of tonal relationships, fundamental to Rimsky-K= orsakov's view of harmony, and relates this to ideas by German theorists of=
the period and the Russian theoretical tradition.

Professor Jackson deftly examines the concept of modulation and of the rela= tionship of keys and presents a model of his tonal space/map extrapolated f= rom his harmonic system. Additionaly, she identifies specific treatises tha=
t help to trace ties between German theoretical ideas and Rimsky-Korsakov's=
work.

Critique: An impressive work of original scholarship and enhanced for the r= eader with the inclusion of seven Appendices, thirty-four pages of Notes, a=
fourteen page Bibliography, and a nine page Index, "Rimsky-Korsakov's Harm= onic Theory: Practical Manual of Harmony, Its Sources, History, and Traditi= ons" is a seminal study that will have a very special value for anyone inte= rested in Russian/German Music History & Criticism. While a unique and high=
ly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic = library Music History collections, it should be noted for students, academi=
a, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the life and work=
of Rimsky-Korsakov that "Rimsky-Korsakov's Harmonic Theory" is also readil=
y available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.96).

Editorial Note: Larisa P. Jackson (https://untpress.unt.edu/authors/jackson= -larisa) studied at Mussorgsky Music College in St. Petersburg, Russia, and=
completed her M.A., M. Phil., and Ph.D. at Columbia University in New York=
City under eminent music theorist Ian Bent. She has taught at the Universi=
ty of Houston since 2001.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte= rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi= duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo= rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat= ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

--- MBSE BBS v1.0.8 (Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: ---:- FTN<->UseNet Gate -:--- (3:633/280.2@fidonet)