Symmetry as A Compositional Determinant: Index & Abstract http://solomonsmusic.net/diss.

htm

Symmetry as a Compositional Determinant

copyright Larry J. Solomon, 1973, revised 2002

A description and analysis of the various types of symmetry that occur in music

Abstract
Preface
I. Introduction
II. Definitions
III. Reflection
IV. Translation and Rotation
V. Analytical Methods
VI. Analysis of Unspecialized Works
Bach's Invention No. 1
VII. Analysis of Works with Intensive Applications:
Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, and Webern's Variations for Piano, Op. 27
VIII. Quadrate Transformations
IX. Some Psychological Considerations
X. Bibliography

Abstract
Symmetry is shown to be the major determining factor in composition. Some of the compositional parameters
that are demonstrated to be symmetry operations are: all aspects of serialized composition, all contrapuntal
operations (including imitation, canon, rounds, cancrizans, melodic inversion, invertible counterpoint,
augmentation, and diminution, and cantus firmus composition), all musical forms (including all sectional,
contrapuntal forms, and arch forms), isorhythm and isomelos, ostinati and passacaglia, mirror chords, planing
and fauxbourdon, vibrato, scale formation, invertible counterpoint, meter and pulse, timbre, trills and other
ornaments, Alberti bass and other accompaniment figurations, antiphony, the circle of fifths, and pitch itself.

Definitions, descriptions, and mathematical formulations of the different types of symmetry are provided, and
each of the major types is explored with examples. Parallels are shown in nature and other art forms. An
analytical methodology is developed, and specific works are examined to demonstrate intensive applications.
These include Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta and Webern's Variations for Piano, Op. 27.

Some new transformations are developed, called the Quadrate transformations, which are 90 degree rotations
of a basic set, exchanging the time and pitch dimensions. An essay on these also appeared in Perspectives of
New Music, 1973, under the title "New Symmetric Transformations". Chapter II (on Definitions of musical
symmetry) was also published in the Journal of Transfigural Mathematics (Berlin) Vol. 3/3 (1997-98). A
chapter is also devoted to the possible psychological effects of musical symmetry.

Preface
The first edition was originally published as a dissertation for completion of a PhD in music at West Virginia
University in 1973. The original title was Symmetry as a Determinant of Musical Composition. This new
edition preserves the original ideas and adds some new materials and discoveries. The New Transformations

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Symmetry as A Compositional Determinant: Index & Abstract http://solomonsmusic.net/diss.htm

names have been transposed so that the Quadrate Prime (QP) is the form that reflects around an ascending
diagonal, thereby switching time and pitch axes. This makes the Quadrates more consistent with their own
transformations and with the Prime form. Mathematical descriptions of these forms have been added.

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