Counterpoint: The Polyphonic Vocal Style of the Sixteenth Century

by Knud Jeppesen, Glen Haydon (Translator), Alfred Mann (Foreword by)

This classic introductory text focuses on the polyphonic vocal style perfected by Palestrina. Unlike many other texts, it maintains a careful balance between theoretical and practical problems, between historical and systematic methodology. The result is an exceptionally useful resource, ideal for classroom use in teaching modal counterpoint.
In Part One, Knud Jeppesen (1892–1974), the world-renowned musicologist and leading authority on Palestrina, offers a superb outline history of contrapuntal theory. He begins by exploring the beginnings of contrapuntal theory from the ninth to the fourteenth centuries. This is followed by separate discussions of each succeeding century, the styles of Palestrina and Bach, the "Palestrina Movement" after Fux, and more. The section ends with illuminating coverage of notation, the ecclesiastical modes, melody, and harmony.
The second part of the book contains an extended treatment of "species" counterpoint in two, three, and four parts, as well as counterpoint in more than four parts, and specific discussions of the canon, the motet, and the Mass. Throughout, the text is generously supplied with musical examples―exercises, solutions, and illustrations, including many by the great composers. For this edition, the distinguished scholar Alfred Mann has contributed a new foreword to Jeppesen's classic study. Now available in paperback for the first time, it will be welcomed by musicians, composers, theorists, musicologists―any student of counterpoint and the Western musical tradition.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Reference

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1939

Reviews

[Blunt Of Mercia]

One of the best books I have read on any musical subject.

[Clayton]

Nice account of Renaissance counterpoint, but also the version I read is a prime example of why the most literal translation is not necessarily the best. A workbook should not be phrased mostly in the passive voice.

[rae diamond]

i'm still reading this. this here is my particular musical passion. only recommended for aspiring composers, like myself.

[Richard Pohl]

Deserves classic status... explains a lot about modal counterpoint´s techniques and history, yet I´d be happy for an edition with contemporary clefs. Nevertheless, recommended :)

[Daniel Michalak]

A good, detailed study of polyphony.

[Des Bladet]

I'm shelving this under "Oh wait I have to know the alto and tenor clefs?". I'll have another go when and if I do.