Twentieth-Century Harmony

by Vincent Persichetti

One of the most important books on contemporary music in the twentieth century. Here for the first time is an orderly presentation of the harmonic procedures to be found in music of the first half of the twentieth-century. The author examines the nature of intervals in various contexts, discusses the modes and other scales employed in modern music, describes the formation and uses of chords by thirds, by fourths, and by seconds, of added-note chords and polychords; he deals with different types of harmonic motion, with harmonic rhythm and dynamic sand ornamentation, with harmonic behavior in tonality, polytonality, atonality and serial composition.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Reference, Theory, Art, Textbooks

287 pages, Hardcover

First published February 19, 1961

Reviews

[Cliff Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a amateur Composer myself I find modern compositional techniques to be a mess. Writing music that no one listens to, contrary to the current contemporary approach of "dumbing down" and endless copy and paste hooks and refrains.
This book explains quite thoroughly: modern harmony of a variety of composers eg. Schoenberg, Prokofiev, Hindemith,etc. The technicalities are coherent and engaging enough for a post theory grade 8 student and I highly recommend it to musicians who are well versed in Schenkerian analysis and Gradus Ad Parnassum (study of counterpoint).
I started reading this book primarily because of my curiosity in prokofiev's compositional approach, and whether it was possible to have a tangible explanation for his "sound". Because general music theory (abrsm) doesn't go into depth on 20th century music save for 12 tone serialism and the French school eg, Debussy & Ravel.
If you are wondering: "why does this sound weird but so appealing at the same time?" Then I'd say "start with this book". I think that it is a Musician's job to explore all spectrums of harmony for musicianship' sake, And by that acquiring a firmer command at the instrument and music.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only book (of which I'm aware) about 20th century compositional technique that explains its subject in a clear and concise way. Subjects such as quartal harmony which usually receive passing mention (if that) are given thorough exposition.

The last few chapters seem perfunctory, addressing the usual tacked-on subjects of pedal points, suspensions, chromatic alterations, etc. and can really be skimmed for a few insights.

It is, however, in need of a new edition with accompanying audio. It's a sin to make readers go searching for an Alban Berg piano reduction 60 years out-of-print (to have a gander at page 27!) with all of the tools available today.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic, and for good reason. Persichetti's book is about contemporary harmony in its many forms. The book goes in depth on subjects that other harmony books don't even touch on. This is a book for the serious modern day composer. Not for everyone, but those who are looking to expand their musical palettes would do well to study the insight that is contained within.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a pen-to-paper composer (or computer keys to Finale or Sibelius or some other notation program) AND not currently preparing for a one-way time travel to 1899 or earlier, then you simply MUST read this book! Unlike a lot of theory books, this is more like a tool chest of "tricks of the trade" of how to create adventurous rhythms, melodies, and harmonies. As the book makes clear early, reading this alone will not come close to making you a great composer; Only composing regularly and boldly while exploring your own voice will do that. However, it will do more than enough to add fuel to your ideas.

[Bernardo Henríquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a simple, concise manner, Persichetti lays out the most characteristic elements of the harmonic practice of a really interesting era. His language is very descriptive and his organization walks you through the microscopic and precise use of intervals and their sonorous characters, up to complex harmonic configurations such as atonalty, pandiatonalism and polytonality.

This book is very comfortable to read. It combines musical illustrations with simple explanations of the elements illustrated. I enjoyed reading it very much! Five stars.

[Yves Verbiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, in depth explanations, clear explanations, read it twice in a row because I was fascinated by his approach to harmony. Though a warning, it’s a book for the advanced music theoreticus, if you’re new or intermediate in music theory I would advice to stay away from this book for a few more months.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be coming back to this for years to come. Full of extremely straightforward explanations of terrifyingly complicated concepts. Once I graduate I'm gonna go back and do a few more of the exercises, hopefully make something based off a few of the ideas here.

[Pedro Proença · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of stuff to absorb. Now, onto the exercises.

[James Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worked through a lot of this book in music school. It's the kind of book that one needs to spend time with and revisit now and then. I have it on my re-read list, for sure.

[Michael Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic. Would recommend this as a foundational book to anyone interested in harmony.

[Sandy Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is clearly an excellent book if you know your chops and want some "from the trenches" knowledge. Most of it was beyond me, but the parts I did understand considerably changed my mind about what musical composition *is.*

[Christopher Churcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many fantastic ideas in this volume, both imaginative and instructive; all highly comprehensively and systematically presented.

Can’t wait to return to it in the future…

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic use as a guide when exploring harmony

[Krirtian · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fun encyclopedia of compositional techniques and tips presented by a philly OG; thusly the perfect book.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable

[Chester T. Nevil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intricate and in depth look at the creative aspects and practices of harmony.

[Courtney Dantzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

god this book is perfect. thank you, persichetti, for spoonfeeding me the answers to all of my burning compositional questions

[Javier Mondaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro muy inspirador para cualquier compositor. Persichetti era un genio a su manera y su visión artesanal de la música está llena de herramientas creativas que llevar para tu propio lenguaje.

[Daniel O'Hear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harmony is an odd way to describe the 20th century

[Jason Cady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with ideas. The writing and theory is easy to understand. Even though it's from the early 60s there is still a lot here to explore.

[Andrew Pitkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource.

[Andrej · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es libro para compositores intermedio avanzado. Es un referencia para maestros de armonía dado que el texto cuenta con una gran cantidad de aplicaciones tipo ejercicios armónicos que acompañan el final de cada capítulo.

[Francisco Meca Blaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy útil, me ayudó en análisis y en mi trabajo final de carrera

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't finish this but want to come back to it! Read about half

[Jared Orentlich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting exploration into the ideas of early and contemporary jazz harmony and writing. It can be a little bit hard to understand at times, but after a second read through it becomes more clear what Vincent Persichetti is trying to say. Overall, this was an enjoyable and useful read, and I suggest it to any jazz musician.