The Period. Two Phrases Become One Structure

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Godfrey Fletcher
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1 The Period Two Phrases Become One Structure

2 Definition A period consists of two phrases, joined together in a coherent succession. The two phrases are called the antecedent and the consequent. Period - Basic Components # $ $! $ $ " antecedent! &!! & consequent!! &! & Beethoven & ' # $ $! " ( $ $ ( ( V ) ' Antecedent: Ending with Half-Cadence Brahms

3 The Antecedent The antecedent usually ends in a half cadence of some sort. + *,,, V,,, V I Brahms -!!

4 The Antecedent Sometimes the cadence can be authentic, if it is rhythmically weak: +$ ".!! IAC - PAC Mozart!!

5 The Antecedent An antecedent may end with either a half or an authentic cadence if the consequent modulates. Here the antecedent ends in a half cadence: +$! " / / # $! 0 " / /! /$ 0 / V 0 0 $ 0! 0 Mendelssohn F: I!!

6 The Antecedent The resolution of a modulating consequent is strong enough so that the ear hears a period structure even if the antecedent ends on an authentic cadence:! + / "! & ' & ' ' & ) ' ) ' ) ' ) '! & ' & ' ' & #/!! " & ' & ' & ' & ' & ' & ' & '! & ' & ' & ' G: V7 I Schumann & ' & ' / ' & & ' / & ' & ' + ) ' ) ' D: V7 I

7 The Antecedent There are even situations in which both antecedent and consequent end on half cadences such as if the period is Part II (the middle section) of a three-part song form: Part I (Two Phrases [a b]) #$ $! " &! '! ' (! & ) #$ $! ' consequent Part II! ' antecedent Tchaikovsky! & (! &! '! ' (! & * Part III = Part I V V

8 The Consequent As a rule the consequent ends in an authentic cadence, either in the original key or in a new key (in the case of a modulating period.) In addition to the previous exception (when the period is Part II of a three-part song form) a consequent will end on a half cadence if it is part of the first half of a double period (a form which we'll cover later.)

9 Types of Periods Parallel Period Both antecedent and consequent are similar in some way, at least at the beginning of the phrase. (Rhythmic similarity is not necessarily a determinant.) Contrasting Period The antecedent and consequent are different from each other. (Rhythmic similarity is not necessarily a determinant.) "Mirror" Period A kind of contrasting period in which the consequent moves in the opposite direction from the antecedent.

10 Types of Parallel Periods Parallel period by identity: At least the first measures of the phrases are identical Consequent by identity (Schubert's Original) # $$ $ $ +!! ) #$ $ $ $!!!

11 Types of Parallel Periods Parallel period by transposition: The consequent is a transposed (or pitch-shifted) version of the antecedent. # $ $ $ +!! ) Consequent by transposition (this would work well in a double period) #$ $ $ $!! #$ $ $ $! '!

12 Types of Parallel Periods Parallel period by embellishment: The consequent is an embellished version of the antecedent. #$ $!! Consequent #$ $ $ $ by embellishment! ' #$ $ $ $!!! )

13 Types of Parallel Periods Parallel period by contour similarity: The consequent moves in similar motions to the antecedent. #$ $! ' Consequent #$ $ $ $ by contour similarity!!! )!!!!

14 Contrasting Periods Rhythm is not an issue in determining contrasting periods, but if the two phrases are markedly different yet still dependent upon each other for making an entire statement, it is a contrasting period. #$ $ ",!! - ' '!!!! - Kuhlau!!!!!!!

15 Contrasting Periods The rhythm of the consequent may be similar or even identical: #$ $! &! &! (-!!! & Johann Jakob de Neufville &! & ( -!!!!!!

16 Ambiguity It's not always clear whether a period is contrasting or not. Is this a parallel period with contour similarity or a contrasting period? The overall melodic motion is the same, and the consequent is sequential but rhythmically different. # $$!! +.!! -! (. / ( / Mozart

2-Voice Chorale Species Counterpoint Christopher Bailey

2-Voice Chorale Species Counterpoint Christopher Bailey Preamble In order to make the leap from composing in a 4-part chorale style to composing in a freetexture style, we will first re-think the process