Les Presses Du College Musical LENORMAND RENE - ETUDE SUR L'HARMONIE MODERNE (1912)

Summary of This Book

In response to the rapid aesthetic and technical transformations marking the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, this book offers valuable insight into how "modern" harmony was constructed. Around 1909, René Lenormand set out to clarify the harmonic innovations of his contemporaries and to place them within a logical lineage, as a true genealogy of musical language. Originally published as a series in Le Monde Musical in 1912, his Study on Modern Harmony stands out both for the solidity of its analyses and for a remarkable approach: the commentaries were submitted for validation by the composers, which enhances the musicological relevance of the whole.

Throughout the pages, the reader discovers concrete reference points to understand chord colors, progressions, tensions and resolutions, as well as the liberties taken with classical frameworks. These analyses go beyond a theoretical approach: they invite connecting writing to listening, and grasping how a harmonic idea becomes a tool of expression. The contributions dedicated to Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel stand out particularly, as they allow a better understanding of harmonic signatures that have become essential for musicians, composers, and analysts.

To extend this exploration, the work is here complemented by a Concise Harmonic Analysis of the Works of Maurice Ravel. This additional section offers a methodical entry into the details of Ravel's writing, to probe its richness, subtlety, and originality. An ideal resource for students in musical training, conservatory students, teachers, as well as instrumentalists wishing to refine their understanding of harmony and enrich their interpretation.

Technical specifications

Composer	René Lenormand	Edition	Jean-Philippe Navarre
Artists	Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel	Language	French