Index to Ascending Cadence Gestures

This post was updated on March 20, 2024 to point to a subsequent updated index published in December 2022: post.

See also this post for additional titles published in 2023-2024: post.

 

New publications: Kern and Gershwin songs; polkas after 1860

I have published four new essays on the Texas ScholarWorks platform.

These two are bundled under one heading:  Alternate cadences in recordings of "All the Things You Are" and "Embraceable You"

Abstract:

Some cadences in European and European-influenced tonal music show a contradiction in direction between registral stasis and linear movement, an example being alternative endings written into a song by Jerome Kern. The topic is explored through analysis of 51 recorded performances. In addition, a registrally complex cadence in Gershwin’s “Embraceable You” is surveyed through 44 recordings.

Ascending Cadence Gestures, A New Historical Survey, Part 4b2: 1780-1860, Polkas (2)

Abstract:

This essay supplements the Historical Survey Part 4b, which covered ascending cadence gestures in polkas between 1840 and 1861. Most items come from the Library of Congress collection Music for the Nation: American Sheet Music, ca. 1820 to 1860.

Ascending Cadence Gestures, A New Historical Survey, Part 5d2: 1860-1900, Polkas

Abstract:

This essay continues from the Historical Survey Parts 4b & 4b2, which covered polkas between 1840 and 1861, to document ascending cadence gestures in more than fifty polkas after that, to c. 1890. Composers represented, among many others, are Gonzaga, Kéler, Johann Strauss, jr., Sullivan, and Ziehrer. An appendix discusses the Clarinet Polka and Modřanská Polka (“Beer Barrel Polka”).

Michael Buchler on "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

SMT-V is the peer-reviewed video journal of the Society for Music Theory. In the newly released issue 7.4, Michael Buchler reveals the aspirational side to Tin Pan Alley in "I Don’t Care if I Never Get Back: Optimism and Ascent in 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game'.” Link to SMT-V.

Here is the abstract:

The chorus of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” (Von Tilzer and Norworth, 1908) is familiar to anyone who has attended baseball games in North America. However, relatively few people are aware that there is an introductory verse that poetically and contrapuntally motivates and anticipates the well-known chorus. This video article demonstrates some relationships between the verse and chorus and also challenges an earlier analysis that views this song through the lens of common-practice melodic norms.

In the film, Michael mentions statements I have made about rising and upper-register cadences as being common in 19th century operetta and its descendants in 20th century musicals. Here are some essays where I discuss that topic:

Offenbach, Rising Melodic Gestures in La belle Hélène (1864). See the Introduction, section "Historical note on ascending cadence gestures" (p. 5). Link.

Offenbach, Rising Melodic Gestures in Orphée aux Enfers (1858; rev. 1874). Link.

Offenbach, Two One-act Operettas: Les deux aveugles (1855) and Pomme d’Api (1873). Link.

Johann Strauss, jr., Die Fledermaus: Ascending Cadence Gestures on Stage. Link.

On Ascending Cadence Gestures in Adolphe Adam's Le Châlet (1834). Link.

A Gallery of Simple Examples of Extended Rising Melodic Shapes, Volume 2. Section on Victor Herbert.  Link.

Addendum to the Historical Survey, with an Index. Section on Tin Pan Alley and Broadway. Link. 

New publication: more on ascending cadence gestures after 1860

 I have published Ascending Cadence Gestures, A New Historical Survey, Part 5d: After 1860 on the Texas ScholarWorks platform: link.

Abstract:

This is Part 5d of a multi-part essay gathering compositions with ascending lines and cadence gestures in European and European-influenced music. Composers include, among others, Chaminade, Benjamin Cutter, Edward German, Grieg, Kéler, Sousa, Tchaikovsky, and Waldteufel. Additional examples come from folk song and dance collections by Elizabeth Burchenal.

New publication: ascending cadence figures in hymns

I have published Ascending Cadence Gestures, A New Historical Survey, Part 5b: Music from Hymnals, 1893-1909 on the Texas ScholarWorks platform: link.

Here is the abstract:

Part 5b of this multi-part essay gathers compositions with ascending and upper-register cadence gestures in European and European-influenced music is given over to examples from Shaker and Mormon hymnals published in the United States between 1893 and 1909.

New publications: more on music to 1650 and an index

I have published Ascending Cadence Gestures, A New Historical Survey, Part 2f: to 1650, addendum 2 on the Texas ScholarWorks platform: link.

Here is the abstract:

Part 2f of a multi-part essay gathers additional compositions with ascending and upper-register cadence gestures in European and European-influenced music before 1650. Compositions include instrumental and vocal music by Arcadelt, Banchieri, Cazzati, Hammerschmidt, Marenzio, Quagliati, and Rusca (among others), as well as music from volumes published by the houses of Gardano and Vincenti. The document is in three files, Parts 2f1, 2f2, and 2f3.

I have also published an updated index to Part 2: link.

Description:

This file is a complete index to Part 2. It adds to Part 2d’s index all items in Parts 2e, 2f1, 2f2, and 2f3.

Index, updated March 2020

I have published Index to Ascending Cadence Gestures in Essays Published on the Texas ScholarWorks Platform: Update 2020 on the Texas ScholarWorks platform: link.  Here is the abstract:

This file updates the Index published in January 2019. There are two sections. The first is a progress report on the project Ascending Cadence Gestures, A New Historical Survey. The second is an updated list of all compositions with ascending or upper-register cadence gestures, as mentioned in my article "The Ascending Urlinie" (1987), in essays published on the Texas ScholarWorks platform, and in work files prepared for remaining numbers in the new historical survey.