Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Music theory
(2,533 words)

1. Concept

Music theory can in general be defined as “thinking about music” and the theory of understanding the (compositional) ideas found “in music.” It is concerned with the rudiments and foundations of music, investigating structures and manifestations of compositional design and documenting their evolution through history. It attempts to systematize its discoveries, encapsulate them in concepts and language, and to communicate …

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Redmann, Bernd, “Music theory”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 08 June 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_024422>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20200128



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