jeffw@tekecs.UUCP (05/10/84)
I don't want to start a big argument about this, but I think a case can be made that D, if not D major, is the key of this piece. Obviously this is under a rather broad definition of tonal music, namely, the one which distinguishes it from atonality and dodecaphony: That music in which notes (or keys) have a heirarchy of importance, and in which just one note or key is most important. If pressed for more than a few details, however, I'll have to turn to Greg Gadeholt for assistance - Greg, are you there? Anyone see a topic for discussion here? Jeff Winslow
barry@ames-lm.UUCP (Kenn Barry) (05/17/84)
[Honor this line - it had to fight to get here!]
I can't pass up a mention of my favorite piece of classical music.
I believe that "Le Sacre du Printemps" is generally classed as neither
tonal nor atonal, but polytonal; i.e., there are tonal centers, but they
move around. Much of it has part of the orchestra playing in one key,
while another plays simultaneously in a different key.
Just a personal opinion, but I'd be much happier with 20th century
music if polytonality had maintained its popularity, and atonality had
died a quick and merciful death. (*That* should cause some comment!)
Kenn Barry
NASA-Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA
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