Key Constellations: Interpreting Tonality in Film

by Táhirih Motazedian

Overview

Key is one of the simplest building blocks of music and is among the foundational properties of a work’s musical identity—so why isn’t it a standard parameter in discussing film music? Key Constellations: Interpreting Tonality in Film is the first book to investigate film soundtracks—including original scoring, preexisting music, and sound effects—through the lens of large-scale tonality. Exploring compelling analytical examples from numerous popular films, Táhirih Motazedian shows how key and pitch analysis of film music can reveal hidden layers of narrative meaning, giving readers exciting new ways to engage with their favorite films and soundtracks.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520382169
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	10/17/2023
Series:	California Studies in Music, Sound, and Media , #4
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	198
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Táhirih Motazedian is Assistant Professor of Music at Vassar College. Before her career in music theory, she worked for NASA as a planetary scientist and mission operations specialist.

Table of Contents

Contents

List of Figures and Tables 
Acknowledgments 
Preface—The Scope of This Book 

1 The Theoretical Groundwork for Film Tonality 
2 Tonal Analysis of the Soundtrack 
3 Filmic Characters Rising Up and Settling Down 
4 A Tale of Two (Tonally Symmetrical) Films 
5 Unheard Sound Effects 
6 Happy Accidents: Intentionality and Other Closing Thoughts 

Appendix—Working Method for Creating a “Tonal Score” 
Glossary 
Bibliography 
Index