The Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus ad Parnassum

by Johann Joseph Fux, Alfred Mann (Editor), Alfred Mann (Translator)

Overview

The essence of the most celebrated book on counterpoint, Fux's Gradus ad Parnassum.

The most celebrated book on counterpoint is Fux's great theoretical work Gradus ad Parnassum. Since its appearance in 1725, it has been used by and has directly influenced the work of many of the greatest composers. J.S. Bach held it in high esteem, Leopold Mozart trained his famous son from its pages, Haydn worked out every lesson with meticulous care, and Beethoven condensed it into an abstract for ready reference. An impressive list of nineteenth-century composers subscribed to its second edition, and in more recent times Paul Hindemith said, "Perhaps the craft of composition would really have fallen into decline if Fux's Gradus had not set up a standard."

Originally written in Latin, Steps to Parnassus was translated into the principal European languages, but the only English version was a free paraphrase published in 1886. The present translation by Alfred Mann is therefore the first faithful rendering in English from the original Latin and presents the essence of Fux's teachings. For its distinction as a classic and its undiminished usefulness for the modern student it is a privilege to offer this fine translation in the Norton Library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393002775
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	06/17/1965
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	839,989
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Alfred Mann was a musicologist, former conductor of the Cantata Singers, editor of a new full score of Handel's Messiah, and a contributor to The Musical Quarterly and other scholarly periodicals.

Alfred Mann was a musicologist, former conductor of the Cantata Singers, editor of a new full score of Handel's Messiah, and a contributor to The Musical Quarterly and other scholarly periodicals.