New Book by Brent Auerbach Published by Oxford University Press

Image

The first book by Brent Auerbach, associate professor of music theory in the UMass Amherst department of music and dance, has just been published by Oxford University Press. “Musical Motives: A Theory and Method for Analyzing Shape in Music” explores motives, the small-scale pitch and rhythm shapes that are ever-present in music. In his book, Auerbach discusses how motives tie together sound space, much like the motifs in visual art, and how their presence in a wide variety of musical styles (classical, pop/rock, Broadway and beyond) provides common ground for a deeper understanding of the listening experience. 

“Musical Motives” lays out a comprehensive theory and method to account for music's structure and drama in motivic terms. This content, designed to accommodate novice and experienced analysts alike, begins with definitions, a universal nomenclature, and rules for properly linking motives. The book continues by offering detailed, specific procedures for organizing, interpreting, and effectively communicating analytic findings. Points are supported by numerous examples as well as abbreviated and full analyses of works by Mozart, Handel, Hamlisch, Chaminade, Beethoven, Verdi, Radiohead and many more.

Brent Auerbach is currently serving as an associate editor of the journal, “Music Theory Online.” His research has appeared in The Journal of Music Theory, Music Theory Online, Theory and Practice, Intégral, and in Pop-Culture Pedagogy in the Music Classroom. He has given papers at annual meetings of the Society for Music Theory, the New England Conference of Music Theorists, the Music Theory Society of New York State, the West Coast Conference of Music Theorists and the Texas Society for Music Theory.