Lezione di Armonia #5 | Le Cadenze

Summary

This video explores harmonic cadences, sequences of two chords that indicate how chords relate within a key. It discusses two main types: resolving cadences that conclude harmony and non-resolving cadences that create tension. Examples include the perfect cadence, plagal cadence, suspended cadence, deceptive cadence, and the lesser-known 'cadence of the hidden plagal.' The video also references the use of these cadences in famous pieces like Strauss's 'Also sprach Zarathustra,' highlighting their role in creating musical tension and resolution.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The video discusses the study of harmonic progressions and how they connect chords within a tonality.
• 🔄 Harmonic cadences are sequences of two chords that indicate how chords are related to each other.
• 🌟 Cadences can be found in both major and minor tonalities and can be transposed between them.
• 🏁 Harmonic cadences are divided into two main categories: resolving cadences and non-resolving cadences.
• 🏁 Resolving cadences lead to a conclusion or a state of rest in the harmony.
• 🏁 Non-resolving cadences create tension and the expectation of further movement in the music.
• 🎶 The perfect cadence is introduced as a resolving cadence that effectively leads from tension to resolution.
• 🎶 The plagal cadence is similar to the perfect cadence but lacks the perfect fifth, offering a different resolution.
• 🔄 Suspended cadence is a non-resolving cadence that ends with the dominant chord, creating a sense of suspension.
• 🔄 The deceptive cadence moves from the fifth to the fifth of a new tonality, often creating a sense of surprise or redirection.
• 🎶 The interrupted cadence is a non-resolving cadence that ends with a chord that is not the final resolution, often used for enigmatic endings.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed in the video script is the study of harmonic cadences in music, specifically focusing on how chords are connected and related within a tonality.

What are cadences in music?

Cadences are sequences of two chords that indicate how chords are connected to each other within a tonality, providing a sense of resolution or tension in the music.

How are cadences categorized in the script?

Cadences are categorized into two main types: resolving cadences, which bring the harmony to a conclusion or a state of rest, and non-resolving cadences, which create a sense of tension and expectation for further musical movement.

What is a perfect cadence in music?

A perfect cadence is a type of resolving cadence that moves from the fifth degree to the first degree in a major key, effectively signaling the arrival of the tonic and providing a clear resolution.

What is a plagal cadence and how does it function?

A plagal cadence is similar to a perfect cadence but moves from the fourth degree to the first degree. It lacks the leading tone, which makes it less effective in resolution but allows for two resolutions with two different chords leading to the tonic.

What is a suspended cadence and why is it used?

A suspended cadence is a non-resolving cadence that ends with the fifth degree, creating a sense of suspension or tension. It is often used to lead into a dominant chord, setting up a sense of expectation for resolution.

What is an avoided cadence and how does it differ from other cadences?

An avoided cadence is a type of non-resolving cadence that moves from the fifth to the fifth of a new key, often creating a sense of surprise or redirection in the music. It differs from other cadences by not leading to a clear resolution.

What is the deceptive cadence and how does it function?

The deceptive cadence is a non-resolving cadence that leads to the sixth degree instead of the expected first degree, creating a sense of deception or enigma. It can be used to end a musical piece on a more ambiguous note.

What is the 'cadenza quanto minore' and why is it significant?

The 'cadenza quanto minore' or 'Phrygian cadence' is a type of cadence that involves a minor chord progression, often used in liturgical organ music. It is significant because it provides a unique resolution that is different from typical major key cadences.

How does the script use the concept of 'cadenza perfetta' in the context of 'Also sprach Zarathustra' by Richard Strauss?

The script uses the concept of 'cadenza perfetta' or 'perfect cadence' to describe the harmonic movement in 'Also sprach Zarathustra'. The piece begins with an ambiguous tonality and uses perfect cadences to clearly establish the tonality of C major, creating a sense of resolution.

What is the role of the preparatory chord in cadences as discussed in the script?

The preparatory chord is used to set up or prepare for the cadence, often providing a complementary harmony that leads into the main cadence. It is a common technique in music composition to create a smooth transition into the cadence.