The Fifteenth-Century French Chanson: A Computer-Aided Study of Styles and Style Change

This investigation employs techniques of data processing to analyze and compare 92 chansons of Gilles Binchois, Guillaume Dufay, Antoine Busnois, and Johannes Ockeghem. To that end a specially developed computer program supplies output of two types: (a) a note-by-note analysis of each composition showing chord configurations, nonharmonic tones, rhythmic activity, voice crossing, voice direction, and range; and (b) for each composition and repertory, a statistical summary of properties such as chord inversion and duration, nonharmonic tone classification and distribution, root and bass-line progression and distribution, melodic activity, direction, and relative motion, melodic and harmonic interval distribution and range, voice crossing, and texture. Among the investigations carried out using this tool were an examination of general style change during the fifteenth century, the identification of specific changes in the styles of Binchois and Dufay through comparative analysis of chronologically grouped compositions, and the resolution of several questions of authorship on the basis of style comparisons. The computer's role in analysis of this type was clearly demonstrated during the study. The degree of analytic detail required by this approach precluded any possibility of accurate manual treatment.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Musicology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Trowbridge, Lynn Mason

• Music

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8209635

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/70814