Diminished seventh
Inverse | Augmented second |
---|---|
Name | |
Other names | - |
Abbreviation | d7[1] |
Size | |
Semitones | 9 |
Interval class | 3 |
Just interval | 128:75,[2] 216:125,[3] 32768:19683, 26:15 |
Cents | |
12-Tone equal temperament | 900 |
Just intonation | 925, 947, 882, 952.3 |
In
The diminished seventh is used quite readily in the
In 12-tone
The 128:75 just diminished seventh arises in the C harmonic minor scale between B and A♭ by combining B-D, D|F, F-A♭.[6] ⓘ
Usage in musical expression
Since the Baroque era, Western European composers have used the diminished seventh as a melodic interval to convey intense, sometimes troubled emotion. Richard Taruskin (2010, p. 258) draws attention to the falling melodic figures in the bass (pedal) part of J. S. Bach's organ chorale prelude from the Orgelbüchlein, "Durch Adam's Fall":
"What is a powerful surprise, and further evidence of Bach’s unique imaginative boldness, is the specific form the obbligato pedal part takes in this chorale setting: almost nothing but dissonant drops of a seventh – Adam’s fall made audible! And not just the fall, but also the attendant pain and suffering are depicted (and in a way evoked), since so many of those sevenths are diminished."[7]
The expressive potential of the interval was not lost on Mozart, especially when, as Dennis Matthews (1971, p. iii) puts it, "Mozart reserved a minor home-key for his most disquieting utterances."[8] The opening theme of the Piano Concerto in C minor K491, features rising diminished sevenths:
More startling is the finale of Mozart's G minor Symphony No. 40, K550, which critic Charles Rosen (1971, p324) calls "a work of passion, violence and grief."[9] The development section features a disorienting sequence of diminished sevenths:
The dramatic clout of the interval was further exploited by operatic composers during the nineteenth century. Robert Donington (1963, p. 175) heard the dark, atmospheric Prelude to
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-07-294262-0. Specific example of an d7 not given but general example of minor intervals described.
- ISBN 0-8247-4714-3. Diminished seventh.
- ^ Haluska (2003), p.xxvi. Acute diminished seventh.
- ^ Hoffmann, F.A. (1881). Music: Its Theory & Practice, p.89-90. Thurgate & Sons. Digitized Aug 16, 2007.
- ^ Benward & Saker (2003), p.92.
- ^ Paul, Oscar (1885). A manual of harmony for use in music-schools and seminaries and for self-instruction, p.165. Theodore Baker, trans. G. Schirmer.
- ^ Taruskin, R. (2010), The Oxford History of Western Music, Vol. 2. Oxford University Press.
- ^ Matthews, D. (1971) Introduction to score of Mozart Piano Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in C minor, K491. London, Eulenburg.
- ^ Rosen, C. (1971) The Classical Style. London, Faber.
- ^ Donington, R. (1963) Wagner’s Ring and its Symbols. London Faber.