Keywords
modern music, music, music translation, music commentary
Abstract
Giovanni Maria Artusi is well known for his conservative role in the debate between advocates of the prima and seconda pratiche. Contemporary authors marvel at Artusi's audacity in criticizing the genius of Monteverdi. Though often viewed as a pedant, Artusi was a significant Italian theorist who understood ancient Greek theory and had innovative ideas for applying this ancient knowledge to modern practice.
L' Artusi, overo Delle imperfettioni deIla moderna musica was written to illuminate and correct errors Artusi found in contemporary scholarship (chiefly in Bottrigari's work) and composition (specifically, certain liberties in Monteverdi's madrigals). Artusi effectively argues for a universal application of equal temperament to all instruments instead of just intonation. In the course of this argument, Artusi provides a view of the Renaissance musician's concept of musica ficta, transposition, and tuning. His arguments against Monteverdi reveal the contemporary modal theory in a state of chaos and show a theorist's concept of proper harmony.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Litchfield, Malcolm, "Giovanni Maria Artusi's L'artusi Overo Delle Imperfettioni Della Moderna Musica (1600): A Translation and Commentary" (1987). Faculty Publications. 3193.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/3193
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
1987-8
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6005
Language
English
College
Fine Arts and Communications
Department
Music
Copyright Status
© Malcolm Litchfield 1987