“Over the past several years, I have been building a database of computer-readable scores and musical analyses, with the goal of understanding the different flavors of “functional tonality.”  I’ll explain my techniques, talk about some of the challenging methodological problems involved, show some surprising results, and explore some preliminary answers to the following questions: How did tonal harmony develop out of Renaissance practice?  What is the best theory of tonal chord progressions?  Is “roman numeral analysis” justified?  To what extent is analytical “reduction” (e.g. removal of nonharmonic tones) an objective enterprise?  Along the way, I’ll suggest that several tenets of music-theoretical “common sense” are incorrect.”

There is no pre-circulated reading this week. Since the talk itself will take some time, we will begin promptly at 4:30. The snack bar is open at 4:15.