An admirable reconciliation of traditional and modern (mainly 12-tone) trends in composition, this book shows how all types of writing must respond to psychological wants of the listener and how similar goals may be achieved in seemingly opposed styles. Illustrating his discussion with 390 musical examples, Toch not only introduces new ideas and approaches, but examines many age-old problems with clarity and precision—consonance and dis- sonance, melody versus harmony, ornamental and fermentative counterpoint, form versus number, and more. His analyses of the expanding harmonic universe, the wave line of melody, and the formative influence of movement are particularly penetrating.

New to this edition are a biographical introduction by Toch’s grandson, Lawrence Weschler; a previously unpublished letter from Thomas Mann to Toch about this book (in English transla- tion) and a complete checklist of Tochs compositions. Intended for all those who have a minimum understanding of musical nota- tion and theory, this book will appeal to music lovers, practical musicians and amateurs, and incipient composers.

Unabridged republication of the original (1948) edition. 390 musical examples. New introduction by Lawrence Weschler. Letter from Thomas Mann to the author. Complete checklist of Toch’s compositions. Index of personal names. xxvii ± 260pp. 5 ¾ x 8½. Paperbound

ISBN 0-486—23346-4

9 780486 233468