Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
đ¶ Support the channel:
đŒ patreon.com/classicalnerd
đŒ lentovivace.bandcamp.com
0:00 Introduction
0:42 What is an Augmented Sixth?
2:28 International Chords
6:30 Musica Ficta and the Phrygian Cadence
12:00 In Search of a Root
16:12 The Diminished Gambit
19:44 A Cog in the Sonata Machine
26:37 Towards Tristan, and Beyond
29:52 DIY Chords
31:51 The Tritone Substitution
33:39 Conclusion
đ Sources/further reading:
âA Chord in Time: The Evolution of the Augmented Sixth from Monteverdi to Mahlerâ by Mark Ellis (Ashgate, 2010)
âTheory of Harmonyâ by Arnold Schoenberg, trans. Roy Carter (University of California Press, 1978)
âHarmony and Voice Leadingâ by Edward Aldwell, Carl Schachter, and Allen Cadwallader (4th Edition, Cengage, 2011)
âHarmonic Practice in Tonal Musicâ by Robert Gauldin (1st Edition, Norton, 1997)
âHarmonic Materials and Treatment of Dissonance in the Pianoforte Music of Frederic Chopinâ by Betty Jean Thomas (PhD dissertation, Eastman School of Music, 1963): hdl.handle.net/1802/5429
----------
Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
----------
Music:
- Richard Wagner: Prelude to Tristan und Isolde, performed by the Fulda Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Simon Schindler and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/k7dk35af
- William Byrd: Ne Irascaris Domine and Civitas Sancti Tui (double motet), performed by Ensemble Plus Ultra [original upload: 3vBCSPHZnnA]
- Marc-Antoine Charpentier: âO sors! sors infelix et acerbâ from Mors SaĂŒlis et Jonathae, H. 403, performed by Il Seminario Musicale conducted by GĂ©rard Lesne [original upload: p_kYMqWbOYM]
- Johann Sebastian Bach: âEt Incarnatus Estâ from the Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, performed by the English Concert conducted by Harry Bicket [original upload: QNGzJnqdCnY]
- Robert Schumann: Novelletten, Op. 21 No. 4, performed by Dino Ciani [original upload: Zfe-UbT6G58]
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 39, K. 543, Mvt. 1, performers unknown [original upload: H0x_dCrKd4w]
- Joseph Haydn: String Quartet Op. 54 No. 2, Mvt. 2, performed by the Danish String Quartet [original upload: dGgmFFMFICc]
- Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 24 âĂ ThĂ©rĂšse,â Op. 78, Mvt. 2, performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/uddakysj
- Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 14 in C# minor, Op. 131, Mvt. 1, performed by the Orion String Quartet and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/3pjmnw3y
- Robert Schumann: âAm Leuchtenden Sommermorgenâ from Dichterliebe, Op. 48, performed by Anton Belov and Lydia Brown and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/45r9dm3w
- Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in B Major, Op. 63 No. 1, performed by Christoph Zbinden and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/yxujsp95
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
The other background music consists of procedurally generated chains of augmented sixth chords, representing each of the 12 transpositions of the three major varieties of augmented sixth equally.
----------
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
facebook.com/classicalnerd
Instagram:
instagram.com/the_classical_nerd
----------
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.
đ¶ Support the channel:
đŒ patreon.com/classicalnerd
đŒ lentovivace.bandcamp.com
0:00 Introduction
0:42 What is an Augmented Sixth?
2:28 International Chords
6:30 Musica Ficta and the Phrygian Cadence
12:00 In Search of a Root
16:12 The Diminished Gambit
19:44 A Cog in the Sonata Machine
26:37 Towards Tristan, and Beyond
29:52 DIY Chords
31:51 The Tritone Substitution
33:39 Conclusion
đ Sources/further reading:
âA Chord in Time: The Evolution of the Augmented Sixth from Monteverdi to Mahlerâ by Mark Ellis (Ashgate, 2010)
âTheory of Harmonyâ by Arnold Schoenberg, trans. Roy Carter (University of California Press, 1978)
âHarmony and Voice Leadingâ by Edward Aldwell, Carl Schachter, and Allen Cadwallader (4th Edition, Cengage, 2011)
âHarmonic Practice in Tonal Musicâ by Robert Gauldin (1st Edition, Norton, 1997)
âHarmonic Materials and Treatment of Dissonance in the Pianoforte Music of Frederic Chopinâ by Betty Jean Thomas (PhD dissertation, Eastman School of Music, 1963): hdl.handle.net/1802/5429
----------
Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
----------
Music:
- Richard Wagner: Prelude to Tristan und Isolde, performed by the Fulda Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Simon Schindler and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/k7dk35af
- William Byrd: Ne Irascaris Domine and Civitas Sancti Tui (double motet), performed by Ensemble Plus Ultra [original upload: 3vBCSPHZnnA]
- Marc-Antoine Charpentier: âO sors! sors infelix et acerbâ from Mors SaĂŒlis et Jonathae, H. 403, performed by Il Seminario Musicale conducted by GĂ©rard Lesne [original upload: p_kYMqWbOYM]
- Johann Sebastian Bach: âEt Incarnatus Estâ from the Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, performed by the English Concert conducted by Harry Bicket [original upload: QNGzJnqdCnY]
- Robert Schumann: Novelletten, Op. 21 No. 4, performed by Dino Ciani [original upload: Zfe-UbT6G58]
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 39, K. 543, Mvt. 1, performers unknown [original upload: H0x_dCrKd4w]
- Joseph Haydn: String Quartet Op. 54 No. 2, Mvt. 2, performed by the Danish String Quartet [original upload: dGgmFFMFICc]
- Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 24 âĂ ThĂ©rĂšse,â Op. 78, Mvt. 2, performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/uddakysj
- Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 14 in C# minor, Op. 131, Mvt. 1, performed by the Orion String Quartet and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/3pjmnw3y
- Robert Schumann: âAm Leuchtenden Sommermorgenâ from Dichterliebe, Op. 48, performed by Anton Belov and Lydia Brown and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/45r9dm3w
- Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in B Major, Op. 63 No. 1, performed by Christoph Zbinden and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/yxujsp95
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
The other background music consists of procedurally generated chains of augmented sixth chords, representing each of the 12 transpositions of the three major varieties of augmented sixth equally.
----------
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
facebook.com/classicalnerd
Instagram:
instagram.com/the_classical_nerd
----------
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.
![Francis Poulenc: Whimsy and Sarcasm [Les Six, Pt. 6/7]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cayIzSKe36A/mqdefault.jpg "Francis Poulenc: Whimsy and Sarcasm [Les Six, Pt. 6/7]
đ¶ Support the channel:
đŒ https://lentovivace.bandcamp.com
đŒ https://www.patreon.com/classicalnerd
This was requested by Agis Vlaxos, Sean Ramsdell, portwain, Cole Fortier, Magnus Saar, Kevin OConnor, Sizalyth, UCDrumline77, and Carson Clegg. See all requests at http://lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html
đ Sources/further reading:
âPoulenc: A Biographyâ by Roger Nichols (Yale University Press, 2020)
âPoulenc: The Life in the Songsâ by Graham Johnson (Norton, 2020)
âLes Six: The French Composers and Their Mentors Jean Cocteau and Erik Satie,â edited by Robert Shapiro (Peter Owen Publishers, 2011)
âPoulencâs Development as a Piano Composer: A Comparison of the Solo Piano Works and the MĂ©lodiesâ by Kirk A. Severtson (DMA thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2005): https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=ucin1117195467&disposition=inlin
âUnifying Devices in Poulenc: A Study of the Cycles BanalitĂ©s and Tel Jour Telle Nuitâ by Terence Evan Dawson (DMA thesis, University of British Columbia, 1991)
âRhythmic, Phrasing, and Dramatic Concerns in Poulencâs Tel Jour Telle Nuitâ by Wesley B. Morgan (DMA monograph, Temple University, 2019): https://scholarshare.temple.edu/bitstream/handle/20.500.12613/3305/TETDEDXMorgan-temple-0225E-13634.pdf?sequence=1
âA Stylistic Analysis of BanalitĂ©s by Francis Poulencâ by Joy Ann Allen (MM thesis, University of North Texas, 1968): https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc699446/m2/1/high_res_d/1002774320-Allen.pdf
âA Comparative Study of Selected Clarinet Works by Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud and Francis Poulencâ by Thomas D. Stirzaker (PhD dissertation, Texas Tech University, 1988): https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/bitstream/handle/2346/61651/31295019375103.pdf?seq
âA Historical, Literary, and Musical Analysis of Francis Poulencâs Dialogues des CarmĂ©litesâ by Gail Elizabeth Lowther (MM thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2010): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a96c9ee0dbda34913bde7f6/t/5b1838576d2a73e172170a74/1528313946253/bgsu1273832192.pdf
âCohesion of Composer and Singer: The Female Singers of Poulencâ by Susan Joanne Musselman (DMA document, The Ohio State University, 2007): https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=osu1196185791&disposition=inline
âFrancis Poulencâs Sonata for Horn, Trumpet and Trombone: A Structural Analysis Identifying Historical Significance, Form and Implications for Performanceâ by John T. Cord, (DMA dissertation, University of North Texas, 2009): https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc12104/m2/1/high_res_d/dissertation.pdf
âA Pedagogical and Performance Analysis of Francis Poulencâs Works for Two Pianos and Four Handsâ by Mai Li (DMA dissertation, University of Kansas, 2019): https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/30189/Li_ku_0099D_16967_DATA_1.pdf?sequence=1
âAn Analysis of Francis Poulencâs Sextour, First Movementâ by Malorie Danielle Jessup (MM research paper, Ball State University, 2009): https://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/bitstream/handle/123456789/193566/Mjessup_2009-2_BODY.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Francis Poulenc: Selections from Nocturnes (1930â8), performed by John Robson (#1, #3) and Monica Hart (#7, #8) [free recordings courtesy pianosociety.com]
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
- Francis Poulenc: Selections from Improvisations (1932â59), performed by Monica Hart (#5, #7, #10, #13, #15) [free recordings courtesy pianosociety.com]
- Francis Poulenc: MĂ©lancolie (1940), performed by Dr. David April [free recording courtesy pianosociety.com]
- Francis Poulenc: Selections from Suite Française (1935), performed by Chris Breemer (#1, #3, #6, #7) [free recordings courtesy pianosociety.com]
- Francis Poulenc: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano (1962), performed by Michael Schönfelder and Andreas Pfaul [free recording courtesy pianosociety.com]
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.")
![Louis Durey: The Composer Who Set Mao to Music [Les Six, Pt. 3/7]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d4qNHBjT3B0/mqdefault.jpg "Louis Durey: The Composer Who Set Mao to Music [Les Six, Pt. 3/7]
đ¶ Support the channel:
đŒ https://lentovivace.bandcamp.com
đŒ https://www.patreon.com/classicalnerd
đ Sources/further reading:
âLes Six: The French Composers and Their Mentors Jean Cocteau and Erik Satie,â edited by Robert Shapiro (Peter Owen Publishers, 2011)
âLouis Durey: Homme de tĂȘte,â by Marc Wood (The Musical Times, Vol. 141, No. 1873): https://www.jstor.org/stable/1004733
Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Louis Durey: Le bestiaire ou cortĂšge dâOrphĂ©e (1919), performed by Sophie De Tillesse and Ensemble Quartz conducted by Jean Thorel [original upload: R22qrxvwEj0]
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.")
