175 research outputs found
Fourier phase and pitch-class sum
Music theorists have proposed two very different geometric models of musical objects, one based on voice leading and the other based on the Fourier transform. On the surface these models are completely different, but they converge in special cases, including many geometries that are of particular analytical interest.Accepted manuscrip
Tonal prisms: iterated quantization in chromatic tonality and Ravel's 'Ondine'
The mathematics of second-order maximal evenness has far-reaching potential for application in music analysis. One of its assets is its foundation in an inherently continuous conception of pitch, a feature it shares with voice-leading geometries. This paper reformulates second-order maximal evenness as iterated quantization in voice-leading spaces, discusses the implications of viewing diatonic triads as second-order maximally even sets for the understanding of nineteenth-century modulatory schemes, and applies a second-order maximally even derivation of acoustic collections in an in-depth analysis of Ravel's âOndineâ. In the interaction between these two very different applications, the paper generalizes the concepts and analytical methods associated with iterated quantization and also pursues a broader argument about the mutual dependence of mathematical music theory and music analysis.Accepted manuscrip
Decontextualizing contextual inversion
Contextual inversion, introduced as an analytical tool by David Lewin, is a concept of wide reach and value in music theory and analysis, at the root of neo-Riemannian theory as well as serial theory, and useful for a range of analytical applications. A shortcoming of contextual inversion as it is currently understood, however, is, as implied by the name, that the transformation has to be defined anew for each application. This is potentially a virtue, requiring the analyst to invest the transformational system with meaning in order to construct it in the first place. However, there are certainly instances where new transformational systems are continually redefined for essentially the same purposes. This paper explores some of the most common theoretical bases for contextual inversion groups and considers possible definitions of inversion operators that can apply across set class types, effectively decontextualizing contextual inversions.Accepted manuscrip
A Tonnetz Model for pentachords
This article deals with the construction of surfaces that are suitable for
representing pentachords or 5-pitch segments that are in the same class.
It is a generalization of the well known \"Ottingen-Riemann torus for triads of
neo-Riemannian theories. Two pentachords are near if they differ by a
particular set of contextual inversions and the whole contextual group of
inversions produces a Tiling (Tessellation) by pentagons on the surfaces. A
description of the surfaces as coverings of a particular Tiling is given in the
twelve-tone enharmonic scale case.Comment: 27 pages, 12 figure
Generalizing Tanisaki's ideal via ideals of truncated symmetric functions
We define a family of ideals in the polynomial ring
that are parametrized by Hessenberg functions
(equivalently Dyck paths or ample partitions). The ideals generalize
algebraically a family of ideals called the Tanisaki ideal, which is used in a
geometric construction of permutation representations called Springer theory.
To define , we use polynomials in a proper subset of the variables
that are symmetric under the corresponding permutation
subgroup. We call these polynomials {\em truncated symmetric functions} and
show combinatorial identities relating different kinds of truncated symmetric
polynomials. We then prove several key properties of , including that if
in the natural partial order on Dyck paths then ,
and explicitly construct a Gr\"{o}bner basis for . We use a second family
of ideals for which some of the claims are easier to see, and prove that
. The ideals arise in work of Ding, Develin-Martin-Reiner, and
Gasharov-Reiner on a family of Schubert varieties called partition varieties.
Using earlier work of the first author, the current manuscript proves that the
ideals generalize the Tanisaki ideals both algebraically and
geometrically, from Springer varieties to a family of nilpotent Hessenberg
varieties.Comment: v1 had 27 pages. v2 is 29 pages and adds Appendix B, where we include
a recent proof by Federico Galetto of a conjecture given in the previous
version. We also add some connections between our work and earlier results of
Ding, Gasharov-Reiner, and Develin-Martin-Reiner. v3 corrects a typo in
Valibouze's citation in the bibliography. To appear in Journal of Algebraic
Combinatoric
From littĂ©rature engagĂ©e to engaged translation : staging Jean-Paul Sartreâs theatre as a challenge to Francoâs rule in Spain
The practice of creating translations that ârouse, inspire, witness, mobilize, and incite to rebellionâ is described by Maria Tymoczko, following Jean-Paul Sartre's littĂ©rature engagĂ©e, as âengaged translationâ. In Spain, under the Franco dictatorship (1939â1975), the theatre became a site of opposition to his rule and the creation of âengagedâ translations of foreign plays was one of the ways in which alternative social and political realities were transmitted to local audiences. This was particularly evident during the so-called apertura period (1962â1969), when Spain's political leaders embraced more liberal and outward-facing cultural policies as part of their efforts to ensure the regime's continuity. Drawing on archival evidence from the state censorship files held at Archivo General de la AdministraciĂłn (AGA) in AlcalĂĄ de Henares, this article considers how âengagedâ translations of Sartre's theatre were employed as instruments of cultural opposition to the Spanish dictatorship. It also argues that an analysis of the files both helps us to understand the role of censorship in shaping an official version of the past, and shines a light on the memory of a little-studied aspect of cultural activism in the Spanish theatre.PostprintPeer reviewe
Micropolitical dynamics of interlingual translation processes in an MNC subsidiary
An analysis of the process whereby a Polish subsidiary of a North American pharmaceutical company translated a set of corporate values into Polis
Memetic Perspectives on the Evolution of Tonal Systems
Cohn (1996) and Taruskin (1985) consider the increasing prominence during the nineteenth century of harmonic progressions derived from the hexatonic and octatonic pitch collections respectively. This development is clearly evident in music of the third quarter of the century onwards and is a consequence of forces towards non-diatonic organization latent in earlier music. This article conceptualizes such forces as memetic â drawing a distinction between memetic processes in music itself and those in the realm of music theory â and interprets the gradualistic evolution of tonal systems as one of their most significant consequences. After outlining hypotheses for the mechanisms driving such evolution, it identifies a number of âmusemesâ implicated in hexatonic and octatonic organization in a passage from Mahlerâs Symphony no. 10. Popleâs (2002) Tonalities music-analysis software is used to explore the tonal organization of the passage, which is considered in relation to the musemes hypothesized to generate and underpin it
Teaching Intercultural Competence in Translator Training
In this position paper we define an interculturally competent translator as one that demonstrates a high level of intercultural knowledge, skills, attitude and flexibility throughout his or her professional engagements. We argue that to attain this goal in translator training intercultural competence needs to be introduced into the curriculum explicitly and in a conceptually clear manner. In this article we provide an overview of earlier attempts at discussing the role of intercultural communication in translator training curricula and we discuss the various pedagogical and practical challenges involved. We also look at some future challenges, identifying increasing societal diversity as both a source of added urgency into intercultural training and a challenge for traditional biculturally based notions of translatorsâ intercultural competence and we argue for the central role of empathy. Finally, and importantly, we introduce the contributions to the special issue
Living between languages: The politics of translation in Leila Aboulelaâs Minaret and Xiaolu Guoâs A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers
This is the author's final draft post-refereeing as published in The Journal of Commonwealth Literature 2012 47: 207 DOI:10.1177/0021989412440433. The online version of this article can be found at: http://jcl.sagepub.com/content/47/2/20
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