BORIS Theses

BORIS Theses
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Temperament is a lie. Zur Just Intonation Ben Johnstons am Beispiel seiner Streichquartette

Kilchenmann Obschlager, Marc (2022). Temperament is a lie. Zur Just Intonation Ben Johnstons am Beispiel seiner Streichquartette. (Thesis). Universität Bern, Bern

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Abstract

For 40 years, Ben Johnston systematically studied vibrational ratios in theory and practice. Unlike his mentor Harry Partch, Johnston did not design a new microtonal tone system, his just intonation instead represents a systematic complex of microtonal tone spaces. Detailed and contextualised analyses of Johnston's 10 string quartets constitute the core of Marc Kilchenmann’s dissertation . This corpus is used to show which interval constellations Johnston utilises and how the continued development of his technique gradually leads him to the 31st partial tone. These analytical observations are contrasted with the contextualisation of Johnston's changing aesthetic orientation, which spans a wide range in his work, from serial approaches to postmodern musical-historical puzzles. In addition, the dissertation presents the methodological prerequisites, describes Johnston's path to just intonation, and provides a glossary of the most important theoretical terms in microtonal music.

Item Type: Thesis
Dissertation Type: Single
Date of Defense: 14 October 2022
Subjects: 700 Arts > 780 Music
Institute / Center: 06 Faculty of Humanities > Department of Art and Cultural Studies > Institute of Musicology
Depositing User: Hammer Igor
Date Deposited: 04 Jul 2025 15:47
Last Modified: 04 Jul 2025 15:54
URI: https://boristheses.unibe.ch/id/eprint/6360

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