Diminished and Augmented Chords

An episode of the Gresham College Lectures podcast, hosted by Gresham College, titled "Diminished and Augmented Chords" was published on February 22, 2023 and runs 140 minutes.

February 22, 2023 ·140m · Gresham College Lectures

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Summary

In this lecture, we will delve into the history of opera because that is where the diminished seventh-chord gradually accumulated its expressive power as a chord for dramatic climaxes, demonic intrusions and generally for shock and horror of any kind. The augmented triad came to be used for the mysterious and supernatural. The symmetrical structure of these two chords allowed composers to veer off into unexpected keys or create new scales which have not shed their strangeness, even today. &nb...

Episode Description

In this lecture, we will delve into the history of opera because that is where the diminished seventh-chord gradually accumulated its expressive power as a chord for dramatic climaxes, demonic intrusions and generally for shock and horror of any kind. The augmented triad came to be used for the mysterious and supernatural. The symmetrical structure of these two chords allowed composers to veer off into unexpected keys or create new scales which have not shed their strangeness, even today.

With Pianist Peter Donohoe CBE

A lecture by Marina Frolova-Walker recorded on 09 February 2023 at LSO St Luke's Church, London.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/diminished-augmented

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