A false relation (also known as cross-relation, non-harmonic relation) is the name of a type of dissonance that sometimes occurs in polyphonic music, most commonly in vocal music of the Renaissance and particularly in English music into the eighteenth century. The term describes a "chromatic contradiction"[1] between two notes sounding simultaneously (or in close proximity) in two different voices or parts; or alternatively, in music written before 1600, the occurrence of a tritone between two notes of adjacent chords.[2]
In the above example, a chromatic false relation occurs in two adjacent voices sounding at the same time (shown in red). The tenor voice sings G♯ while the bass sings G♮ momentarily beneath it, producing the clash of an augmented unison.
Ex. 2, typical example of a false relation in the Late Baroque Style. Playⓘ
In this instance, the false relation is less pronounced: the contradicting E♭ (soprano voice) and E♮ (bass voice) (diminished octave) do not sound simultaneously. Here the false relation occurs because the top voice is descending in a minor key, and therefore takes the notes of the natural minor scale descending (the diatonic sixth degree). The bass voice ascends and therefore makes use of the ascending melodic minor scale (the raised sixth degree).
False relation is in this case desirable since this chromatic alteration follows a melodic idea, the rising 'melodic minor'. In such cases false relations must occur between different voices, as it follows that they cannot be produced by the semitones that occur diatonically in a mode or scale of any kind. This horizontal approach to polyphonic writing reflects the practices of composers in the Renaissance and Tudor periods, particularly in vocal composition, but it is also seen, for example, in the hexachord fantasies of William Byrd (for keyboard). Indeed, vocal music from this era does not often have these accidentals notated in the manuscript (see Musica ficta);[3] experienced singers would have decided whether or not they were appropriate in a given musical context.
Many composers from the late 16th century onwards however began using the effect deliberately as an expressive device in their word setting. This practice continued well into the Romantic era, and can be heard in the music of Mozart and Chopin, for example.[1]
Luís Henriques (Saturday, July 21, 2007). "William Byrd - Ave Verum Corpus", Atrium Musicologicum. Another description of the use of false relation in Byrd's Ave Verum Corpus. [This blog is open to invited readers only]
October 25, 2023
false, relation, false, relation, also, known, cross, relation, harmonic, relation, name, type, dissonance, that, sometimes, occurs, polyphonic, music, most, commonly, vocal, music, renaissance, particularly, english, music, into, eighteenth, century, term, de. A false relation also known as cross relation non harmonic relation is the name of a type of dissonance that sometimes occurs in polyphonic music most commonly in vocal music of the Renaissance and particularly in English music into the eighteenth century The term describes a chromatic contradiction 1 between two notes sounding simultaneously or in close proximity in two different voices or parts or alternatively in music written before 1600 the occurrence of a tritone between two notes of adjacent chords 2 Ex 1 from Ave Verum Corpus by William Byrd Play In the above example a chromatic false relation occurs in two adjacent voices sounding at the same time shown in red The tenor voice sings G while the bass sings G momentarily beneath it producing the clash of an augmented unison Ex 2 typical example of a false relation in the Late Baroque Style Play In this instance the false relation is less pronounced the contradicting E soprano voice and E bass voice diminished octave do not sound simultaneously Here the false relation occurs because the top voice is descending in a minor key and therefore takes the notes of the natural minor scale descending the diatonic sixth degree The bass voice ascends and therefore makes use of the ascending melodic minor scale the raised sixth degree False relation is in this case desirable since this chromatic alteration follows a melodic idea the rising melodic minor In such cases false relations must occur between different voices as it follows that they cannot be produced by the semitones that occur diatonically in a mode or scale of any kind This horizontal approach to polyphonic writing reflects the practices of composers in the Renaissance and Tudor periods particularly in vocal composition but it is also seen for example in the hexachord fantasies of William Byrd for keyboard Indeed vocal music from this era does not often have these accidentals notated in the manuscript see Musica ficta 3 experienced singers would have decided whether or not they were appropriate in a given musical context Many composers from the late 16th century onwards however began using the effect deliberately as an expressive device in their word setting This practice continued well into the Romantic era and can be heard in the music of Mozart and Chopin for example 1 See also EditEnglish cadence Voice leadingReferences Edit a b Dyson George 2001 False relation In Sadie Stanley Tyrrell John eds The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians 2nd ed London Macmillan Publishers ISBN 978 1 56159 239 5 Arnold Whittall 2002 False Relation The Oxford Companion to Music Ed Alison Latham Oxford University Press King s College London Oxford Reference Online Accessed 18 March 2007 Bent Margaret 2001 Musica ficta 1 Introduction In Sadie Stanley Tyrrell John eds The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians 2nd ed London Macmillan Publishers ISBN 978 1 56159 239 5 External links EditLuis Henriques Saturday July 21 2007 William Byrd Ave Verum Corpus Atrium Musicologicum Another description of the use of false relation in Byrd s Ave Verum Corpus This blog is open to invited readers only Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title False relation amp oldid 1149580154, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
