This book is the first translation of Johann David Heinichen’s Gründliche Anweisung from 1711, in which he sought to develop a novel, methodical approach to basso continuo instruction. He begins with an extensive Foreword, in which he provides valuable insight into the vivid discussion of musical aesthetics taking place at that time. In the first part, conceived for the beginner, Heinichen lays out the fundamentals of figures, chords, meter and simple ornaments. In the second part, in a thorough discussion of various methods for realizing basso continuo where no figures are given, an entire cantata by Francesco Cesarini (1664-1730) is analyzed down to the smallest detail, and the figures which belong are explained. After this he unveils for the first time in music history the circle of fifths with interspersed major and minor keys, through the understanding of which one could traverse through all the keys without offense. The Neu erfundene und gründliche Anweisung supplied what Heinichen perceived to be lacking in instruction at that time: a thorough and orderly method of instruction, providing a short path to the acquisition of basso continuo. One of this translation’s distinguishing features is its comprehensive Appendix A, which contains the largest amount of information on the life of Johann David Heinichen currently available. It consists of biographies by well-known German authors including those of Johann Gottfried Walther, Ernst Ludwig Gerber, Hugo Riemann, Gustav Adolph Seibel as well as letters of Johann David Heinichen.

April 8, 2013

The treatise, written in his middle to late 20s, established Heinichen as a major music theorist in elite music circles. It is the first German treatise on basso continuo accompaniment from a bass with or without figures, and the first to draw important distinctions between the stylus gravis and stylus theatralis. Perhaps most significant is its inclusion of what he called the musical circle and is now known as the circle of fifths, and for the first time describing it as being characterized by the major-minor dichotomy of today.

This first full translation from the German was inspired by the historical performance movement, and is intended to be of interest to performers as well as to musicologists and music historians. It is not indexed

“Reference — Research Book News”
Book News Inc

---

April 8, 2013

The treatise, written in his middle to late 20s, established Heinichen as a major music theorist in elite music circles. It is the first German treatise on basso continuo accompaniment from a bass with or without figures, and the first to draw important distinctions between the stylus gravis and stylus theatralis. Perhaps most significant is its inclusion of what he called the musical circle and is now known as the circle of fifths, and for the first time describing it as being characterized by the major-minor dichotomy of today.

This first full translation from the German was inspired by the historical performance movement, and is intended to be of interest to performers as well as to musicologists and music historians. It is not indexed

“Reference — Research Book News”
Book News Inc

Benedikt Brilmayer, Translator: Benedikt Brilmayer studed Musicology at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt, Weimar, and the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, at the Institute of Musicology under Prof. Detlef Altenburg. He formerly held an editorial position at the Klassik-Stiftung, Weimar, where he also supervised the database of the musical instruments. He is currently persuing Doctoral studies in Musicology at the Universität, Augsburg, on the life and work of Oskar Sala.
Casey Mongoven, Translator: Casey Mongoven studied Classical Composition under Alan Fletcher at New England Conservatory of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Music. In 2007, he began studies in Electro-Acoustic Composition under Robin Minard at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt, Weimar. He completed his Ergänzungsstudium in 2009. In addition to his work in translation, his theoretical articles on his own music have been published by the Fibonacci Association. He is also the author of his own website www.caseymongoven.com. He is currently Ph.D. Candidate in the Media Arts and Technology program at the University of California, Santa Barbara.