Research Guides: Music Theory: Primary Sources & Treatises

Treatises & Other Primary Sources in Music Theory

The resources listed below include some of the commonly studied historical treatises and other primary source material for the field of music theory. When possible, resources are provided in English translation.

Series: Musical theorists in translation
Publication series by the Institute of Medieval Music. This link will take you to all titles in our catalog that are part of this series.

Guido's Rhythmic Rules : Medieval Fundamentals of Music Theory in Verse Form by Guido d'Arezzo, author. Ken Stephenson, editor.
Call Number: MT5.5 .G8313 2012
Publication Date: 2012
Part of series: Musical Theorists in Translation, v. 20.
The Theoretical-Practical Elements of Music, Parts III and IV. by Francesco Galeazzi; Deborah Burton (Introduction by); Gregory W. Harwood (Introduction by)
Call Number: MT6.G35 E4413 2012
Publication Date: 2012
The Speculum Musicae, Jacobi Leodiensis III by Jacques de Liège, F. Joseph Smith (editor)
Call Number: ML174 .S6
Publication Date: 1966-1983
In three volumes. Translated and with commentary by F. Joseph Smith. Includes bibliographical references
The Art of Counterpoint: Part Three of Le istitutioni harmoniche by Gioseffo Zarlino; Guy A. Marco (Translator); Claude V. Palisca (Translator)
Call Number: MT5.5 .Z3713 1983
Publication Date: 1983
Translated by Guy Marco and Claude Palisca. Originally published in Italian in 1558.
Volume 2 of Music Theory Translation Series.
History of Music Theory, Books I and II: polyphonic theory to the sixteenth centuryHistory of music theory, books I and II: Polyphonic Theory to the Sixteenth Century by Hugo Riemann, translated by Raymond H. Haggh
Call Number: ML430 .R563
Publication Date: 1962
Original language: German, Includes bibliographical references. Translated, with a preface, commentary, and notes by Raymond H. Haggh.
The Complete Theoretical Writings of Jean-Philippe Rameau by Jean-Philippe Rameau, edited by Erwin R. Jacobi
Call Number: MT50.A2 R1735
Publication Date: 1967-1972
Six Volumes. Published by American Institute of Musicology, translated into English. Part of series: Publications of the American Institute of Musicology.
Harmony by Heinrich Schenker; Oswald Jonas (Editor); Elisabeth M. Borgese (Translator)
Call Number: MT40 .S2913 1954
Publication Date: 1954
Harmony, Heinrich Schenker's first published work, originally appeared in German in 1906 as "New Musical Theories and Phantasies, by an Artist."
Preliminary Exercises in Counterpoint by Arnold Schoenberg
Call Number: MT55 .S26
Publication Date: 2003
Reprint. Originally published: London : Faber and Faber, 1963.
Includes index.
The Collected Essays of Milton Babbitt by Milton Babbitt; Stephen Peles (Editor); Stephen Dembski (Editor); Andrew Mead (Editor); Joseph N. Straus (Editor)
Call Number: ML60 .B12 2003
Publication Date: 2003
Collected essays originally written between 1949-1999. Includes bibliographical references and index.

Music and Dance Librarian

Ann Shaffer

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I will be on sabbatical from May 16-September 16, 2024. During that time, please contact musicref@uoregon.edu with music or dance research questions, or drop in at the Douglass Room for research help at the music desk Monday-Friday 10 am-6 pm. If you need assistance related to room reservations or facilities in the Douglass Room, please contact Jimmy Murray at jmurray2@uoregon.edu.

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Subjects: Dance, Music