Synthetic Scales in Music (Whole Tone, Octatonic, Hexatonic)

[Neumerologist]

In an attempt to learn more of the historical origins of 3 prominent synthetic scales and harmonic progressions derived from them (Whole Tone, Octatonic and Hexatonic), I'm compiling a list of pieces that use them to create a chronology. It seems like there are a vast array of minds here at Bright Cecilia. Any pieces that come to mind to any of you would be greatly appreciated.

Below are my findings so far:

Whole Tone Scale & Harmonic Relationships
**Messiaen's first mode of limited transposition
1662 -- Johann Rudolf Ahle - Es ist genug!
1842 -- Glinka - Overture from Ruslan and Lyudmila
1857 -- Liszt - Dante Symphony
1872 -- Dargomyzhsky - Commander's theme from The Stone Guest
1890 -- Borodin - Overture from Prince Igor
1894 -- Debussy - Prelude to "the Afternoon of a Faun"
1896 -- Rimsky-Korsakov - Sea king's music from Sadko
1934 -- Bartok - String Quartet No. 5
1935 -- Berg - Violin Concerto


Octatonic Scale & Harmonic Relationships
**Messiaen's second mode of limited transposition
1837 -- Liszt - Feux Follets - Études d'exécution transcendante No. 5
1865 -- Wagner - Tristan und Isolde
1842 -- Glinka - Ruslan and Lyudmila
1902 -- Rimsky-Korsakov - Kashchey the Immortal
1911 -- Stravinsky - Petrushka
1913 -- Stravinsky - Rite of Spring
1939 -- Bartok - Mikrokosomos 99, 101, 109
1905 -- Ravel - Alborada del Gracioso
1912 -- Ravel - Daphnis et Chloe


Hexatonic Scale & Harmonic Relationships
1857 -- Liszt - Faust Symphony
1957 -- Shostakovich - Finale from Piano Trio No. 2
1984 -- Jorge Calandrelli - Concerto for Jazz Clarinet
1991 -- John Williams - Clarinet Concerto

[invitapriore]

Schoenberg's Pelleas and Melisande (1903) briefly features a whole tone scale in the winds towards the end.

The octatonic scale also features in Ravel's String Quartet and especially in his Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet.

[Despina41]

Originally Posted by Neumerologist

In an attempt to learn more of the historical origins of 3 prominent synthetic scales and harmonic progressions derived from them (Whole Tone, Octatonic and Hexatonic), I'm compiling a list of pieces that use them to create a chronology. It seems like there are a vast array of minds here at Bright Cecilia. Any pieces that come to mind to any of you would be greatly appreciated.

I recommend consulting some Richard Taruskin on this. His Oxford History of Western Music tells 19th-century history with a perspective on the intersections of German and Russian musical traditions that only he could offer. Also, his work on Russian music, of course, is going to deal with octatonic scales.

[Neumerologist]

Originally Posted by Despina41

I recommend consulting some Richard Taruskin on this. His Oxford History of Western Music tells 19th-century history with a perspective on the intersections of German and Russian musical traditions that only he could offer. Also, his work on Russian music, of course, is going to deal with octatonic scales.

Completely forgot about History of Western Music. Gotta dig it up. It brings back memories of school. I'm not well versed with his writings outside of "History of Western Music", can you think of any good places to start for his work on Russian music?

Originally Posted by invitapriore

Schoenberg's Pelleas and Melisande (1903) briefly features a whole tone scale in the winds towards the end.

The octatonic scale also features in Ravel's String Quartet and especially in his Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet.

Never heard Pelleas and Melisande, gotta go take a listen. As for the Ravel, perfect reason to go listen to the String Quartet and Introduction and Allegro! Thanks!