On the Sensations of Tone as a Physiological Basis for the Theory of Music [Paperback]

The 1875 translation of Helmholtz's classic 1863 publication, which influenced composers and musicologists well into the twentieth century.Originally published in 1863, On the Sensations of Tone remains a central text for the study of physiological acoustics and aesthetics. In it, the influential German scientist Helmholtz (182194) applies physics, anatomy and physiology to analyse the perception of consonance and dissonance. This English translation first appeared in 1875.Originally published in 1863, On the Sensations of Tone remains a central text for the study of physiological acoustics and aesthetics. In it, the influential German scientist Helmholtz (182194) applies physics, anatomy and physiology to analyse the perception of consonance and dissonance. This English translation first appeared in 1875.Hermann von Helmholtz (182194) was a leading scientist who made important contributions to physiology, psychology, physics, philosophy and early neuroscience. Following his foundational work in ophthalmics during the 1850s, he became Professor of Physiology at Heidelberg and, in 1863, published On the Sensations of Tone. This investigation into the physical theory of music remains a central text for the study of physiological acoustics and aesthetics. In it, Helmholtz applies physics, anatomy and physiology. He explains how tones are built from a base tone with upper partial tones, and his later discussions on consonance and musical scales develop this theory and discuss how the ear perceives these tones. His work on consonance and dissonance was of particular interest to composers and musicologists well into the twentieth century. This English translation, published in 1875 from the third German edition, retains the original's straightforward language, making this classic work accessible to non-specialists.Notice by the translator; Author's preface to the first German edition; Author's preface to the third German edition; Introduction; Part I. On the CompositiolÓp