Oxford University Press - Musical Symbolism in Debussy and Bartok

Explore the evolution of early 20th century opera through this scholarly study by Oxford University Press. This book examines how Debussy's Pelleas et Melisande (1902) and Bartok's Duke Bluebeard's Castle (1911) moved beyond traditional major/minor scale systems to create a new musical language. Readers will learn how these compositions reflect the psychodramatic symbolism found in the works of Maurice Maeterlinck and Bela Balazs. By analyzing the harmonic structures used in these landmark operas, the text reveals how music can establish deep connections with symbolist drama. This work is an essential resource for students and researchers interested in the relationship between musical innovation, gender, and the unfolding of the unconscious in classical music history.