Decontextualizing contextual inversion
Files
Accepted manuscript
Date
2019-06-16
Authors
Yust, Jason
Version
Accepted manuscript
OA Version
Citation
Jason Yust. 2019. "Decontextualizing Contextual Inversion." Mathematics and Computation in Music, 7th International Conference, MCM 2019. Mathematics and Computation in Music, 7th International Conference. Madrid, Spain, 2019-06-18 - 2019-06-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21392-3
Abstract
Contextual inversion, introduced as an analytical tool by David Lewin, is a concept of wide reach and value in music theory and analysis, at the root of neo-Riemannian theory as well as serial theory, and useful for a range of analytical applications. A shortcoming of contextual inversion as it is currently understood, however, is, as implied by the name, that the transformation has to be defined anew for each application. This is potentially a virtue, requiring the analyst to invest the transformational system with meaning in order to construct it in the first place. However, there are certainly instances where new transformational systems are continually redefined for essentially the same purposes. This paper explores some of the most common theoretical bases for contextual inversion groups and considers possible definitions of inversion operators that can apply across set class types, effectively decontextualizing contextual inversions.