The Music Theory of Harald Vallerius : Three Dissertations from 17th-century Sweden

Abstract

This book presents a detailed examination of the music theoretical writings of Harald Vallerius, a Swedish scholar and composer active during the 17th century. This volume includes three key dissertations connected to Vallerius that explore topics in music theory, harmony, and the pedagogical approaches to music in early modern Sweden. Vallerius’s work, situated within the broader context of European Renaissance and Baroque musical thought, offers a distinctive blend of classical influences, among others from the works of Johannes Tinctoris and Gioseffo Zarlino, as well as innovative ideas reflective of his own scholarly inquiries. The book analyzes Vallerius’s contributions to understanding counterpoint, modal theory, and the obvious relationship between music and mathematics in the 17th century. Additionally, it situates Vallerius’s theories within the cultural and intellectual currents of Sweden’s late Renaissance and early Baroque periods.