Table of Contents
In the study of Western music, suspensions serve as a vital expressive device that creates tension and resolution within harmonic progressions. Among these, the fourth species suspension holds a distinctive place, especially in Romantic and 20th-century compositions where composers explored new textures and harmonic language.
Understanding Fourth Species Suspensions
A fourth species suspension occurs when a dissonant interval of a fourth is prepared, sustained, and then resolved down by step, typically to a third or a consonant interval. This creates a sense of suspension that is more dissonant than the typical second or third species suspensions, offering a more dramatic effect.
Characteristics and Function
Fourth species suspensions are characterized by their preparation on a consonant note, followed by a dissonant suspension of a fourth, and then a resolution to a consonant interval. They often occur on strong beats and are used to heighten emotional tension within a phrase. Their distinctive sound contributes to the expressive richness of Romantic and modern music.
Use in Romantic Music
During the Romantic era, composers like Franz Schubert and Johannes Brahms employed fourth species suspensions to enhance lyrical melodies and emotional depth. These suspensions allowed for more expressive dissonance, aligning with the period’s emphasis on individual expression and emotional intensity.
For example, in Brahms’s piano works, the use of fourth species suspensions often creates a sense of longing or dramatic tension, especially in slow, expressive passages.
Application in 20th-Century Music
In the 20th century, composers expanded the use of suspensions, including the fourth species, to explore new harmonic landscapes. Arnold Schoenberg and Igor Stravinsky incorporated these suspensions into their atonal and neoclassical works, respectively, often using them to create unexpected dissonances and complex textures.
In serial and atonal music, the traditional rules of suspension are often bent or abandoned, but the underlying concept of tension and release persists, with fourth species suspensions sometimes serving as a point of harmonic interest or dissonance within complex textures.
Analytical Examples
Analyzing specific pieces reveals how composers utilize fourth species suspensions. For instance, in Brahms’s “Intermezzo,” a suspension of a fourth creates a poignant moment, heightening emotional impact. Similarly, Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” employs dissonant suspensions, including fourth species, to intensify rhythmic and harmonic tension.
Example: Brahms’s Intermezzo
The suspension appears as a dissonant fourth that resolves downward, adding a sense of longing and introspection characteristic of Romantic lyricism.
Example: Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring
In this work, fourth species suspensions contribute to the overall sense of chaos and unpredictability, aligning with the piece’s revolutionary approach to rhythm and harmony.
Conclusion
Fourth species suspensions serve as a powerful expressive device that bridges Romantic lyricism and modern experimental music. Their distinctive sound and functional role in creating tension and release continue to influence composers and enrich harmonic language across eras.