Dante’s Journey to Polyphony

Ciabattoni (French, Dalhousie U.) examines the underlying musical framework of Dante's Commedia and how the presentation of sacred music unfolds along the way and creates a structural pillar for the narrative. He focuses on the manner and meaning of musical performance in Dante's poem, discussing the meaning of the songs quoted and their modes of performance. He addresses the philosophical foundations of music and the proliferation of polyphony in Tuscany during the thirteenth century, how polyphony distinguishes the environment of Paradiso from the monophonic Purgatorio, Dante's treatment of music of the spheres, and how music becomes the medium through which beatitude is delivered. Annotation 穢2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)