Classical Metre and Modern Music

Abstract

Abstract This article explores the influence of Greek metre on modern music. It begins by looking at how composers and theorists debated Greek metre from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century, before focusing more extensively on twentieth century and contemporary material. The article seeks to show that Greek metre for a long time played an important role in the development of Western music theory, but that in more recent times its influence has diminished. One significant development discussed is the influence of Greek metrics on musical Modernism in the early twentieth century. The article is intended as a contribution to our understanding of the reception of ancient metrics in connection with musical developments.