Research Article

Row partitioning and tetrachordal transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5

Volume: 11 Number: 3 July 31, 2026
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Row partitioning and tetrachordal transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5

Abstract

Ernst Krenek is widely regarded as one of the most important composers of the twentieth century. This study examines Krenek’s work titled Eight Piano Pieces, Op. 110, No. 5, “Nocturne”, analysing its structural, aesthetic and technical characteristics in terms of both its relationship to the traditional nocturne genre and the innovations it presents within the context of the composer’s modernist and serialist approaches. During the analysis process, content analysis was employed alongside the multimodal data analysis approach proposed by Bauer and Gaskell. Furthermore, the prime sequence was redefined based on Morris’s (MOF) “Multiple Order Function” theory. The findings reveal that, whilst the work bears similarities to a two-part song form, it employs the twelve-tone technique flexibly and distinguishes itself from traditional serial approaches by utilising four-note pitch groups (tetrachords), canon and counterpoint techniques. Despite the absence of a tonal centre, the melodic structure offers a consistent and inward-looking lyrical narrative. Consequently, Krenek’s Nocturne reveals the development of an expressive musical language that transcends serialism’s tendency towards rigid systematisation. This work presents a unique musical language by bringing together technical and aesthetic approaches. This language interprets serialism not as a break with tradition, but as a transformative process.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Composition in Western Classical Music, Theories of Music

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 31, 2026

Submission Date

February 25, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 3

APA
Açıkgöz, M. G., & Çakmak, R. (2026). Row partitioning and tetrachordal transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5. Online Journal of Music Sciences, 11(3), 904-919. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1897349
AMA
1.Açıkgöz MG, Çakmak R. Row partitioning and tetrachordal transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5. ojomus. 2026;11(3):904-919. doi:10.31811/ojomus.1897349
Chicago
Açıkgöz, Mehmet Güneş, and Recep Çakmak. 2026. “Row Partitioning and Tetrachordal Transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5”. Online Journal of Music Sciences 11 (3): 904-19. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1897349.
EndNote
Açıkgöz MG, Çakmak R (July 1, 2026) Row partitioning and tetrachordal transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5. Online Journal of Music Sciences 11 3 904–919.
IEEE
[1]M. G. Açıkgöz and R. Çakmak, “Row partitioning and tetrachordal transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5”, ojomus, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 904–919, July 2026, doi: 10.31811/ojomus.1897349.
ISNAD
Açıkgöz, Mehmet Güneş - Çakmak, Recep. “Row Partitioning and Tetrachordal Transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5”. Online Journal of Music Sciences 11/3 (July 1, 2026): 904-919. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1897349.
JAMA
1.Açıkgöz MG, Çakmak R. Row partitioning and tetrachordal transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5. ojomus. 2026;11:904–919.
MLA
Açıkgöz, Mehmet Güneş, and Recep Çakmak. “Row Partitioning and Tetrachordal Transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5”. Online Journal of Music Sciences, vol. 11, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 904-19, doi:10.31811/ojomus.1897349.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Güneş Açıkgöz, Recep Çakmak. Row partitioning and tetrachordal transformation in Ernst Krenek’s Nocturne, Op. 110, No. 5. ojomus. 2026 Jul. 1;11(3):904-19. doi:10.31811/ojomus.1897349