Looking for a comprehensive music theory book which pulls absolutely no punches

[ranjit]

I think I should be able to follow pretty much any explanation when it comes to music theory. So what I'm looking for is a music theory text which really goes into a lot of detail on how and why you can apply harmony, mostly tonal harmony up to say Ravel and Rachmaninoff. I would also want one on counterpoint. The plan, so to speak, is to teach myself up to graduate level music theory.

Any recommendations?

[lelle]

Arnold Schönbergs "Theory of Harmony" is a very renowned music theory text. I haven't read it myself yet, but I plan to. Check out some reviews here: https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Harmony-ANNIVERSARY-Arnold-Schoenberg/dp/0520266080#customerReviews

[ranjit]

I will take a look at the Schoenberg! Another name I hear crop up is Vincent Persichetti. Does anyone know if that is a good book?

So the idea is that I might eventually purchase one book, but not several. It's kind of expensive, after all.

[klavieronin]

The Vincent Persichetti book is excellent but it's all about 20th century harmony. It doesn't deal with tonal harmony at all. Nevertheless, I think it's worth a read.

I don't think I've ever come across a single book which deals with absolutely everything but you could do worse than "Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music" by Robert Gauldin. Everyone will have their favourite book though so there are bound to be people who don't like this one.

[ranjit]

Thanks, klavieronin. I went for the Robert Gauldin book.

[lelle]

Do post here about your thoughts/impressions of the book when you are finished, I'm curious about it as well!