2:3:4 Harmony within the tritave
In the Pythagorean tuning system, the fifth is used to generate a scale of 12 notes per octave. In this paper, we use the octave to generate a scale of 19 notes per tritave; one can play this scale on a traditional piano. In this system, the octave becomes a proper interval and the 2:3:4 chord a proper chord. We study harmonic properties obtained from the 2:3:4 chord, in particular composition elements using dominants, inversions, major and minor chords, and diminished chords. The Tonnetz (array notation) turns out to be an effective tool to visualize the harmonic development in a composition based on these elements. 2:3:4 harmony may sound pure, yet sparse, as we illustrate in a short piece.
Introduction to Neo-Riemannian Theory: A Survey and a Historical Perspective
The papers collected in this issue represent an emerging species of transformational theory drawn together under the Neo-Riemannian designation. This introductory essay sketches the origins and recent development of neo-Riemannian theory, and positions it with respect to several other genera of music theory, as well as to an evolving post-structuralist critical practice. Along the way, it seeks to situate Hugo Riemann amidst the flurry of activity occuring beneath the banner bearing his name, and to provide comfort to the perplexed observer who, innocently prying apart these covers and peering within, spies the theoretical tradition of A. B. Marx and Oettingen romping merrily with that of Babbitt, Forte, and Morris. Strange fellows indeed! ... or perhaps, upon reflection, not so strange....
Nuclear sphingolipid metabolism.
Nuclear lipid metabolism is implicated in various processes, including transcription, splicing, and DNA repair. Sphingolipids play roles in numerous cellular functions, and an emerging body of literature has identified roles for these lipid mediators in distinct nuclear processes. Different sphingolipid species are localized in various subnuclear domains, including chromatin, the nuclear matrix, and the nuclear envelope, where sphingolipids exert specific regulatory and structural functions. Sphingomyelin, the most abundant nuclear sphingolipid, plays both structural and regulatory roles in chromatin assembly and dynamics in addition to being an integral component of the nuclear matrix. Sphingosine-1-phosphate modulates histone acetylation, sphingosine is a ligand for steroidogenic factor 1, and nuclear accumulation of ceramide has been implicated in apoptosis. Finally, nuclear membrane-associated ganglioside GM1 plays a pivotal role in Ca(2+) homeostasis. This review highlights research on the factors that control nuclear sphingolipid metabolism and summarizes the roles of these lipids in various nuclear processes.