A Harmony Analysis On Biritten's War Requiem

The thesis is an analysis on a large-scale vocal music works-WAR REQUIEM, by English composer, Benjamin Brtten, including solo ,choral, children's chorus and orchestra; and then presents his composing style from the angle of harmony.In terms of composing styles the thesis categorize Britten's War Requiem into four respects and describes them in detail.First, apply various techniques to strengthen the dissonance of harmony. The base form still is tertian harmony but because of the free application of the non-harmonic note, additional harmonic note, compound harmony and all kinds of combine temporarily of note, the reality sound effects of harmony sounds even dissonance.Second, apply special chord cause special effects. In the works' some phases, Britten uses the special chord with non-tertian harmony make the sound effects outstanding.Third, change tonality frequently to enlarge the room for manoeuvre of harmony.Finally, desalinate the progress of function and outstanding the confrontation of color quality. In the whole works, Britten try to break the traditional method to produce color and sound effects which is totally different from the traditional function harmony.