The Function Of The Construction Force Of Pitch And Rhythm In Stravinsky's Three Pieces For String Quartet

Stravinsky is regarded as one of the most representative musicians in 20^th century and thus research on his works has been conducted constantly. This paper tries to explore the construction force of rhythm and pitch by illustration of Three pieces for string quartet, and is intended to achieve a more profound understanding of the creative techniques and organizational logic.This paper consists of two chapters. Chapter One introduces Stravinsky's life, his three music periods and his ideas on aesthetics. Chapter Two focuses on the function of rhythm and pitch. Analyses cover rhythm and rhythm modes ,unsymmetrical rhythm, increment and diminution of rhythm, numerical order of rhythmic accent, contrapuntal-structure of rhythm, repetition of the pattern in circle ,comparability and contrast in rhythms, metaphor of polarity in Pitch-Class set, compound chord, tonality centre in complex-structure. Finally the paper draws a conclusion on the relation and law between rhythm and pitch organization in the piece, and thereby sums up the characteristics of structure.