Mower County transcript., 1888-01-11
A HAPPY ENDING.
Solution to a Problem in "Inter-
rupted Resolution

w you oCo C1iit 1ulcIIuplCu rGSO-
luton is simply an unexpected turn of
affairs"
Percy Blake was musical instructor
in the Hillside Seminary, and he stood
up before a class of ten young ladies to
whom he was unfolding the mysteries
of harmony and composition. He
brushed the chalk from his fingers, and
continued:
'After hearing the dominant seventh
chord, which is the point of unrest. a
feeling of expectancy is excited in the
musically sensitive ear, and there is an
imperative demand for the tonic chord,
which alone can constitute point of
repose. No other progression leaves a
sense of completeness; and even the
uncultivated ear can accept nothing
else as a fnality.
Il will illustrate on the piano. Now
listen: here is the dominant, and you
expect next to hear the tonic; but I
substitute a different chord, and its
effect is disappointing. You feel that
the expected termination is delayed,
and that to stop here would be impos-
sib]e.
This is what constitutes inter-
rupted resolution Its employment is
a fruitful source of variety in musical
compositions. Used with Judgment
and art, it may lead to effects which
tantalize or excite the listener: These
effects may be likened unto threading
ones way through the mazcs of laby-
rinth, or branching off from pleasant
country road into by-path, or sud-
den change of purpose when certain
end is apparently in view, or the losing
of ones way in a forest. Interrupted
resolution may be compared with the
spice of life, imparting novelty to hum
drum experience. 1t is a departure
from hackneyed ways, arousing curl
osity, expectation, wonder. The COM
poser makes you speculate as to what
new developments may turn up. He
opens new visions of beauty, and oc-
casionally gives the impression of let
ting his thoughts run wild.
''Yet there is method in all that he
does. His path is marked out, and he
knows his course. He is like novelist
who works on the sympathy of his
readers by raising up obstacles between
the lovers, though he is sure to unite
them inally.'
"Is hep" This question came in a
low chirp from a pair of pouting lips,
oh
looked in mischievous inquiry at Percy
Blake. The questioner blushed forth
with, for the chirp had been little
louder than was intended. Mr. Blake
heard it, and his glance quickly darted
in the direction from which it had come.
The whole class Uttered, and Mr. Blake
himself was somewhat confused. But
he recovered his self-possession in
stantly and replied:
''Certainly he is, Miss Boyce; that is,
if he understands the tastes of his
young lady readers
"Oh!' came from several voices, in
mock disdain, and there was small
gust of breezy laughter.
But Percy Blake tapped on the table
to secure attention. and began to give
a blackboard lesson, frequently Illus
trating it on the grand piano. He then
gave the girls an exercise to write, and
concluded by putting little part-song
on the blackboard and making them
sing it. Then bell rang, and Profess
sor Blake said:
''Well, try and remember the rules of
the new progressi on. Don't make con-
secutive fifths, and bring your exercise
written neatly. Come to me if you
stumble on any knotty points. Dis
missed" &,
He turned 10 the piano as the girls
filed out of the room, and awaited the
coming Of dull pupil, who could not
remember the thumb letters in the scale
of C. "
Percy Blake's boarding house was in
quiet part of the village. After TAX
ing tea that evening he went to his
room, and tilted back in an easy-chair
INDUCED in a reverie. That valuable