Harmonizing Chorales Systematically: A Translation of G. H. Stolzel's Kurzer und grundlicher Unterricht (Brief and Thorough Instruction), ms. ca. 1719-49

This article provides the first English translation of a little-known manuscript treatise by the central-German composer and Capellmeister, Gottfried Heinrich Stolzel (1690-1749), titled Kurzer und grundliche Unterricht (Brief and Thorough Instruction, ca. 1719-49). Stolzers method frames speculative theory (trias harmonica and the tabula tradition) practically in terms of thoroughbass in order to provide simple instruction on how to invent the bass and middle voices to an original chorale melody. In the second half of the treatise, Stolzel uses thoroughbass to describe not only harmony, but also counterpoint. He does so by explaining various dissonant intervallic constellations in terms of the traditional terms "agent" and "patient," which describe the two voices involved in a dissonant syncopatio. Stolzers treatise thus has both historical and practical value, since his method of chorale harmonization can provide welcome guidance for today's students and pedagogues.