[Historyoftheory] David Kraehenbuehl Prize

[Daniel Cox]

Dear all,

The David Kraehenbuehl Prize, named for the visionary founding editor of
the *Journal of Music Theory*, was established in 2008 and is given
biennially for the best article published in *JMT *by a scholar in early
career who is untenured at time of submission. It carries a cash award of
$2,000 and is determined by a selection committee of scholars unaffiliated
with Yale University, where the journal is edited, or with any of the
eligible authors. The two-year cycle on which the current award is based
was 2022-23, or volumes 66 and 67 of the journal.

The selection committee for the award consisted of Cora Palfy (chair),
Fernando Benadon, and Stanley Kleppinger. The editorial board of JMT is
grateful to the committee members for their dedicated service.

The David Kraehenbuehl Prize for 2022-23 is awarded to Caleb Mutch, for his
article "How the Triad Took (a) Root." The committee provided the following
citation:

"It is not often that music theorists interrogate the etymology of common
terminology used in research and in the classroom. In his comprehensive
article, “How the Triad Took (a) Root,” Caleb Mutch traces the origins of
the triadic “root,” clearly articulating its historical foundations in
theoretical treatises dating from early nineteenth-century Britain. After
surveying the variety of preceding terms and concepts in use, Mutch’s
article underscores the impact of John Wall Callcott, who coined the term
“root” in his treatise Musical Grammar (1806). Mutch outlines five distinct
subconcepts essential to the concept of root, and derives two original
requirements (tri-unicity and tri-formality) through which triadic theories
can be evaluated. He provides copious examples from texts following
Callcott that have impacted the triadic root’s pedagogical significance in
thoroughbass, composition, and harmony instruction. Mutch’s appendix
additionally summarizes terminological use and location chronologically,
highlighting the evolution of terminology within Britain. Mutch’s writing
is clear and accessible, creating a fascinating narrative about the
evolution of theoretical terminology that sets an impressive standard for
future historical work."


Sincerely,
Daniel Cox
Managing Editor, *JMT*
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