chromatic harmony
English era
Definition
Harmony that moves through non-diatonic (out-of-key) chords and altered tones, creating richness, tension, and colour beyond what a purely diatonic style allows. Beach used chromatic harmony extensively — secondary dominants, augmented sixths, Neapolitan chords, and enharmonic modulations give her music its characteristic warmth and emotional depth.
Interpretive Guidance
In chromatic passages, resist the urge to rush through the dissonances — lean into them slightly, give each altered chord its full expressive weight before resolving. The harmonic colour is the content, not an obstacle to reach the next tonic.