This study uses a computational model to analyze tonal interval distributions in a large corpus of Western music. The model, based on music-theoretic concepts of tonal space, reveals that tonal interval relations become increasingly complex over time. The perfect fifth dominates compositions for centuries, but there's a significant increase in the use of major and minor thirds during the 19th century, coinciding with the emergence of extended tonality. This quantitative analysis complements existing research on the historical evolution of tonality.

Fabian C. Moss, Robert Lieck, Martin Rohrmeier