Lydian cadence

Lydian cadence (voice-leading) on E Play^ⓘ

A Lydian cadence is a type of half-cadence that was popular in the Ars nova style of the 14th and early 15th century. It is so-called because it evokes the Lydian mode based on its final chord as a tonic, and may be construed with the chord symbols VII6#3-I (if the final is taken as a Lydian-mode tonic) or III6-IV (if the final is taken as a major-mode 4th degree). It is also the most common type of double-leading-tone cadence, as it contains two leading-tone resolutions (#4-5 and 7-8). A frequently-used type of Landini cadence is based on the Lydian cadence, with the upper voice dropping to the 6th degree before skipping back up to the tonic.