Atonality

Definition

Atonality refers to a musical style that lacks a tonal center or key, meaning that it does not adhere to the traditional structures of harmony and melody associated with tonal music. This approach challenges the listener's expectations by eliminating the sense of resolution typically found in tonal compositions, resulting in a more abstract and often dissonant sound. Atonality emerged prominently in the early 20th century, particularly through the works of influential composers who sought to break free from conventional musical forms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Atonality was significantly developed by Arnold Schoenberg in the early 20th century as a way to escape the constraints of traditional tonality.
2. Composers like Alban Berg and Anton Webern expanded on Schoenberg's ideas, contributing to what is known as the Second Viennese School.
3. The absence of a tonal center in atonal music often leads to unpredictable melodic and harmonic structures, challenging listeners' preconceived notions of music.
4. Atonality paved the way for new musical forms and styles, influencing various genres and movements beyond classical music, including jazz and avant-garde.
5. Many atonal compositions employ techniques like Klangfarbenmelodie, where changes in timbre and texture are used to convey musical ideas instead of relying on harmonic progression.

Review Questions

• How did Schoenberg's approach to atonality differ from traditional tonal music, and what implications did this have for composers that followed him?
  • Schoenberg's approach to atonality marked a departure from traditional tonal music by rejecting the established rules governing harmony and melody. Instead of organizing music around a central key, he created compositions without a tonal center, which allowed for greater freedom in expression. This shift influenced subsequent composers like Berg and Webern, who embraced Schoenberg's innovations and expanded upon them through their own unique interpretations of atonal music.
• Discuss how the twelve-tone technique serves as a foundational aspect of atonality and its role in reshaping musical composition.
  • The twelve-tone technique is central to atonality as it systematically organizes all twelve pitches of the chromatic scale, ensuring that each note is treated equally without favoring any single tone. This method reshaped musical composition by providing composers with a structured approach to creating atonal works while avoiding traditional harmonic progressions. As a result, it opened up new possibilities for exploration in melody and rhythm, fundamentally altering how music was composed during the 20th century.
• Evaluate the impact of atonality on the evolution of modern music genres beyond classical traditions and its relevance in today's musical landscape.
  • Atonality has had a profound impact on the evolution of modern music genres by challenging conventional notions of melody and harmony. Its influence can be seen in various styles such as jazz, where dissonance is embraced, and avant-garde movements that prioritize experimental soundscapes over traditional structures. Today, many contemporary composers and musicians continue to draw inspiration from atonal principles, demonstrating its lasting relevance and ability to inspire innovation across diverse musical landscapes.

Related terms

Serialism: A compositional technique that organizes music using a fixed series of pitches, rhythms, or other musical elements, often derived from the twelve-tone technique developed by Arnold Schoenberg.

Dissonance:

A combination of tones that creates a sense of tension or instability, often used in atonal music to enhance the feeling of departure from traditional tonal harmony.

Twelve-tone technique: A method of composition devised by Schoenberg that uses all twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a specific order or series, ensuring that no note is emphasized over others, which is fundamental to atonality.