Atonality

Definition

Atonality refers to a musical style that lacks a tonal center or key, meaning it does not adhere to the traditional hierarchies of pitches found in Western music. This approach emerged prominently in the early 20th century, reflecting a break from established tonal systems and allowing for greater freedom in musical expression. Atonality challenges conventional notions of melody and harmony, often leading to innovative structures and emotional depth in compositions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Atonality emerged as a significant movement in the early 20th century, coinciding with developments in modern art and literature.
2. Arnold Schoenberg is considered one of the pioneers of atonality, using it to express complex emotions and ideas without the constraints of traditional tonality.
3. Unlike tonal music, which has a clear sense of resolution, atonal music often creates tension and dissonance without leading to a final 'home' chord.
4. Atonal music can be characterized by unpredictable melodies and harmonies that defy conventional structures, offering listeners a unique auditory experience.
5. Many composers influenced by atonality later developed serialism, a method that organizes pitches into a sequence or row to create structure within the atonal framework.

Review Questions

• How does atonality challenge traditional concepts of melody and harmony in music?
  • Atonality breaks away from the established rules of melody and harmony that define tonal music. In traditional music, melodies often resolve around a central key or tonality, creating a sense of expectation for the listener. Atonal compositions, however, do not adhere to these expectations; they frequently utilize dissonance and unpredictable intervals that challenge listeners' perceptions of musical coherence and beauty. This creates a more open-ended and expressive musical landscape.
• What role did Expressionism play in the development of atonal music during the early 20th century?
  • Expressionism significantly influenced the development of atonal music as it sought to convey intense emotional experiences rather than adhere to traditional aesthetic values. Composers like Arnold Schoenberg integrated expressionist ideals into their works, focusing on raw feelings and psychological depth. This connection allowed atonal music to explore themes of alienation, anxiety, and existential despair, reflecting the tumultuous cultural landscape of the time.
• Evaluate how the twelve-tone technique represents an evolution of atonality and its impact on later musical forms.
  • The twelve-tone technique is a crucial evolution within atonal music, providing a structured approach for composers to organize pitches while maintaining an absence of tonal center. Developed by Schoenberg, this method ensures that all twelve notes are treated equally without hierarchical relationships. This innovation allowed for greater complexity in composition and paved the way for serialism. By applying systematic methods to atonality, composers could explore new realms of musical expression while still establishing order within the seemingly chaotic framework of non-tonal music.

Related terms

Twelve-tone technique: A compositional method developed by Arnold Schoenberg that uses a series of all twelve notes in a chromatic scale in a specific order, ensuring that no note is repeated until all others have been played.

Chromaticism: The use of notes outside the standard major and minor scales, often adding richness and complexity to melodies and harmonies.

Expressionism: An artistic movement that sought to convey emotional experience rather than physical reality, heavily influencing atonal music through its focus on raw, intense feelings.