Atonality

Definition

Atonality is a musical concept that refers to the absence of a tonal center or key. In atonal music, there are no traditional scales or harmonies, leading to a sense of equality among all twelve notes of the chromatic scale. This approach allows composers to explore new emotional and structural possibilities in their music, breaking away from the established norms of tonality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Atonality emerged in the early 20th century as composers sought new forms of expression beyond traditional harmonic frameworks.
2. Notable composers associated with atonality include Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern, who collectively form the Second Viennese School.
3. In atonal music, all pitches are treated equally, which contrasts sharply with tonal music where certain notes are emphasized as stable or unstable.
4. Atonal compositions can often create a sense of tension and unease, as listeners are used to resolving melodies within a tonal context.
5. The techniques of atonality have influenced various genres and styles beyond classical music, including jazz, avant-garde, and contemporary popular music.

Review Questions

• How does atonality challenge the traditional concepts of melody and harmony in music?
  • Atonality challenges traditional concepts of melody and harmony by removing the reliance on a tonal center, which is fundamental in most Western music. In tonal music, melodies often resolve to a home note or chord that provides a sense of closure. Atonal music, however, lacks this resolution, leading to dissonance and an unpredictable musical experience where all pitches are treated as equal, fundamentally altering listeners' expectations.
• Discuss how dodecaphony relates to atonality and its impact on 20th-century music composition.
  • Dodecaphony is closely related to atonality as it provides a structured method for composing atonal music by utilizing all twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a predetermined sequence. This technique was developed by Arnold Schoenberg as a way to impose order on the otherwise chaotic nature of atonal compositions. The impact of dodecaphony on 20th-century music composition is significant; it offered composers a new framework for creating coherent musical works without adhering to tonal principles, thereby expanding the boundaries of musical expression.
• Evaluate the influence of expressionism on the development and acceptance of atonality in the early 20th century.
  • Expressionism had a profound influence on the development and acceptance of atonality in the early 20th century by prioritizing emotional depth over structural conventions. Composers like Schoenberg used atonality to express complex human emotions that could not be conveyed through traditional tonal music. As expressionism gained traction in the arts, it helped audiences become more receptive to experimental forms like atonality. This shift allowed for greater artistic freedom and paved the way for subsequent movements such as serialism and avant-garde music, significantly altering the landscape of modern music.

Related terms

Dodecaphony: A compositional technique developed by Arnold Schoenberg that involves using all twelve tones of the chromatic scale in a specific order, ensuring that no note is repeated until all others have been played.

Serialism: A method of composition that uses a series or sequence of pitches, rhythms, dynamics, or other musical elements to structure a piece, often extending beyond just pitch organization.

Expressionism: A modernist movement in music and the arts that emphasizes emotional experience over physical reality, often utilizing atonality and dissonance to convey intense feelings.