SERIAL MUSIC Meaning and
Definition
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Serial music refers to a method of composition that gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly associated with the Second Viennese School and the works of composers such as Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and Alban Berg. This approach to music composition is characterized by the use of a musical series or a tone row, which is a specific ordering of the twelve pitches of the chromatic scale. The tone row serves as the foundation for the entire composition, where it is manipulated and developed throughout the work.
In serial music, traditional aspects of music such as melody, harmony, and tonality take a back seat in favor of a more organized and strict approach to composition. The tone row is often subject to various transformations, such as inversion, retrograde, and transposition. This systematic approach allows for intricate and complex structures, which can create a sense of tension, dissonance, or even atonality.
Serialism also extends to other musical elements, including rhythm, dynamics, and timbre. Composers utilizing serial techniques often apply the same principle of organizing and manipulating these elements through predetermined systems or rules. This method of composition is often highly intellectualized and mathematical, demanding careful attention from both the composer and the listener.
Serial music played a significant role in shaping the development of modern and contemporary classical music. Its influence can be seen in the works of many composers who followed, as well as in other genres such as jazz and film music.
Common Misspellings for SERIAL MUSIC
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Etymology of SERIAL MUSIC
The term "serial music" originated in the early 20th century and is derived from the German word "Serienmusik". It was initially used by Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg and his circle of composers, who sought to find innovative ways to organize pitch materials in their compositions. Schoenberg developed a compositional method called the twelve-tone technique or dodecaphony, where all twelve pitches of the chromatic scale are arranged into a series or row. This series then becomes the foundation for constructing the entire composition, dictating the order and usage of the pitches throughout the piece. The term "serial" refers to the use of a series or row as the central organizing principle in the music.
Similar spelling words for SERIAL MUSIC
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