Atonality

Definition

Atonality refers to a musical system that abandons the traditional tonal center or key, meaning that no single note or chord functions as the primary focus. This approach creates a sense of freedom in composition, allowing for the exploration of new sonorities and structures without the constraints of harmonic progression found in tonal music. It is closely associated with early 20th-century composers who sought to break away from established norms, influencing various styles and techniques in modern music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Atonality emerged prominently in the early 20th century, largely influenced by composers like Arnold Schoenberg, who sought to create music that did not adhere to traditional harmonic frameworks.
2. The concept of atonality led to the development of the twelve-tone technique, which organized all twelve pitches into a series that avoided establishing any tonal center.
3. Composers associated with atonality often explored new forms of expression, emphasizing individual emotion over conventional harmony, which was central to Expressionism.
4. Despite its radical departure from tonal music, atonality has influenced various genres, leading to experimental and avant-garde approaches that are still prevalent today.
5. While atonality rejects established tonal structures, some later composers incorporated elements of tonality back into their works, demonstrating its ongoing evolution in contemporary music.

Review Questions

• How did atonality influence the development of new musical techniques in the early 20th century?
  • Atonality significantly influenced the development of new musical techniques by encouraging composers to move away from traditional harmonic structures. This shift paved the way for methods like the twelve-tone technique developed by Arnold Schoenberg, which systematically organized pitches without establishing a tonal center. The freedom from tonal constraints allowed for innovative approaches in composition and expression, contributing to a broader evolution in modern music.
• Discuss the relationship between atonality and Expressionism, particularly in how composers expressed emotion through their music.
  • Atonality and Expressionism are closely linked as both reject traditional forms to convey deeper emotional experiences. Composers associated with Expressionism used atonality to evoke raw emotions and psychological states without relying on conventional harmony. This emphasis on individual expression resulted in music that often felt more visceral and intense, allowing composers like Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg to explore themes of anguish, fear, and existential dread through their atonal works.
• Evaluate how atonality challenged existing musical norms and how subsequent movements like Neoclassicism responded to this shift.
  • Atonality challenged existing musical norms by breaking free from the established tonal framework that had dominated Western music for centuries. This radical approach prompted a reevaluation of musical language and expression. In response, movements like Neoclassicism emerged as composers sought to reintroduce order, balance, and clarity reminiscent of earlier styles while incorporating modern elements. This interplay between atonality and Neoclassicism highlights a dynamic tension in music history as artists navigated the boundaries between innovation and tradition.

Related terms

Twelve-Tone Technique: A compositional method developed by Arnold Schoenberg that uses a series of all twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a specific order, forming a tone row that serves as the basis for a piece.

Expressionism:

An artistic movement that emphasizes the expression of emotional experience rather than physical reality, often characterized by distortion and exaggeration in both visual art and music.

Neoclassicism: A 20th-century movement in music that sought to return to the clarity and structure of earlier styles, often incorporating elements from classical music while maintaining modern sensibilities.