Topmusicanswers
In practice, the atonality of a composition is relative, for an atonal work may contain fragmentary passages in which tonal centres seem to exist. Schoenberg's song cycle Pierrot Lunaire (1912) and Alban Berg's opera Wozzeck (1925) are typical examples of atonal works.
- What is an atonal song?
- Is Jazz atonal music?
- What is atonal music used for?
- Who were key composers of atonal music?
What is an atonal song?
Atonality is a condition of music in which the constructs of the music do not “live” within the confines of a particular key signature, scale, or mode. To the uninitiated listener, atonal music can sound like chaotic, random noise. However, atonality is one of the most important movements in 20th century music.
Is Jazz atonal music?
Because there were no chords to follow, Free Jazz (for the most part) was atonal; that is, the music was not based on a "tonal system" like most other music (pop, rock, other styles of jazz, classical music, etc.). Because of the atonal nature of Free Jazz, many find the music unusual and difficult to listen to.
What is atonal music used for?
In response to this frustration, some composers decided to scrap all the rules of tonal music and invented something they called atonal music. It allowed them to get away from all the rules of standard, key-based music and experiment with new sounds.
Who were key composers of atonal music?
This style of composition is most associated with a group of composers whose figurehead was Arnold Schoenberg and which also included the influential composers Anton Webern and Alban Berg.
