Serialism

In the music theory of European classical music serialism is a set of methods for composing and analyzing works of music based on structuring those works around the parameterization of parts of music: that is, ordering pitch, dynamics, instrumentation, rhythm, and on occasion other elements into a row or series in which each gradation is assigned a numerical value within that series. In its strict definition each pitch, dynamic, colour or rhythmic element should only be used in its order in the series and used only once until the series repeats. The terms total serialism, integral serialism, and multiple serialism describe music which is serial in several parameters.

Related Topics:
Music theory - European classical music - Composing - Analyzing - Works - Music - Parameterization - Pitch - Dynamics - Instrumentation - Rhythm - Row

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Important serial composers include Karlheinz Stockhausen, Pierre Boulez, Jean Barraqué and Mario Davidovsky. Many composers wrote (and continue to write) serial pieces, and elements of 12 tone practice have been used to a greater or lesser degree by composers for whom it was not a basic trait of style, such as Benjamin Britten, Aaron Copland, Arvo Pärt, Alfred Schnittke and Dmitri Shostakovich, and a wide range of composers from 1920 forward felt it important to incorporate or respond to the use of twelve tone techniques, not just in classical music, but in Jazz as well. The use of mathematical concepts to control musical parameters has influenced composers who have not adopted strict serial methods, including Elliott Carter and Iannis Xenakis. Integral serialism was influential in the development of electronic music and synthesized music. The first serial piece may have been Nummer 2 (1951) for 13 instruments (http://www.matrix.mu/compE/Goeyvaer/Goeybody.html) by Karel Goeyvaerts.

Related Topics:
Karlheinz Stockhausen - Pierre Boulez - Jean Barraqué - Mario Davidovsky - Benjamin Britten - Aaron Copland - Arvo Pärt - Alfred Schnittke - Dmitri Shostakovich - Jazz - Elliott Carter - Iannis Xenakis - Electronic music - Karel Goeyvaerts

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