Polytonalism (Noun)
Meaning
Music that uses two or more different keys at the same time.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The composer's use of polytonalism in the piece created a sense of tension and dissonance that added to the overall emotional impact of the music.
- Polytonalism was a key feature of the avant-garde movement in the early 20th century, with many composers experimenting with multiple keys and tonalities.
- The jazz pianist's improvisation was characterized by a playful use of polytonalism, jumping between different keys and creating a sense of spontaneity and surprise.
- The atonal quality of the music was tempered by the use of polytonalism, which added a sense of structure and coherence to the composition.
- The use of polytonalism in the piece allowed the composer to create a sense of dialogue between different musical themes and ideas.