Serial Music (Noun)
Meaning
20th century music that uses a definite order of notes as a thematic basis for a musical composition.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The composer's work was heavily influenced by the serial music techniques of Arnold Schoenberg and his contemporaries.
- In the 1950s and 60s, serial music became a dominant force in the avant-garde musical circles of Europe.
- The complexity of serial music led to a decline in its popularity among concert audiences in the latter half of the 20th century.
- The use of serial music techniques allowed the young composer to create a highly organized and systematic musical structure.
- Webern's string quartet is a fine example of serial music from the 20th century, showcasing the composer's mastery of the technique.