1. Serialism March 24, 2004

2. Twelve Tone Serialism Developed by Schoenberg: Second period Developed by Schoenberg: Second period A.k.a. DODECAPHONY (“12-sounding”) A.k.a. DODECAPHONY (“12-sounding”) His mission/role: to develop this system (1916-23) His mission/role: to develop this system (1916-23) Principles of 12 tone serialism Principles of 12 tone serialism Variations for Orchestra, op. 31 (1926-28) Variations for Orchestra, op. 31 (1926-28)

3. Variations for Orchestra, op. 31 Considered one of Schoenberg’s finest works Considered one of Schoenberg’s finest works Blending of conventional compositional techniques with twelve-tone writing Blending of conventional compositional techniques with twelve-tone writing Full realization of possibilities composing using this method Full realization of possibilities composing using this method Schoenberg’s stylistic features: Schoenberg’s stylistic features: melodies typically have wide leaps, based on small motives melodies typically have wide leaps, based on small motives no propelling/vigorous rhythms no propelling/vigorous rhythms emphasis on counterpoint emphasis on counterpoint concern for tone colours: Klangfarbenmelodie concern for tone colours: Klangfarbenmelodie

4. Anton Webern (1883-1945) Studied with Schoenberg from 1904-1908 Studied with Schoenberg from 1904-1908 2 periods: tonal/atonal (to 1923); serial (1924-45) 2 periods: tonal/atonal (to 1923); serial (1924-45) Music characterized by: Music characterized by: Strictness and clarity; brevity of form, shortness of pieces Strictness and clarity; brevity of form, shortness of pieces Thin texture; detailed dynamics; effective use of silence Thin texture; detailed dynamics; effective use of silence Avoidance of sequence, repetition Avoidance of sequence, repetition Melodies emphasized +7ths and -9ths to avoid suggestion of tonality Melodies emphasized +7ths and -9ths to avoid suggestion of tonality He is noted for his instrumentation: Klangfarbenmelodie He is noted for his instrumentation: Klangfarbenmelodie Harmonically: mov’t from late Romantic chromaticism, to atonality to use of tone rows Harmonically: mov’t from late Romantic chromaticism, to atonality to use of tone rows Symphonie op. 21 (1928) Symphonie op. 21 (1928)

5. The Second Viennese School Schoenberg, Berg and Webern: Expressionism and Twelve-tone Serialism Schoenberg, Berg and Webern: Expressionism and Twelve-tone Serialism Two “camps” of opinion re: 12 tone music: for and against Two “camps” of opinion re: 12 tone music: for and against Schoenberg’s developments were highly influential in 20th C music: affected the development of WAM Schoenberg’s developments were highly influential in 20th C music: affected the development of WAM

6. Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) Very influential as teacher: Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Luigi Nono, etc. Very influential as teacher: Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Luigi Nono, etc. Experimented with applying principles of serialism to other parameters, encouraging students to do the same Experimented with applying principles of serialism to other parameters, encouraging students to do the same His music is very innovative and eclectic (birdsong) His music is very innovative and eclectic (birdsong) e.g. Méditations sur la mystère de la Sainte Trinité (Meditations on the Mystery of the Holy Trinity, 1969) e.g. Méditations sur la mystère de la Sainte Trinité (Meditations on the Mystery of the Holy Trinity, 1969)