Atonalisms

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Musical compositions or styles that deliberately avoid traditional tonal centers and harmonic functions, resulting in music lacking a key or conventional tonal hierarchy; also refers to instances or examples of such atonal music; the practice or technique of creating sound art without adherence to standard tonality
2. Works characterized by the absence of a recognizable key or tonal focus, employing dissonant or nonharmonic pitch relations; examples of compositions or passages that reject tonal systems; the compositional approach emphasizing atonality as a central element
3. Pieces or musical fragments that eschew established tonal norms, thereby creating an environment without a clear musical "home" or center; the category or instances of music defined by atonal structure; the theoretical and practical method of crafting music free from traditional tonal expectations

Etymology: The term likely derives from the musical concept of "atonality," which emerged in the early 20th century to describe music that deliberately avoids a central tonal key or traditional harmonic structures. Atonality itself originated from the prefix "a-" meaning "without," combined with "tonal," relating to tone or key. This fusion was coined as composers like Arnold Schoenberg sought to break away from the established conventions of Western tonal music, exploring new realms of dissonance and chromaticism. "Atonalisms" appears to be a plural noun formed by adding the suffix "-ism," which often denotes a practice, system, or characteristic, to "atonal," and then pluralizing it. This construction suggests reference to various instances, styles, or manifestations of atonality as distinct phenomena or movements within music. The suffix "-ism" became common in English from the 18th century onward to name ideologies, artistic styles, or distinctive practices, and its application here emphasizes a conceptual or theoretical framework related to atonal music. The root "tonal" traces back to the Latin "tonus," meaning "tone" or "sound," which entered English via French musical terminology during the Renaissance. However, the prefix "a-" stems from Greek, used to negate or indicate absence, a linguistic blending typical of neologisms in the arts and sciences. This hybridization reflects how modern musical vocabulary often borrows classical elements to articulate new ideas. While "atonalisms" is not a common term in everyday usage, it likely surfaced in musicological or critical discourse to categorize or discuss different approaches or schools within atonal composition. The plural form allows for nuanced discussion of multiple theoretical or stylistic strands, acknowledging that atonality is not monolithic but varied in technique and philosophy. In sum, this word is a product of 20th-century musical innovation and linguistic creativity, combining Greek and Latin roots with English morphological patterns to name the diverse practices centered on the absence of traditional tonal centers.

Synonyms: atonality, non-tonality

Antonyms: tonality