Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The school of atonal musical composition

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the absence of a key; alternative to the diatonic system

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

atonal +‎ -ism

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Examples

  • But influential East Coast critics were not kind to this gorgeous music that seemed so out of step with postwar atonalism.

    Where Korngold Shone Tom Nolan 2010

  • But influential East Coast critics were not kind to this gorgeous music that seemed so out of step with postwar atonalism.

    Where Korngold Shone Tom Nolan 2010

  • The textbook line is that contemporary European jazzers found their own identity apart from the American motherlode in a severe "free" atonalism (saxophonist Evan Parker, guitarist Derek Bailey), and in a lyrical if sometimes chilly meld of classical tones and (white people's) folk motifs (a lot of what you hear on the influential German label, ECM).

    Jazzers Solal, Gustavsen Shine In Age of Really Good Pianists 2003

  • The textbook line is that contemporary European jazzers found their own identity apart from the American motherlode in a severe "free" atonalism (saxophonist Evan Parker, guitarist Derek Bailey), and in a lyrical if sometimes chilly meld of classical tones and (white people's) folk motifs (a lot of what you hear on the influential German label, ECM).

    Jazzers Solal, Gustavsen Shine In Age of Really Good Pianists 2003

  • But Chansons d'Édith Piaf has its exquisite moments, the first tune alone, "L'accordéoniste," providing a six-minute journey from atonalism to cabaret to swing.

    Paul Motian Sans Piano 1999

  • But Chansons d'Édith Piaf has its exquisite moments, the first tune alone, "L'accordéoniste," providing a six-minute journey from atonalism to cabaret to swing.

    Paul Motian Sans Piano 1999

  • Actually, there was a time when Ter Veldhuis, 58, dabbled with atonalism, but he said he

    Projo.com Projo Local News 2010

  • Actually, there was a time when Ter Veldhuis, 58, dabbled with atonalism, but he said he

    Projo.com Projo Local News 2010

  • Even though there were people like Berio and Crumb, most of the teaching was slanted toward Schoenberg, and atonalism and serialism, etc.

    Opera Today 2010

  • With pounding keyboard work reminiscient of Dr. John, the song swings along, excitingly edging closer and closer into atonalism but never quite getting there.

    PopMatters 2009

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