The Cambridge Companion to Serialism

Serialism is a method of composing with twelve tones related only to one another, used by composers such as Arnold Schoenberg and Pierre Boulez. It can be expansive, describing ways of composing systematically with parameters beyond pitch, duration, and dynamic, and can even stand as a sort of antonym to dodecaphony. This Companion introduces and embraces serialism in all its dimensions and contradictions, from Schoenberg and Stravinsky to Stockhausen and Babbitt, and explores its variants and legacies in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Serialism, a term that has sparked both passionate advocacy and vehement criticism, played a pivotal role in twentieth-century art music. While it undeniably had a profound impact, it was also characterized by inherent contradictions. The term "serialism" can be synonymous with dodecaphony, the method of composing developed by Arnold Schoenberg, which involves using twelve tones that are solely related to one another. However, it can also encompass a broader perspective, encompassing systematic compositional approaches that go beyond pitch and duration, incorporating dynamic and other parameters. In some instances, it can even be seen as a sort of antithesis to dodecaphony, as exemplified by Pierre Boulez's assertion that "Schoenberg is dead." When pushed to its extremes, serialism can describe techniques where sound is fragmented into discrete elements and subsequently recombined to create new and unexpected compositions. This blurring of boundaries between the old and the new, the familiar and the unfamiliar, has led to the emergence of a further term, post-serialism.

This Companion aims to introduce and explore serialism in all its facets and complexities, encompassing the works of Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Stockhausen, and Babbitt, as well as its various regional manifestations in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. It seeks to shed light on the historical context, theoretical foundations, and artistic innovations that shaped serialism, while also acknowledging the debates and controversies that have surrounded it. By examining the diverse range of serialist works, this Companion aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this influential musical movement and its enduring legacy.

Weight: 970g
Dimension: 251 x 172 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108492522