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: Paperback / softback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 16 February 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 held a central position, it was also characterized by inherent contradictions. The term "serialism" can be synonymous with dodecaphony, a method of composition pioneered by Arnold Schoenberg, which employs twelve tones that are solely related to one another. However, it can also encompass broader approaches that involve systematic composition with parameters beyond pitch, such as duration, dynamic, and others. In some instances, it can even be seen as a sort of antonym to dodecaphony, as exemplified by Pierre Boulez's assertion that "Schoenberg is dead." When pushed to its extremes, serialism can describe methods where sound is fragmented into discrete elements and subsequently recombined to create new and unexpected sounds, gradually blurring the boundaries between serialism and post-serialism.

This Companion serves as an introduction and exploration of serialism in all its manifestations and complexities. It encompasses the works of Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Stockhausen, and Babbitt, among others, and delves into their variants and legacies in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. By examining the diverse perspectives and artistic approaches associated with serialism, this Companion aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this influential musical movement.

Weight: 760g
Dimension: 168 x 244 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108716864