Serialism

Definition:

Serialism is a rigorous system of composing music in which various elements of the piece are ordered according to a pre-determined ordered set or sets, and variations on them. The elements thus controlled may be the pitch of the notes, their length, their dynamics, their accents, or virtually any other musical quantity, which, in serial terms is called a parameter. More generally, serialism is any music which uses any ordered sets applied to any musical element.

Whilst researching serialism I came across a quote which I find very relevant to our studies at the moment. The quote reads: "Serial music is like spinach. People grow up hearing others complain about how terrible it is. Some people eventually try it and agree that it's horrible stuff; others try it and decide it's rather good. But most avoid and detest it as a result of rumour and hearsay." Although it is not necessary to enjoy serialism, one who is interested in classical music should attempt to understand it.

Twelve tone music which was established by Schoenberg is often referred to as serialism, but strictly speaking serialism is the sequel to Schoenberg's works, and came about in the late 1940's. Composers, led by Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen started to apply Schoenberg's 12-tone principle to more than just pitch. To recap, Schoenberg created tone rows, where the 12 different pitch classes of the scale are arranged in a particular order, then inverted, then played in reverse (retrograde) and then the retrograde inversion is played, and thus Schoenberg simply manipulated the pitch. For serialists, the basic pattern to be manipulated is determined not only by each note's pitch but by its rhythm, dynamics and timbre.

*Listen Boulez - Structures pour deux pianos

When a tone row is turned backwards, its rhythmic pattern is also reversed. For example, a minum followed by a quaver followed by a semi-quaver becomes a semi-quaver followed by a quaver followed by a minum. It is in this way that every conceivable musical element is manipulated.

Although this music is very organized it is often, ironically, perceived to be very chaotic to the listener.

*Listen Stockhausen - Gesang der Junglinge

Serialism was greatly influential in post-War music. Serialism was "revolutionary" and declared itself as a "new tonality". Serialism created an environment where experimentation with sound was at the forefront of composition, which led to increased use of electronics as well as other applications of mathematical notation to composition.

Joseph Matthias Hauer ( 1883- 1959)

Background

Joseph Hauer was an Austrian composer and theorist. He was an active organist, choral conductor and cellist since his teenage years. At about the age of 23 (1908) he started composing. His first published works are Op 1 -18 (1912 - 1919) and he described these works as "the first onset of [his] 12-tone works". These pieces range from songs and piano miniatures to the dramatic "Apokalyptische Phantasie" op. 5(1913), which is scored for chamber orchestra and is his most significant early work.

Between the world wars Vienna was buzzing with artistic and intellectual activity and this is when Hauer associated with the Schoenberg circle. He also worked very closely with Ebner, who worked with Hauer on his first theoretical work. (Uber die Klangfarbe).

In August 1919 Hauer discovered his "twelve