atonalism

[ey-tohn-l-iz-uhm]

noun

Music.

1. atonality.

2. a note, phrase, etc., that seems harsh or discordant.

Other Word Forms

• atonalist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of atonalism¹

First recorded in 1925–30; atonal + -ism

Example Sentences

Tristan und Isolde is rightly regarded as a turning point in music history; its opening chord sequence points to the atonalism and extended tonalities of the 20th century.

From The Guardian

Throughout his career Mr. Hoiby proudly rejected popular musical currents — from atonalism to minimalism to postmodernism, placing himself instead in the tradition of his idols: Barber, Strauss, Mahler and especially Schubert.

From New York Times

Mr. Lees’s work defied tidy pigeonholing, in part because he shunned musical styles, like atonalism and minimalism, that were practically de rigueur among 20th-century composers.

From New York Times