1. Serialism A natural conclusion to the chromaticism of the Romantic Era Copyright © 2005 - Frankel Consulting Services, Inc.

2. What is serialism? Serialism is a method of writing music whereby the composer first creates a tone-row. This tone-row is simply all 12 notes of a chromatic scale. The composer then puts them in an order where no note is repeated until all are played.

3. This is a tone-row by Arnold Schoenberg from his work Variations for Orchestra Op. 31

4. This is a tone-row by Alban Berg from his Violin Concerto

5. This is a tone-row by Anton Webern from his Symphonie Op. 21

6. The Origins Developed by Arnold Schoenberg between 1917 and 1923 (WWI) who invented the style Other serialism composers included Alban Berg & Anton Webern

7. Types of Tone Rows Prime - the original tone-row Retrograde - the tone-row played backwards Inversion - the row played upside down Inverse Retrograde - the row played both upside down and backwards. Transpositions - the row is transposed either up or down

8. Examples of Different Tone Rows

9. What do you think? Is serialism music? Is there any creativity involved in composing a 12 tone row?

10. We will now listen to Arnold Schoenberg’s composition 3 Pieces for Chamber Orchestra Is it music?

11. Aesthetics aes·thet·ics or es·thet·ics Pronunciation Key (s-thtks) n. 1.(used with a sing. verb) a.The branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and expression of beauty, as in the fine arts. b.In Kantian philosophy, the branch of metaphysics concerned with the laws of perception. 2.The study of the psychological responses to beauty and artistic experiences. 3.A conception of what is artistically valid or beautiful: minimalist aesthetics. 4.An artistically beautiful or pleasing appearance: “They're looking for quality construction, not aesthetics” (Ron Schram). Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

12. Now it’s your turn… In Groups: Create your own 12 tone row (prime) Create the retrograde, inversion, and inverse retrograde of the tone row Begin thinking about what instruments you would like to perform your work (orchestral only)

14. Then… You will be taking your tone rows and creating a musical composition using Sibelius. The piece must be at least 12 measures in length. You must compose for at least two instruments other than piano. After the first note is played, you must have more than one note playing at a time.