malik@delphi.DEC (Karl Malik ZK01-1/F22 1-1440) (06/19/84)
Subj; music and time We just went through a discussion of 'serialism'. From what I read, it seems to me that most of the objections have more to do with the lack of a tonal-center/key, than with serialism per se. Am I incorrect? Are there non-serial, atonal works that you enjoy? The reason I ask, is that I've never felt that the tonal-center or harmonic language was all that important in a piece of music. Whether we're talking about Beethoven or Stockhausen, it seems to me that the articulation of time is what makes the piece work. What I mean is contrast, surprize, variation, tension/resolution, etc. The means by which this is achieved is (relatively) unimportant. Consider a work for percussion ensemble (sans melodic instruments). It's entirely possible (perhaps you disagree) to write a work, which is wholly musically satisfying, which contains no significant harmonic relations at all. It works because of the drama (whether subtle or extreem) - how it changes over time. So, for me, tonality/atonality is not an issue - because they both do the same thing - they articulate time in surprizing and delightful ways. - Karl