Talk:List of atonal pieces

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[edit] What is this page anyway?

This page currently seems more to list composers who have composed "atonal" pieces than the pieces itself. Can someone change that? Vivacissamamente 22:40, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

I think that if this page is going to go any further we need a strict idea of what is going to be included here. Is this a list of "atonal" pieces in the sense that we only include pieces that treat every chromatic note with equal importance (like Schoenberg?) What about pieces that hide any sense of tonality with chromatic saturation (eg. Late Scriabin, Roslavets) or hint at tonal centres in some places but avoid any traditional sense of tonality (early Shostakovich)? Also is this going to include all atonal pieces, or just the early groundbreaking ones?

If it were entirely up to me I would make this a list of early (say pre-1930) pieces that are not "tonal" in the common-practise sense (or pre-common practise, modes, and drones and such or "world" music). That would include basically everything currently on the list and provide a clear framework for expansion--Tedneeman 02:46, 24 Apr 2005 (UTC)

For one (two, actually) the list clearly does not include twelve tone or serial music. For three, we could consult Atonality:

• "Atonality describes music which departs from the system of tonal hierarchies that characterizes the sound of classical European music between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. Atonality usually describes compositions written from about 1900 to the present day, where the hierarchy of tonal centers is not used as the primary way to organize a work."

Hyacinth 02:58, 24 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Looney Tunes music

Does the Looney Tunes cartoon music of William Lava in 1962-1964 count as atonal? Much of it seems to be based on the notes of the diminished chord...