serialism

In music, a later form of the twelve-tone system of composition, invented by Arnold Schoenberg, and hinted at in the later works of Max Reger.

It usually refers to post-1950 compositions in which elements of the music were brought under the same type of control as pitch in twelve-tone music. The tone-row (the order in which the composer decides to arrange the 12 notes) can be expressed as numbers (a series) which can then be used to control parameters such as dynamics, rhythm, and attack.

In its extreme form, known as integral serialism every parameter of a piece is controlled by one series: a classic example of this is Olivier Messiaen's Quatre Etudes du Rythm. Other major works using serialism include Jean Barraqué's monumental sonata for piano and Anton Webern's symphony Op.21.