polytonalen

Polytonality is a musical concept where two or more tonal centers are used simultaneously within a single piece of music. This technique allows composers to create complex and rich harmonic textures, often resulting in a sense of tension and resolution. The term "polytonality" is derived from the Greek words "poly," meaning many, and "tonos," meaning tone.

The concept of polytonality emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with composers such as Arnold Schoenberg, Igor Stravinsky, and Béla Bartók incorporating it into their works. Schoenberg, in particular, is known for his use of polytonality in his late works, such as "Pierrot Lunaire" and "A Survivor from Warsaw."

In polytonal music, each voice or instrument may have its own tonal center, creating a sense of dissonance and tension. However, these tensions are often resolved through the use of common tones or through the convergence of the different tonal centers. This technique allows composers to create a sense of harmony and resolution, even within a complex and dissonant texture.

Polytonality is often contrasted with other musical concepts, such as atonality and serialism. While atonality rejects the use of tonal centers altogether, and serialism involves the systematic use of a series of pitches, polytonality involves the simultaneous use of multiple tonal centers. This technique allows composers to create a sense of harmony and resolution within a complex and dissonant texture.