serialism is a method

of composition using series

of pitches, rhythms,
dynamics, timbres or
other musical elements.
• Serialism is a method (Griffiths 2001, 116), "highly specialized
technique" (Wörner 1973, 196), or "way" (Whittall 2008, 1)
of composition. It may also be considered "a philosophy of life
(Weltanschauung), a way of relating the human mind to the world
and creating a completeness when dealing with a subject" (Bandur
2001, 5).
• Serialism is not by itself a system of composition or a style. Neither is
pitch serialism necessarily incompatible with tonality, though it is
most often used as a means of composing atonal music (Griffiths
2001, 116).
•Atonal music is a generalizing term used to
define music that seems to lack a clear tonal
center. Nearly all music in the western
classical tradition is considered 'tonal': that
is, its harmonic structure is primarily triadic
and hierarchically organized around a
prominent tonal center.