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What is bitonality? ー part 3 ー

Since the early 20th century, some composers started to seek new ways of music expressions. Bitonality can be said one of techniques for new expression.

Bitonality is a distinct musical technique involving the simultaneous use of two tonalities. Furthermore, polytonality – using more than three tonalities – and atonality – where no clear tonality can be perceived – can be considered alternative tonal approaches except for bitonality.

I’m especially interested in bitonal music. The reason is as follows: While perceiving more than three tonalities or the absence of tonality is difficult, perceiving two tonalities is comparatively easy.

I would be happy if you could check my video and listen to the piano piece that first sparked my interest in bitonality. In this tune, the folk song melodies are repeated three times, but the tonality of the second and third accompaniments differ from that of the melody.

The first melody and accompaniment are composed in the same tonality: C major. While you perceive the first melody is in C major, the second and third accompaniments are played in different tonalities. So, I think it’s easy to notice that these parts contain elements of bitonality.　

I’d be glad if you are interested in bitonal music! See you next again.