twelve-tone row

[ roh ]

noun

1. tone row.

Word History and Origins

Origin of twelve-tone row¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The whole of Lulu is based on a single twelve-tone row, which is Lulu's theme.

From Time Magazine Archive

Yet Ruggles had no use for the strict twelve-tone row, which he called "a dog chasing its tail."

From Time Magazine Archive

But for the most part, he did amazingly well, and his new work�an uninhibited, brightly colored score built around a twelve-tone row�made a handsome impression on the Londoners in the audience, who applauded tumultuously for ten minutes in the obvious belief that they had witnessed a very special kind of event.

From Time Magazine Archive

Talma's score, which frequently employed the twelve-tone row, was aglow with curving lyric lines but avoided any hint of romantic lushness, was sometimes reminiscent of Stravinsky.

From Time Magazine Archive