Anti-Modernism (in music)

Anti-modernism in music is a movement that rejects the experimental, avant-garde techniques and dissonance associated with modernist composers of the early 20th century. Instead, it emphasizes traditional melodies, harmonies, and structures, often drawing inspiration from past musical styles and cultural authenticity. Anti-modernists prefer music that feels familiar, expressive, and rooted in heritage, resisting innovations like atonality and complex rhythms that challenged conventional listening experiences. This approach can be seen as a response to rapid cultural change, aiming to preserve musical tradition and accessibility while countering the abstract, often challenging nature of modernist compositions.