What underlying principle guides the creation of atonal music?

The creation of atonal music is fundamentally guided by the principle of utilizing all notes within the chromatic scale without establishing a tonal center. This approach signifies a shift away from traditional Western music conventions, which typically revolve around a clearly defined key or tonal center. In atonal music, composers like Arnold Schoenberg aimed to explore a new musical language that transcended traditional harmonic frameworks, allowing for a more equal treatment of all notes.

By avoiding the establishment of a tonal center, atonal music opens up a wider array of expressive possibilities, emphasizing the individual characteristics of each note rather than tying them into a hierarchical system of chords. This creates an often more dissonant sound, which can challenge listeners and provoke various emotional responses, reflecting the complexities of modern life and thought.

The other options are misaligned with the essence of atonal music. Traditional harmonic rules are fundamentally challenged in atonality, while strict rhythm and timing are not necessarily defining features of this style. Additionally, the focus in atonal music is not predominantly on melody over harmony, but rather on a more balanced exploration that often departs from traditional melodic structures.