The Allure of Pure Fiction in Music Pure fiction is a term coined by American music theorist Allen Forte to describe a specific type of musical structure where harmony and voice leading are secondary to the overall sound or atmosphere created by the combination of pitches, timbres, and textures.
At its core, pure fiction rejects traditional notions of tonality, embracing instead an often dissonant and unpredictable soundscape that defies resolution.
The concept of pure fiction has its roots in Western classical music theory, dating back to the early 20th century when composers began pushing against the boundaries of traditional harmony.