Which of the following composers is NOT associated with the use of tone clusters?

The composer who is not associated with the use of tone clusters is Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach, a key figure of the Baroque era, is renowned for his mastery of counterpoint and harmonically complex compositions, which adhere to the tonal system of his time. His music is characterized by structured harmonic progressions and well-defined melodic lines, which contrast sharply with the concept of tone clusters—a technique that involves the simultaneous sounding of multiple adjacent pitches, typically found in contemporary classical music.

On the other hand, Henry Cowell, John Cage, and Béla Bartók are all known for their innovative approaches to harmony. Henry Cowell is credited with popularizing tone clusters in the early 20th century and often incorporated them into his compositions. John Cage, a prominent figure in avant-garde music, utilized tone clusters as part of his exploration of new sounds and techniques. Béla Bartók also experimented with tonal texture and dissonance in ways that sometimes included tone clusters, expanding his musical language to include the use of adjacent pitches for expressive purposes.

Thus, Bach’s traditional and structured tonal style is distinctly separate from the experimental and often dissonant nature of tone clusters associated with these other composers. This fundamental difference in their musical approaches underscores why Bach is the