Final answer:
The best term to characterize compositions based on the twelve tones of the chromatic scale is Serialism, which is different from Minimalism, a movement in visual arts emphasizing simplicity and reduction. The correct answer is option A).
Step-by-step explanation:
Compositions based on the twelve tones of the chromatic scale arranged in a certain order are not typically described as minimalistic. Instead, such compositions are best characterized by the term Serialism. This style is closely associated with the composer Arnold Schoenberg and involves a technique where the twelve pitches of the octave are organized into a series or row which provides the melodic and harmonic basis for a composition.
Atonality refers to music that does not have a central key or tonal center, which is a concept that Schoenberg also explored. Minimalism, in contrast, is a movement that began after World War II, involving sparse design elements and reducing the artwork to its bare essentials, often using monochromatic color schemes or simple geometric shapes. Lastly, Polytonality involves the simultaneous use of two or more keys in a musical composition.