Montsalvatge's style evolved over several different phases. At the start of his career, he was strongly influenced by the twelve-tone technique and by Wagnerism, which together dominated the Catalan music scene during the period represented by his Sinfonía mediterránea of 1949.
Throughout his career, Montsalvatge's style shifted over time. Initially, he was heavily influenced by the twelve-tone technique and Wagnerism, both of which were prominent in Catalan music during the era of his Sinfonía mediterránea (1949).