Arnold Schoenberg

Definition

Arnold Schoenberg was an influential Austrian composer known for developing atonality and serialism in music. He played a key role in transforming the landscape of 20th-century music, moving away from traditional tonal structures and introducing new compositional techniques that would influence composers like Alban Berg and Anton Webern. His work also engaged with the aesthetics of Symbolist poetry, exploring themes of emotion and abstraction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Schoenberg developed the twelve-tone technique, a method of composition where all twelve pitches of the chromatic scale are treated equally, avoiding the dominance of any single note.
2. His early works were rooted in late-Romantic traditions, but he gradually moved toward atonality, culminating in pieces like 'Pierrot Lunaire' which exemplified his innovative style.
3. Schoenberg's 'Verklärte Nacht' (Transfigured Night) is one of his most famous early compositions, blending late-Romantic harmony with emerging atonal ideas.
4. He founded the Second Viennese School, which included influential composers like Alban Berg and Anton Webern, who further developed his ideas on atonality and serialism.
5. Schoenberg's exploration of emotion and abstraction in music was influenced by Symbolist poets, as he sought to convey deep psychological experiences through his compositions.

Review Questions

• How did Schoenberg's development of atonality challenge traditional musical concepts?
  • Schoenberg's development of atonality represented a significant departure from traditional musical concepts that centered around tonal harmony. By eliminating a key center, his music challenged listeners to engage with new forms of expression and emotion. This shift paved the way for a range of modernist techniques that disregarded established norms, allowing composers to explore more abstract and complex soundscapes.
• In what ways did Schoenberg's work reflect the influence of Symbolist poetry on his musical style?
  • Schoenberg's work was deeply influenced by Symbolist poetry, which emphasized emotional depth and abstraction. This connection is evident in his use of text in compositions like 'Pierrot Lunaire,' where he sought to convey the psychological turmoil found in Symbolist literature through musical expression. The incorporation of these poetic themes allowed him to blend verbal and musical art forms, creating an immersive emotional experience for audiences.
• Evaluate the impact of Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique on subsequent generations of composers and the evolution of 20th-century music.
  • Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique had a profound impact on subsequent generations of composers, fundamentally changing the way music was composed and perceived. This system provided a structured method for organizing pitch that rejected traditional harmonic rules, influencing composers such as Pierre Boulez and Milton Babbitt. The adoption and adaptation of serialism not only expanded the boundaries of musical expression but also led to the emergence of various avant-garde movements, thereby shaping the course of 20th-century music as a whole.

Related terms

Atonality: Atonality is a musical style that avoids establishing a key center or tonal hierarchy, creating music without a defined tonal reference.

Serialism: Serialism is a method of composition that uses a series of values to manipulate different musical elements, often extending beyond pitch to include rhythm and dynamics.

Expressionism:

Expressionism is an artistic movement that seeks to express emotional experience rather than physical reality, significantly influencing Schoenberg's approach to music and its emotional content.