Arnold Schoenberg

Definition

Arnold Schoenberg was an influential Austrian composer and music theorist, known for developing the twelve-tone technique and significantly impacting 20th-century music. His innovative approach to composition challenged traditional tonal systems, paving the way for modernist movements in music and reflecting broader cultural shifts in the arts during the early 20th century. Schoenberg's work also embodies the intersection of music and the socio-political changes occurring in Europe during this time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Schoenberg was born in 1874 in Vienna and later moved to the United States in 1934 due to rising anti-Semitism in Europe.
2. He was a pioneer of atonal music, where compositions do not adhere to traditional harmonic structures, which was a radical departure from previous norms.
3. Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique not only revolutionized composition but also influenced various genres beyond classical music, including jazz and popular music.
4. His students included notable composers like Alban Berg and Anton Webern, who further developed his ideas and contributed to the evolution of modernist music.
5. Schoenberg's works include operas, orchestral pieces, and chamber music, with notable pieces such as 'Pierrot Lunaire' and 'Verklärte Nacht' showcasing his innovative style.

Review Questions

• How did Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique change the landscape of 20th-century music?
  • Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique fundamentally altered the approach to composition in 20th-century music by providing a new framework that allowed composers to move away from traditional tonal systems. This method emphasized equality among all twelve notes of the chromatic scale, preventing any single note from dominating. As a result, it opened up new creative possibilities for composers, leading to the exploration of atonality and influencing many modernist movements across various genres.
• Discuss how Arnold Schoenberg's background influenced his compositional style and techniques.
  • Schoenberg's background as a Jewish composer living in Vienna during a time of cultural upheaval greatly influenced his compositional style. The rise of anti-Semitism pushed him to seek refuge in the United States, where he continued to develop his innovative ideas. His experiences with societal change and artistic expression shaped his approach to music, leading him to challenge traditional norms through techniques like atonality and twelve-tone composition. This personal journey reflects broader themes of struggle and transformation found in early 20th-century culture.
• Evaluate the impact of Arnold Schoenberg's work on subsequent generations of composers and the evolution of modern music.
  • Schoenberg's influence on modern music is profound and multifaceted. His development of the twelve-tone technique established a new compositional language that challenged future generations to rethink harmony and structure. Composers like Pierre Boulez and John Cage drew inspiration from Schoenberg's ideas, pushing boundaries further into experimental territory. The ripple effect of his innovations can be seen across various genres, as elements of his techniques have permeated jazz, pop, and avant-garde music, ultimately reshaping the entire landscape of contemporary sound.

Related terms

Twelve-tone technique: A method of musical composition devised by Schoenberg that involves using a series of all twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a particular order, ensuring that no single note is emphasized over others.

Expressionism: An artistic movement, particularly in music and visual arts, that sought to express emotional experience rather than physical reality, often characterized by intense subjectivity and a break from traditional forms.

Viennese School: A group of composers associated with Vienna, including Schoenberg, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern, who were known for their contributions to modern music and the development of atonal and twelve-tone techniques.