Arnold Schoenberg

Definition

Arnold Schoenberg was an influential Austrian composer and painter known for his groundbreaking contributions to music, particularly in the development of atonality and the twelve-tone technique. His work is crucial in the context of Expressionism, as he sought to express deep emotions and psychological states through music, breaking away from traditional tonal systems to convey intense feelings.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Schoenberg is often regarded as one of the most significant composers of the 20th century due to his revolutionary ideas about music structure and harmony.
2. He fled Europe during World War II due to rising anti-Semitism, which influenced his later works and themes.
3. Schoenberg's early music was rooted in late-Romantic traditions before he transitioned to atonal and twelve-tone styles.
4. His influence extends beyond classical music; many modern composers cite Schoenberg's innovations as foundational to contemporary music.
5. Schoenberg also had a career as a painter and was part of the Expressionist movement in visual arts, reflecting his multifaceted artistic vision.

Review Questions

• How did Arnold Schoenberg's approach to atonality influence the development of modern music?
  • Arnold Schoenberg's introduction of atonality marked a significant shift in modern music by challenging the established norms of tonality. This approach allowed composers to explore new emotional depths and complexities in their compositions, free from the constraints of traditional harmonic structures. As a result, Schoenberg paved the way for future generations of musicians to experiment with sound and expression, leading to a broader acceptance of diverse musical forms.
• In what ways did Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique differ from traditional compositional methods?
  • Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique represented a radical departure from traditional methods by using all twelve notes of the chromatic scale equally without emphasizing any single note as a tonal center. This system allowed composers to create structured yet non-hierarchical musical works that avoided conventional harmony. The technique's focus on serialism not only transformed compositional practices but also expanded the expressive possibilities available to musicians.
• Evaluate the impact of Expressionism on Schoenberg's music and how it reflects broader cultural shifts in the early 20th century.
  • Expressionism significantly impacted Schoenberg's music by encouraging him to convey raw emotions and psychological experiences through his compositions. This artistic movement mirrored broader cultural shifts in the early 20th century, characterized by disillusionment and a desire for deeper emotional expression amidst societal upheaval. Schoenberg's innovative techniques not only reflected these changes but also resonated with other forms of art, making him a key figure in articulating the complexities of human experience during this transformative period.

Related terms

Atonality: A musical approach that avoids establishing a tonal center, allowing for greater freedom of expression and the exploration of complex emotional landscapes.

Twelve-tone Technique: A method of composition devised by Schoenberg that uses a series of all twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a specific order, which serves as the basis for melodic and harmonic material.

Expressionism: An artistic movement that emphasizes the expression of emotional experience rather than physical reality, often associated with intense, subjective experiences in art and music.