Anton Webern

Definition

Anton Webern was an Austrian composer and a key figure in the Second Viennese School, known for his pioneering work in atonality and serialism. His music embodies the ideals of Expressionism, characterized by emotional intensity and a focus on the human experience, while also advancing modernist techniques that challenged traditional musical forms and structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Webern's compositions are known for their brevity and economy, often using a few musical elements to convey profound emotional depth.
2. He was heavily influenced by the theories of Arnold Schoenberg, adopting atonal techniques and later developing his own version of twelve-tone music.
3. Webern's work often features unconventional instrumental combinations and a focus on timbre, highlighting his innovative approach to orchestration.
4. His music was largely ignored during his lifetime but gained recognition post-World War II, becoming influential among later composers in the avant-garde movement.
5. Webern's style is marked by moments of silence and extreme contrast, creating a sense of tension and release that reflects his expressionist roots.

Review Questions

• How did Anton Webern's approach to composition reflect the principles of Expressionism?
  • Anton Webern's compositions exemplified Expressionism through their intense emotional content and emphasis on conveying deep human experiences. He used sparse musical material to evoke feelings and thoughts rather than simply following traditional structures or forms. This focus on emotion over form aligns with the broader artistic movement of Expressionism, which sought to express inner experiences rather than external reality.
• Discuss how Webern contributed to the development of atonality and serialism within the context of the Second Viennese School.
  • Webern played a crucial role in developing atonality and serialism as part of the Second Viennese School. Building upon Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, Webern refined these ideas into highly compressed forms characterized by meticulous attention to detail. His innovative use of sound emphasized not just pitch but also rhythm and timbre, paving the way for new methods of composition that challenged traditional music structures.
• Evaluate the impact of Anton Webern's music on later developments in modern classical music after World War II.
  • Anton Webern's music significantly influenced the trajectory of modern classical music after World War II. His techniques, particularly in atonality and serialism, inspired a generation of composers who sought to explore new sounds and structures beyond conventional tonal music. The aesthetic principles he employed—such as fragmentation, silence, and textural innovation—became key elements in the works of later avant-garde composers, solidifying his legacy as a foundational figure in contemporary music.

Related terms

Second Viennese School: A group of early 20th-century composers, including Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern, who developed atonal and twelve-tone techniques.

Twelve-tone technique: A method of composition developed by Arnold Schoenberg that involves using all twelve pitches of the chromatic scale in a specific sequence or series as the basis for musical composition.

Expressionism: An artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century, emphasizing the expression of emotional experience rather than physical reality, greatly influencing music and visual arts.