Arnold Schoenberg

Definition

Arnold Schoenberg was an influential Austrian composer, music theorist, and painter, known primarily for his development of atonality and the twelve-tone technique. His work is deeply connected to expressionism, emphasizing intense emotion and psychological depth, while also influencing movements like neoclassicism and modernism. As a pivotal figure among early 20th-century composers, his innovative ideas challenged traditional tonal structures and reshaped the landscape of classical music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Schoenberg's early works were rooted in late Romanticism but evolved towards atonality, marking a significant departure from traditional harmonic practices.
2. He founded the Second Viennese School alongside notable composers such as Alban Berg and Anton Webern, promoting new musical ideas and techniques.
3. Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique not only influenced his compositions but also had a profound impact on later 20th-century music and composers like Pierre Boulez and Milton Babbitt.
4. His opera 'Erwartung' exemplifies expressionism through its psychological themes and innovative use of atonality.
5. Schoenberg's writings on music theory and composition are still studied today, providing insights into the evolution of modern music and the transition from tonality to atonality.

Review Questions

• How did Schoenberg's approach to atonality influence the emotional expression found in his works?
  • Schoenberg's embrace of atonality allowed him to break free from traditional harmonic constraints, enabling a more intense emotional expression in his compositions. This shift created an environment where dissonance could be used as a primary expressive tool rather than something to resolve. As a result, his music often reflects deep psychological themes, showcasing the complexities of human emotion in ways that traditional tonal music could not.
• In what ways did Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique redefine compositional practices in the early 20th century?
  • Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique established a systematic approach to atonal composition by organizing all twelve pitches into a specific sequence or row. This method not only provided structure to what might otherwise be chaotic sound but also allowed for greater freedom in melodic and harmonic exploration. As other composers adopted this technique, it became a cornerstone of modern music, leading to new forms of expression and challenging previous conventions in harmony.
• Evaluate Schoenberg's impact on neoclassicism and how his innovations set the stage for later developments in modern music.
  • Schoenberg's innovations laid the groundwork for neoclassicism by challenging composers to reflect on earlier styles while integrating modern techniques. Though neoclassicism often sought clarity and balance reminiscent of classical traditions, Schoenberg’s focus on dissonance and atonality forced composers to reconsider their approaches. His work inspired subsequent movements that sought to blend these contrasting ideas, paving the way for diverse developments in modern music that continued to explore the boundaries between tradition and innovation.

Related terms

Atonality: A musical approach that disregards traditional tonal centers, creating a sense of dissonance and freedom from established harmonic rules.

Twelve-tone Technique: A method of composition developed by Schoenberg, utilizing a series of all twelve notes in the chromatic scale arranged in a specific order as the basis for a musical piece.

Expressionism: An artistic movement that seeks to convey emotional experience rather than physical reality, often characterized by vivid colors and distorted forms in visual arts, as well as intense emotionality in music.