Arnold Schoenberg

Definition

Arnold Schoenberg was a pioneering composer and music theorist known for his significant contributions to 20th-century music, particularly in the development of atonality and the twelve-tone technique. His work marked a dramatic shift away from traditional tonal harmony, influencing numerous composers and movements. Schoenberg's approach to music emphasizes the use of motifs, the breaking of conventional harmonic progression rules, and the exploration of new structural forms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Schoenberg developed the twelve-tone technique as a way to organize pitch in a systematic manner, offering composers a new framework for atonal music.
2. He composed significant works for various ensembles, including orchestral pieces, chamber music, and vocal works, demonstrating his versatility as a composer.
3. Schoenberg's influence extended beyond his compositions; he also taught many notable students, including Alban Berg and Anton Webern, who further developed his ideas.
4. His early works were rooted in late-Romantic style, showcasing complex harmonies and chromaticism before evolving into fully atonal compositions.
5. Schoenberg was also known for his innovative approaches to motivic development, using motifs to create cohesion across entire pieces rather than relying solely on harmonic progression.

Review Questions

• How did Schoenberg's approach to harmonic progression differ from traditional methods, and what impact did this have on his compositional style?
  • Schoenberg broke away from traditional harmonic progression rules by exploring atonality, where there is no tonal center or key. This departure allowed him to experiment with dissonance and create music that focused more on emotional expression than on conventional resolutions. His unique approach led to new forms of musical organization, exemplified by the twelve-tone technique, which redefined how composers structured their works.
• Discuss the significance of the twelve-tone technique in Schoenberg's oeuvre and its influence on later composers.
  • The twelve-tone technique was significant in Schoenberg's oeuvre as it provided a systematic way to organize pitch in atonal music. By using a tone row as a basis for composition, Schoenberg introduced new possibilities for melody and harmony that moved beyond traditional tonality. This innovation influenced later composers such as Berg and Webern, who adopted and adapted his methods, shaping the course of 20th-century music.
• Evaluate how Schoenberg's contributions transformed the landscape of 20th-century music and the role of motivation in composition.
  • Schoenberg's contributions significantly transformed the landscape of 20th-century music by challenging established norms of tonality and harmony. His exploration of atonality and the twelve-tone technique paved the way for new musical expressions that emphasized individual emotion and psychological depth. Moreover, his focus on motivic development allowed composers to create more cohesive works, shifting the emphasis from harmonic progression to thematic unity—an evolution that deeply influenced contemporary musical practices.

Related terms

Atonality: Atonality refers to music that lacks a tonal center or key, often resulting in a more dissonant sound that does not adhere to traditional harmonic structures.

Twelve-tone Technique: The twelve-tone technique is a method of composition devised by Schoenberg, which uses a series of all twelve pitches in a specific order (the tone row) as the basis for melodic and harmonic development.

Expressionism: Expressionism is an artistic movement that seeks to convey emotional experience rather than physical reality, heavily influencing Schoenberg's music through its focus on inner feelings and psychological depth.