Arnold Schoenberg was one of the most influential composers and music theorists of the 20th century. Schoenberg’s works represent a significant transition in Western classical music, particularly in the realms of harmony, tonality, and form.
Early Life and Education
Born on September 13, 1874, in Vienna, Austria, Schoenberg was of Jewish descent. His father was a shopkeeper and his mother a piano teacher. He showed an early interest in music and began violin lessons at the age of eight. However, it wasn’t until later in his adolescence that he began to take music seriously. At the age of 16, he started studying music theory with Zemlinsky, a composer and conductor who would later become his brother-in-law.
Early Career
Schoenberg’s early compositions were heavily influenced by the late Romantic style, particularly that of Wagner and Brahms. He was primarily a self-taught composer, writing in a lush, tonal style. His early works, such as the string sextet “Verklärte Nacht” (Transfigured Night), show his command of late-Romantic harmonic language.
Development of Atonality
In the early 20th century, Schoenberg began to experiment with atonality, a compositional technique that abandoned traditional tonal centers. His seminal work, “Three Piano Pieces, Op. 11,” marked his departure from tonal harmony. This innovative approach to composition provoked strong reactions from audiences and critics alike, leading to heated debates within the musical community.
The Twelve-Tone Technique
Schoenberg’s most revolutionary contribution to music came with his development of the twelve-tone technique, also known as serialism. This method involved arranging the twelve pitches of the chromatic scale into a row or series, which served as the basis for the entire composition. Schoenberg’s compositions from this period, such as the “Suite for Piano, Op. 25,” demonstrate his mastery of this new technique.
Personal Life
Schoenberg’s first marriage was to Mathilde Zemlinsky, the sister of his composition teacher Alexander von Zemlinsky. They had two children, Gertrud and Georg, but their marriage faced strains and ultimately ended in divorce. After his divorce from Mathilde, Schoenberg married Gertrud Kolisch, with whom he had another daughter named Nuria. Schoenberg’s second marriage provided him with stability and support. However, he struggled with financial difficulties and health problems, including heart issues.
Emigration and Later Years
As a Jew living in Austria during the rise of the Nazi regime, Schoenberg faced discrimination and increasing persecution. In 1933, he emigrated to the United States, where he joined the faculty of the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). During his time in America, Schoenberg continued to compose prolifically and became a respected teacher and lecturer. His notable students included John Cage, Earl Kim, and Leon Kirchner. Arnold Schoenberg passed away on July 13, 1951, leaving behind a vast and diverse body of work that continues to be studied, performed, and celebrated to this day.
Key Works
Arnold Schoenberg’s key works span a wide range of styles and innovations, reflecting his evolution as a composer. Among his most notable compositions are “Verklärte Nacht” (Transfigured Night), a lush and emotionally charged string sextet that exemplifies his early mastery of late-Romantic harmony. Schoenberg’s pioneering move towards atonality is showcased in “Pierrot Lunaire,” Op. 21, a cycle of expressionistic songs that use sprechstimme (a vocal technique between speech and singing) to convey surreal and haunting imagery. His groundbreaking development of the twelve-tone technique is epitomized in works like the “Suite for Piano,” Op. 25, where he organizes all twelve pitches of the chromatic scale into a strict serial order, creating a highly structured yet innovative musical language. Finally, his unfinished opera “Moses und Aron” stands as a monumental exploration of religious and philosophical themes, demonstrating his ambition and uncompromising artistic vision.
Legacy
Schoenberg’s impact on 20th-century music cannot be overstated. His innovative approaches to harmony, form, and structure paved the way for countless composers who followed him, including his own students. While his music initially faced resistance and controversy, it ultimately reshaped the landscape of Western classical music, influencing generations of composers and theorists.