Blog
Arnold Schoenberg: The Father of Modern Music (1874-1951)
No Comments
Warning: mime_content_type(/home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Arnold_Schoenberg_1.png): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/plugins/stm-post-type/theme/crop-images.php on line 11
Warning: getimagesize(/home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Arnold_Schoenberg_1.png): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/plugins/stm-post-type/theme/crop-images.php on line 33
Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) was an Austrian composer, music theorist, and painter. He is known for his pioneering work in atonal and twelve-tone music, which marked a significant departure from the traditional tonal system of music composition. Schoenberg’s contributions to the development of modern music were significant, and his work had a profound impact on the course of 20th-century music.
Early Years
Arnold Schoenberg was born in Vienna, Austria on September 13, 1874. He was the son of Samuel Schoenberg, a shoe shopkeeper, and Pauline Nachod, who came from a well-to-do family. Schoenberg was the second of four siblings and grew up in a lower-middle-class Jewish family. Schoenberg showed an early interest in music, and his mother encouraged him to pursue his musical talents. He started learning the violin at the age of eight.
Warning: mime_content_type(/home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Arnold_Schoenberg_kid.png): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/plugins/stm-post-type/theme/crop-images.php on line 11
Warning: getimagesize(/home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Arnold_Schoenberg_kid.png): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/plugins/stm-post-type/theme/crop-images.php on line 33
Schoenberg’s childhood was marked by tragedy. His father died in 1890, leaving the family in dire financial straits. To support his mother and siblings, Schoenberg began working as a bank clerk while continuing to pursue his musical studies. In 1895, Schoenberg married Mathilde Schoenberg, who would become an important figure in his life and career. She was a talented singer and a strong advocate for his music. Together, they had two children, Gertrud and Georg. However, their marriage was not always smooth sailing, and they separated and reunited several times throughout their lives.
Despite his lack of formal musical training, Schoenberg was determined to pursue a career in music. He started taking composition lessons with Alexander von Zemlinsky in 1895 and soon began to develop his unique musical style. In 1901, he joined the faculty of the Stern Conservatory in Berlin, where he taught composition and music theory.
Schoenberg’s early compositions were in the late Romantic style, with lush harmonies and elaborate orchestration. However, he soon began to experiment with atonality, which would become a hallmark of his musical style.
Music Genre
Arnold Schoenberg is best known for his pioneering work in developing atonality, a style of music that rejects traditional tonality and is characterized by dissonance and lack of a central key. He is also associated with the Second Viennese School, a group of composers that included Alban Berg and Anton Webern, who shared his interest in pushing the boundaries of tonality and exploring new forms of expression. Schoenberg’s early compositions were influenced by the late Romantic style of composers such as Wagner and Brahms. However, he began to move away from tonality in his music as early as the 1900s, with works such as “Verklärte Nacht” (Transfigured Night) and “Pierrot Lunaire,” which use unconventional harmonies and structures.
Schoenberg’s development of atonality was a revolutionary step in the history of Western music, challenging traditional notions of melody, harmony, and form. He believed that music should reflect the chaotic and dissonant nature of the modern world, and that atonality was the best means of achieving this goal.
In addition to his work in atonal composition, Schoenberg was also an important figure in the development of the twelve-tone technique, a system of composition that uses a predetermined series of twelve pitches to create a work’s musical material. This technique became a dominant force in mid-20th-century music and influenced a generation of composers.
Famous Works
Arnold Schoenberg is known for several important and influential works in the history of modern classical music. Here are some of his most famous compositions:
- Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night) – Composed in 1899, this early work is one of Schoenberg’s most romantic and traditional pieces. It is a string sextet based on a poem by Richard Dehmel, which tells the story of a woman who confesses to her lover that she is carrying another man’s child. The music reflects the emotional intensity of the poem, with lush harmonies and richly expressive melodies.
- Pierrot Lunaire – Composed in 1912, this work is one of Schoenberg’s most famous and controversial. It is a cycle of 21 songs for a female singer and a chamber ensemble, based on poems by Albert Giraud. The music is characterized by its use of Sprechstimme, a style of vocal delivery that combines speaking and singing. Pierrot Lunaire is a landmark work in the development of atonality, and it was met with both enthusiastic acclaim and outraged condemnation at its premiere.
- Five Pieces for Orchestra – Composed in 1909, this work marks Schoenberg’s first complete abandonment of tonality. The five pieces are characterized by their dissonant harmonies, fragmented melodies, and unconventional orchestration. They represent a significant turning point in the history of Western music and are considered pivotal works in the development of atonal composition.
- Gurre-Lieder – Composed between 1900 and 1911, this massive work is one of Schoenberg’s most ambitious and grandiose. It is a setting of poems by Jens Peter Jacobsen, which tells the story of a king’s love for a beautiful woman and his subsequent downfall. The music is characterized by its huge orchestration, complex harmonies, and passionate intensity. Gurre-Lieder is considered a masterpiece of late Romanticism, and it showcases Schoenberg’s ability to work within traditional forms while still pushing the boundaries of tonality.
- Moses und Aron – Composed between 1930 and 1932, this unfinished opera is Schoenberg’s most important and complex work. It tells the story of Moses’ struggle to communicate the word of God to the people of Israel, and it explores themes of faith, doubt, and the limits of human understanding. The music is characterized by its use of sprechgesang, a style of singing that is halfway between speaking and singing, and its complex harmonic language. Moses und Aron is considered one of the most important operas of the 20th century, and it showcases Schoenberg’s ability to combine tradition and innovation in his music.
Life Challenges
Warning: mime_content_type(/home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Arnold_Schoenberg_2.png): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/plugins/stm-post-type/theme/crop-images.php on line 11
Warning: getimagesize(/home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Arnold_Schoenberg_2.png): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/customer/www/tmms.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/plugins/stm-post-type/theme/crop-images.php on line 33
Arnold Schoenberg faced several significant challenges throughout his life, both personal and professional. Here are some of the key challenges he faced:
- Poverty and financial struggles – Schoenberg grew up in a poor family and struggled financially throughout his life. As a young man, he often had to support himself through odd jobs and teaching positions. Later in life, he relied on the support of patrons and teaching positions to make ends meet.
- Anti-Semitism – As a Jewish composer living in Austria and Germany in the early 20th century, Schoenberg faced significant prejudice and discrimination. He was often excluded from professional opportunities and his music was frequently criticized and attacked by anti-Semitic critics.
- Health issues – Schoenberg suffered from several health issues throughout his life, including a serious heart condition that caused him to be hospitalized several times. He also struggled with migraines and anxiety, which affected his ability to work and compose.
- Creative struggles – Schoenberg’s innovative and experimental approach to composition was not always well-received by audiences and critics. His music was often met with hostility and incomprehension, and he struggled to find a supportive audience for his work.
- Forced to flee from Europe – With the rise of the Nazi party in Germany, Schoenberg was forced to flee Europe in 1933. He moved first to Paris and then to the United States, where he spent the rest of his life. The experience of being forced to leave his home and country was traumatic for Schoenberg, and he often expressed feelings of isolation and displacement.
What can we learn from Schoenberg's Music?
- The importance of innovation and experimentation – Schoenberg’s music represents a bold and innovative approach to composition, pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in classical music. He was not afraid to experiment with new forms, techniques, and sounds; this willingness to take risks and push the limits of musical expression is a key lesson for musicians today.
- The value of understanding music theory and structure – Schoenberg was a highly trained musician who understood the underlying structures and principles of classical music. His music is characterized by its complex harmonic language and sophisticated use of musical forms, and his approach to composition was deeply informed by his understanding of music theory. This is a reminder of the importance of mastering the technical aspects of music in order to create truly innovative and compelling works.
- The power of perseverance and determination – Despite facing significant challenges and opposition throughout his life, Schoenberg remained committed to his artistic vision and continued to create groundbreaking works. He refused to compromise his artistic integrity, even when faced with criticism and rejection, and this dedication and determination is an inspiration to musicians everywhere.
- The importance of collaboration and community – Schoenberg was part of a vibrant community of musicians, artists, and intellectuals, and he frequently collaborated with other artists in his work. He valued the exchange of ideas and the support of fellow artists, and this emphasis on collaboration and community is a reminder of the importance of building strong relationships and networks in the music world.
- The potential of music to express complex emotions and ideas – Schoenberg’s music is characterized by its emotional intensity and its ability to convey complex ideas and themes. His use of dissonance, atonality, and unconventional harmonies allowed him to express the full range of human experience in his music, from joy and ecstasy to pain and despair. This is a reminder of the power of music to communicate emotions and ideas in a way that is unique and profound.
What can we learn from Schoenberg as a person?
- Persistence and determination: Schoenberg faced many obstacles throughout his life but remained committed to his artistic vision and continued to push boundaries in music.
- Courage and resilience: Despite facing persecution and exile, Schoenberg never lost his faith in himself or his art and continued to create groundbreaking music.
- Creativity and innovation: Schoenberg’s willingness to experiment and innovate in his music serves as a powerful example of the importance of creative thinking and pushing the boundaries of convention.
- Self-belief: Schoenberg believed in the value of his work, even in the face of criticism and opposition, and remained dedicated to his art throughout his life.
- Perseverance in the face of adversity: Despite facing financial difficulties, personal losses, and professional setbacks, Schoenberg never gave up and continued to create music until the end of his life.
QUIZ TIME!
Now, let’s put your Schoenberg knowledge to the test! Take a look at these questions to see how much you know about the legendary composer and his works!
A style of music that rejects traditional tonality and is characterized by dissonance and lack of a central key.
Answer: Atonality
It is a string sextet based on a poem by Richard Dehmel and one of Schoenberg's most romantic and traditional pieces.
Answer: Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night)
This is characterized by their dissonant harmonies, fragmented melodies, and unconventional orchestration.
Answer: Five Pieces for Orchestra
Arnold Schoenberg was a visionary composer whose innovative approach to music transformed the landscape of classical music in the 20th century. He faced significant challenges throughout his life, including poverty, anti-Semitism, and creative struggles, but remained committed to his artistic vision and continued to push the boundaries of musical expression. His music is characterized by its emotional intensity, complex harmonic language, and sophisticated use of musical forms, and his legacy as a musician and innovator continues to inspire generations of musicians and artists today. Schoenberg’s life and work remind us of the importance of innovation, technical mastery, perseverance, collaboration, and the power of music to communicate complex emotions and ideas.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and for supporting classical music. If you have any additional questions or comments, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Additionally, don’t forget to share your results from the quiz with your friends and challenge them to test their Schoenberg knowledge. We are confident that this blog will leave you with a deeper appreciation for this musical genius and his timeless works. Thank you for your support!