Arnold Schoenberg

Arnold Schoenberg

1874-19511874-1951

BackgroundBackground

Born in Austria, but moved to U.S. in 1933

Other than a few scattered lessons, he was mostly self taught

Learned composition by studying the works of earlier composers like Wagner and Brahms

Born in Austria, but moved to U.S. in 1933

Other than a few scattered lessons, he was mostly self taught

Learned composition by studying the works of earlier composers like Wagner and Brahms

Misc. Facts/ Body of WorkMisc. Facts/ Body of Work

Was the leader of the Second Viennese School – an influential group of composers

He composed music in order to express his emotions

Was also famous for his paintings and sketches

Wrote chamber music, orchestral pieces and even operas

Was the leader of the Second Viennese School – an influential group of composers

He composed music in order to express his emotions

Was also famous for his paintings and sketches

Wrote chamber music, orchestral pieces and even operas

Twelve-tone SerialismTwelve-tone Serialism

A compositional method that uses all 12 chromatic tones, arranged in rows, to create a larger work

Original tone row Retrograde-backwards Inversion-inverted intervals Retrograde Inversion-inversion row

backwards

A compositional method that uses all 12 chromatic tones, arranged in rows, to create a larger work

Original tone row Retrograde-backwards Inversion-inverted intervals Retrograde Inversion-inversion row

backwards

“Der Mondfleck” - Pierrot Lunaire

“Der Mondfleck” - Pierrot Lunaire

Period: Modern Country: Austria Genre: Melodrama Form: Poems set to chamber music

(piano, flute(piccolo), clarinet(bass clarinet), violin and cello)

Period: Modern Country: Austria Genre: Melodrama Form: Poems set to chamber music

(piano, flute(piccolo), clarinet(bass clarinet), violin and cello)

“Der Mondfleck”“Der Mondfleck”

Pierrot is obsessed with his jacket. Gypsum is a soft, white mineral. Uses the sprechstimme technique - “speech

singing” - strict rhythms with a loose interpretation of pitches - creates a “sing-song” feel

Serialism – see previous definition Serialism is atonal. Atonal – music that lacks a

tonal center or key signature

Pierrot is obsessed with his jacket. Gypsum is a soft, white mineral. Uses the sprechstimme technique - “speech

singing” - strict rhythms with a loose interpretation of pitches - creates a “sing-song” feel

Serialism – see previous definition Serialism is atonal. Atonal – music that lacks a

tonal center or key signature