Schoenberg's Transformation of Musical Language [Hardcover]

A study of the innovative music of the twentieth-century composer, Arnold Schoenberg.One of the most influential composers of the twentieth century, Arnold Schoenbergs musical innovations still resonate today. Ethan Haimo challenges the popular notion that Schoenbergs atonal music made a revolutionary break with the past, arguing that his music instead transformed the past through a series of incremental changes.One of the most influential composers of the twentieth century, Arnold Schoenbergs musical innovations still resonate today. Ethan Haimo challenges the popular notion that Schoenbergs atonal music made a revolutionary break with the past, arguing that his music instead transformed the past through a series of incremental changes.Arnold Schoenberg is widely regarded as one of the most significant and innovative composers of the twentieth century. It is commonly assumed that Schoenberg's music divides into three periods: tonal, atonal, and serial. It is also assumed that Schoenberg's atonal music made a revolutionary break with the past, particularly in terms of harmonic structure. This book challenges both these popular notions. Haimo argues that Schoenberg's 'atonal' music does not constitute a distinct unified period. He demonstrates that much of the music commonly described as 'atonal' did not make a complete break with prior practices, even in the harmonic realm, but instead transformed the past by a series of incremental changes. An important and influential contribution to the field, Haimo's findings help not only to re-evaluate Schoenberg, but also to re-date much of what has been defined as one of the most crucial turning points in music history.Preface; 1. 'Atonality': a revisionist thesis; 2. 'Based on tradition': Four Songs, Op. 2, 1899; 3. The principle of incremental innovation: Verkl?rte Nacht, 1899; 4. Conservative song-cycle, progressive cantata: Gurrelieder, 19001911; 5. Programmatic music and its implications: Pelleas und Melisande Op. lÓp