Arnold Schoenberg, born on September 13, 1874, in Vienna, Austria, was a renowned Austrian composer and painter. His contributions to music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were of immense significance, particularly in the development of the celebrated twelve-tone technique. He was also a master of the variation construction principle. Schoenberg's influence extended to his students, most notably Alban Berg and Anton Webern, who, under his leadership, became part of the Second Viennese School.
Schoenberg's musical journey began with violin lessons at the age of eight. While he had limited formal music education, he later studied counterpoint with his mentor, Alexander von Zemlinsky. By that time, Schoenberg was already an accomplished musician. Gustav Mahler also mentored him between 1909 and 1911. Schoenberg spent much of his life orchestrating operas and teaching. In 1934, he moved to the United States to escape Nazi Germany, where he taught at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Many of Schoenberg's compositions faced initial rejection and misunderstanding. It is a historical fact that some of his orchestral works received a poor reception during their first performance, only to gain considerable praise upon subsequent performances. For instance, his Chamber Symphony No. 1, when performed in 1907, was not well-received, but in 1913, it received remarkable acclaim.
Schoenberg's most significant contribution to music was the development of the twelve-tone method, which ensured that all 12 notes on the chromatic scale were used, as opposed to classical harmony that emphasized one note or scale. Examples of his twelve-tone works include the Suite for Piano (1921), String Quartet No. 4, and the Fantasy for Violin and Piano (1949). He also incorporated the twelve-tone technique into his orchestral works, such as the Violin Concerto (1935) and the Piano Concerto (1942). This method would be adopted by many distinguished composers, including Pierre Boulez, Luigi Nono, and his students Alban Berg and Anton Webern.
His collaborations with Alban Berg and Anton Webern were marked by twelve-tone compositions, as well as works that had hints of Mahlerian Romanticism. Together, Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern were collectively referred to as 'The Second Viennese School' due to their significant influence on music.
Schoenberg's death on July 13, 1951, was unusual and, in a way, tied to his superstitions. He had an intense fear of the number 13, and on July 13, at the age of 76 (7+6=13), he lay in bed deeply depressed and fearful. It was reported that his fear may have contributed to his passing. Nevertheless, his legacy continues to inspire musicians throughout the 20th century and beyond.
