Schoenberg Why He Matters
Schoenberg Why He Matters by Harvey Sachs, published by Liveright Publishing Corporation in 2023, is a comprehensive exploration of the life and legacy of the Austrian American composer Arnold Schoenberg. This 248-page book delves into Schoenberg’s impact on music, particularly his twelve-tone system, which was once heralded as the future of music. Sachs presents an interpretative account that seeks to restore Schoenberg’s significance in the musical canon, highlighting the challenges he faced, including criticism and anti-Semitism, which ultimately led to his emigration to Los Angeles.
Readers will find a detailed examination of Schoenberg’s complex character and his innovative compositions, which blend elements of Wagnerian and Brahmsian styles. The book addresses the historical context of Schoenberg’s work and the ongoing relevance of his music in contemporary discussions about classical genres. By confronting the controversies surrounding Schoenberg, Sachs invites readers to reconsider the contributions of this influential composer and teacher to the evolution of Western music.
Official synopsis Publisher
In his time, the Austrian American composer Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) was an international icon. His twelve-tone system was considered the future of music itself. Today, however, leading orchestras rarely play his works, and his name is met with apathy, if not antipathy. With this interpretative account, the acclaimed biographer of Toscanini finally restores Schoenberg to his rightful place in the canon, revealing him as one of the twentieth century’s most influential composers and teachers. Sachs shows how Schoenberg, a thorny character who composed thorny works, raged against the “Procrustean bed” of tradition. Defying his critics–among them the Nazis, who described his music as “degenerate”–he constantly battled the anti-Semitism that eventually precipitated his flight from Europe to Los Angeles. Yet Schoenberg, synthesizing Wagnerian excess with Brahmsian restraint, created a shock wave that never quite subsided, and, as Sachs powerfully argues, his compositions must be confronted by anyone interested in the past, present, or future of Western music.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Schoenberg Why He Matters” about?
Who is the author of “Schoenberg Why He Matters”?
When was “Schoenberg Why He Matters” published?
What is the ISBN for “Schoenberg Why He Matters”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
