Serial Offender: Arnold Schoenberg's Twelve Tone Adventure

Composer Arnold Schoenberg devised a means of composing using each of the 12 tones of the chromatic scale as equals.

It transformed the way in which music was created and perceived.

So why does Schoenberg remain a controversial and divisive individual?

And what about the other aspect of his legacy - Schoenberg's challenging compositions and how a desire to perform them to critic-free, private audiences gave the gatherings a whiff of elitism, unwittingly contributing to the siloing of subsequent modern classical music.

Why is his complex music not performed as regularly as other composers' works?

Schoenberg once told a pupil:

"Today I have discovered something which will assure the supremacy of German music for the next 100 years."

To an extent, he was right - his pioneering system and compositional style have bled through into commercial music since the early part of the 20th century, most
notably in popular cinema, modern music and advert jingles.

In a world of musical plurality, should we consider listening afresh to contemplate the beauty and complexity of Schoenberg's work?

Presented by Kate Molleson.

Programme developed by Laura Tunbridge

Edited by Nick Romero

Producer: Andrew McGibbon

A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2024.

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