Second Viennese School

Definition

The Second Viennese School refers to a group of early 20th-century composers based in Vienna, primarily Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern, who developed innovative approaches to atonality and serialism. Their work marked a significant departure from traditional tonal music, focusing on new compositional techniques that emphasized structure and organization over conventional harmony.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Second Viennese School emerged in the early 20th century as composers sought new ways to express musical ideas beyond traditional tonality.
2. Schoenberg's development of the twelve-tone technique was a groundbreaking innovation that influenced countless composers after him.
3. Alban Berg's operas and orchestral works are notable for their emotional depth, bridging the gap between the late Romantic style and modernism.
4. Anton Webern is known for his concise and highly structured compositions, often utilizing innovative forms and textures.
5. The influence of the Second Viennese School extended beyond classical music, impacting various genres including jazz and contemporary popular music.

Review Questions

• How did the Second Viennese School revolutionize the approach to composition in the early 20th century?
  • The Second Viennese School revolutionized composition by introducing atonality and serialism as legitimate methods for musical expression. Composers like Schoenberg challenged the conventional tonal system, leading to a focus on structures that prioritized unique combinations of pitches over traditional harmony. This shift not only transformed the sound of classical music but also paved the way for future experimental movements in various musical styles.
• Discuss the significance of Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique within the context of the Second Viennese School.
  • Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique is significant because it established a systematic way to compose music without relying on tonal hierarchies. By organizing all twelve pitches of the chromatic scale into a predetermined series, Schoenberg created a framework that allowed composers to explore new melodic and harmonic possibilities. This method became foundational for many composers in the Second Viennese School and influenced generations of musicians seeking innovative approaches to composition.
• Evaluate how the works of Alban Berg and Anton Webern reflect the principles of the Second Viennese School and their impact on later musical movements.
  • Alban Berg's works exhibit emotional intensity while adhering to the principles of atonality and twelve-tone technique, blending late Romantic elements with modernist ideas. In contrast, Anton Webern's compositions are characterized by their brevity and meticulous structure, showcasing a unique use of silence and texture. Together, they exemplify the diverse applications of Second Viennese School principles, influencing later movements like minimalism and postmodernism by encouraging composers to explore new forms and sonic landscapes beyond traditional boundaries.

Related terms

Atonality: A musical system that avoids establishing a central tone or key, leading to compositions that do not follow traditional harmonic conventions.

Serialism: A method of composition that uses a series of values to manipulate different musical elements, such as pitch, rhythm, and dynamics, often based on a predetermined sequence.

Twelve-tone technique: A compositional approach developed by Schoenberg that involves using all twelve pitches of the chromatic scale in a fixed sequence, ensuring that no single tone is emphasized over the others.