Anton Webern (apr 19, 1883 – dec 13, 1945)
Description:
Born in ViennaEarned doctorate in musicology; subsequently directed the Vienna Workers’ Symphony Concerts
Met Schoenberg when he was 21
Schoenberg, Webern, and Alban Berg are referred to as the Second Viennese School (Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven are considered the First)
Career became difficult under the Third Reich; his music was banned by the Nazis and his writings burned
Schoenberg’s most radical pupil – he cut himself off most completely from tonality
Strict use of the 12-tone technique – began to extend the concept to include timbre and rhythm, leading towards total serialism
Preferred brevity (i.e., short forms)
Sparse textures and unusual instrument combinations
Uses instruments in extreme registers
Klangfarbenmelodie
Added to timeline:
Date:
apr 19, 1883
dec 13, 1945
~ 62 years
