Arnold Schoenberg Biography: Nationality, Parents, Birthplace, Age
Arnold Schoenberg Biography – Arnold Schoenberg is a name that resonates deeply in the world of classical music. His revolutionary ideas in music composition transformed the landscape of 20th-century music, leaving a lasting impact that continues to influence composers today. In this article, we’ll explore Schoenberg’s life, including his nationality, family background, age, cause of death, wife, and birthplace.
Arnold Schoenberg Biography
Arnold Schoenberg, an influential Austrian-American composer, is often celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to modern music. His innovative approach to harmony and composition reshaped classical music in the 20th century. But who was Arnold Schoenberg beyond the music? Let’s delve into the various facets of his life to understand the man behind the music.
Early Life and Background
Arnold Schoenberg was born in Leopoldstadt, Vienna, Austria, on September 13, 1874. Growing up in the culturally rich city of Vienna, Schoenberg was immersed in a vibrant musical environment from a young age. His early exposure to music laid the foundation for his future innovations.
Arnold Schoenberg Nationality and Citizenship
Arnold Schoenberg held both Austrian and American nationalities. Originally an Austrian, he emigrated to the United States in 1933 due to the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany, which had banned his music and labeled it as “degenerate.” His journey from Vienna to Los Angeles marked a significant shift in his career and personal life.
Arnold Schoenberg Parents and Family
Schoenberg’s parents were Samuel Schoenberg and Pauline Schoenberg. Samuel, a native of Vienna, was a modest retail merchant, while Pauline came from a family with a musical background. The couple’s influence on Schoenberg’s early life and education was profound. Sadly, Arnold’s parents did not live to see his later successes. They were victims of a mysterious illness that caused them to fall into a deep, unexplainable sleep, ultimately leading to their deaths.
Musical Career and Innovations
Arnold Schoenberg’s career was marked by radical changes and innovations. He is perhaps best known for pioneering the twelve-tone technique, a method of composition that treats all twelve notes of the chromatic scale with equal importance. This technique was a major departure from traditional tonality and was part of his broader approach to “developing variation” and the “emancipation of dissonance.”
Schoenberg’s early works, such as Verklärte Nacht (1899), were influenced by Brahms and Wagner, showcasing a synthesis of Romantic and modernist elements. His later works, including Pierrot Lunaire (1912) and Erwartung (1909), explored extremes of emotional expression and atonality, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer of modernist music.
Arnold Schoenberg Wife
Schoenberg was married to Mathilde Schönberg, his second wife. Mathilde was a supportive partner throughout Arnold’s tumultuous career. Their marriage provided a stable foundation during some of the more challenging periods of Schoenberg’s life, including his emigration to the United States and the loss of his music career in Europe.
Arnold Schoenberg Age and Cause of Death
Arnold Schoenberg passed away on July 13, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 76. His death was attributed to illness, which had affected his health in the years leading up to his passing. Despite his declining health, Schoenberg remained active in music and composition until the end of his life.
Legacy and Influence
Schoenberg’s impact on music was profound and far-reaching. His twelve-tone technique and theories on harmony influenced not only his contemporaries but also future generations of composers. His students, including Anton Webern and Alban Berg, continued to develop his ideas, leading to the formation of the Second Viennese School. Schoenberg’s work remains a cornerstone of modern classical music, and his legacy is preserved through institutions like the Arnold Schönberg Center, which houses his extensive archives.
Conclusion
Arnold Schoenberg was more than just a composer; he was a revolutionary thinker who challenged and expanded the boundaries of music. His contributions to harmony, his personal struggles, and his eventual emigration to the United States are all part of a complex life story that continues to fascinate and inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.
FAQs
1. What was Arnold Schoenberg known for?
Arnold Schoenberg was known for pioneering the twelve-tone technique and transforming 20th-century classical music with his innovative approaches to harmony and composition.
2. Where was Arnold Schoenberg born?
Arnold Schoenberg was born in Leopoldstadt, Vienna, Austria, on September 13, 1874.
3. Who were Arnold Schoenberg’s parents?
Schoenberg’s parents were Samuel Schoenberg, a retail merchant, and Pauline Schoenberg, who came from a musical background.
4. When did Arnold Schoenberg die?
Arnold Schoenberg died on July 13, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 76.
5. What impact did Arnold Schoenberg have on music?
Schoenberg’s twelve-tone technique and innovative approaches to music theory and composition had a significant impact on modern classical music, influencing many composers and shaping the direction of 20th-century music.