The Biography of Arnold Schoenberg: Career And Net Worth
Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) was an Austrian-American composer, music theorist, and painter. He played a key role in the development of atonal music, which greatly influenced 20th-century music.
Schoenberg is best known for creating the twelve-tone technique, a method that has left a lasting impact on both classical music and broader cultural practices.
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Contents
Early Life and Education
Born on September 13, 1874, in Vienna, Austria, Arnold Schoenberg grew up in a lower-middle-class Jewish family. His father, Samuel, ran a small shop, while his mother, Pauline, taught piano. From a young age, Schoenberg showed a natural talent for music.
He taught himself to play the violin and cello with little formal instruction, later receiving guidance from composer Alexander von Zemlinsky, who would later become his brother-in-law.
Though Schoenberg had a modest upbringing, his musical abilities were evident early on. By his teenage years, he was already composing complex pieces that showed a deep understanding of music theory. His early works were influenced by the Romantic style, similar to composers like Brahms and Wagner.
Career and Major Works
Schoenberg’s career evolved through several stages, each marked by significant changes in his musical style:
1. Late Romantic Period (1897-1907): In his early career, Schoenberg’s music was influenced by the Romantic tradition of composers like Wagner and Brahms.
Notable works from this period include Verklärte Nacht (1899) and Gurre-Lieder (1900-1901), which showcase his mastery of late 19th-century harmonic language.
2. Free Atonality (1908-1920): Around 1908, Schoenberg began moving away from traditional harmony and experimented with atonality, a break from the norms of Western music.
Works like String Quartet No. 2 (1908) and Pierrot Lunaire (1912) are key examples of his atonal music, which does not center around any key or tonal center.
3. Twelve-Tone Technique (1920-1936): Schoenberg’s most important contribution to music came in the early 1920s when he developed the twelve-tone technique.
This method uses all twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a specific sequence, called a tone row, without giving priority to any particular note.
Examples of his twelve-tone works include Suite for Piano, Op. 25 (1923), and Variations for Orchestra, Op. 31 (1928).
4. Late Period (1936-1951): After fleeing Nazi Germany and moving to the United States in 1933, Schoenberg continued composing and teaching.
His later works, such as A Survivor from Warsaw (1947) and String Trio, Op. 45 (1946), shows a mature blend of his earlier styles.
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Personal Life
Schoenberg’s personal life was as complex as his music. He married Mathilde Zemlinsky in 1901, and they had two children, Gertrud and Georg.
Their marriage faced challenges, especially when Mathilde had an affair with Schoenberg’s friend, painter Richard Gerstl. This incident deeply affected Schoenberg and may have influenced his move towards atonal music.
Mathilde passed away suddenly in 1923, and Schoenberg remarried in 1924 to Gertrud Kolisch. They had three children together: Nuria, Ronald, and Lawrence.
Schoenberg’s religious journey was also significant. He converted to Protestantism in 1898 but returned to Judaism in 1933, reflecting his changing personal and spiritual beliefs.
After moving to the United States, he became a naturalized citizen in 1941, where his Jewish identity became increasingly important.
Financial Situation
While there are no exact figures for Arnold Schoenberg’s net worth, it is known that he faced financial difficulties throughout his life.
His innovative music was often misunderstood or resisted, making it hard for him to gain widespread acceptance. To support himself, Schoenberg took on teaching positions, first in Europe and later in the United States, where he taught at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Despite these challenges, Schoenberg’s work is now considered priceless in terms of cultural and historical value. His manuscripts, letters and original scores are highly valued and preserved in prestigious archives like the Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Legacy and Current Influence
Arnold Schoenberg’s impact on music is profound. He is regarded as one of the most important composers of the 20th century, revolutionizing the structure and expression of music with his twelve-tone technique.
His influence is evident in the works of later composers such as Alban Berg, Anton Webern, and Pierre Boulez, who further developed his ideas.
Today, there is a renewed interest in Schoenberg’s work, with his compositions being performed more frequently. Modern composers continue to draw inspiration from his techniques, and his theories are studied in music schools worldwide.
The Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna plays a crucial role in preserving his legacy. It houses a large collection of his personal and professional materials, making them accessible to scholars and music enthusiasts.
The digitization of his works has also made it easier for people around the world to explore his contributions to music.
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Conclusion
Arnold Schoenberg was a visionary who changed the course of music history. His journey from traditional tonality to the creation of atonal and twelve-tone music reflects his relentless pursuit of innovation.
Though he faced many challenges in his personal and professional life, his legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians, composers, and artists today.
Schoenberg’s contributions serve as a reminder of the power of creativity and the lasting impact of true artistic genius.
