Issues of Arnold Schoenberg´s thematic construction related to his theoretical writings about form

Authors

  • Carlos de Lemos Almada Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35699/2317-6377.2009.54551

Keywords:

Arnold Schoenberg, Thematic construction, Theory, Practice, Classical forms

Abstract

This paper deals with the thematic construction employed by composer Arnold Schoenberg, under the perspective of his own theoretical writings concerning this matter. This approach can vividly show some of the most characteristic issues of Schoenbergian compositional thinking, i.e., the oppositions of tradition / innovation and theory / practice. The methodology used in the present article consists of the analysis of examples extracted from several of the Schoenberg’s creative phases (tonal, between 1893 and 1908 and serial, 1923-51), covering the extremes of his career. These pieces were analyzed under the perspective of the concepts stated in the didactic work about form written by the composer. These writings are, therefore, the main theoretical references of the present study, which aims at showing that the formal theory elaborated by Schoenberg in his texts, derived from detailed analysis of the works produced by the great masters (especially those of the Classic era) served as a solid basis for his own compositional practice.

Author Biography

  • Carlos de Lemos Almada, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO)

    Carlos de Lemos Almada is a flutist, composer, arranger, professor, and author of books on music theory and analysis (Arranjo. Campinas: Editora da Unicamp, 2000; A estrutura do choro. Rio de Janeiro: Da Fonseca, 2006; and Harmonia funcional. Campinas: Editora da Unicamp, forthcoming). He is currently a doctoral student in Music at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, where his research focuses on the harmonic structure of Arnold Schoenberg’s First Chamber Symphony, Op. 9, building on a previous study of the formal structure of the same work conducted during his master’s degree.

References

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NELSON, Robert U. Schoenberg’s variation seminar. The Musical Quaterly. Vol. L, No.2. April, 1964.

PERLE, George. Serial composition and atonality. Londres: Faber & Faber, 1962.

ROSEN, Charles. Schoenberg. Barcelona: Antoni Bosch, 1983.

SCHOENBERG, Arnold. Style and idea: selected writings of Arnold Schoenberg. (Leonard Stein, ed.). Londres: Faber & Faber, 1984.

_______________. Fundamentals of musical composition. (Gerald Strang, ed.) Londres: Faber & Faber, 1990.

_______________. The musical idea and the logic, technique, and art of its presentation. (Patricia Carpenter & Severine

Neff, trad. e ed.). Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2006.

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Published

2009-01-06

Issue

No. 20 (2009): General Topics

Section

Articles in Portuguese/Spanish

License

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How to Cite

“Issues of Arnold Schoenberg´s Thematic Construction Related to His Theoretical Writings about Form”. 2009. Per Musi, no. 20 (January): 34-43. https://doi.org/10.35699/2317-6377.2009.54551.