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The 150th Birthday of a Musical Revolutionary: Arnold Schoenberg’s Journey to Atonality and Why It Matters

Tradition and Sanity

On Friday, September 13, fell the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer Arnold Schoenberg. More than any other figure, he was responsible for winning converts to the peculiar form of musical rationalism known as dodecaphonic atonality. Whenever I taught music to college students, they always cringed and groaned when I played atonal music to them, but I told them it was good for them to know how even the most unnatural things can become established by intellectual fashion and enforced by patronage and prestige. Plus, it was a lot of fun to see their reactions! Many listeners here will undoubtedly react in the same way. I promise to subject you to only a minute or two of the worst pieces—just enough to offer a taste of whatever concept is being discussed. Persevere: I promise that this article has a lot to offer in regard to the philosophy and theology of music. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.traditionsanity.com/subscribe