Arnold Schoenberg is usually associated with the breakdown of tonality in
the early twentieth century. The present book challenges this familiar
narrative by considering his Eight Songs op. 6 (1903-05) as the
culmination of his tonal mastery. It is the first monograph devoted to
these pieces. The songs are placed in the historical and philosophical
context of turn-of-the-century Vienna, and related to the composer’s
views on music, language, the musical idea, and tonality. Each of the
songs is analysed from a different perspective in order to trace its
generative ‘Gedanke’ or idea. Schoenberg’s treatment of tonality is
ultimately seen in terms not of destruction and loss, but of creative
construction and of expanding relations within musical space.
Boucquet
Schoenberg and Tonality: The Eight Songs Op. 6 jetzt bestellen!