Back from a mini tour of Yorkshire and Stockport and cheering for supporting act Indignation Meeting
Marxist Notes on Music: January 6, 2021
Arnold Schoenberg’s music is much like whisky, the first try is rarely fun, however the richness is eventually enjoyed when you stick with it
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FEW figures throughout history have managed to have the musical impact of Arnold Schoenberg. Unlike older giants, like Beethoven, Schoenberg, despite having a huge admiration, still suffers the ire of conservative ears and being the “sole” reason for disliking modern music (ignoring that Schoenberg has not been modern for decades).
Born in Vienna in 1874, Schoenberg’s music grew and developed amid the cultural growth and energy of turn of the century Vienna and he was mostly self-taught.
His early works show the influence of Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss, a rich romanticism and tempestuous music full of energy and drama.
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