Composer Arnold Schönberg at work.
In the July 15 New York Times, Rebecca Schmid writes, “The composer Arnold Schönberg revolutionized the course of Western classical music. By dismantling the tonal system of major and minor keys as he self-consciously placed himself in the German tradition, he is also one of the 20th century’s most polarizing figures. The 150th anniversary of his birth is being celebrated this year with exhibits, concerts and workshops. The official birthday concert is scheduled for Sept. 13 at the Musikverein in Vienna, with the monumental ‘Gurre-Lieder’ (‘Songs of Gurre’) performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and conducted by its music director, Petr Popelka. Also in September, the Austrian Cultural Forum in New York will unveil an exhibit to commemorate the anniversary. And from July 27 to Aug. 24, the Salzburg Festival will present the concert series ‘Time With Schönberg,’ juxtaposing the composer with everyone from his contemporary Maurice Ravel to his disciple Alban Berg.” The article includes interviews with artists who are performing Schönberg’s music at the Salzburg Festival and elsewhere this summer.
