GRMUS T662 — Schoenberg and the Serial Legacy

2 credits
Fall
Jonathan Dawe

Shortly after fully forming his 12-tone method, Schoenberg proudly proclaimed that it would play a central role for the next 100 years. Just what was so significant about this compositional procedure that led him to anticipate its profound effect on the development of modern music for 100 years to come? This course examines the many dimensions of Schoenberg’s 12-tone techniques, not only through the study of specific works but also through its influence on compositional thinking of later important composers. Central to the study is an investigation of the deeper conceptual ideas behind the method that affect musical structure, motion, logic, and embrace Karlheinz Stockhausen’s proclamation: “Serial music demands serial thinking.”