Anton Von Webern (20th-Century Composers) (Paperback)

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Was Anton von Webern an icon of progressive elements in music or a Nazi sympathizer? According to author Malcolm Hayes, perhaps both appellations are correct. Von Webern is neither as well known as his mentor Schoenberg nor did he achieve the (comparative) popular success of his compatriot Berg. As with other volumes in the Phaidon 20th-Century Composers series, more attention is focused on the life of von Webern than on the details of his music. Hayes recounts the troubled decline of Habsburg Austria in the first half of this century, which gave rise to the brand of modernism championed primarily by Schoenberg. Shot accidentally by an American soldier in 1945, von Webern never saw his postwar successes and was spared the spectacle of some of the claims of his postwar adherents.

Product Description

A concise biographical study of the life and work of Anton von Webern. The book explores the idea that modern music is obscure by setting Webern's technical advances against the Romantic inheritance of 19th century Austro-Germany. The text traces the development of Webern and his music. Born into the aristocratic, musical heritage of Vienna, Webern launched his career at the University at the turn of the century. He became interested in Renaissance vocal music, and this early interest influenced his compositions throughout his life. As Schoenberg's pupil, he became a follower of the 12-note technique, and combined this with his love of chamber music to create his own sound. Despite a prolific rate of composition in his early years, Webern's musical output is small and tends towards brevity. He was accidently shot and killed in the Allied occupation of Austria. This text is part of the 20th-century composers series, examining composers in a biographical context, and offering a comprehensive study of key figures in the creation of 20th-century music. None of the books in the series presume a knowledge of specialized terms or musical notation. Each book in the series features a list of works, a bibliography, and a discography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (October 19, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714831573
• ISBN-13: 978-0714831572
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #625,158 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid introduction the fascinating composer, April 6, 2000

By	V. Wilson (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Webern's music seems to me to be something of an acquired taste. This biography, however, is perfectly designed to encourage one to acquire a taste for the strange atonal wisps of sound that comprise a good part of this composer's ouevre.

Rather than getting bogged down in technical discussions of Webern's serial techniques, the author gives us the composer's life; stopping at crucial musical signposts to explain how his thought evolved. In each case, we're given an idea how to approach the given piece.

Webern's music often seems unearthly, and he comes across as a bit unearthly (or at least very impractical) himself. Still, we get a human portrait of him, which further encourages us to see the passion in his music.

As with all the books in this wonderful series, it contains copious quantities of drawings and photos, a complete list of compositions and a wonderful bibliography for further reading.

If you've always wondered what the big deal about Webern was (to the extent that he influenced 50 years of music, frequently by people who seem not to have understood his muse), this is a good place to start finding out.