大象传媒

Kate Molleson explores Schoenberg鈥檚 traumatic first marriage and the importance for him of Gustav Mahler.

Is there a more controversial, infamous figure in 20th-century music than Arnold Schoenberg? Arguably no other 20th-century composer鈥檚 ideas have been more influential among composers since; however, his music is still neglected and misunderstood by programmers and audiences. Schoenberg was a revolutionary - one of the founders of musical Modernism - but he also recognised the importance of musical tradition. His music defined the times in which he lived, and whether you see Schoenberg as the most important innovator in 20th-century music, or as a heretic who led his followers to an artistic dead end, he was absolutely dedicated to art 鈥� both musical and visual. Over the course of this week, Kate Molleson explores the twists and turns of Schoenberg鈥檚 life, and tracks the composer鈥檚 changing relationship with art through the prism of 5 different visual works, from an image which terrified and obsessed Schoenberg as a child, through the composer鈥檚 own paintings, and one of his practical twelve-tone selection dials, to a portrait of Schoenberg painted while he was in exile in America, by his friend and fellow composer George Gershwin.

In Tuesday鈥檚 programme, Kate Molleson takes as her image one of Schoenberg鈥檚 most expressive paintings as we explore Schoenberg鈥檚 traumatic first marriage, and the importance for him of Gustav Mahler.

6 little piano pieces (No 6)
Daniel Barenboim, piano

Mahler (arr. for Voice and Chamber ensemble by Schoenberg and Webern, 1921)
Das Lied von der Erde (No 3, Of Youth)
Charles Reid (tenor)
Attacca Quartet, Virginia Arts Festival Chamber Players
JoAnn Falletta, conductor

Gurrelieder (excerpt)
Thomas Quasthoff, speaker
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Leipzig Radio Choir
Berlin Philharmonic
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor

String Quartet No 2, Op 10 (3rd mvt, Langsam, 'Litanei')
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Heath Quartet

Erwartung (excerpt)
Phyllis Bryn-Julson, soprano
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor

Friede auf Erden
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Kent Nagano, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for 大象传媒 Audio Wales & West