Alban Berg

Watschenkonzert Karikatur in Die Zeit vom 6. April 1913

WP Alban Berg

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Alban Berg Bueste Schiefling 01

Alban Berg (February 9, 1885 – December 24, 1935) was an Austrian composer of the late Romantic era and early 20th century, who played a key role in the development of atonality and the twelve-tone technique within classical music. Berg was a member of the Second Viennese School, a group of composers that included his teacher Arnold Schoenberg and fellow student Anton Webern, which was pivotal in pushing the boundaries of harmony and musical structure.

Biography

Born in Vienna, Austria, Berg was initially self-taught in music but later studied under Arnold Schoenberg. His early works were late-Romantic in style, but he soon adopted the atonal method of composition that Schoenberg developed, though Berg's music is often considered more emotional and accessible than that of his teacher or Webern.

Berg's most notable compositions include the operas Wozzeck and Lulu, which are among the most important operas of the 20th century. Wozzeck, based on the play Woyzeck by Georg Büchner, was completed in 1922 and is notable for its innovative use of atonality and its exploration of the human psyche and society. Lulu, left incomplete at Berg's death and later finished by Friedrich Cerha, is equally renowned for its complex characters and sophisticated use of the twelve-tone technique.

Berg also composed a number of other significant works, including the Chamber Concerto for violin, piano, and 13 wind instruments, which was intended as a homage to Schoenberg, and the Lyric Suite, a highly personal work that utilizes the twelve-tone technique in a deeply expressive manner.

Legacy

Berg's contribution to music was significant in the way he combined the twelve-tone technique with lyrical, romantic elements, making his work a bridge between the 19th and 20th centuries. His ability to infuse atonal music with emotional depth has made his compositions enduringly popular and influential among both musicians and audiences.

Berg died from septicemia on December 24, 1935, in Vienna. His death marked the loss of one of the most important composers of his generation. Today, his works are performed regularly and continue to be studied for their innovative approach to composition and their emotional impact.

Selected Works

• Wozzeck (1922)
• Lulu (Incomplete at Berg's death, completed by Friedrich Cerha in the 1970s)
• Chamber Concerto (1925)
• Lyric Suite (1926)
• Violin Concerto (1935), dedicated "To the memory of an angel", referring to Manon Gropius, the daughter of Alma Mahler and Walter Gropius.

See Also

• Second Viennese School
• Atonality
• Twelve-tone technique
• Arnold Schoenberg
• Anton Webern