Original scientific paper
Twelve-tone Technique and its Forms: Variation Techniques of Arnold Schoenberg's Variations for Orchestra Op. 31
Marija Benić Zovko
; Vatroslav Lisinski Music School, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
This paper explores the possibilities of articulating a traditional form, such as a theme and variations, in the twelve-tone technique, as a characteristic determinant of the New Music. It is impossible to give a straightforward explanation of the twelve-tone technique. Each and every twelve-tone composition has to confirm the musical nature of its material and technique all over again. In his Variations op. 31 Schoenberg used dodecaphony in a specific way. It is a new instance of proving the extent to which dodecaphony can articulate a highly traditional form. The form itself does not guarantee that the material will acquire the quality of the art of music. The form is just a challenge to justify the musical meaning of the material from the process of its articulation. Analysis of different elements of structure and their relationships reveals numerous instances that confirm the richness of technique and variational devices available in dodecaphony. At the same time, it also indicates the technique's limitations and weaknesses in Schoenberg's composing theory. That casts doubts on Schoenberg's claim that a structure can become meaningful only by the logic of its „coherence“ which is the condition of its „comprehensibility“.
Keywords
Twelve-tone technique; Traditional form; Analysis; Schoenberg; Variation; Theme; Developing variation; Counterpoint; Composing theory
Hrčak ID:
72129
URI
Publication date:
26.2.2007.
Visits: 3.831 *