2min chapter

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast cover image

How to Listen to (and Enjoy!) Atonal Music, Part 1

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast

CHAPTER

Vabern's Brilliant Five Pieces for Orchestra

The Berg violin concerto and Schoenberg's survivor from Warsaw remain two of the most popular 12 tone works. The final work I want to mention today is Vabern's brilliant five pieces for orchestra. As you listen to this, remember that this piece was begun in the year of Mahler's Death.

00:00
Speaker 2
So is this true 12 tone music? Well that's a question that I will certainly try to answer at the end
Speaker 1
of the show today and also in my follow up looking more closely at serialism. But just to start that conversation off with a bit of a provocation, I don't think it's any accident that the Berg violin concerto and Schoenberg's survivor from Warsaw remain two of the most popular 12 tone works, and I think that it's because of their tonal moments, not despite of them. The final work I want to mention today is Vabern's brilliant five pieces for orchestra. I've mentioned Vabern a few times on the show, but he remains my favorite tonal composer. Now this piece is actually not a 12 tone work I'm cheating a little bit. It's more in the free atonal style of Erle Schoenberg, but it's strikingly radical and its complete dissolution of orchestral narrative. As you listen to this and I recommend turning your volume way up, remember that this piece was begun in the year of Mahler's Death.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode