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The Listening Service Extra 1 of 12 - Who am I?

Schoenberg’s objection to being dubbed a “famous theoretician and controversial musician”

Tom explores Schoenberg’s objection to being dubbed a “famous theoretician and controversial musician”.

‘I wonder sometimes who I am. When the Committee on Lectures and Drama announced my lecture in the newspapers, someone was afraid the readers might not know who I am. So they informed them as follows: "famous theoretician and controversial musical figure, known for the influence he has brought to bear on modern music." Up to now, I thought I compose for different reasons.’ - Arnold Schoenberg, 1949

Archive audio and photos with kind permission of Arnold Schönberg Center, Wien

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4 minutes

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