Product Description

This study provides a new view of a composer long considered to be one of the century's most rigorously intellectual creators, Anton Webern. By examining a central pre-twelve-tone work, the Trakl cycle, Op 14, in the context of the Viennese intellectual and artistic climate, Shreffler shows how Webern's responses to Trakl's complex verse enabled him to expand his musical vocabulary. The author's emphasis on Webern's compositional process is of particular importance: whether because of the anxiety of creating a new musical language, or because of an innate hyper-perfectionism (or both), Webern rejected most of what he composed. A close examination of the manuscript sources--fragments, sketches, and fair copies--of Webern's comparatively neglected middle-period lieder enables her to shed light on Webern's musical language and his working methods.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3943763 in Books
• Published on: 1995-02-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 278 pages

Review

"Shreffler's skills as both archival detective and analytical interpreter combine to produce a convincing and absorbing narrative of the creative process."--The Musical Times
"Shreffler's prose is clear and engaging, and the ample musical examples are drawn mostly from material hitherto unavailable....This model study of musical structure and genesis belongs in all serious music libraries, "pper-division undergraduate and above."--Choice
"An important book, and a timely one."--Tempo

About the Author
Anne C. Shreffler is at University of Chicago.