Composer

:

Arnold Schoenberg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:32

Arnold Schoenberg's 'Gedenken' is a composition for string quartet that was composed in 1947. The piece was premiered on October 26, 1947, in Los Angeles, California, by the Roth Quartet. 'Gedenken' is a single-movement work that is approximately 10 minutes in length. The piece is characterized by its somber and mournful tone, which is reflective of the composer's personal experiences during World War II. The title 'Gedenken' translates to 'remembrance' in English, and the piece is dedicated to the memory of Schoenberg's friend and fellow composer, Anton Webern, who was killed by an American soldier in 1945. The piece begins with a slow and mournful introduction, featuring a solo violin playing a simple melody. The other instruments gradually join in, creating a dense and complex texture. The music is characterized by Schoenberg's use of atonality, which creates a sense of dissonance and tension throughout the piece. As the piece progresses, the music becomes more intense and emotional, with the instruments playing in a frenzied and chaotic manner. The music reaches a climax before gradually subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. The piece ends with a solo violin playing a simple and mournful melody, bringing the work to a somber and contemplative close. Overall, 'Gedenken' is a powerful and emotional work that reflects Schoenberg's personal experiences during World War II. The piece is characterized by its somber and mournful tone, its use of atonality, and its intense and emotional climax.

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