Arnold Schönberg - Ein Prophet der Musik

Literature & Theater / Reading

In 2024, the music world celebrated the 150th birthday of one of its most revolutionary composers: Arnold Schönberg. Arnold Schönberg planned a "history of his life," but not as a chronology; it was to be a "biography in encounters." This life story remained unwritten by him. However, from the abundance of Arnold Schönberg's writings, his life story can certainly be deciphered: it is the story of a man whose life and work embody a century; it is the story of a person who, in search of truth and fighting for truth, bore witness throughout his life to the truth of music – in accordance with his confession of faith: "Art does not come from ability, but from necessity" (Hermann Beil)

Schönberg spent many summers at Lake Traun. There also occurred the tragic love drama between his wife Mathilde and the painter Richard Gerstl. In 1921, Schönberg and his family were driven away from Lake Matt by anti-Semitic hostilities, but found refuge in Traunkirchen. In Villa Jakob, significant works such as op. 23, op. 24, and op. 25 were created. His connection to the region was also shown practically: a year later, he organized a charity concert to fund new church bells for Traunkirchen.

Hermann Beil will shape this evening.
Musical recordings accentuate the text, and the Berlin-born actor Max Simonischek provides insight into Schönberg's work.