Biography:
Anton Friedrich Wilhelm von Webern was born in Vienna, Austria on December 3rd, 1883. He is well known for being the first to use the twelve tone scale in major compositions. As a child, he made very little progress in school. He had a difficult time with many subjects such as math, however music seemed to be his one strength. His mother, who was an amateur pianist, first introduced him to music. While he lacked other skills, he began to excel at playing the cello. His first teacher was Edwin Komauer at Klagenfurt. Komauer taught him music theory, piano, and cello. With Webern’s newfound musical talents, he played in the local orchestra.
By the time he started college in 1902, Webern had already composed a few pieces for piano, cello, and various songs. He enrolled at the University of Vienna that fall where he studied musicology and composition. In 1904, he began his composition studies with Arnold Schoenberg. It was during this time under the instruction of Shoenberg, that Webern began to develop his knowledge of composition. He became good friends with Alban Berg, who was another pupil of Schoenberg's. In 1905, Webern produced many vocal compositions, some chamber works, and a string quartet.
From 1911 to 1913, Webern wrote Five Pieces: Op. 10. From 1908 to 1918, Webern was a conductor at Bad Ischl and various other orchestras. During this time he was very depressed, and for good reason. Like many artists, Webern did not like the music he was conducting and would have preferred to spend time working on his own original compositions. However, just like in today’s world, he had to provide for his wife and family in a stable job and in a field that he knew well.
Historical Background:
Five Pieces is performed in only five minutes. Although the five movements do not have a set theme between them, they demonstrate beautiful tone color. The sound travels around the orchestra between the strings, wind instruments and the percussion.
Listener’s Map:
1. Sehr ruhig und zart
This movement starts with all the instruments playing together. Eventually the parts start to trade between one another. Each instrument has little solos at some point.
2. Leb haft und zart bewegt
This movement starts off as a cluster of instruments. All the different voices have something different to say. Half way through the movement, each part lightens up and they let each other have a turn.
3. Sehr langsam und ausserst zart
A small orchestra starts with a mysterious sound. The trumpet comes in a few measures later with the melody.
4. Fliessend, ausserst zart
This movement is more about the wind players and the orchestra. The strings are more supporting for the wind players.
5. Sehr fliessend
This is where the piece all comes together. Each instrument comes together again to make a few chords. However, it is more spread out toward the end again.
Observations:
This piece feels really spread out. The sound travels around the orchestra from one instrument to another. It’s interesting to listen to. This music gives one a sense of how music has changed. Moving from each era of music was a big step for composers. Moving from Classical to Romantic was a challenge because composers wanted to express themselves in their music and that was unheard of. Moving into the Early Twentieth Century was also another difficult transition. This was just a different way for composers to express themselves.
Resources:
http://www.antonwebern.com/assets/webernBio.pdf
http://craton.chez.com/musique/webern/webern.htm
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Webern-Anton.htm
http://www.mymusicbase.ru/PPB/ppb11/Bio_1122.htm
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/anton-webern-q6649/biography
http://www.laphil.com/philpedia/piece-detail.cfm?id=2358
http://www.classicalarchives.com/work/114011.html#tvf=tracks&tv=about
