Serial Offender: Arnold Schoenberg's Twelve Tone Adventure

Composer Arnold Schoenberg devised a means of composing using each of the twelve tones of the chromatic scale as equals.

It transformed the way in which music was created and perceived.

The programme explores why Schoenberg remains a controversial and divisive individual. It also interrogates other aspect of Schoenberg's legacy - his challenging compositions and how a desire to perform them to critic free, private audiences gave the gatherings a whiff of elitism, unwittingly contributing to the siloing of subsequent modern classical music.

We ask why his complex music is not performed as regularly as other composers' works.

Schoenberg once told a pupil, "Today I have discovered something which will assure the supremacy of German music for the next 100 years." To an extent, he was right - his pioneering system and compositional style have bled through into commercial music since the early part of the 20th century, most notably in popular cinema, modern music and advert jingles.

In a world of musical plurality, should we consider listening afresh to contemplate the beauty and complexity of Schoenberg's work?

Presented by Kate Molleson

Programme developed by Laura Tunbridge

Edited by Nick Romero

Produced by Andrew McGibbon

A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2024.