VI. BERG, Alban (1885-1935)
The simplest explanation of 12-tone (or "serial") music can be grasped by looking at the above image:
P (Prime) is a scale of the 12 notes in the chromatic scale (all 1/2-step intervals)
R (Retrograde) is the same scale starting with the last note and ending with the first.
I (Inversion) is the Prime scale inverted -- that is instead of ascending by 1/2-steps, it descends by 1/2-steps.
RI (Retrograde inversion) is the Inverted scale from last note to first.
Thus, the composer creates the music by using these different 12-tone scales in a variety of progressions.
Arnold Schoenberg and his pupils, Anton Webern and Berg ("The Viennese School") were among the first to compose music in this style in the early 1900s.
One of the greatest violin concertos of the 20th century, Berg used the following 12-tone row:
Although it is a true 12-tone row with no repeated notes, one might notice that by breaking the row into four equal parts, tonal chords are formed!
The first three notes form a G minor chord; the next three an F# diminished; the third three an E Major chord; and the final three, ascending whole tones ...
... these last three notes nicely correspond with a Bach chorale from his 1723 cantata: "O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort." --
... these last three notes nicely correspond with a Bach chorale from his 1723 cantata: "O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort." --
which Berg re-orchestrates near the end of the concerto.
A marvel of compositional construction and filled with deep beauty, pathos and love.
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