This paper deals with the thematic construction employed by composer Arnold Schoenberg, under the perspective of his own theoretical writings concerning this matter. This approach can vividly show some of the most characteristic issues of Schoenbergian compositional thinking, i.e., the oppositions of tradition / innovation and theory / practice. The methodology used in the present article consists of the analysis of examples extracted from several of the Schoenberg’s creative phases (tonal, between 1893 and 1908 and serial, 1923-51), covering the extremes of his career. These pieces were analyzed under the perspective of the concepts stated in the didactic work about form written by the composer. These writings are, therefore, the main theoretical references of the present study, which aims at showing that the formal theory elaborated by Schoenberg in his texts, derived from detailed analysis of the works produced by the great masters (especially those of the Classic era) served as a solid basis for his own compositional practice.
Arnold Schoenberg; thematic construction; theory; practice; classical forms
