Arnold Schönberg und Richard Wagner 2

Richard Wagner’s decisive influence on the composition and thinking of Arnold Schoenberg has often been claimed but never scientifically proven.

The present study follows the traces of Wagnerian influence in Schoenberg’s work and writing, with a special focus on the change in the relationship in the light of the historic background. The author presents new discoveries concerning Schoenberg’s earliest reception of Wagner as well as his behaviour in the time of (pre-)fascism: Grun shows the inner and finally open conflict experienced by Schoenberg, who, while a confessed Wagner-disciple of Jewish origin, is suddenly confronted with Wagner’s anti-Semitic legacy.

Further to the established works of Schoenberg, the author takes into account the very early pieces (before op. 1), the 'Lied der Walküre' and lots of other unpublished sources for the first time. New and profound interpretations of central works add to the breadth of this scientific investigation.>