Alban Berg Master of the Smallest Link [Paperback]

In addition to being Adorno's personal account of the life and musical works of his mentor, friend, and composition teacher, this book explores the historical and cultural significance of Berg's music and its relationship to that of other nineteenth- and twentieth-century composers.In addition to being Adorno's personal account of the life and musical works of his mentor, friend, and composition teacher, this book explores the historical and cultural significance of Berg's music and its relationship to that of other nineteenth- and twentieth-century composers.Adorno's study of Austrian composer Alban Berg (1885-1935) is a sui generis document. In addition to Adorno's personal account of of the life and musical works of his mentor, friend, and composition teacher, the book explores the historical and cultural significance of Berg's music, its relationship to that of other nineteenth- and twentieth-century composers, and to the larger issues of contemporary life.Translators' introduction; A note on the translation; Preface; Tone Reminiscence; The works; Analysis and Berg; Piano sonata; Seven Early Songs; First String Quartet; The Altenberg Songs; Clarinet pieces; Orchestral pieces; Towards a characterisation of Wozzeck; Epilogomena to the Chamber Concerto; Lyric Suite; Der Wein; Experiences with Lulu; About the text; Afterword; Adorno's principal writings on Berg; Index. ...anyone with more than a passing interest in Berg must read it. American Record Guide Theodor Adorno's study of his teacher Alban Berg is a remarkable document; a personal memoir and a study of the composer's works, it is also something more; a revelation of Adorno's belief that modern philosophy ought to be modelled on modern music. Adorno's Berg, one of his most provocative books, has been beautifully translated and edited by Juliane Brand and Christopher Hailey....Adorno's Berg is a book of great importance. For it is in this book that we can understand how Adorno became, as it were, greaterlã