“WHEN I COMPOSE, I TRY TO FORGET ALL THEORIES...”. THOUGHTS ON PRESENTING ARNOLD SCHOENBERG᾿S TWELVE-TONE METHOD TO A WIDER AUDIENCE

This article describes the process of creating an exhibition and publication on Arnold Schönberg’s twelve-tone method and discusses the challenges of presenting Schönberg’s complex compositional techniques to a wide audience, balancing biographical information with musical analysis. The exhibition at the Arnold Schönberg Center featured a chronological narrative of the method’s development, showcasing manuscripts, tools like Schönberg’s twelve-tone discs, and multimedia content. The accompanying book aimed to be accessible to various readers, including a simplified introduction to the method, a historical overview, a glossary, Schönberg’s lecture on the method, and a catalogue of 50 related objects. The author reflects on the difficulties of explaining complex musical concepts to diverse audiences, acknowledging the ongoing challenge of accessible music education.