The Wind Quintet, Op. 26, is a

chamber music Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in a palace chamber or a large room. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small nu ...

composition by

Arnold Schoenberg Arnold Schoenberg or Schönberg (, ; ; 13 September 187413 July 1951) was an Austrian-American composer, music theorist, teacher, writer, and painter. He is widely considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He was as ...

, composed in 1923–24. It is one of the earliest of Schoenberg's compositions to use

twelve-tone technique The twelve-tone technique—also known as dodecaphony, twelve-tone serialism, and (in British usage) twelve-note composition—is a method of musical composition first devised by Austrian composer Josef Matthias Hauer, who published his "law o ...

History

Schoenberg's

wind quintet A wind quintet, also known as a woodwind quintet, is a group of five wind players (most commonly flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn and bassoon). Unlike the string quartet (of 4 string instruments) with its homogeneous blend of sound color, the in ...

was one of his first twelve-tone compositions. It was composed in 1923–24, and individual sketches in the composer's sketchbook number 5 contain precise data on the progress of the composition. The world premiere took place on Schoenberg's fiftieth birthday, 13 September 1924. The score's dedication is "Dem Bubi Arnold" (To little Arnold), the composer's grandson, his daughter Gertrud and Felix Greissle's child.

Analysis

The Quintet is in four movements: The work is laid out in the four-movement pattern of Classical chamber-music forms, using the thematic contrast usual in them. In this way, Schoenberg sought to restore the innate expressive qualities of the forms of tonal music, and so the Quintet, along with the Suite for piano, Op. 25, the Suite for septet, Op. 29, the Third String Quartet, Op. 30, and the Variations for Orchestra, represent the most extreme point of his

neoclassicism Neoclassicism (also spelled Neo-classicism) was a Western cultural movement in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiquity. Neoclassicism ...

. The first movement follows standard sonata-allegro layout, and "is perhaps the most notorious example of a twelve-tone movement imitating a tonal form", with a repeated two- theme

exposition Exposition (also the French for exhibition) may refer to: *Universal exposition or World's Fair * Expository writing ** Exposition (narrative) * Exposition (music) *Trade fair A trade fair, also known as trade show, trade exhibition, or trade e ...

, a

development section Sonata form (also ''sonata-allegro form'' or ''first movement form'') is a musical structure generally consisting of three main sections: an exposition, a development, and a recapitulation. It has been used widely since the middle of the 18th c ...

, and a recapitulation in which the second theme is transposed up a

perfect fourth A fourth is a musical interval encompassing four staff positions in the music notation of Western culture, and a perfect fourth () is the fourth spanning five semitones (half steps, or half tones). For example, the ascending interval from C to ...

, as if it were a tonal work with the second key area originally in the dominant. The mistaken impression is easily formed that this is "some sort of musical taxidermy—

rondo The rondo is an instrumental musical form introduced in the Classical period. Etymology The English word ''rondo'' comes from the Italian form of the French ''rondeau'', which means "a little round". Despite the common etymological root, rondo ...

and sonata-allegro skins stuffed and mounted with chromatic sawdust" but, despite superficial appearances, the structure is quite a different thing. The opening theme of the first movement, for example, is in two

phrases In syntax and grammar, a phrase is a group of words or singular word acting as a grammatical unit. For instance, the English expression "the very happy squirrel" is a noun phrase which contains the adjective phrase "very happy". Phrases can consi ...

. The first, antecedent phrase uses the first

hexachord In music, a hexachord (also hexachordon) is a six- note series, as exhibited in a scale ( hexatonic or hexad) or tone row. The term was adopted in this sense during the Middle Ages and adapted in the 20th century in Milton Babbitt's serial ...

of the basic series; the second, consequent phrase uses the second hexachord. The opening melody of the scherzo movement starts with the fourth note of the basic series, the first three notes having already appeared in the

accompaniment Accompaniment is the musical part which provides the rhythmic and/or harmonic support for the melody or main themes of a song or instrumental piece. There are many different styles and types of accompaniment in different genres and styles o ...

. Unlike some other passages in the Quintet, the accompaniment here uses the same tones as are found in the melody but not at the same time. Later in the same movement, different forms of the

row Row or ROW may refer to: Exercise *Rowing, or a form of aquatic movement using oars *Row (weight-lifting), a form of weight-lifting exercise Math *Row vector, a 1 × ''n'' matrix in linear algebra. *Row (database), a single, implicitly structured ...

are combined in

contrapuntal In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more musical lines (or voices) which are harmonically interdependent yet independent in rhythm and melodic contour. It has been most commonly identified in the European classical tradi ...

elaboration (e.g., the

inversion Inversion or inversions may refer to: Arts * , a French gay magazine (1924/1925) * ''Inversion'' (artwork), a 2005 temporary sculpture in Houston, Texas * Inversion (music), a term with various meanings in music theory and musical set theory * ...

and

retrograde inversion Retrograde inversion is a musical term that literally means "backwards and upside down": "The inverse of the series is sounded in reverse order." Retrograde reverses the order of the motif's pitches: what was the first pitch becomes the last, and ...

in b. 88–94)—a procedure also featured later in the Rondo. The third, slow movement is in an extended

ternary form Ternary form, sometimes called song form, is a three-part musical form consisting of an opening section (A), a following section (B) and then a repetition of the first section (A). It is usually schematized as A–B–A. Prominent examples inclu ...

, with

coda Coda or CODA may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * Movie coda, a post-credits scene * ''Coda'' (1987 film), an Australian horror film about a serial killer, made for television *''Coda'', a 2017 American experimental film from Na ...

. A substantial transition section in bars 53–81, with a change of meter and faster tempo, connects the central section to the return of the opening material. The finale follows the expected pattern for a Classical seven-part

, with motivically distinguished sections in a design that may be designated as A–B–A′–C–A″–B′–A–coda. These sections are also distinguished by the row forms used on the surface.

Discography

In chronological order of recording: * Arnold Schoenberg: Wind Quintet. Metropolitan Wind Quintet LP recording. Dial 13. New York: Dial Records, 1951. * Arnold Schoenberg: Quintet for Wind Instruments, Op. 26. Philadelphia Woodwind Quintet ( William Kincaid, flute;

John de Lancie John Sherwood de Lancie, Jr. (born March 20, 1948) is an American actor, director, producer, writer, and comedian, best known for his role as Q in various ''Star Trek'' series (1987–present); beginning with '' Star Trek: The Next Generation ...

, oboe; Anthony Gigliotti, clarinet;

Sol Schoenbach Sol Schoenbach ''(né'' Sol Israel Schoenbach; 1915 – 25 February 1999) was an American bassoonist and teacher. Career Schoenbach was a student of the distinguished bassoonist Simon Kovar. He studied at the New York University, and held ho ...

, bassoon; Mason Jones, horn). LP recording 1 sound disc: 33⅓ rpm, monaural, 12 inch. Columbia Masterworks ML 5217. ew York Columbia, 1957. * Arnold Schoenberg: Wind Quintet, Op. 26.

Czech Philharmonic The Česká filharmonie (Czech Philharmonic) is a symphony orchestra based in Prague. The orchestra's principal concert venue is the Rudolfinum. History The name "Czech Philharmonic Orchestra" appeared for the first time in 1894, as the titl ...

Wind Quintet. Recorded in the Supraphon studios in Prague. LP recording 1 sound disc: 33⅓ rpm, stereo, 12 inch. Supraphon 50 692. Prague: Supraphon, 1966. * Arnold Schoenberg: Wind Quintet, Op. 26.

Danzi Quintet The Danzi Quintet was a Dutch wind quintet, one of the most highly regarded quintets active in the 1960s and 1970s The quintet took its name from the 18th/19th-century composer Franz Danzi (a notable early composer of wind quintets), and was foun ...

. LP recording. Philips PHC 9068. olland Philips, 1967. Reissued on HNH Records, LP umber unknown 1978. Reissued together with

Harrison Birtwistle Sir Harrison Birtwistle (15 July 1934 – 18 April 2022) was an English composer of contemporary classical music best known for his operas, often based on mythological subjects. Among his many compositions, his better known works include '' T ...

: ''Refrains and Choruses'' for Wind Quintet. Philips Modern Music Series. LP recording 1 sound disc: analog, 33⅓ rpm, stereo, 12 inch. Philips 802 740 LY. olland Philips, 1960s?. *Arnold Schoenberg: Quintet for Wind Instruments, Op. 26. New England Conservatory Chamber Players, John Heiss, conductor. New England Conservatory Series, vol. 2. LP recording. 2 sides, 12 inch, 33⅓ rpm, stereophonic. Golden Crest Records NEC-102. .p. Golden Crest Records, 1969. * Arnold Schoenberg: Suite, Op. 29; Wind Quintet, Op. 26. Members of the

London Sinfonietta The London Sinfonietta is an English contemporary chamber orchestra founded in 1968 and based in London. The ensemble has headquarters at Kings Place and is Resident Orchestra at the Southbank Centre. Since its inaugural concert in 1968—giv ...

(Op. 26: Sebastian Bell, flute; Janet Craxton, oboe; Antony Pay, clarinet; Alan Civil, horn; Roger Birnstingl, bassoon); David Atherton, conductor. Recorded at All Saints Church, Petersham, 1973–1974. Compact disc 1 sound disc: digital, stereo, 4¾ inch. London 433 083-2. New York: London Records, 1992. *Arnold Schoenberg: Wind Quintet, Op. 26. Wiener Bläsersolisten. LP recording 1 sound disc: 33 1/3 rpm, stereo, 12 inch. Deutsche Grammophon 2530 825. amburg Deutsche Grammophon, 1977. * ''Art of Basel Ensemble''. Johann Sebastian Bach: '' Musikalisches Opfer'', Ricercare à 6.; Arnold Schoenberg: Quintet for Winds, Op. 26;

Leoš Janáček Leoš Janáček (, baptised Leo Eugen Janáček; 3 July 1854 – 12 August 1928) was a Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist, and teacher. He was inspired by Moravian and other Slavic musics, including Eastern European f ...

: '' Mládí''. Basel Ensemble. Recorded 26–27 January 1986, Studio 1,

Bayerischer Rundfunk Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR; "Bavarian Broadcasting") is a public-service radio and television broadcaster, based in Munich, capital city of the Free State of Bavaria in Germany. BR is a member organization of the ARD consortium of public broadcas ...

, Munich. Compact disc 1 sound disc: digital, stereo, 4¾ inch. Denon CM-1474.

apan Apan is a city and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 346.9 km². Overview As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 39,247. It was an important site in the W ...

Denon; U.S.A.: A & M Records, 1987. * Aulos-Bläserquintett. Vol. 7.

Paul Hindemith Paul Hindemith (; 16 November 189528 December 1963) was a German composer, music theorist, teacher, violist and conductor. He founded the Amar Quartet in 1921, touring extensively in Europe. As a composer, he became a major advocate of the ' ...

: ''

Kleine Kammermusik (''Chamber Music'') is the title for eight chamber music compositions by Paul Hindemith. He wrote them, each in several movements, during the 1920s. They are grouped in three opus numbers: Op. 24, Op. 36 and Op. 46. Six of these works, ''Kamme ...

'', Pp. 24/2;

Hanns Eisler Hanns Eisler (6 July 1898 – 6 September 1962) was an Austrian composer (his father was Austrian, and Eisler fought in a Hungarian regiment in World War I). He is best known for composing the national anthem of East Germany, for his long artisti ...

: Divertimento, Op. 5 ecte: Op. 4 Arnold Schoenberg: Bläserquintett, Op. 26. Aulos-Bläserquintett./ Recorded 1992, SDR, Stuttgart. Compact disc 1 sound disc: digital, 4¾ inch. Koch Schwann 3-1163-2 H1. Austria: Koch Schwann, 1994. * ''

Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet The Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet was an American wind quintet that was officially founded in 1962 when Pablo Casals asked its members to become the woodwind faculty of his newly founded Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. It is known worldwide f ...

Plays Smith & Schoenberg''. William O. Smith: ''Jazz Set for Violin and Wind Quintet'' (1990); Arnold Schoenberg: Wind Quintet, Op. 26 (1924). Aloysia Friedmann, violin; Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet. Compact disc 1 sound disc: digital, stereo, 4¾ inch. Musical Heritage Society 514225K. Oakhurst, New Jersey: Musical Heritage Society, 1996 *

: ''Vierzehn Arten den Regen zu beschreiben'', Op. 70; Divertimento, Op. 4. Arnold Schoenberg: Quintet for Winds, Op. 26. Kammermusikvereinigung der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin (1st work); Danzi-Bläserquintett Berlin (2nd and 3rd works). Recorded May and October 1967, Christuskirche, Berlin (1st work) and December 1987 – January 1988, Lukaskirche, Dresden (2nd and 3rd works). Compact Disc 1 sound disc: digital, 4¾ inch. Berlin Classics 0092552BC. erlin? Berlin Classics, 1997. * ''Houston Symphony Chamber Players; Christoph Eschenbach, Piano: Schoenberg, Webern, Berg''.

Anton Webern Anton Friedrich Wilhelm von Webern (3 December 188315 September 1945), better known as Anton Webern (), was an Austrian composer and conductor whose music was among the most radical of its milieu in its sheer concision, even aphorism, and stead ...

: Concerto, Op. 24; Drei kleine Stücke, Op. 11; Vier Stücke, Op. 7;

Alban Berg Alban Maria Johannes Berg ( , ; 9 February 1885 – 24 December 1935) was an Austrian composer of the Second Viennese School. His compositional style combined Romantic lyricism with the twelve-tone technique. Although he left a relatively sm ...

: Sonata for Piano, Op. 1; Arnold Schoenberg: Wind Quintet, Op. 26. Uri Pianka and Eric Halen, violins; Wayne Brooks, viola; Desmond Hoebig, cello; Aralee Dorough, flute; Robert Atherholt, oboe; David peck, clarinet; Benjamin Kamins, bassoon; William Ver Meulen, horn; John DeWitt, trumpet; Allen Barnhill, trombone. Recorded 1995, Duncan Hall, Rice University, Houston. Compact Disc 1 sound disc: digital, 4¾ inch. Koch International Classics 3-7337-2 H1. Port Washington, New York: Koch International L. P., 1996. * ''Zemlinsky Quintett Wien. Arnold Schönberg: Bläserquintett Op. 26; Jean-René Françaix: Quintett Nr. 1''. Heidrun Wagner-Lanzendörfer, flute; Andrea Krauk, oboe; Kurt Franz Schmid, clarinet; Michel Gasiarino, horn; Gottfried Pokorny, bassoon. Recorded at the ORF Broadcasting Studio, Vienna, between November 1997 and March 1998. Compact Disc 1 sound disc: digital, 4¾ inch. ORF CD 163. ustria ORF Radio Niederösterreich, 1998. * ''The Robert Craft Collection: Music of Arnold Schoenberg vol. 8''. Chamber Symphony No. 2; '' Die glückliche Hand'', Op. 18; Wind Quintet, Op. 26. Mark Beesley, bass; Simon Joly Chorale;

Philharmonia Orchestra The Philharmonia Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It was founded in 1945 by Walter Legge, a classical music record producer for EMI. Among the conductors who worked with the orchestra in its early years were Richard Strauss, ...

; New York Woodwind Quintet (Carol Wincenc, flute; Stephen Taylor, oboe;

Charles Neidich Charles Neidich (born 1953 in New York City) is an American classical clarinetist, composer, and conductor. Early career A native New Yorker of Russian and Greek descent, Charles Neidich began his clarinet studies with his father, Irving Neidich ...

, clarinet; William Purvis, horn; Donald MacCourt, bassoon);

Robert Craft Robert Lawson Craft (October 20, 1923 – November 10, 2015) was an American conductor and writer. He is best known for his intimate professional relationship with Igor Stravinsky, on which Craft drew in producing numerous recordings and books. ...

, conductor. (Quintet recorded 6–8 January 2004,

American Academy of Arts and Letters The American Academy of Arts and Letters is a 300-member honor society whose goal is to "foster, assist, and sustain excellence" in American literature, music, and art. Its fixed number membership is elected for lifetime appointments. Its headqu ...

, New York) Compact Disc 1 sound disc: digital; 4¾ inch. Naxos 8.557526.

ong Kong Ong or ONG may refer to: Arts and media * Ong's Hat, a collaborative work of fiction * “Ong Ong”, a song by Blur from the album The Magic Whip Places * Ong, Nebraska, US, city * Ong's Hat, New Jersey, US, ghost town * Ong River, Odisha, ...

Naxos, 2008. Also packaged as one disc of ''The Works of Arnold Schoenberg, Vol. 1''. Compact Discs, 5 sound discs: digital; 4¾ inch. Naxos 8.505223.

Naxos, 2008. * Farkas Quintet Amsterdam live recording Arnold Schoenberg: Wind Quintet, Op. 26. Herman van Kogelenberg, flute; Hans Wolters, oboe; Marcel Geraeds, clarine ; Fons Verspaandonk, horn; Remko Edelaar, bassoon. Recorded in Cenakel, Tilburg Netherlands, 2007. Quintone Recordings. * ''Phoenix Ensemble:

Karlheinz Stockhausen Karlheinz Stockhausen (; 22 August 1928 – 5 December 2007) was a German composer, widely acknowledged by critics as one of the most important but also controversial composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He is known for his groundb ...

Zeitmaße ''Zeitmaße'' (; German for "Time Measures") is a chamber-music work for five woodwinds (flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet, and bassoon) composed in 1955–1956 by German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen; it is Number 5 in the composer's catalog. ...

; Arnold Schoenberg: Wind Quintet, Op. 26''. Phoenix Ensemble: Kelli Kathman, flute (Stockhausen); Erin Lesser, flute (Schoenberg); Carl Oswald, oboe (Stockhausen); Erin Gustafson, oboe (Schoenberg); Keve Wilson, cor anglais; Mark Lieb, clarinet; Gina Cuffari, bassoon; Alana Vegter, horn. Compact disc 1 sound disc: digital, stereo, 4¾ inch. Albany CD TROY1371. Albany, New York: Albany Records US; Kendal, Cumbria: Albany Records UK, 2012.

References

Sources * * * * * *

External links

* {{Portal bar, Classical music Twelve-tone compositions by Arnold Schoenberg 1924 compositions

Schoenberg Arnold Schoenberg or Schönberg (, ; ; 13 September 187413 July 1951) was an Austrian-American composer, music theorist, teacher, writer, and painter. He is widely considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He was as ...

Chamber music by Arnold Schoenberg Neoclassicism (music) Music dedicated to family or friends

History

Analysis

Discography

References

Further reading

External links