Symphony, Op. 21 | |
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Symphony (or chamber or miniature symphony)[1] by Anton Webern | |
Opus | 21[2] |
Period | die Neue Musik (20th-century music) |
Language | German |
Composed | 1927–1928 |
Dedication | Webern's youngest daughter Christine Mattl (née Webern)[3] |
Duration | 10–20 minutes[4] |
Movements | I. Ruhig schreitend II. Variationen[5] |
Scoring | 1 clarinet[5] 1 bass clarinet 2 horns 1 harp strings senza bassi |
Premiere | |
Date | 18 December 1929[6] | (world premiere)
Location | Town Hall, New York[6] |
Conductor | Alexander Smallens[6] |
Performers | Orchestra of the League of Composers[6] |
Anton Webern's Symphony, Op. 21 was his first twelve-tone orchestral work. Written between 1927 and 1928,[7] the work is noted for its intricate structure, abstraction,[8] and Alpine topics.[9] It is a two-movement chamber or miniature symphony of 10–20 minutes, and the influence of Gustav Mahler is audible from the very beginning. Alexander Smallens conducted the world premiere at New York's Town Hall on 18 December 1929.