Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielscene

Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielscene
by Arnold Schoenberg
Schoenberg, c. 1930 (photo by Max Fenichel)
EnglishAccompaniment to a Film Scene
Opus34
ComposedOctober 15, 1929 (1929-10-15) – February 14, 1930 (1930-02-14):
PublisherHeinrichshofen Verlag
Durationc. 9 minutes
ScoringSymphony orchestra
Premiere
DateApril 8, 1930 (1930-04-08)
LocationBroadcasting House of the Südwestdeutsche Rundfunkdienst AG
Frankfurt, Germany
ConductorHans Rosbaud
PerformersFrankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

The Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielscene[n 1] (Drohende Gefahr, Angst, Katastrophe), Op. 34 (literally "Accompaniment Music for a Light Play Scene (Threatening Danger, Fear, Catastrophe)")—also known in English as Accompaniment to a Film Scene,[3] Accompaniment to a Cinematographic Scene,[4] Accompaniment to a Cinematic Scene,[5] and Music to Accompany a Cinema Scene[6]—is an orchestral work by Arnold Schoenberg composed in late 1929 and early 1930.

Schoenberg had developed an interest in film as a medium for his own creative work in the years before composing the Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielscene, but his personal artistic beliefs also made him wary of it.

He composed the Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielscene for Heinrichshofen Verlag in Magdeburg, which wanted to include it in a commemorative collection of scores they commissioned from German film composers. Schoenberg had no particular film or film scene in mind while composing the work, but he did later consider performing it along with an abstract film. His music was adapted for a short film by Straub–Huillet in 1972.

The reception of the Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielscene was generally positive; it was encored at its British premiere. The United States premiere in Los Angeles was contentious and the Los Angeles Times refused to review it. Robert Craft and Allen Shawn considered it one of Schoenberg's most attractive works, while Igor Stravinsky called it "best piece of real film music ever written".

  1. ^ "Schoenberg, Arnold 1874–1951 [Op. 34]. Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielscene [Full score] (Drohende Gefahr, Angst, Katastrophe)". J & J Lubrano Music Antiquarians. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Feisst 2011, p. 371.
  3. ^ Clements, Dominy (August 25, 2011). "Schoenberg: Accompaniment to a Film Scene; Chamber Symphony; etc – review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielscene ["Accompaniment to a Cinematographic Scene"] Op. 34 (1929/1930)". Arnold Schönberg Center. July 2, 2018. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ "Bowl Program for the Week is Interesting". Long Beach Sun. July 18, 1933. p. 5. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Broadcasting: Contemporary Music Concert". The Daily Telegraph. May 8, 1931. p. 7. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)


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