Schoenberg's String Quartets

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Asked about this on FB, thought I'd bring it here. Every one of these is really distinct and has something to recommend it. What's your favourite?

Poll Results

OptionVotes
2 4
3 2
1 1
4 0


EveningStar (Sund4r), Friday, 16 August 2013 16:55 (twelve years ago)

This might be a challops but I'm really fond of #3: that opening motive, the rhythmic energy, the way he basically abandons any sort of rigidity with his use of a 12-note row.

#2 is probably the most important, maybe the greatest achievement. #4 seemed popular on FB; I always think of it as the most hardcore. I don't know if I've totally cracked it yet.

EveningStar (Sund4r), Friday, 16 August 2013 16:56 (twelve years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Thursday, 29 August 2013 00:01 (twelve years ago)

Well, look at this lonely thread.

I've not listened to the String Quartets in a while so I'm working from memory here.

I voted for #2 because it has the right amount of balance between tonal and extended tonalities.

The rigidity at times was, for me, part of its allure, especially when bringing contrapuntal melodies and harmonies into the mix, which I was always a fan of, back since Bach's day. I was a huge Bach fan before, and when I discovered Schönberg's take on counterpoints, it left such a big impact on my life. I started incorporating them into my finger-picking folk guitar stuff. Not that I was any good at it. I always tried to incorporate some of Schönberg's aesthetics into my own music but always failed miserably.

c21m50nh3x460n, Thursday, 29 August 2013 02:56 (twelve years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Friday, 30 August 2013 00:01 (twelve years ago)

Oh, that's interesting. I was expecting #4 to do well. Who gave the other vote for #3?

EveningStar (Sund4r), Saturday, 31 August 2013 00:21 (twelve years ago)

The Juillards are my pick for best recording BTW.

Call the Cops, Saturday, 31 August 2013 06:47 (twelve years ago)

I don't think I've ever cracked these really. Quite like bits of 2, should listen to 4 sometime.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 September 2013 19:05 (twelve years ago)

seven years pass...

3 is sooo good why is this not more standard repetoire. it's even catchy

Left, Wednesday, 23 December 2020 23:09 (four years ago)

OTM

They sold me a dream of Christmas (Sund4r), Thursday, 24 December 2020 00:06 (four years ago)

OK so I might have softened on techno/house and even hip-hop. But Schonberg? There's the limit! :)

The GeirBot (Geir Hongro), Thursday, 24 December 2020 00:16 (four years ago)

Do you even hate the more tonal late Romantic Schoenberg?

They sold me a dream of Christmas (Sund4r), Thursday, 24 December 2020 02:27 (four years ago)

Geir I don't see how you could hate the 1897 quartet in D major. it's got melody up the wazoo

Left, Thursday, 24 December 2020 20:39 (four years ago)


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