“Arnold Schoenberg Reconsidered”

Tempe, AZ - From March 20-23, the ASU Herberger College of Fine Arts School of Music will host the international conference "Arnold Schoenberg Reconsidered." This special public event will look at the life and music of Arnold Schoenberg through high-caliber performances, innovative films, a scholarly symposium and the U.S. premiere of a multimedia exhibition on Schoenberg's life and work.   Also, in a rare and personal appearance, Arnold Schoenberg's youngest son Lawrence Schoenberg will be present to speak about his father.  

In today's music world, Arnold Schoenberg remains a highly provocative and influential pioneer of musical modernism.   This unique conference will offer a fresh look at the life and music of Arnold Schoenberg, the Austro-Hungarian/American composer, artist and innovator whose life and work spanned two world wars and two continents.  

Born Jewish, Schoenberg converted to Protestantism and then back to Judaism before he was forced to leave Germany in 1933 to flee the Nazis.   Later, Schoenberg would settle in Los Angeles and become an American citizen. Interacting with musicians, architects and painters including Wassily Kandinsky and Marc Chagall in Europe and socializing with celebrities like Charlie Chaplin, Oscar Levant, George Gershwin and Thomas Mann in Hollywood, Arnold Schoenberg has a very interesting biography.

The multimedia exhibition and films illuminate the fascinating and moving life of Schoenberg through, among other things, home video of him with famous personalities and at home with his family; family photo albums, his books, scores and paintings, audio with Schoenberg's original voice (in German and English) and 60 CD players to listen to his music.

The concerts of Schoenberg's music showcase ASU faculty artists and students along with prestigious guest artists Orion String Quartet, one of the most admired chamber ensembles on the international music scene, and Grammy-award winning soprano, Susan Narucki.

The symposium, "New Directions in Schoenberg Scholarship" featuring internationally renowned scholars offers new insight into the interdisciplinary and analytical aspects of Schoenberg's work, along with a special focus on Schoenberg's influence on Jazz.

"We are honored to host this unique conference and present a wide-range of mediums, including presentations, concerts, films and exhibitions, to stimulate us all," said Wayne Bailey, Director, School of Music. "The exchanges that occur at this event, both formal and casual, will undoubtedly help shape our musical future."

"This is a truly unique event to hold in an academic environment like ASU," Said J. Robert Wills, dean of the Herberger College of Fine Arts.   "Its interdisciplinary reach is boundless with Schoenberg's ties to music, art, religion, history, architecture and politics."  

For more information on any of the conference components, go to the School of Music Web site at http://music.asu.edu/schoenberg/index.htm or call conference coordinator, Sabine Feisst (480)965-3114. The films, concerts and multimedia exhibition are all free, excluding the March 22 Orion String Quartet and soprano Susan Narucki concert. Ticket buyers to that concert are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at (480) 965-TUNE or visit the Herberger College Web Site at http://herbergercollege.asu.edu. Tickets will be available at the door on a space-available basis. Symposium registration is $75.

A full schedule of Arnold Schoenberg Reconsidered concerts, films and multimedia exhibition follows.

Concerts

ASU Faculty Artists and Soprano Susan Narucki, Guest Artist
March 20, 7:30 p.m. 
Katzin Concert Hall 
Free Admission

ASU Faculty Artists
March 21, 7:30 p.m.
Katzin Concert Hall
Free Admission

Guest Artists: The Orion String Quartet and Soprano Susan Narucki 
March 22, 7:30 p.m. 
Katzin Concert Hall
$12.50 public, $5 students

Multimedia Exhibition

The exhibit will be shown at Gallery 100, ASU, Tempe Campus

Exhibit Opening and Reception: 
Sunday, March 20 2:30 pm 
Exhibit hours, 2:30-6:00 pm

Monday, March 21 
9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday, March 22 
9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday, March 23 
9:00 am-noon

Free Admission

Films

All films will be screened at the Recital Hall, Music Building, E510 (5th floor), ASU, Tempe Campus

Arnold Schoenberg. My War Years 
Monday, 21 March, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

The Visions of Adrian Marthaler 
Tuesday, 22 March, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Five Orchestral Pieces 
Tuesday, 22 March, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.,

Free Admission

The School of Music in the Arizona State University Herberger College of Fine Arts is one of the top music schools in the nation. More than 100 music faculty artists and scholars work with approximately 800 music majors each year in research, performance and scholarly activities. It presents approximately 700 concerts and recitals each season. To learn more about the School of Music, visit http://music.asu.edu .

Media Contact:
Mica Matsoff
(480) 965-0478
Mica.Matsoff@asu.edu