Schoenberg's "Phantasy" Form

Author

Lisa A. Tipton, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

6-2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

D.M.A.

Program

Music

Advisor

Joseph Straus

Committee Members

Philip Lambert

Norman Carey

Sylvia Kahan

Subject Categories

Arts and Humanities | Music

Keywords

Schoenberg, Phantasy, Op. 47, Form

Abstract

Scholars have long debated the form of Schoenberg’s Phantasy for Violin and Piano accompaniment, Op. 47, his last instrumental work. The numerous accounts (by Rufer, Lewin, Lester, Hasty, Hyde, and others) have variously proposed a pseudo-sonata, a three-part, and a four-part form. This dissertation suggests that the piece is best thought of as a multi-layered four-part form, in which the thematic pattern ABB¹A¹ is found at every structural level, from the phrase up to the entire work. An intriguing compositional sketch found on the Schoenberg Center’s website inspired the exploration of a four-part form with elements of symmetry. Linear graphs and rectangular outlines of the form of the Phantasy illustrate Schoenberg’s concept of symmetry within the four-part design on every level.

My analysis suggests that Schoenberg creates the Phantasy with the principal hexachord [F, G, A, Bb, B, C#] sc 6-21 (023468) as the Grundgestalt and combines it with its combinatorially related inversion to construct the prime row, P₁₀, with a micro “abba” design. Schoenberg composes four-part patterns on every level culminating in an overall ABB¹A¹ formal design with elements of symmetry that create unity. The micro and macro ABB¹A¹’s mirror each other to create a paradigm of the twelve-tone system. This dissertation explores Schoenberg’s Phantasy as his fantasy four-part symmetrical ABB¹A¹ design within a heroic form (albeit relatively short). This ABB¹A¹ design represents a formal paradigm of the structures inherent in his twelve-tone system from the Grundgestalt through the overall form. Furthermore, this paper offers a rebuttal to Boulez’s “Schoenberg is Dead” proclamation.

Recommended Citation

Tipton, Lisa A., "Schoenberg's "Phantasy" Form" (2017). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/2131