Unit 4: Berg and Wozzeck

Question 1

Dates

Answer 1

1885-1935

Question 2

Musical Style and Contributions

Answer 2

Balanced tonal and atonal elements in his music
Approach to serial technique was liberal; tone rows often have tonal implication
Was able to make his twelve-tone compositions “accessible”, conveying more emotion and lyricism than Schoenberg or Webern
Influenced by Mahler’s orchestral color and Wagner’s use of Leitmotifs
Also influenced by Debussy’s use of whole-tone scales and parallel chord motion

Question 3

Genres and Titles

Answer 3

Wozzeck, Lulu

Question 4

V: Cluster Chord

Answer 4

A dissonant chord consisting of major and minor seconds
On the piano, three or more adjacent keys
Often employed in atonal music

Question 5

Wozzeck: Genre

Answer 5

Expressionist Opera

Question 6

Wozzeck: Composition Date

Answer 6

1922

Question 7

Wozzeck: Language

Answer 7

German

Question 8

Wozzeck: Source of Plot

Answer 8

19th century play Woyzeck

Question 9

Wozzeck: Libertto

Answer 9

Prepared by the composer himself

Question 10

Wozzeck: Structure

Answer 10

Three acts; five scenes in each act