Description
This chamber music composition, created between 1907 and 1908, signifies a pivotal moment not only in Schönberg's oeuvre but also in the broader narrative of modern music. The traditional major-minor tonality, which had been a cornerstone for centuries, is progressively set aside throughout the four movements in favor of a liberated atonality. This departure from established musical conventions is further exemplified in the final two movements, where Schönberg incorporates a solo soprano performing settings of two poems by Stefan George. With the shift towards atonality, Schönberg paves the way for a novel musical language that would eventually evolve into twelve-tone music. Undoubtedly, his second String Quartet stands as a significant milestone in the evolution of music. The new Henle edition, edited by Schönberg expert Ullrich Scheideler, reflects the most current research findings. The Henle Urtext edition presents this modern classic in a fresh, thoughtfully designed musical format.
