Symphony, Op. 21 | |
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Symphony (or chamber or miniature symphony)[1] by Anton Webern | |
Opus | 21[2] |
Period | die Neue Musik (20th-century music) |
Language | German |
Composed | 1927–1928 |
Dedication | Webern's youngest daughter Christine Mattl (née Webern)[3] |
Duration | 10–20 minutes[4] |
Movements | I. Ruhig schreitend II. Variationen[5] |
Scoring | 1 clarinet[5] 1 bass clarinet 2 horns 1 harp strings senza bassi |
Premiere | |
Date | 18 December 1929[6] | (world premiere)
Location | Town Hall, New York[6] |
Conductor | Alexander Smallens[6] |
Performers | Orchestra of the League of Composers[6] |
Anton Webern's Symphony, Op. 21 (1927–1928), his first twelve-tone orchestral work,[7] is 10–20-minute two-movement chamber or miniature symphony. It is known for its Alpine topics,[8] abstraction,[9] and intricate musical form, including some fixed register. The influence of Gustav Mahler is clear from the start. Alexander Smallens conducted the world premiere at New York's Town Hall on 18 December 1929.