Karl Kraus and the Schoenberg School

This is virtually the only in-depth study of the Schoenberg-Kraus relationship by a trained musician. Johnson discusses the extensive influence of Kraus’ ethical view of language on the music not only of Schoenberg himself, but of his pupils, in addition to a fairly comprehensive consideration of the personal relations among them. In the process, he traces the connection between Kraus’ principles and many specific doctrines of the Second Viennese School, including Schoenberg’s conception of the “musical idea,” and his belief in the universal nature of musical logic.