Chapter 27 - Perspectives on Schoenberg and Stravinsky: Adorno and Others

Summary

Schoenberg and Stravinsky: compare and contrast. Setting aside the surfeit of binary logic which might threaten to engulf the proposition, geographical point/counterpoint in this instance began in two locations – Leopoldstadt, Vienna and Oranienbaum (now Lomonosov), St Petersburg – separated by almost 1,900 kilometres. By 1941, when Stravinsky took up residence in Los Angeles at 1260 North Wetherley Drive, West Hollywood, nine miles east of Schoenberg’s home at 116 North Rockingham Avenue, Brentwood, physical proximity would do little to alter the prevailing impression of their remaining not just words but also culturally segregated worlds apart. Schoenberg and Stravinsky went on to spend the remainder of their lives domiciled in the United States, and as naturalised American citizens. Moreover, creative priorities eventually turned out to dictate an altogether extraordinary point of convergence when in the early 1950s, but following Schoenberg’s death, Stravinsky began to compose using serial principles.