* Pierrot Lunaire (1912): A song cycle for voice and chamber ensemble, considered a landmark work of musical Expressionism. Its unconventional musical language and unsettling subject matter continue to fascinate audiences.
* String Quartet No. 2 in D minor, Op. 10 (1908): A highly personal and emotionally charged work, which reflects Schoenberg's growing interest in atonality.
* Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Op. 4 (1899): An early masterpiece, showcasing Schoenberg's mastery of romanticism and late-Romantic harmony.
* Moses und Aron (1932-1952): An unfinished opera, a complex and powerful work about the tension between faith and reason. It's a monumental piece of music with intense symbolism and philosophical depth.
* Variations on a Recitative, Op. 40 (1936): A set of variations for orchestra, showcasing Schoenberg's mastery of the twelve-tone technique.
* Ode to Napoleon (1942): A powerful and dramatic piece for chorus and orchestra, exploring the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Ultimately, the "masterpiece" of Schoenberg is a matter of personal preference. Each of these works demonstrates his genius and influence on the course of 20th-century music.