1. atonality: Schoenberg is credited with developing the technique of atonality, a compositional method that rejects traditional tonal centers and hierarchies, opening up new possibilities for harmonic and melodic exploration.
2. Twelve-Tone Technique: Schoenberg devised the twelve-tone technique, also known as serialism, which involves organizing and manipulating all twelve tones of the chromatic scale without privileging any one tone. This technique provided a systematic approach to composing atonal music and influenced the work of many subsequent composers.
3. Expressionism in music: Schoenberg was a leading figure in the Expressionist movement in music, which sought to convey intense emotions and subjective experiences through unconventional musical forms and techniques. His early works, such as "Pierrot Lunaire," exemplify this expressive approach.
4. Orchestral innovation: Schoenberg's orchestral works, such as "Gurre-Lieder" and "Verklarte Nacht," are known for their innovative use of orchestration, exploring new timbres, textures, and sonorities.
5. Music theory: Schoenberg's theoretical writings, particularly his seminal work "Theory of Harmony," offered a new framework for understanding and analyzing music, challenging traditional tonal harmony and providing insights into the structural principles of atonal music.
6. Influence on serialism and post-war music: Schoenberg's ideas had a profound impact on subsequent generations of composers. His twelve-tone technique became the foundation for serialism, a major compositional trend in the post-war period. His influence can be heard in the music of composers like Anton Webern, Alban Berg, Pierre Boulez, and Igor Stravinsky.
7. Teaching and mentorship: Schoenberg was a dedicated teacher and mentor to many prominent composers and musicians, including John Cage, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern. His pedagogical work contributed significantly to the development of modern music education.