The problem of genre in the work of Alban Berg: tradition as Aussenhalt

Abstract

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the functioning of the genre system in the work of A. Berg. Not being an innovator in the field of genre, Berg adheres to the traditional genre nomenclature, opera, symphony, sonata, quartet occupy the highest position in his genre hierarchy. At the same time, these genres act as an Aussenhalt, that is, an “external support”, a “frame” that sets boundaries and protects against anarchy, releasing the composer's imagination. A genre can manifest itself implicitly, covertly, being included in an extensive system of symbolism: it requires interpretation and itself becomes one of the ways to interpret a musical work as a whole or certain fragments of it.

Keywords

Music of the twentieth century, Alban Berg, genre, Aussenhalt, tradition