Society for Private Musical Performances
| Company type | Society |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music performance |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Founder | Arnold Schoenberg |
| Defunct | 1921 |
| Headquarters | Vienna , Austria |
Area served | Vienna, Prague (successor society) |
The Society for Private Musical Performances (in German: Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen) was established in Vienna during the autumn of 1918 by Arnold Schoenberg. Its purpose was to offer meticulously rehearsed and accessible presentations of contemporary music exclusively to genuinely engaged members of the musical community.
History
From February 1919 until its closure in December 1921 due to Austrian hyperinflation, the Society delivered a total of 353 concerts showcasing 154 compositions across 117 events, involving 79 performers and ensembles.
Concerts were generally held on a weekly basis, with programming spanning from "Mahler to the present day." The repertoire was diverse, featuring composers outside Schoenberg’s immediate circle, including Béla Bartók, Alban Berg, Ferrucio Busoni, Claude Debussy, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Gustav Mahler, Maurice Ravel, Max Reger, Erik Satie, Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky, and Anton Webern. Interestingly, Schoenberg initially refrained from presenting his own works.
The performers comprised skilled young musicians who underwent rigorous rehearsals under the guidance of Schoenberg or designated performance directors such as Berg, Webern, Benno Sachs, Rudolf Kolisch, Erwin Stein, and Eduard Steuermann. The focus was on precision and intelligibility; audiences occasionally attended open rehearsals, and challenging pieces were often repeated multiple times within a single concert.
Attendance was limited strictly to members to prevent disturbances and deter hostile critics—signage explicitly stated (Critics are forbidden entry). Programs were kept confidential until the time of performance, and any form of applause or negative reaction during concerts was prohibited.
To support the Society financially during the period of hyperinflation, Schoenberg arranged a special event on 27 May 1921 featuring four chamber adaptations of Johann Strauss II waltzes by himself, Alban Berg, and Anton von Webern. Following the concert, original manuscripts were auctioned. Despite these efforts, the Society ceased operations before realizing an ambitious arrangement of Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 by Hanns Eisler, Karl Rankl, and Erwin Stein.
A subsequent Society operated in Prague from April 1922 to May 1924 under the leadership of Alexander von Zemlinsky, with Schoenberg serving as honorary president. This organization attracted over 400 members—surpassing Vienna’s membership—and primarily consisted of amateurs including civil servants, writers, medical professionals, lawyers, educators, businesspeople, actors, painters, students, and musicians.
The legacy of the Society is upheld today by ensembles such as Munich's Taschenphilharmonie and the Linos Ensemble.
See also
Further reading
- , "Schönbergs Wiener Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen"; Ivan Vojtech, "Der Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen in Prag" – both featured in Ernst Hilmar, ed. Arnold Schönberg Gedenkausstellung (Vienna, 1974)
- "Schönbergs Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen". Musik-Konzepte 36 (Munich 1984)