1918: Schönberg Founds “The Society for Private Musical Performances”

In the modern period, no art form had to fight so repeatedly for recognition as did music. The public vehemently rejected the Viennese School and especially its leading figure, Arnold Schönberg. This was not only due to the new, and for many, unfamiliar musical language: art should not only serve as entertainment, but should also spiritually challenge listeners. The Society for Private Musical Performances was founded in 1918 on Schönberg’s initiative and with the goal of offering its members ideal conditions for the examination of contemporary pieces. Through intensive rehearsal work, all details of the repeatedly performed works were to be heard – often, composers created new arrangements for small ensembles out of the works initially meant for big ensembles. The concerts were in no way confined to the narrower circles of the Viennese School. Until the cessation of the Society’s activities in 1921, the works of over 40 composers with international origins and with different aesthetic views were presented in more than 100 concerts.