The role of the trichord as the basic structural unit of the String Trio by Arnold Schoenberg

• Main Author: Martz, Robert William
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-1999
• Subjects: Music
• ISBN: 0599468068; 9780599468061

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the String Trio , Op. 45 by Arnold Schoenberg in order to determine a structural basis for the work that would conform to twelve-tone theory and methodologies. A major area of concern in regard to this composition is the issue of the reordering of pitch classes in the hexachords found in the matrix of the piece. Most popular theories and ideas advanced regarding this issue involve the usage of hexachords which contain pitch class combinations derived in an arbitrary manner and which are usually outside the normal practice of twelve-tone composition. Given these factors then, this study sought to identify, if possible, a structural basis for this work that would be more in keeping with twelve-tone practice. The major finding of this study was that it is the trichord along with trichordal partitioning rather than the hexachord that forms the basis for the piece. The paper contains a detailed analysis of the work which demonstrates the dominance of the trichord and shows the instability of the hexachord in this composition. Also included in the paper are several tables offered in support of this thesis. Other finding such as the use of areas in the String Trio are also presented and discussed.