Alban Berg

Austrian Composer of the Second Viennese School

Alban Berg (1885–1935) was an Austrian composer associated with the Second Viennese School, a group of composers that included Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern, who were pivotal in the development of atonality and twelve-tone technique in classical music. Berg is best known for his operas "Wozzeck" and "Lulu," which are considered masterpieces of early 20th-century opera. "Wozzeck," completed in 1922, is based on the play "Woyzeck" by Georg Büchner and was one of the first operas to incorporate atonal music, reflecting the psychological turmoil of the protagonist. "Lulu," left incomplete upon Berg's death and later finished by Friedrich Cerha, is based on two plays by Frank Wedekind and continues Berg's exploration of complex characters and innovative musical language. Both operas showcase Berg's ability to blend traditional operatic elements with groundbreaking harmonic and structural techniques. His work has had a lasting impact on contemporary classical music, influencing generations of composers.