The composer associated with the twelve-tone technique has which nationality?

The composer associated with the twelve-tone technique has which nationality?

• A. German
• B. American
• C. Austrian
• D. Austrian-American

Answer: (D)

The twelve-tone technique was created by Arnold Schoenberg, who was born in Vienna, Austria. He devised the method of organizing pitch using a tone row to move beyond traditional tonal harmony. He later emigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen, so he is commonly described as Austrian-American. That combination captures both his origin and his later citizenship, which is why Austrian-American is the most accurate descriptor. An exclusively German or American label misses either his Austrian birth or his eventual citizenship, respectively.

The twelve-tone technique was created by Arnold Schoenberg, who was born in Vienna, Austria. He devised the method of organizing pitch using a tone row to move beyond traditional tonal harmony. He later emigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen, so he is commonly described as Austrian-American. That combination captures both his origin and his later citizenship, which is why Austrian-American is the most accurate descriptor. An exclusively German or American label misses either his Austrian birth or his eventual citizenship, respectively.