A View of Berg's Lulu: Through the Autograph Sources

Patricia Hall's new book is the first detailed analysis of the sketches for the opera Lulu by Alban Berg, as well as other related autograph material and previously inaccessible correspondence. It examines the format and chronology of the sketches and demonstrates their unique potential to clarify aspects of Berg's compositional language. Hall's innovative work suggests important techniques for understanding other twentieth-century composers' sketches and manuscripts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 19 August 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

After 50 years of meticulous analysis, we are only now beginning to unravel the profound depth and intricate complexity of Alban Berg's most renowned twelve-tone masterpiece, the opera Lulu. In this regard, Patricia Hall's groundbreaking new book stands as a vital contribution to our understanding, offering the first comprehensive examination of the sketches for the opera, as well as other related autograph material and previously unseen correspondence to Berg.

In 1959, Berg's widow entrusted the first of Berg's autograph manuscripts to the Austrian National Library. The complete collection of autographs for Lulu was made accessible to scholars in 1981, ushering in a promising new era in Lulu scholarship. Hall begins her study by delving into the format and chronology of the sketches, showcasing their unique ability to shed light on various aspects of Berg's compositional language. Throughout each chapter, Hall employs Berg's sketches to address significant issues and controversies that have arisen in the study of Lulu. For instance, she explores the dramatic symbolism behind Berg's use of multiple roles and how these roles contribute to the opera's overarching structure. She also challenges the prevailing notion that Berg frequently employed a free twelve-tone style.

Hall's innovative work presents valuable techniques for comprehending not only Berg's sketches and manuscripts but also those of other twentieth-century composers. This title is proudly part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, a testament to the press's unwavering commitment to seeking out and nurturing the brightest minds, providing them with a platform to express their ideas, reach a wider audience, and make a lasting impact. Drawing upon a rich backlist dating back to 1893, Voices Revived employs print-on-demand technology to make high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again. Originally published in 1996, this title remains a valuable resource for scholars and music enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520365803