Most Important Work of the Twentieth Century? Take a Look at Richard Strauss's "Salome"
John GibbonsIt is almost a commonplace idea that the most significant and influential works of the 20th century are by Stravinsky (Le Sacre du Printemps) or Schoenberg (Pierrot Lunaire, or possibly Erwartung). Some might even nominate Debussy (Pelleas et Melsande, or even the piano preludes). Some deliberately eccentric commentators may throw works by Ives or Varese into the ring. Some commentators might nominate the two operas by Alban Berg. Wozzeck and Lulu are merely the greatest works of the century, not the most influential. They defy imitation. A formidable personality like Richard Taruskin might lean toward Shostakovich. I think this latter is problematical in many, many ways.
I nominate Strauss’s Salome. Take a look at chronology…Salome came out in 1905, a half dozen or so years before Pierrot and Le Sacre, and half a generation before Wozzeck and Varese and a few years before Erwartung, which is immeasurably indebted to it. Pelleas came out in 1902, I know. But was it really that influential outside of France?
What is so special about this work that gives a key to its importance to the 20th century specifically?
1. The 20th century is the age of Freud. Of dreams, neuroses, sexuality. No work better epitomises these things than Salome, except perhaps Strauss’s own Elektra (1909), which is not only inconceivable without Salome; in fact, you could even argue that it is a continuation of Salome. I think the music is better, but that’s just one factor.
2. The 20th century is the age of the orchestra. Take a look at the score. Rarely equalled (Elektra, Gurrelieder) never surpassed. Its totally relevant complexity, masterful insight into the instruments, surpassing delicacy and astounding violence remains a model to this day.
3. The 20th century is the age of brevity. (forget Messiaen and Stockhausen, those guys are so mired in the 19th century it isn’t even funny. Vingt Regards is Alkan redux. (I love it though, I assure you. The way I love Liszt!) Licht is pure Richard Wagner. Now take a look at Salome. Strauss gets you out of there in a hour and a half. Rossini and Wagner get you out in 4 hours. Handel, well, he never lets you out.
4. The 20th century is the age of the anti-hero. This seems so obvious, I’m reluctant to say more.
Envoi: I suggest that Strauss’s retreat, his retreat into pompous barons, melancholy countesses, Greek mythic figures, commedia dell’arte, bittersweet poetry shows an awareness of what the century was, in essence, and he fully understood his primary musical function (up to 1911) in defining it.
Reader Comments (4)
"Important" is used in the title and "influential" is used shortly after with at least some implication that importance requires influence on subsequent compositions, and that the greater the influence, the greater the importance. Assuming you meant that, I agree. To set the stage for the Twentieth century, I would propose that the most important work of the 19th century is Beethoven's 3rd Symphony, the "Eroica". (The only other possible contender I can think of is Beethoven's 5th Symphony.) Note that the Eroica is from 1804, which gives it 96 years of potential influence (in its own century), and Salome has 95 years of potential influence for its century. Therefore, works near the beginning of a century have a big "head-start' in the "importance' sweepstakes.
Returning to the 20th century, and ignoring those highly disputable characteristics listed above such as Freud (what about Jung?), I nominate Terry Riley's In C (1964) as the most important work of the century. It is the clear source of both minimalism and the return to tonality which is the most salient aspect of the current compositional scene. In C led to Glass, Reich and most importantly, John Adams. Even if pure minimalism is over, its characteristics infuse much of today's music. Also note that In C has only had 35-40 years to exert influence, which makes its importance all the more compelling.
Salome led to Elektra and the operas of Schreker, and I love it (it was my very first opera purchased on LP - Nilsson and Solti), but it just is not that important.
Obviously I disagree. But that's O.K., although I'm astounded that a sophisticated listener wouldn't at least consider Salome an eminent contender for the title. Strauss may have led to Schreker, or Zemlinsky, or even Schoenberg, but above all, Salome and Elektra, along with Erwartung, epitomise an era, and even, in a way, make inevitable a reaction to their own Success, or excess. Why isn't the 20th century the age of Freud? Although Freud was writing "Interpretaion of Dreams" in Vienna while Strauss was writing "Also Sprach Zarathustra" I'm not suggesting Strauss was influenced by Freud, or even knew anything of his work, they were just concerned with many of the same subjects. (especially the concept of the unconscious) I don't agree with the Freud bashers (I'm not saying you're one of them!) In fact, before I knew anything of Freud I was a sort of Freud basher. But in connection with a class on the fin de siecle I gave a few years ago, I read hundreds of pages of Freud and was convinced. Convinced, too, that Mahler, Strauss, and Schoenberg are very, very simpatico with his general way of looking at things. As for Riley's "In C" and the return to tonality, I think the jury's still out. And if you nominate it, its because of influence rather than "intrinsic" musical worth. I absolutely agree with you about the "Eroica", absolutely. You should also realize, that as this is a new blogging website, I want to stir up some controversy. I think I'll invite readers to nominate their own "most important work of the century". Hot enuff fer ya?
I don't think Freud has much to do with musical importance or influence.
I totally agree that my nomination of In C is based on influence, not intrinsic worth. Possibly I share your interest in stirring up some controversy! (I had already concluded that controversy was the only possible justification for your advancing the cause of Salome).
As you have now asked about the 18th century, I' ll start it off with nominating Bach's Well Tempered Clavier.
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