Arnold Schönberg
From Today till Tomorrow, op. 32
Sketch for the disposition of the twelve-tone row. 1928/29

Von heute auf morgen, op. 32, which was begun in the French Riviera commune of Roquebrune in 1928, is Schönberg’s contribution to the genre of “Zeitoper“ [opera of the time]. The piece is conceived as a mirthful critique of passing fads in both life and music. Schönberg sought to write music that was memorable and appealing. In sketches and row charts, he experimented with segments of the twelve-tone row that recur in similar groupings and facilitate orientation within the complex compositional structure. The composer recalled that this way of working also suited the singers: “The technique, rhythm and intonation of all these parts were tremendously difficult for them, though they all possessed absolute pitch. But suddenly one of the singers came and told me that since he had become familiar with the basic set, everything seemed easier for him. At short intervals all the other singers told me the same thing independently.“