This treatise relates Schoenberg's concept of the musical idea. It defines his thought on gestalt, motive, grundgestalt, phrase, rhythm and accent, the construction function of harmony, homophonic and contrapuntal forms, and compositional coherence.
Arnold Schoenberg (1874–1951) is one of the most prominent figures in 20th-century music and musical thought, perhaps best known for his development of Twelve Tone theory.
Patricia Carpenter (1923–2000) was Professor Emerita, Barnard College, and former Vice President of the Society for Music Theory.
Severine Neff is currently Eugene Falk Distinguished Professor in the Department of Music at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.