Schönberg as a teacher

In Schönberg's life teaching played a great part, it can be regarded as a counterpart to his activity as a composer. He tried to develop the idiosyncracy of his pupils. He himself was self-taught and had gained his knowledge from Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms. That is what he also demanded from his pupils. He did not only teach what he himself knew but also what the pupil had to know. He expected individual answers and solutions from his pupils. In the preface to his treatise on harmony he wrote: "This book I have learned from my pupils."

The Society for Private Musical Performances