The Embodiment of Ugliness in 20th Century Western Music: A Case Study of Schoenberg's Prelude

Abstract

This article traces the historical emergence and development of the concept of ugliness in Western classical art, focusing on its evolution from ancient Greece to the 20th century. Initially, beauty was revered above all else, with ugliness deemed impure and sinful. However, thinkers like Augustine introduced the idea of relative ugliness, highlighting its role as a contrast to beauty. In the 18th century, Baumgarten defined aesthetics, exploring the notion of ugliness as the opposite of beauty. Rosenkranz further categorized ugliness into natural, spiritual, and artistic forms, laying the foundation for modern ugliness studies. The tumultuous social backdrop of the 19th and 20th centuries, including the World Wars and economic disparities, saw a resurgence of interest in ugliness as a means of artistic expression. This trend manifested notably in expressionist music, exemplified by Arnold Schoenberg's adoption of the twelve-tone technique. Schoenberg's "Prelude" is analyzed to demonstrate how he utilized rhythm, meter, dynamics, and melodic direction to embody the principles of ugliness studies. The article concludes by emphasizing the significance of ugliness studies in modern and contemporary art, challenging traditional aesthetic principles and contributing to a broader understanding of artistic movements beyond beauty.