Beethoven's Trills, Webern's Bagatelle, and the Shards of Tradition (original) (raw)

This paper investigates the interplay between tradition and innovation in the music of Anton Webern, particularly focusing on the use of musical figures and their connections to the Classical-Romantic tradition. It argues that Webern's works, while characterized by their modernity, are deeply rooted in earlier musical conventions, employing gestures and topoi that evoke a historical context. Through an intertextual analysis, the essay explores how listeners interpret these elements, highlighting the subjective nature of musical meaning and the role of the listener in constructing interpretations that recognize both historical influences and individual experience.