Dr Nicholas Haralambous

PhD thesis

Schoenberg's Musical Idea: Perspectives on Analysis, Performance, and Performance Analysis

My PhD research explored Arnold Schoenberg’s notion of the ‘musical idea’ (musikalischer Gedanke), showing how its implications challenge the structuralist paradigms that have historically shaped Schoenberg analysis and performance. By addressing a range of published and manuscript sources, the thesis outlined a conceptual framework grounded in Schoenberg’s thinking, which both affords a greater degree of interpretative play and suggests concrete strategies by which it may be effected. In these ways, the research proposed a more diverse and provisional approach to Schoenberg interpretation. It is hoped that this will improve access to and engagement with Schoenberg’s music.

After the PhD

After completing my PhD, I took up employment as an Adjunct Lecturer in Music Theory at the University of Cape Town. Besides my teaching responsibilities, I am preparing articles drawn from my PhD research for publication.