Arnold Schonberg (1874-1951) was an Austrian composer and music theorist who moved to the United States in 1934. He is known as an influential composer who developed the 12-tone-technique. This technique is what we use today, better known as the Chromatic Scale. He was also one of the leading composers who utilized the idea of motifs throughout compositions and another phrase that describes uniting development and variation which is known as Developing Variation. In his early career he was quite popular because he was able to keep the traditions of Brahams and Wagner which were traditionally of conflicting interest with society. Another impressive feat: he finalized the formal compositional method.
As a teacher of composition, Schoenberg taught Hanns Eisler, Earl Kim and Albam Berg among many other prominent musicians. His idea of asking the audience to think analytically is reflected throughout the avant-garde music of the 20th century. His polemical views of music history and aesthetics influenced many musicologists and critics, such as Adorno, Rosen and Dahlahus.
Most impressive to all of this - although Schoenberg's mother was a piano teacher, he was a self-taught musician and composer.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
