Hi Martin,
I enjoyed the music very much, thanks for the links !
My favourite composer is Dmitri Shostakovich, so you undrerstand, why.
The variations on a recitativ are very deep down in soul of the composer. As Shoenberg was at the end of his life he may did his way back to the start of the whole voyage through the whole work.
With contemporary music there's always the problem of clear theme melody.
As Stravinsky wrote, melody is the 1st essential element of music after rythm of course. Then comes harmony and the talent of positioning the voices together, like Beethoven had. But Verdi on the other hand had the talent of melody.
So, my approach on music works is this, but there are pieces that I like without knowing why, they just speak to my soul.
There are many works from our beloved Bach, Bux, Pach, Stanley ect that they don't have any reason to exist, like another brick on the wall. One of the same, just a change of key and scales.
And this is true, as they had to live in a world of high rich and high poor and they had to compose from request and get paid for living.
Have you seen Messianen at the organ improvising with the mixtures ? (!!!)
It's at least inspiring.
I wish I could see Bux improvising and Sebastian performing....
Have fun !
Panos