ca. 1900
Austrian National Library, Vienna
In cultural history, experiencing scenery and the encounter between humans and nature – as a phenomenon of aesthetic feeling – has always been linked to painting, poetry, and music. Like many of his artist contemporaries, Arnold Schönberg spent his summer vacations far away from urban distractions, giving free rein to his creativity during extended visits to the countryside. In Payerbach (Lower Austria) he composed the string sextet Verklärte Nacht [Transfigured Night], op. 4 in the late summer of 1899.