Schoenberg composed Accompaniment to a Film-Scene (Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielszene), Op. 34, for a silent film that existed only in his imagination. It was premiered in Berlin in 1930 with Otto Klemperer conducting. It later received its American premiere at the Hollywood Bowl on July 24, 1933, under the direction of Nicolas Slonimsky. Schoenberg's scenario moves through three parts: "Threatening Danger," "Fear," and "Catastrophe," each of which is clearly and vividly described in the music. The music itself is composed in Schoenberg's system of composing with 12 tones related only to one another, which has the effect of sounding like strictly organized chaos, surely the effect Schoenberg was aiming at. Begleitungsmusik zu einer Lichtspielszene is scored for a small orchestra, albeit it one with a very large percussion section. There are actually several moods within this brief, approximately eight-minute work: A soft shuddering of strings and single one-note solos from the winds, lead to fuller patterns in the strings. Engaging rhythmic variations on a restricted range of notes form the structure of these patternings. A slightly grotesque joking "pratfall" pattern leads to more lighthearted gestures. The music gains momentum and fullness, developing into complex, rushing, still dissonant 3/4 patterns until an extended melody in the strings, preceded by cymbals and gongs, makes the mood decidedly more romantic. A mysterious undercurrent reasserts itself and a midnight mystery, even horror movie seems in progress, and the music fragments quietly to a conclusion.

© All Music Guide