Peter Varley wrote in response to me: >... the posting went on to defend Berg and Schoenberg, including the >latter's 2nd String Quartet (which isn't atonal IIRC). Quite right it's not strictly atonal. It's not quite there yet, almost but not quite. But it's close enough. If it's not quite atonal it's not quite tonal either. It's so on the brink to the next step that it's an essential work to listen to explore as a stepping stone in Schoenberg's wonderful spiritual journal. That's why I chose to recommend it. To Schoenberg, going beyond tonality was a process of transcendentality not unlike the wild mysticism of Scriabin which similarly took him to the brink of atonality. This is something which you can experience with great immediacy in the Second String Quartet with the words 'ich fuehle Luft von anderen Planeten' (I feel the air other planets). The work remains so utterly Viennese, and very much a consolidation of the heritage of Brahms and Schubert. My favourite recording is still that from Margaret Price and the La Salle Quartet. The Britten SQ's version is quite appropriately coupled with Schubert's 'Death and the Maiden' Try it - you may never take anyone seriously again who goes on and on about how dry and academic Schoenberg sounds. Satoshi Akima Sydney, Australia akima69@ozemail,com.au