born Feb. 9, 1885, Vienna, Austria-Hungary
died Dec. 24, 1935, Vienna, Austria
Austrian composer.
He was largely self-taught musically until he met atonality and finally (1925) to 12-tone composition. His Expressionist opera Wozzeck (1922) would become the most universally acclaimed post-Romantic opera. His second opera, Lulu , on which he worked for six years, remained unfinished at his death. Berg's other works include two string quartets, including the Lyric Suite (1926); Three Pieces for Orchestra (1915); and a violin concerto (1935).