Today is the birthday of composer Arnold Schoenberg (September 13, 1874 -July 13, 1951.) The name Schoenberg strikes fear into the hearts of audiences more than any other composer. (Isn’t it amazing that he was born in 1874?) Although Schoenberg invented atonality and the 12-tone composition technique, his ideas came directly from the composers who wrote before him. His early works were obviously romantic and he listed Mozart as an important influence. Schoenberg was also a painter. To celebrate his birthday, here are three self-portraits.