From Hanns Eisler: A Rebel in Music, a collection of selected writings by Hanns Eisler.
Edited and with introduction by Manfred Grabs, translated by Marjorie Meyer, and published by Kahn and Averill, London, 1978.
On Schönberg – 1935 (page 75)
“Schönberg is my teacher. I am immensely thankful to him for what he has done for me. I consider him the greatest modern bourgeois composer. If the bourgeoisie do not like his music that is regrettable for they have no better composer. To the uninitiated listener Schönberg’s music does not sound beautiful because it mirrors the capitalist world as it is without embellishment and because out of his work the face of capitalism stares directly at us. Due to his genius and complete mastery of technique, this face, revealed so starkly, frightens many. Schönberg, however, has performed a tremendous historical service. When his music is heard in the concert halls of the bourgeoisie they are no longer charming and agreeable centers of pleasure where one is moved by one’s own beauty but places where one is forced to think about the chaos and ugliness of the world or else turn one’s face away.