Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer, music theorist, and painter, born in 1874. He is best known for developing the twelve-tone technique, a method of composition that uses all twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a specific order. This approach marked a significant shift in the world of classical music, moving away from traditional tonal structures. Schoenberg's work had a profound influence on 20th-century music, inspiring many composers and movements. He also founded the Second Viennese School, which included notable composers like Alban Berg and Anton Webern. Schoenberg's contributions continue to be studied and celebrated in contemporary music education.