Commentary: An L.A. Phil champion of Schoenberg for six decades, Zubin Mehta returns to show why

Arnold Schoenberg, born in Vienna in 1874 and passing away in Los Angeles in 1951, was arguably one of the most radically divisive major composers, but also one of the most radically inclusive. He significantly transformed European music to fit his style, and later did the same for Hollywood. His devotion to progress could be described as obsessive, yet he maintained a deep respect for the past while leading the way towards a future that resisted change with every step.