Did you know that the famous composer Arnold Schoenberg had a fear of the number 13? This phobia is called triskaidekaphobia. It’s a real condition that affects many people, but it’s rare to see it in someone as successful and accomplished as Schoenberg.
Schoenberg’s fear of the number 13 was so intense that he went to great lengths to avoid it. He would often change his street address or room number to avoid the number 13, and he refused to write a 13th measure in his musical compositions. He believed that the number brought him bad luck and that it would be detrimental to his success.
But as fate would have it, Schoenberg’s obsession with the number 13 didn’t save him from its grasp. On Friday, July 13, 1951, Schoenberg died at the age of 76. It’s ironic that he should pass away on the very day and number that he had feared for so long.
Despite his phobia, Schoenberg was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He pioneered the use of atonality in music and inspired generations of composers to push the boundaries of traditional composition. His legacy lives on to this day, and his contributions to music will always be remembered.
In the end, Arnold Schoenberg’s fear of the number 13 didn’t define him. It was just a small part of his complex and fascinating life. So the next time you see the number 13, don’t be afraid. Instead, think of the brilliant composer who had a phobia of it but still achieved so much.
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