Webern, Anton (1883-1945) was a composer born in Vienna. He studied composition under Schoenberg at the University of Vienna. One of his fellow students was Alban Berg (1885-1935). They were key members of the Neue Wiener Schule (New Viennese School) and pioneered avant-garde music using the twelve-tone technique. Tragically, shortly after the end of World War II, Webern was accidentally shot and killed by an American soldier when he lit a cigarette on his balcony.