Heinrich Schenker (1868-1935) was an influential Austrian music theorist and composer, best known for his contributions to music analysis and interpretation rather than as a performing artist. His primary focus was on the structure and organization of Western classical music, particularly from the late Romantic period. Schenker's work falls within the genre of music theory and analysis. His notable works include "Free Composition" (1935), which presents his analytical techniques, and "Harmony" (1922), where he developed his ideas on tonal harmony. Schenker’s analytical method, often referred to as Schenkerian analysis, emphasizes the underlying structures of musical compositions, revealing the relationships between surface melodies and deeper harmonic frameworks. Schenker's impact on music theory is profound, influencing both music analysis and pedagogy. His ideas have shaped the study of tonal music in the 20th century and continue to inform contemporary music scholarship. Despite some criticism for being overly prescriptive, his insights into the hierarchical nature of musical structures have made him a central figure in music theory, affecting how musicians and scholars understand and interpret Western classical music.