When I think of Arnold Schoenberg, I think of medicine. Like medicine, his music is sometimes difficult to take, but it’s supposed to be good for you. It’s better when taken in small doses. Understanding how it works can positively affect the outcome. And a spoonful of sugar is always a good idea.

Vocalist Elizabeth Erskine Patches and pianist Cheryl Tschanz provided the medicine, the understanding and the sugar as well in a “Schoenberg Encounter Concert” Sunday afternoon in Minsky Hall at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono.

Compositions by this founding father of 20th century 12-tone music can be challenging for 21st century listeners. To familiarize the audience with the musical vocabulary and emotional dialogue in Schoenberg’s “15 Poems from The Book of Hanging Gardens,” Patches and Tschanz alternated songs from more traditional composers with portions from the Schoenberg piece.

This interleaving of songs was a useful teaching device. It helped the appreciation of the uninterrupted performance of the Schoenberg song cycle in the second half of the concert.

However, it was not a kind thing to do to the smaller songs used as background. Some of these were lovely and deserved to be heard on their own merits.

Of particular note was “Die Katzenpfote,” a lively piece from the 15th century, and the passionate setting of Goethe’s “Restless Love” by Franz Schubert. “The Sentinel’s Nightsong,” by Gustav Mahler, was poignant and timely with its alternating verses about war and love.

Although Patches began the evening with a cautious vocal style, by the second half of the concert she was in fine form. Her rich voice softened the astringency of Schoenberg, while pianist Tschanz performed with grace and vigor.

The concert was, at the very least, intellectually interesting, and yet, despite the lecturelike format, the music was oddly compelling and emotionally riveting.

But, though the performance was quite lovely, the emotional landscape which this significant but challenging music inhabits is one of twisted desire, thwarted passions and ultimate hopelessness.

To quote Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Even the charming presentation and dynamic performances of this gifted pair of Maine musicians could hardly make Schoenberg’s music cheerful, but they made it palatable.

Patches and Tschanz are both members of the music faculty at Colby College, where they will be reprising this “Schoenberg Encounter Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11, in the Given Auditorium.

For more information call 207-859-5670, or check online at www.colby.edu.