Krenek: Songs

Immerse yourself in the rich and diverse world of Ernst Krenek's vocal and chamber music with this captivating album, "Krenek: Songs." This collection, released on the Capriccio label, offers a profound exploration of Krenek's artistic journey, spanning various styles and periods of his prolific career. With a duration of 57 minutes, the album features a meticulously curated selection of songs and chamber pieces, each showcasing Krenek's unique compositional voice.

The album opens with "Monolog der Stella, Op. 57a," a poignant arrangement for soprano and piano, followed by a series of moving songs from "O Lacrymosa, Op. 48" and "Durch die Nacht, Op. 67." These works highlight Krenek's ability to blend lyrical beauty with structural complexity, creating a deeply engaging listening experience. The album also includes selections from "Wechselrahmen, Op. 189," a cycle of songs that demonstrates Krenek's mastery of vocal writing and his exploration of modern harmonic languages.

Ernst Krenek, an Austrian-born composer who later became an American citizen, was known for his innovative approach to composition. He explored atonality and other modern styles, leaving behind a vast and diverse oeuvre that reflects his creative evolution over more than eight decades. This album provides a glimpse into his extensive body of work, offering both familiar and lesser-known pieces that reveal the depth and breadth of his musical vision.

The performances on this album are brought to life by the Ernst Krenek Ensemble, a group dedicated to promoting Krenek's chamber music and songs. Their commitment to authenticity and artistic excellence ensures that each note resonates with the composer's original intent, providing an authentic and immersive experience for the listener.

Whether you are a seasoned fan of Krenek's music or a newcomer to his work, this album offers a compelling introduction to the composer's unique artistic voice. With its diverse repertoire and high-quality performances, "Krenek: Songs" is a testament to the enduring relevance and beauty of Ernst Krenek's musical legacy.

Ernst Krenek, born in Vienna in 1900, was a prolific and versatile Austrian-American composer whose career spanned over seven decades, reflecting the major musical trends of the 20th century. Krenek's oeuvre is a testament to his insatiable curiosity and innovative spirit, encompassing styles from neoromantic tonality and neoclassicism to atonality, serialism, and even jazz influences. He was a prominent exponent of the serial technique and wrote a significant number of works using the twelve-tone system. Krenek's contributions to the piano concerto repertoire are particularly notable, standing alongside those of Bartók and Prokofiev. Beyond his compositional work, Krenek was also a prolific writer, penning several influential books on music. His journey took him from Vienna and Berlin to various universities in the US and Canada, where he taught and continued to compose until his passing in 1991. Krenek's music offers a rich and diverse sonic landscape, inviting exploration and discovery.