Krenek: Chamber Music and Songs, Vol. 1 [CD] (2019)

This recording of music by Ernest Krenek (1900–91) follows on from Toccata Classics’ wildly successful recording, in two albums, of his complete piano concertos. It covers almost half a century of his compositions, and shows the sheer range of his creativity. There are early piano fugues written for his teacher, Franz Schreker, via elegant fin de siècle Viennese lyricism to a relaxed application of Schoenberg’s dodecaphonic technique – often enlivened with a surprising degree of charm and a knowing sense of humour.

The Ernst Krenek Ensemble is joined here by three of the finest Lieder singers currently active.

The Ernst Krenek Ensemble – Hanna Weinmeister and Christian Eisenberger, violins; Tatjana Masurenko, viola; Dorothea Schönwiese, cello; Matthias Schorn, clarinet; and Anthony Spiri, piano – has set itself the task of introducing Ernst Krenek’s important and extensive chamber-music oeuvre to the programmes of international concert halls, although its repertoire also includes works by composers such as Schubert and Beethoven, who provided Krenek with important stimulus. Its musicians delve with especial curiosity into Krenek’s less familiar works and reveal the many colourful facets of his substantial output. Concerts have taken the Ensemble throughout Europe and the USA.