August 21, 2017.Debussy, Krenek and Stockhausen.We have a bit of a challenge: on the one hand, Debussy, one of the most popular composers ever, was born this week.On the other, this same week brings the anniversaries of two very significant composers, who strongly affected the development of 20th century Western music.The problem is that their music is challenging and with few exceptions not easy on the ear.These composers are Ernst Krenek and Karlheinz Stockhausen.As for Debussy: here’s something that’s performed not as often as the Préludes or Suite Bergamasque: the first act from his opera Pelléas & Mélisande.Pierre Boulez conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra.With Donald McIntyre and Elisabeth Söderström.And now to things more adventuresome.
Ernst Krenek was born in Vienna on August 23rd of 1900.His father was Czech (“r” in Krenek was originally an ř, as in Dvořak and pronounced as “rzh”).He studied with Franz Schreker, who these days is almost forgotten but back in the early 20th century was the second most popular opera composer (after Richard Strauss).In 1920 Krenek moved to Berlin, met many musicians and became part of a very active musical scene.In 1922, he met Alma Mahler and her daughter Anna.Alma introduced Krenek to Alban Berg, and Anna asked him to complete her father’s Tenth Symphony.Anna Mahler and Kreken got married in 1924 but the marriage lasted less than a year.In 1923 the premier of Krenek’s Second Symphony, which doesn’t sound too daring today, created an uproar.In the aftermath, Krenek moved to Switzerland, where he met Stravinsky (they had a contentious relationship).In 1925 Krenek went to Paris, where he became involved with the composers of Les Six; under their influence he decided that his music should be simpler.From the neo-Romantic period that followed come several operas, including Der Diktator based on the life of Mussolini.In 1927 Krenek wrote the opera Jonny spielt auf, about a black jazz violinist.Here’s an excerpt (A Hotel Room in Paris) from the recording made in 1964 with Lucia Popp, other soloists and the Vienna Volksoper Orchestra conducted by Heinrich Hollreiser.Jonny spielt auf was a tremendous success (even though it sounds somewhat dated now) and afforded Krenek financial freedom.Several years later the opera would be banned by the Nazis.Krenek moved to Vienna where he resumed his friendship with Berg and Webern.In Vienna, he wrote a 12-tone opera Karl V, but the German premier was cancelled by the Nazis.In March of 1938 Germany annexed Austria and shortly after Krenek emigrated to America.In the US, Krenek taught in several music schools; his longest tenure was at Hamline University, from 1942 to 1947.
That year he moved to Los Angeles and later spent several summers teaching at Darmstadt.There, as it happened, he was eclipsed by the rising stars, Boulez and Stockhausen.Nevertheless, his interest in the 12-tone and serial music led to a large number of composition created in the mid-1950s and 1960s.He continued writing music till well into his 80s.In 1982, he was made an honorary citizen of Vienna.Krenek died in Palm Springs onDecember 22nd of 1991.Here is his Third Piano Sonata, from 1943.It’s performed by Glenn Gould.
Karlheinz Stockhausen, one of the most important German composers of the second half of the 20th century, was born on August 22nd of 1928.He deserves a full entry and we’ll do it another time. Here’s just a taste: Klavierstück IX, performed by Pierre-Laurent Aimard.
Debussy, Krenek and Stockhausen, 2017
August 21, 2017. Debussy, Krenek and Stockhausen. We have a bit of a challenge: on the one hand, Debussy, one of the most popular composers ever, was born this week. On the other, this same week brings the anniversaries of two very significant composers, who strongly affected the development of 20th century Western music. The problem is that their music is challenging and with few exceptions not easy on the ear. These composers are Ernst Krenek and Karlheinz Stockhausen. As for Debussy: here’s something that’s performed not as often as the Préludes or Suite Bergamasque: the first act from his opera Pelléas & Mélisande. Pierre Boulez conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra. With Donald McIntyre and Elisabeth Söderström. And now to things more adventuresome.
Ernst Krenek was born in Vienna on August 23rd of 1900. His father was Czech (“r” in Krenek was originally an ř, as in Dvořak and pronounced as “rzh”). He studied with Franz Schreker, who these days is almost forgotten but back in the early 20th century was the second most popular opera composer (after Richard Strauss). In 1920 Krenek moved to Berlin, met many musicians and
became part of a very active musical scene. In 1922, he met Alma Mahler and her daughter Anna. Alma introduced Krenek to Alban Berg, and Anna asked him to complete her father’s Tenth Symphony. Anna Mahler and Kreken got married in 1924 but the marriage lasted less than a year. In 1923 the premier of Krenek’s Second Symphony, which doesn’t sound too daring today, created an uproar. In the aftermath, Krenek moved to Switzerland, where he met Stravinsky (they had a contentious relationship). In 1925 Krenek went to Paris, where he became involved with the composers of Les Six; under their influence he decided that his music should be simpler. From the neo-Romantic period that followed come several operas, including Der Diktator based on the life of Mussolini. In 1927 Krenek wrote the opera Jonny spielt auf, about a black jazz violinist. Here’s an excerpt (A Hotel Room in Paris) from the recording made in 1964 with Lucia Popp, other soloists and the Vienna Volksoper Orchestra conducted by Heinrich Hollreiser. Jonny spielt auf was a tremendous success (even though it sounds somewhat dated now) and afforded Krenek financial freedom. Several years later the opera would be banned by the Nazis. Krenek moved to Vienna where he resumed his friendship with Berg and Webern. In Vienna, he wrote a 12-tone opera Karl V, but the German premier was cancelled by the Nazis. In March of 1938 Germany annexed Austria and shortly after Krenek emigrated to America. In the US, Krenek taught in several music schools; his longest tenure was at Hamline University, from 1942 to 1947.
That year he moved to Los Angeles and later spent several summers teaching at Darmstadt. There, as it happened, he was eclipsed by the rising stars, Boulez and Stockhausen. Nevertheless, his interest in the 12-tone and serial music led to a large number of composition created in the mid-1950s and 1960s. He continued writing music till well into his 80s. In 1982, he was made an honorary citizen of Vienna. Krenek died in Palm Springs onDecember 22nd of 1991. Here is his Third Piano Sonata, from 1943. It’s performed by Glenn Gould.
Karlheinz Stockhausen, one of the most important German composers of the second half of the 20th century, was born on August 22nd of 1928. He deserves a full entry and we’ll do it another time. Here’s just a taste: Klavierstück IX, performed by Pierre-Laurent Aimard.