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Krenek: Piano Works / Khristenko
Oehms Classics

Krenek: Piano Works / Khristenko

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Details

Composer
KRENEK, ERNST
Artist
Stanislav Khristenko
Format
CD
Label
Oehms Classics
Released
Jul 31, 2012
Catalog #
OC422
UPC
4260034864221

About



KRENEK Piano Sonatas: No. 2, op. 59; No. 3, op. 94/2; No. 7, op. 240; Little Suite, op.13a; Fünf Klavierstücke, op. 39; Echoes from Austria, op.166 • Stanislav Khristenko (pn) • OEHMS CLASSICS OC 422 (74:16)


As much as I enjoy his music, I should start by saying that Ernst Krenek (1900-1991) will never be a popular composer with most listeners. That is a shame because there is such a variety of styles present in his compositions that there always seems to be at least a few works by the composer that would appeal to just about everyone’s tastes: some moments inspired by jazz, other moments inspired by past composers or by folk-music, passages of simplicity and tunefulness, others of complex atonal counterpoint. Throughout, however, no matter the composition, there always seems to be a vital recognition of the listener. From the obvious traditional idiom of Echoes from Austria , op. 166 (miniature piano works inspired by Austrian folk-tunes, lasting anywhere from a little under a minute to a little over two) to the more complex and densely written third piano sonata (1943), Stanislav Khristenko proves to be an invaluable guide. His acute sense of rhythm in the second piano sonata (1928)—though seen by the composer as a confusing mixture of different styles, a student work of sorts—helps to bring a sense of not only propulsion and movement, but also a sense of the dance to it. This contrasts greatly in his interpretation of the third piano sonata. In Khristenko’s hands it is a rather mellow composition, from its improvisatory-like opening to its sublime and muted closing pages. The Little Suite of 1922 is a strange work: While most of its six movements (Allemande, Sarabande, Gavotte, Waltz, Fugue, Foxtrot) inhabit quite different sound worlds, they come together admirably to form a cohesive whole. It should not be lost on the listener that Krenek wrote the work as a birthday gift for Irene Erdmann (wife of the pianist Eduard Erdmann) in a single night. Above all else, Krenek said that “the suite was meant to be funny.” Khristenko certainly brings that light-hearted character to the fore. The seventh and final piano sonata (1988), written at the ripe old age of 88, shows Krenek to still be an explorer of musical possibilities. I miss the sense of improvisation in the composition’s opening pages—Krenek is careful to notate his intentions through his use of curved arrows, showing the interpreter where to push the tempo and where to pull it back. It is odd that the same pianist who brought a sense of the improvisatory to the aforementioned third sonata, here seems to lack just that quality. It is, however, a rather remarkable performance of a late and austere work. Though it may pose obstacles to the listener, its rewards are numerous. With very fine performances in detailed and spacious sound, this makes a very fine addition to those looking to expand their horizons, or to those who relish this music already. In addition, I would not want to be without Glenn Gould’s inspired performance of the third sonata (available on Sony 52661 along with the Berg Sonata, the Webern Concerto and Variations, and works by Debussy and Ravel). Recommended.


FANFARE: Scott Noriega

Tracklist 26 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegretto 07:04
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegretto
    Duration
    07:04
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  2. 2 II. Alla marcia, energico 05:17
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Alla marcia, energico
    Duration
    05:17
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  3. 3 III. Allegro giocoso 03:45
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro giocoso
    Duration
    03:45
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  4. 4 I. Allemande 00:48
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Allemande
    Duration
    00:48
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  5. 5 II. Sarabande 00:34
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Sarabande
    Duration
    00:34
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  6. 6 III. Gavotte 00:24
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Gavotte
    Duration
    00:24
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  7. 7 IV. Waltz 00:51
    Track
    7
    Title
    IV. Waltz
    Duration
    00:51
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  8. 8 V. Fugue 01:13
    Track
    8
    Title
    V. Fugue
    Duration
    01:13
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  9. 9 VI. Foxtrott 01:17
    Track
    9
    Title
    VI. Foxtrott
    Duration
    01:17
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  10. 10 No. 1. Allegro ma no troppo 01:56
    Track
    10
    Title
    No. 1. Allegro ma no troppo
    Duration
    01:56
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  11. 11 No. 2. Andante quasi adagio 03:57
    Track
    11
    Title
    No. 2. Andante quasi adagio
    Duration
    03:57
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  12. 12 No. 3. Vivace 01:10
    Track
    12
    Title
    No. 3. Vivace
    Duration
    01:10
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  13. 13 No. 4. Moderato affettuoso 01:29
    Track
    13
    Title
    No. 4. Moderato affettuoso
    Duration
    01:29
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  14. 14 No. 5. Tempo giusto 01:28
    Track
    14
    Title
    No. 5. Tempo giusto
    Duration
    01:28
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  15. 15 I. Allegretto piacevole, animato e flessibile 06:19
    Track
    15
    Title
    I. Allegretto piacevole, animato e flessibile
    Duration
    06:19
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  16. 16 II. Theme, Canons, and Variations 06:05
    Track
    16
    Title
    II. Theme, Canons, and Variations
    Duration
    06:05
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  17. 17 III. Scherzo: Vivace ma non troppo 01:55
    Track
    17
    Title
    III. Scherzo: Vivace ma non troppo
    Duration
    01:55
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  18. 18 IV. Adagio 06:16
    Track
    18
    Title
    IV. Adagio
    Duration
    06:16
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  19. 19 I. Molto moderato 01:05
    Track
    19
    Title
    I. Molto moderato
    Duration
    01:05
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  20. 20 II. Allegro 00:58
    Track
    20
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    00:58
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  21. 21 III. Allegretto 01:43
    Track
    21
    Title
    III. Allegretto
    Duration
    01:43
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  22. 22 IV. Allegro moderato 00:53
    Track
    22
    Title
    IV. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    00:53
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  23. 23 V. Moderato 01:35
    Track
    23
    Title
    V. Moderato
    Duration
    01:35
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  24. 24 VI. Allegretto animato 01:05
    Track
    24
    Title
    VI. Allegretto animato
    Duration
    01:05
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  25. 25 VII. Largetto 02:24
    Track
    25
    Title
    VII. Largetto
    Duration
    02:24
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko
  26. 26 Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 240 11:23
    Track
    26
    Title
    Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 240
    Duration
    11:23
    Composer
    Ernst Krenek
    Performer
    Stanislav Khristenko