Ernst Krenek By: Mark Vanderzanden

The Life and Times of Krenek Born on August 23, 1900 in Vienna, Austria Born on August 23, 1900 in Vienna, Austria Piano lessons at age 6, began composing Piano lessons at age 6, began composing 1916: Started studying composition with Franz Schreker (emphasis on counterpoint) 1916: Started studying composition with Franz Schreker (emphasis on counterpoint) 1920’s: period of musical expressionism 1920’s: period of musical expressionism : musically productive (18 works) : musically productive (18 works) 1921: First String Quartet – compositional abilities first emerge; dissonances; contract 1921: First String Quartet – compositional abilities first emerge; dissonances; contract

1923: enormous uproar caused by the premiere of his Second Symphony 1923: enormous uproar caused by the premiere of his Second Symphony 1925: visited Paris and wrote an opera called Jonny spielt auf, which initiated what he called his neo-Romantic period (success) 1925: visited Paris and wrote an opera called Jonny spielt auf, which initiated what he called his neo-Romantic period (success) : 3 one-act operas written : 3 one-act operas written 1928: settled in Vienna and married Hass 1928: settled in Vienna and married Hass 1929: New 12-note compositional technique emerged in a piece written on commission from the Vienna Staatsoper 1929: New 12-note compositional technique emerged in a piece written on commission from the Vienna Staatsoper

1933: finished Karl V, the first 12-note opera; never performed in Vienna due to political events; Catholicism vs. Nazism 1933: finished Karl V, the first 12-note opera; never performed in Vienna due to political events; Catholicism vs. Nazism 1938: Krenek emigrated to America when the Nazi’s annexed Austria 1938: Krenek emigrated to America when the Nazi’s annexed Austria : taught at several universities throughout the nation (including Hamline) : taught at several universities throughout the nation (including Hamline) : Back in Europe; many major works were commissioned during this period : Back in Europe; many major works were commissioned during this period : Spiritus intelligentiae, sanctus : Spiritus intelligentiae, sanctus 1960: received multiple honors recognizing his musical accomplishments 1960: received multiple honors recognizing his musical accomplishments

1966: moved to Palm Springs, CA (UCSD) 1966: moved to Palm Springs, CA (UCSD) Here he composed more major works including: orchestral works, soprano and ensemble, electronic works, and 2 TV operas Here he composed more major works including: orchestral works, soprano and ensemble, electronic works, and 2 TV operas More relaxed compositional style during last years of life, but 12-tone and serial systems were still used More relaxed compositional style during last years of life, but 12-tone and serial systems were still used Opus sine nomine ( ) was his final large work Opus sine nomine ( ) was his final large work Died on December 22, 1991 in Palm Springs Died on December 22, 1991 in Palm Springs

In Paradisum An antiphon sung at Catholic funeral services, typically as the body is being carried out of the church to the cemetery An antiphon sung at Catholic funeral services, typically as the body is being carried out of the church to the cemetery Sometimes used in the Palm Sunday procession Sometimes used in the Palm Sunday procession

Text May the angels lead you into paradise; May the angels lead you into paradise; May the martyrs welcome you upon your arrival, May the martyrs welcome you upon your arrival, and lead you into the holy city of Jerusalem and lead you into the holy city of Jerusalem May a choir of angels welcome you, May a choir of angels welcome you, and, with poor Lazarus of old, and, with poor Lazarus of old, may you have eternal rest. may you have eternal rest.

Analyzing the piece poietically Motet composed in 1946 Motet composed in 1946 Technically was a free creation of the composer; given to St. Kate’s as a gift after a memorial mass was held there commemorating his father’s death Technically was a free creation of the composer; given to St. Kate’s as a gift after a memorial mass was held there commemorating his father’s death Krenek requested it be sung by the choir so it was first created by the voices of the choir and an accompanying piano Krenek requested it be sung by the choir so it was first created by the voices of the choir and an accompanying piano

Franz Schreker had an influence on Krenek’s early work (counterpoint) Franz Schreker had an influence on Krenek’s early work (counterpoint) Krenek then developed his own 12-tone system (1929) that was used much more often Krenek then developed his own 12-tone system (1929) that was used much more often World War II took the life of his father, whose memorial mass was the reason why the piece was composed World War II took the life of his father, whose memorial mass was the reason why the piece was composed

Analyzing the piece at a neutral level Highest pitches of the piece are located on the name Lazarus – (symbolic correspondence) Highest pitches of the piece are located on the name Lazarus – (symbolic correspondence) Volume stays constant until the end of the piece when it starts to get quieter (symbolic) Volume stays constant until the end of the piece when it starts to get quieter (symbolic) Biggest variation of the duration comes at the end of the piece, especially on the word “requiem” as the piece comes to a close Biggest variation of the duration comes at the end of the piece, especially on the word “requiem” as the piece comes to a close As far as timbre, only female voices are used in this particular recording of the piece As far as timbre, only female voices are used in this particular recording of the piece

The musical texture of this piece is polyphonic The musical texture of this piece is polyphonic The complexity and rich sound of polyphony signifies the importance of the text and the burial mass in general The complexity and rich sound of polyphony signifies the importance of the text and the burial mass in general Musical form is variation since the pitch, volume, and duration all vary at some point in the piece. This form supports the text set and the ritual setting since the dynamics emphasize the underlying ideas and themes of the piece. Musical form is variation since the pitch, volume, and duration all vary at some point in the piece. This form supports the text set and the ritual setting since the dynamics emphasize the underlying ideas and themes of the piece. Unique harmonic structure and many dissonances throughout the piece (not heard on this recording) Unique harmonic structure and many dissonances throughout the piece (not heard on this recording)

In Paradisum was one of Krenek’s minor works – a short motet In Paradisum was one of Krenek’s minor works – a short motet This piece didn’t advance the musical art of the composer; rather it only used some of the techniques he had already adapted – particularly the use of dissonances This piece didn’t advance the musical art of the composer; rather it only used some of the techniques he had already adapted – particularly the use of dissonances This piece is sung both at funeral masses and in concert settings. This piece is sung both at funeral masses and in concert settings. Analyzing the piece esthesically

Generally, the world esteems Krenek as a composer and a writer Generally, the world esteems Krenek as a composer and a writer From my visit to St. Kate’s and interview with Dr. Patricia Connors (music chair), I got the impression that they hold this piece in such high regards since it was written specifically for the college From my visit to St. Kate’s and interview with Dr. Patricia Connors (music chair), I got the impression that they hold this piece in such high regards since it was written specifically for the college However, during the 1930’s Krenek’s work often contained social implications that caused him to become increasingly unpopular However, during the 1930’s Krenek’s work often contained social implications that caused him to become increasingly unpopular After Karl V, Krenek avoided controversy by leaving politics out of his work After Karl V, Krenek avoided controversy by leaving politics out of his work

I think the meaning of the text is significant and emphasizes the main themes of the piece I think the meaning of the text is significant and emphasizes the main themes of the piece The music was composed in such a way that it highlights the text and also helps to emphasize these themes The music was composed in such a way that it highlights the text and also helps to emphasize these themes Finally, the two together make for a meaningful and significant piece for use in the ritual setting of funeral masses. Finally, the two together make for a meaningful and significant piece for use in the ritual setting of funeral masses.