Ernst Krenek - Symphony No. 4; Concerto Grosso No. 2 (Alun Francis)

Information

Composer: Ernst Krenek

• (01) Symphony No. 4, Op. 113
• (04) Concerto grosso No. 2, Op. 25

NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Alun Francis, conductor

Date: 2011
Label: cpo
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/Ernst-Krenek-1900-1991-Symphonie-Nr-4/hnum/6253400

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Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 9 / SOUND QUALITY: 10

Premiered by Mitropoulos in 1947, Krenek’s Fourth symphony was thought lost until its rediscovery in 2006. It’s a complex work whose movement layout and duration is similar to Beethoven’s Fifth. Of course, the music’s predominantly atonal language is vastly different from Beethoven’s. Even so, Krenek’s use of traditional classical and late-romantic modes of expression gives enough shape and contrast to the music to make it accessible, especially in the furtive opening movement and in the elegiac second. The long finale is full of big ideas expressed in dramatic, quasi-Mahlerian style (the Sixth symphony), with lots of striking orchestral effects (the bass drum gets quite a workout in one gripping sequence). The piece is quite impressive on first hearing, a little less subsequently as the shock of the new wears off, and the atonal language leaves you little to be reacquainted with.

The Concerto grosso is a more inviting work, not only for its less angular harmonic language, but also for its emulation of Bach’s Brandenburg concertos. Accordingly its five movements vary meters and tempos and feature clever melodic invention by Krenek that never sounds like pastiche, even as it takes a very self-conscious look into the past. Overall the effect is stimulating rather than engrossing. Alun Francis and the NDR Radiophilharmonie deliver top-notch performances of both works, especially in the symphony where you can sense the players’ excitement and commitment to the music. CPO’s spacious recording offers plenty of detail and impact. Krenek collectors can rejoice at having the complete symphony cycle, while others should certainly investigate this intriguing composer.

-- Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Sept11/krenek4_cpo7772102.htm
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jul/07/krenek-symphony-review
http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/c/cpo77210a.php

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Ernst Krenek (August 23, 1900 – December 22, 1991) was an Austrian, later American, composer of Czech origin. Born in Vienna, Krenek studied there and in Berlin with Franz Schreker before working in a number of German opera houses as conductor. In 1938 Krenek moved to the United States, where he taught music at various universities. He died in Palm Springs, California. Krenek's music encompassed a variety of styles and reflects many of the principal musical influences of the 20th century. His early work is in a late-Romantic idiom, turned to atonality around 1920, and became more relaxed in his later years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Krenek

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Alun Francis (born 29 September 1943) is a Welsh conductor. Francis was principal conductor and music director of the Ulster Orchestra (1974-1976), the Northwest Chamber Orchestra in Seattle (1979-1985), the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie (1987-1990), the Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha (2003-2008). Since 2010, he has been principal conductor of the Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM in Mexico City. Francis has recorded works of Poulenc, Klemperer and Pettersson, among others. He was awarded the first prize of the Cannes Classical Award for his recording of the complete symphonies of Milhaud.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alun_Francis
http://www.alunfrancis.com/

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