Album

For fans of Ernst Krenek, this Capriccio disc of his music for string orchestra by the Polish Leopoldinum Orchestra under the direction of Ernst Kovacic will be an unexpected blessing. It contains one of the Austrian-American composer's most moving orchestral works, the achingly expressive Symphonic Elegy for Anton Webern; one of his most cogent works, the Adagio and Fugue; two of his most enjoyable works, Seven Easy Pieces and Five Short Pieces; and one of his most exuberant works, the Sinfonietta a Brasileira. In every case, the Leopoldinum Orchestra plays with style, strength, sensitivity, and a full measure of virtuosity, while conductor Kovacic leads with power, grace, and a complete understanding of the nuances of the music. Krenek can be tough listening for some people; his music is far from tonal, and thus far from popular. It can be as thoroughly atonal as the music of Webern, and nearly as uncompromising. For listeners who believe music history ended with Brahms, this disc may be anathema. However, for listeners who believe music history marches on, and that Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern were the standard bearers of the future, this disc may be embraced with love and affection. Capriccio's sound is clean, but richly textured and warmly colored.

© James Leonard, Rovi

CD 1
Ernst Krenek Composer Symphonic Elegy, orchestra ("In Memoriam Anton Webern"), Op.105 Work Ernst Kovacic Conductor, Leopoldinum Orchestra Orchestra
1	Symphonic Elegy, orchestra ("In Memoriam Anton Webern"), Op.105	13:56			$2.49
Ernst Krenek Composer Easy pieces (7), for orchestra, Op.146 Work 7:52 Ernst Kovacic Conductor, Leopoldinum Orchestra Orchestra
2	1.Ruhig, doch fließend bewegt	1:29			$0.99
3	2.Kräftig, marschartig	0:45			$0.99
4	3.Ruhig, zart	1:08			$0.99
5	4.Ziemlich schnell	1:01			$0.99
6	5.Sehr ruhig, zart	1:18			$0.99
7	6.Leicht bewegt, zierlich	1:05			$0.99
8	7.Kräftig, entschieden	1:06			$0.99
Ernst Krenek Composer Adagio & Fugue, for string orchestra Work 15:49 Ernst Kovacic Conductor, Leopoldinum Orchestra Orchestra
9	Adagio	8:02			$1.49
10	Fuge	7:47			$1.49
Ernst Krenek Composer Short pieces (5), for sting orchestra, Op.116 Work 9:40 Ernst Kovacic Conductor, Leopoldinum Orchestra Orchestra
11	1.Andante	2:23			$0.99
12	2.Allegretto moderato	1:42			$0.99
13	3.Andante, molto espressivo	2:06			$0.99
14	4.Moderato	1:42			$0.99
15	5.Molto vivace	1:47			$0.99
Ernst Krenek Composer Symphonic piece, for orchestra, Op.86 Work Ernst Kovacic Conductor, Leopoldinum Orchestra Orchestra
16	Symphonic piece, for orchestra, Op.86	16:43			$2.99
Ernst Krenek Composer Sinfonietta a Brasileira, for orchestra, Op.131 Work Ernst Kovacic Conductor, Leopoldinum Orchestra Orchestra
17	Sinfonietta a Brasileira, for orchestra, Op.131	13:43			$2.49