Krenek, Ernst

Krenek, Ernst, b. Vienna, Aug. 23, 1900, d. Palm Springs (USA), Dec. 23, 1991, composer and poet; son-in-law of G. Mahler. Pupil of F. Schreker; emigrated to the USA in 1938, lived in California from 1948, but maintained contact with Austria. His style went through considerable changes, ranging from late Romanticism to modernism, radical exponent of New Music from about 1921, used the 12-tone technique (dodecaphony) from about 1930. Wrote most of the libretti for his operas himself, received numerous awards and distinctions. Grand Austrian State Prize 1963, Austrian Decoration for Science and Art 1975. E.-K. Institute in Vienna; E.-K. Prize of the City of Vienna.

Works: Operas: Orpheus und Eurydike, 1923 (libretto by O. Kokoschka); Der Sprung über den Schatten, 1924; Der Diktator, 1926; Jonny spielt auf, 1927; Oper ohne Titel, 1930; Leben des Orest, 1931; Karl V, 1934; Pallas Athene weint, 1955; The Bell Tower, 1957; Ausgerechnet und verspielt, 1962 (TV opera); Der goldene Bock, 1964. - Operetta: Schwergewicht oder Die Ehre der Nation, 1928. - Ballets, symphonies, orchestra and chamber music, jazz works, incidental and vocal music ("Reisetagebuch aus den österreichischenb Alpen", 1929). - Theoretical works: Über neue Musik, 1937; Versuch einer Selbstanalyse, 1948 (autobiography with a catalogue of his works); Zwölfton-Kontrapunkt-Studien, 1952; Zur Sprache gebracht, 1958 (essays); Im Atem der Zeit, 1998 (autobiography).

Literature: L. Knessl, E. K., 1968; J. L. Stewart, E. K., 1990; J. Shintani (ed.), E. K. - Werkverzeichnis, 1997; M. Schmidt (ed.), E. K., 2000.