30th anniversary of the death of Ernst Krenek

2021 marks the 30th anniversary of Ernst Krenek's death. He was born in Vienna on August 23, 1900, and died in Palm Springs, California, on December 22, 1991. He was buried in a grave of honor at the Vienna Central Cemetery.

Ernst Krenek is one of the most important and multifaceted composers of the 20th century. He was not only an outstanding musician and thinker, but an equally noteworthy writer and pedagogue.
His multi-layered oeuvre can hardly be categorized: With curiosity, creativity, and an enduring willingness to evolve, he combined tradition and innovation, the conservative and the radical, intellect and inspiration, to create ever-new forms of expression. His openness to new styles makes his work a unique reflection of 20th century music history - from late Romantic offshoots, to atonal and twelve-tone music, to tape compositions with electronic sounds.
Exceedingly gifted in language, he wrote texts for his operas and songs, acute and sharp-tongued pieces for newspapers, and proved to be an attentive and analytical observer of art, culture, and the people of his time.

To commemorate Krenek's long life and rich oeuvre, the Ernst Krenek Institute is dedicating the new exhibition "Zu Gast bei Ernst Krenek (1900-1991)" to him in the newly renovated premises of the Salon Krenek (formerly: Ernst Krenek Forum) in the former Minoritenkloster in Krems/Stein.

Display boards, numerous exhibits from Ernst Krenek's estate, audio samples, videos and interactive stations provide a glimpse into his exciting life and work and show Ernst Krenek not only from a professional, but also from a personal and private side.
Special highlights? A virtual 3D model of his home in Palm Springs, one of the first Buchla Modular Synthesizers for home use built in 1966/67 from Krenek's recording studio, the suitcase with which Ernst Krenek emigrated to the USA in 1938, his Schweighofer grand piano from his Vienna apartment in the 1930s, and much more!

After the lockdown, open again from
Tuesday through Sunday, and Monday if holiday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guided tours are available by appointment at +43-(0)2732-71 570 or office@krenek.com.
Admission free!

Salon Krenek
Minoritenplatz 4
3500 Krems/Stein

Picture: No. 19 Homecoming „And now the rapid train carries me homeward“; Row print, hand printed; Prints to Ernst Krenek's Reisebuch aus den österreichischen Alpen, op. 62 by Elisabeth Fachetto, 1983