Ernst Krenek – Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae

An intriguing choral work from Austrian Ernst Krenek, in which the composer manages to successfully combine the strict and complex harmonics of high renaissance polyphony with the laws of dodecaphony. The genres seem to be diametrically opposed to each other; the former the summit of tonality, the latter, of course, atonal. This results in a beautifully sung piece which, in all its austerity, is reminiscent of Stravinsky’s religious chants.

Krenek, whose works had been branded Entartet as early as 1933, wrote the Lamentatio in 1941, some three years after he had emigrated to the United States.

Tracks:

01. I. In coena Domini - Lectio Prima [0:10:10.28]
02. I. In coena Domini - Lectio Secunda [0:07:26.65]
03. I. In coena Domini - Lectio Tertia [0:09:33.32]
04. II. In Parasceve - Lectio Prima [0:07:10.08]
05. II. In Parasceve - Lectio Secunda [0:09:15.30]
06. II. In Parasceve - Lectio Tertia [0:05:54.37]
07. III. In Sabbato Sancto - Lecto Prima [0:08:04.23]
08. III. In Sabbato Sancto - Lecto Secunda [0:09:07.30]
09. III. In Sabbato Sancto - Lecto Tertia [0:07:34.35]

Performers:

RIAS Kammerchor – Marcus Cred