Krein - Piano Sonata (Part 2/2)

Part two of the Piano Sonata Op. 34 (1922)

In early 20th-century Russia, Alexander Krein (1883-1951) was a major Jewish composer whose compositions were performed alongside the likes of Shostakovich and Rachmaninov. In the U.S.S.R., Krein also spearheaded the National Jewish School of composers, whose members included Weprik, Achron, and Gnessin. Before anti-Semitism engulfed Russia during Stalin's regime, Krein enjoyed a successful composing career. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory, befriended Scriabin and Protopopov, and his music was performed routinely by the Association of Contemporary Musicians, a prominent faction of avant-garde composers. In the 1920s Krein embraced the "scriabinesque" and also took an interest in Jewish folk music. Like most Soviet composers during this time, his style shifted after the establishment of socialist realism in the 1930s. Consequently, Krein had to abandon integrating Jewish melodies in order to pacify the anti-Semitic Soviet officials.

The main theme of Krein's Piano Sonata is actually based on a Hebrew melody, although this is difficult to determine from the thick sonorities and chromatic harmony. Krein is not a melodist and I don't think his piano sonata is immediately gratifying. But it is an impressive large-scale piano work with many powerful moments. Scholar Larry Sitsky believes "the Op. 34 Piano Sonata must be deemed as one of the finest products of this period and encourages further exploration into this composer's music."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• scriabin
• feinberg
• rachmaninov

[addeex1]

Sounds a bit spanish in the ending

[ch252525]

need really big hands to play it - -

[edrw500]

It's great to be able to see the score. Thank you!