Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This clear, comprehensive reference guide highlights the major events in Ernst Krenek's life in the context of his musical and literary works. An insightful biography carefully puts the man and his work into perspective. Next, a list of compositions is organized in generally chronological order. Publications, manuscript, recording, and performance data are included under each entry in this list. A bibliography of Krenek's writings covers both manuscripts and published writings, while a bibliography of writings about the composer traces his career.

This clear, comprehensive reference guide in four major sections details Ernst Krenek's prolific work as both composer and author. The insightful biography provides the reader with guide posts to his life and points out his significant musical and literary achievements. The comprehensive catalog of musical compositions, organized in chronological order according to Krenek's own 237 opus number, includes 105 previously undocumented compositions without opus numbers. Publication, manuscript, recording, and performance data are included under each entry in this list. The bibliography of Krenek's writings is arranged in chronological order and covers both his manuscript and published writings. Appendices, including title, genera, and first line indexes, complement the lists of his works. The fourth section, a selective bibliography of writings about the composer arranged by author, traces his career. The book's thorough index provides access to all people, organizations, and general subjects mentioned. This book is invaluable for everyone interested in Krenek's life and work.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface
• List of Libraries
• List of Publishers
• Biography Compositions
• Works Without Opus Number Writings
• Bibliography
• Appendices
• A Compositions: Titles and Genera
• B Writings: Titles
• General Index

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

The Greenwood "Bio-bibliographies in Music" series provides useful, if somewhat uneven, bibliographic resources for music researchers. This volume, treating the life and works of the Czech-American composer Ernst Krenek, is more successful than some in the series. It is divided into four chapters: biography, list of compositions, writings by Krenek, and a selected and annotated bibliography of works about Krenek. The biography is merely factual, but it is concise and largely accurate. Chapter 2 is exceptionally well done, providing title with English translation, publication data, duration, manuscript location, performances, and discographic information. Since Krenek's writings about music are abundant and important to a clear understanding of the artist, the researcher will find the bibliography of Krenek's writings invaluable. Bowles's 20-plus years of experience in music libraries are evident in the work's clear presentation and wealth of detail. The volume is exhaustively indexed and includes references to many famous names found in Krenek's writings. The typeface and print quality are a great improvement over earlier volumes in this series. Barring a sudden burst of productivity from the 89-year-old composer, this work is likely to remain the standard reference on Krenek and his works. A must for all upper-division undergraduate and graduate music reference collections. Highly recommended. -G. S. Geary, Baylor University

Author notes provided by Syndetics

GARRETT H. BOWLES is Music Librarian and Curator of the Ernst Krenek Archive at the University of California, San Diego, where he is also Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music.