The ARC Ensemble's Music in Exile series continues with this exploration of chamber works by Ernest Kanitz. Born into a wealthy Viennese family in 1894, he was encouraged in music by his mother, started piano lessons aged seven, and was composing within a year. Persuaded by his parents to study for a degree in Law, Kanitz also studied piano, music theory, and composition (with Franz Schreker, who also served as a mentor). His reputation grew steadily, his works promoted by conductors such as George Szell and Clemens Krauss. In 1922 he gained a position as a teacher at the New Vienna Conservatory, and in 1930 established the Vienna Women's Chamber Choir, which quickly gained a reputation across Europe for it's performances of Kodaly, Honegger, and Stravinsky (as well as Kanitz!). Although he had converted to Christianity in 1914, his Jewish ancestry necessitated emigration from Austria in 1938, following the annexation of Austria by National Socialist Germany. After a short spell in New York, Kanitz and his wife, Gertrude, moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he had secured a teaching position. Following Gertrude's early death from cancer, Kanitz moved to California, where he established a successful teaching career at the University of Southern California. Retirement from USC in 1960 gave him much more time for composition (although he was still teaching and lecturing), with successful premieres given by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and San Francisco Symphony, among many others. Following his death in 1978, his music, like that of so many emigre composers, has been forgotten.

Tracklist:

1. Sonata, Op. 10 for Violin and Piano-I. Lento Non Troppo - Allegro Giusto (Tempo I) - Un Poco Pi Tranquillo - Pi Che Doppio M
2. Sonata, Op. 10 for Violin and Piano-II. Adagio (Tempo I) - Molto Pi Mosso - Moderato - Tempo I - Sospeso, Misterioso - Allegro
3. Sonata, Op. 10 for Violin and Piano-III. Epilogo. Allegro Leggiero E Ritmico - Un Poco Pi Tranquillo (Ma Sempre Tempo Giusto)
4. String Quartet in D Major-Elegy. Slowly Rocking - a Little Faster - Tempo I - Pochissimo Pi Mosso - Slower and Slower
5. String Quartet in D Major-Rondino. Rather Fast, Graceful and Light - Same Tempo - Tempo I - Slightly Slower, Misterioso - Much F
6. String Quartet in D Major-Old Viennese Tune and Variations. [Theme.] Gently Gliding - Variation I. Faster Moving - Variation II.
7. String Quartet in D Major-Finale. Very Fast (Presto) - Pochissimo Meno - Tempo I - Graceful and Light (Always Fast) - Gay - with
8. Sonata for Solo Cello-I. Allegro Deciso - Poco Pi Tranquillo - Tempo I - Poco Pi Tranquillo - Tempo I
9. Sonata for Solo Cello-II. Poco Adagio - Un Poco Pi Mosso - Tempo I
10. Sonata for Solo Cello-III. Quasi Presto E Molto Leggiero - Pi Mosso - Tempo I - Quasi Danza - Tempo I - [Pi Mosso] - [Poco M
11. Concertino for Five Players (Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Double-Bass, and Piano)-I. Ouverture. Molto Lento E Serio - Allegro Con Sp
12. Concertino for Five Players (Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Double-Bass, and Piano)-II. Air. Tranquillo Molto - Molto Pi Mosso - Tra
13. Concertino for Five Players (Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Double-Bass, and Piano)-III. Fugue. Mosso Molto Volatile Ma Con Ritmo Prec
14. Sonata Californiana for E Flat Alto Saxophone and Piano-
15. Sky and Water, Fragrance, Light. Allegro - Poco Meno Mosso - Pi Tranquillamente - Tempo Giusto
16. Sonata Californiana for E Flat Alto Saxophone and Piano-
17. Lament. Lento Non Troppo - Un Pochissimo Pi Mosso - Tempo I - Pesante, Ma Accelerando Poco a Poco, E Sempre Pi Passionato -
18. Sonata Californiana for E Flat Alto Saxophone and Piano-
19. Hollywood. Allegro Spiritoso - Meno Mosso (Tempo II) - Tempo I - a la Marcia - Molto Mosso - Adagio Quasi Recitativo - Quasi And

UPC: 0095115237427
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 11.21.25
Format: CD