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The extensive and valuable inheritance of Ernst Krenek, one of the most important Austrian composers of the 20th century, will be brought to Danube University Krems. The administrative office of the Ernst Krenek Institute will be situated in the recently adapted middle tract of the main University building.
The composer was born in Vienna and had to flee from the National Socialists in 1938. He went into exile in California where he died in 1991 at the age of 91. His widow and legal assignee Gladys N. Krenek worked for a long time to bring Krenek’s inheritance back to his home. Krenek’s work found its home in Krems – a town with which he was closely connected even during his exile. “Krenek and I have been coming to Austria quite often since the 1950’s, and every now and again we went to the Wachau. He was extremely fond of being there, and especially fond of Krems. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but I find it wonderful that we are now connected to Danube University Krems,” says Gladys Krenek.
Dr. Erwin Pröll, Governor of the Province of Lower Austria played a major role in setting up the Krenek Institute in Krems. “By setting up the Ernst Krenek Institute in our province we have made a truly big catch as far as the culture politics in Lower Austria and especially in the city of Krems is concerned. This achievement will raise our province and our city well beyond the national sphere - into the realm of international culture politics.” In this context Dr. Pröll announced the establishment of musicology as one of the main subjects at the Department of Cultural Studies in Danube University Krems. “Our goal is to establish a center for contemporary music in Danube University Krems.”
The research center will bring together and document Ernst Krenek’s inheritance, which is scattered all over Europe and the U.S.A. right now, and will also disseminate Krenek’s work. Krenek’s material includes extensive literary work, and will be accommodated as best as possible in terms of preservation and archiving. It will be available to the public as well as to researchers.
The Ernst Krenek Institute will be financed in part from royalties which will be received until 2061, and in part from subsidies of the Federal Government and the Province of Lower Austria, amounting to about 200,000.- euro per year. The Province of Lower Austria will also provide one million euro to establish the necessary infrastructure.
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