Leon Kirchner: Orchestral Works (2011)

Leon Kirchner (1919-2009) was one of most widely respected if infrequently performed American composers of the late 20th century. He was a student and devotee of Schoenberg, although he did not adhere to serial procedures in his own work. In the mind of the musical public, Kirchner was grouped with the ivory-tower academicians who dominated elite East Coast university faculties who were disparaged for writing densely complex music that was out of touch with modern audiences. It's easy to see how Kirchner would be ... Read More

Leon Kirchner (1919-2009) was one of most widely respected if infrequently performed American composers of the late 20th century. He was a student and devotee of Schoenberg, although he did not adhere to serial procedures in his own work. In the mind of the musical public, Kirchner was grouped with the ivory-tower academicians who dominated elite East Coast university faculties who were disparaged for writing densely complex music that was out of touch with modern audiences. It's easy to see how Kirchner would be pigeonholed into that stereotype; he taught at Harvard, and his unabashedly modernist music required focused listening to be understood. His music, though, like Berg's, was intensely expressive. Among professionals, including some of the most outstanding performers of his time, he was admired for the integrity and individuality of his music. A willing listener might not understand everything going on in his music on first hearing, but could hardly miss perceiving its sweeping emotional... Read Less