René Staar

Ständchen op. 14/Nr. 1a

Ständchen is the German word for "Serenade," which is related to the word "Stehen," which means "Standing." Therefore, I invented the word "Sitzchen," which would mean "to serenade from a sitting position." I composed these two works for the 85th birthday of Ernst Krenek, the first for violin (to be played standing), the second for piano (to be played, of course, sitting). The half-step motion E—E flat—E, inherent in Ernst Krenek's name, became a horizontal motif in the violin piece and a vertical line in the piano piece. In the Ständchen, the opening and its repetitions are lyrically conceived as a "chorus," whereas the dancelike contrasting interludes combine elements of the "old" and "new" worlds to portray Krenek's multi-faceted life between two continents. March-like and resounding bells characterize the appearance of the piano piece.