Expressive Emotion and Symphonic Economy: A Note on Recent Works by Uroš Krek

Abstract

The music of Uroš Krek combines symphonic economy with expressive emotion. Even in the earlier neo-classical and folk music influenced works, this character was evident. Many of these works are written for string instruments for which Krek has a particular interest and affinity. The music of the 1970s contains an extensive use of a highly developed motivic activity which shows his flexible approach. His motives change by rhythm, inversion, reordering, and changing notes. These features are also very evident in more recent works, notably the Streichsextett of 1990 which combines variation technique and motivic transformation in a unique and satisfying way with an intense emotional expression.