Alexander Krein - Jewish Melody, Op. 43 (Urtext Edition)

Alexander Krein came from a musical Russian-Jewish family active in both classical music and klezmer traditions. His brother Grigory and nephew Julian were also important composers. Krein’s Jewish Melody was composed in 1927, though it was not published by the Soviet state publishers until 1941. Because of hostility toward Jews in the Soviet Union, the work appeared under the more neutral title Melody.

This edition is based on the 1941 Soviet publication. The cello melody is simple, diatonic, and fairly straightforward in each key in which it appears, but the piano part remains bitonal for almost the entire piece. This harmonic language gives the music a distinctive depth of color without calling excessive attention to itself. Krein’s general sound world is often reminiscent of Scriabin.

Fingerings have been provided in the cello part. The piece is suitable for intermediate cellists and works well as a lyrical recital piece, encore, or introduction to early twentieth-century Russian-Jewish repertoire.

ASTA level: 5