[Grotesque Music] [Bartók, Béla. (1881–1945) & Grosz, Wilhelm. (1894–1939) & Hába, Alois. (1893–1973) & Krenek, Ernst. (1900–1991) & Petyrek, Felix. (1892–1951) & Rathaus, Karol. (1895–1954) & Reti, Rudolph. (1885–1957) & Wellesz, Egon. (1885–1974)] Seelig, Carl. (1894–1962)
Grotesken-Album: Album des Grotesques: Album of Grotesques
Wien - Leipzig: Universal-Edition A.G.. 1922. Upright folio. Universal-Edition no. 6567. 42 pp. An album of short modernist "grotesque" piano pieces compiled by Carl Seelig, featuring an extraordinary Jugendstil cover design incorporating a Harlequin-like contortionist, by the influential Vienna-based artist and puppeteer Richard Teschner (1879-1948). Three ownership signatures on the inside covers and title page from Walter J. Simon. Spine partially split; corner creases; otherwise overall in very good condition. 9 x 12 inches (23 x 30.5 cm).According to Seelig's introductory remarks in German, French and English, the pieces have been chosen to reflect the grotesque movement in music, a parallel to the developments in modern art. "In music, the grotesque element rests either in the subject matter itself [...] or in its treatment. In the latter case, the grotesque may be achieved by way of thematic of melodic effects contrasting antagonistic themes, further by surprisingly novel development of such themes, or else (by way of harmony) by unexpected, startling turns."
The pieces included are: Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs, op. 20, by Bartok; Walzer and Polka by Wilhelm Grosz; Zwei groteske Stücke by Alois Haba; Tanzstudie by Ernst Krenek; Excentric, Wurstelprater, and Der offizielle Empfang by Felix Petyrek; Zwei kleine Klavierstücke by Karl Rathaus; op. 2, no. 5 from Terrassen by Rudolf Réti; and op. 11, no. 3 Burleske by Egon Wellesz (14364)
Printed Music Classical Music