“Four different works by Ernst Krenek are reunited on this disc, ranging from his early Potpourri to the symphony Pallas Athene. The recorded pieces show that he mastered both the twelve-tone technique as well as the romantic style, among other styles less present here. The other works are compositions based on short, concise ideas, bound together in various formats. With Tricks and Trifles a premiere recording is available. The Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz delivers fine performances, but, especially in the Potpourri – which Krenek himself understood as a rather easy piece – a more spirited playing would have been welcome.” ***