In October 1937, the composer Ernst Krenek travelled to the United States for his first time. While still in Austria, Krenek experienced a strange episode with a photographer in connection with his trip to America, during which he was to accompany an opera troupe on its tour. The conductor of the ensemble said he wanted to have some "really great photos" taken of Krenek and sent the composer to a photo shooting. In his memoirs, Krenek recounts his encounter with the photographer, Writing that it had a  really strange and almost frightening effect on him and that the entire episode gave him the feeling of being involved in some shady, sinister enterprise. (Im Atem der Zeit, 1998)

After arriving in New York, Krenek soon met another photographer, Eric Schaal, an encounter which the composer found far more rewarding. Schaal, who specialized in taking portraits of artists, interwove conversations during the shoots with his subjects, discussing their work in order to create a candid atmosphere. This produced portraits that give an unaffected impression and Ernst Krenek even considered having postcards made of certain prints. He added an inscription to one of the photographs addressed to the photographer: "To Mr. Eric Schaal: Many thanks for the friendly memento — Ernst Krenek. New York, November 30, 1937."