The Knights
Colin Jacobsen, Artistic Director
Eric Jacobsen, Artistic Director and Conductor
Wu Man, Pipa
Christina Courtin, Vocals
Magos Herrera, Vocals

Continuing a long-standing relationship with pipa legend Wu Man, this program will feature the world premiere performance of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Du Yun’s new work for pipa and orchestra and explore themes of cultural memory, transformation of old into new, and a sense of theatricality within both instrumental and vocal music.

Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin was written in loving memory of friends he lost in World War I and channels the forms and clean lines of the French Baroque style. Du Yun’s piece is inspired by regional Chinese opera styles, which are increasingly in danger of being lost in modern China. The young Kurt Weill’s Weimar-era Symphony No. 1 (‘Berliner”) contains some of the hallmarks of what were to become his operatic, cabaret style in songs like Alabama Song and Pirate Jenny, which in turn went on to influence artists as diverse as American folk icon Bob Dylan, rock-band The Doors, and the beloved Brazilian songwriter Chico Buarque.

Program:

Maurice Ravel Le tombeau de Couperin 

Du Yun Ears of the Book - Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra, featuring Wu Man (World Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall) 

Kurt Weill Symphony No. 1, “Berliner Symphonie” 

Bob Dylan, arr. Christina Courtin “When the Ship Comes In”

Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, arr. Christina Courtin "Alabama Song"

Chico Buarque, arr. Colin Jacobsen “Geni e o Zepelim” featuring Magos Herrera, vocals

Additional tickets not available online are available over the phone (212-247-7800) and at the Carnegie Hall Box Office.

The Knights thank Gary L. Wasserman and Charles A. Kashner for their generous sponsorship support of the 2023/24 Knights Concert Series at Carnegie Hall.

The Knights at Carnegie Hall with Chris Thile

The Knights join forces with mandolinist, composer, and singer Chris Thile in an exploration of American music, old and new (and a little Bach). Thile’s new work, a Carnegie Hall co-commission, will feature his brilliant songwriting and storytelling, instrumental virtuosity, and ever-present sense of humor. Thile also joins The Knights to sing a version of Caroline Shaw's exquisite and poetic meditation on the nature of a rose. Dvorak's famed “American” Quartet is re-imagined through the lens of violinist and composer Curtis Stewart as a chamber orchestra, folk-inspired jam session, and Colin Jacobsen's Sheriff's Freud brings together the world of Dvorak - in some ways a founding figure in the development of American music - with bluegrass idioms. And finally, some Bach. Why? Because Bach is always a good idea...

Program:

J.S. Bach I. Vivace from Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043, featuring Chris Thile, mandolin and Colin Jacobsen, violin (trans. Thile)

Caroline Shaw Is A Rose: No. 2, And So 

with Chris Thile, mandolin and vocals

Antonin Dvorak (arr. by Curtis Stewart) String Quartet in F Major, Op. 96 “American”

Colin Jacobsen Sheriff's Freud

-intermission-

Chris Thile ATTENTION!
(A narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra; NYC Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)

1. Attention
2. Lord Starbucks
3. The Rooftop
4. Carrie Freaking Fisher

Claire Coffee, director

The Knights thank Gary L. Wasserman and Charles A. Kashner for their generous sponsorship support of the 2023/24 Knights Concert Series at Carnegie Hall, and James Attwood and Leslie Williams for their generous sponsorship of soloist Chris Thile at Carnegie Hall on October 26th.

Schedule:

7:00 PM - 7:30 PM Pre-concert Talk

8:00 PM Performance 

Program:

Felix Mendelssohn String Symphony No. 10 in B minor

Nico Muhly Shrink, featuring Pekka Kuusisto, violin

Aaron Copland Appalachian Spring (suite for 13 players)

Colin Jacobsen A Shadow Under Every Light

based on traditional folk songs from Slovakia and Moravia collected by Leoš Janáček

The Knights are thrilled to join Magos Herrera at Bryant Park for Carnegie Hall Citywide on Friday, July 21 at 7:00 pm for a special performance in celebration of the release of her newest album Aire. Written largely during pandemic isolation and now performed live for audiences in Bryant Park, Aire has become “a way to reach out … to heal each other by coming together and celebrating our humanity with compassion and gratitude.” The Knights are honored to have recorded this album with Magos in May of 2022.

Colin Jacobsen, Artistic Director and Violin
Eric Jacobsen, Artistic Director and Conductor

Magos Herrera, Vocals
Ingrid Jensen, Trumpet
Vinicius Gomes, Guitar
Matt Penman, Bass
Alex Kautz, Drums
Gonzalo Grau, Percussion 

This performance will be live streamed by Bryant Park at the following link: https://fb.me/e/1gpplErcO

The Knights
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Chris Thile, vocals

Program:

Chris Thile ATTENTION!
A narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra

1. Attention
2. Lord Starbucks
3. The Rooftop
4. Carrie Freaking Fisher

Béla Bartók, arr. Alex Fortes Romanian Folk Dances

Jessie Montgomery Source Code, for strings

George Enescu Romanian Rhapsody No. 1

The Knights are excited to return to the iconic Naumburg Bandshell on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 with violist Masumi Per Rostad. No tickets are required to attend this celebratory outdoor performance with Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, and seating will be offered on a first come first serve basis. The concert will also be broadcast live on WQXR.

The Knights
Michael P. Atkinson, conductor
Masumi Per Rostad, viola

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Bethesda Bliss
Jessie Montgomery: L.E.S. Characters, featuring Masumi Per Rostad, viola
New York Premiere

1. The Can Man

2. The Poet

3. Mosaic Man

4. Garbage Art

5. The Can Man (Reprise)

- intermission -

Béla Bartók, arr. Alex Fortes: Romanian Folk Dances
Jessie Montgomery: Source Code for string orchestra
George Enescu, arr. Ljova: Romanian Rhapsody No. 1

Death of Classical and The Alexander S. Onassis Benefit Foundation present Waiting for the Barbarians, a sprawling, one-night-only exploration of love, loss, lust, and longing centered around the timeless poetry of C.P. Cavafy, set to brand-new music by luminaries like Rufus Wainwright & Missy Mazzoli, Laurie Anderson, Helga Davis & Petros Klampanis, Nico Muhly, Paola Prestini, and more, accompanied by The Knights and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Seated amidst the towering Gothic arches of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, this program of entirely new music will take listeners on a musical journey across genres and sound worlds, with each piece sharing the same question: what do we lose – and gain – when we give away a part of ourselves?

The Program:‍

Rufus Wainwright, arr. Missy Mazzoli: Chandelier
Performed by Rufus Wainwright and The Knights

Helga Davis & Petros Klampanis: Cavafy Ghost
Performed by Helga Davis, Petros Klampanis, The Knights, and Brooklyn Youth Chorus - Dianne Berkun Menaker

Dimitris Papadimitriou: The Return
Performed by Eleni Calenos and The Knights

Nico Muhly, arr. Nathan Thatcher: Far Away Songs
Performed by Eleni Calenos and The Knights

Paola Prestini: Voices
Performed by Brooklyn Youth Chorus - Dianne Berkun Menaker

Laurie Anderson: Waiting for the Barbarians
Performed by Laurie Anderson, The Knights, and Brooklyn Youth Chorus - Dianne Berkun Menaker

The concert, and "Archive of Desire": A Festival Inspired by the Poet C.P. Cavafy of which it is a part, is a program developed and funded by the Alexander S. Onassis Benefit Foundation.

Honolulu-born bassist and composer Shawn Conley is returning home to present an innovative program with musicians from The Knights. Artistic Director and violinist Colin Jacobsen, flutist Alex Sopp, and harpist and founder of Ocean Music Action Megan Conley, join Shawn Conley for this concert and residency. The program will feature music inspired by the power and beauty of the ocean.

A Spectacular Chanukah Classical Music Performance

Sponsored by Dr. Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel

Reserve your free tickets below!

Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo returns to Temple Emanu-El to curate and perform this very special Chanukah celebration featuring soprano Angel Blue and Brooklyn Youth Chorus.

The performance will begin with selections from Handel’s celebrated oratorio on Chanukah themes. It will also feature some of his most exquisite arias, and then offer an exploration of the work of contemporary composers and modern masters, including a work by Carlos Simon written for Costanzo and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and a 20th-century reimagining of traditional folk music.

Featuring:

Anthony Roth Costanzo, countertenor “brilliant” (New York Times)
Angel Blue, soprano “radiant” (New York Times)
Eric Jacobsen, conductor “an interpretive dynamo” (New York Times)
The Knights
Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Dianne Berkun Menaker, Artistic Director
Shalom Goldman, scholar and religion professor at Middlebury College
Steven Fox, cantorial soloist

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian re-imaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Janacek with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and a new work drawn from Janacek’s field recordings of folk songs.  

The Knights 

Eric Jacobsen, Artistic Director and conductor

Colin Jacobsen, Artistic Director and concertmaster

Ray Chen, violin 

Karen Ouzounian, cello

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: “Kreutzer” Concerto featuring Ray Chen, violin (arr. of Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47)
Anna Clyne: Shorthand with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Janacek orch. Michael P. Atkinson: “Kreutzer” Sonata (arr. of String Quartet No. 1; original concept and arr. by Eric Jacobsen)
Colin Jacobsen: A Shadow Under Every Light featuring Ray Chen, violin

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian re-imaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Janacek with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and a new work drawn from Janacek’s field recordings of folk songs.  

The Knights 

Eric Jacobsen, Artistic Director and conductor

Colin Jacobsen, Artistic Director and concertmaster

Ray Chen, violin 

Karen Ouzounian, cello

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: “Kreutzer” Concerto featuring Ray Chen, violin (arr. of Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47)
Anna Clyne: Shorthand with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Janacek orch. Michael P. Atkinson: “Kreutzer” Sonata (arr. of String Quartet No. 1; original concept and arr. by Eric Jacobsen)
Colin Jacobsen: A Shadow Under Every Light featuring Ray Chen, violin

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian re-imaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Janacek with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and a new work drawn from Janacek’s field recordings of folk songs.  

The Knights 

Eric Jacobsen, Artistic Director and conductor

Colin Jacobsen, Artistic Director and concertmaster

Ray Chen, violin 

Karen Ouzounian, cello

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: “Kreutzer” Concerto featuring Ray Chen, violin (arr. of Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47)
Anna Clyne: Shorthand with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Janacek orch. Michael P. Atkinson: “Kreutzer” Sonata (arr. of String Quartet No. 1; original concept and arr. by Eric Jacobsen)
Colin Jacobsen: A Shadow Under Every Light featuring Ray Chen, violin

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian re-imaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Janacek with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and a new work drawn from Janacek’s field recordings of folk songs.  

The Knights 

Eric Jacobsen, Artistic Director and conductor

Colin Jacobsen, Artistic Director and concertmaster

Ray Chen, violin 

Karen Ouzounian, cello

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: “Kreutzer” Concerto featuring Ray Chen, violin (arr. of Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47)
Anna Clyne: Shorthand with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Janacek orch. Michael P. Atkinson: “Kreutzer” Sonata (arr. of String Quartet No. 1; original concept and arr. by Eric Jacobsen)
Colin Jacobsen: A Shadow Under Every Light featuring Ray Chen, violin

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian re-imaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Janacek with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and a new work drawn from Janacek’s field recordings of folk songs.  

The Knights 

Eric Jacobsen, Artistic Director and conductor

Colin Jacobsen, Artistic Director and concertmaster

Ray Chen, violin 

Karen Ouzounian, cello

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: “Kreutzer” Concerto featuring Ray Chen, violin (arr. of Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47)
Anna Clyne: Shorthand with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Janacek orch. Michael P. Atkinson: “Kreutzer” Sonata (arr. of String Quartet No. 1; original concept and arr. by Eric Jacobsen)
Colin Jacobsen: A Shadow Under Every Light featuring Ray Chen, violin

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian re-imaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Janacek with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and a new work drawn from Janacek’s field recordings of folk songs.  

The Knights 

Eric Jacobsen, Artistic Director and conductor

Colin Jacobsen, Artistic Director and concertmaster

Ray Chen, violin 

Karen Ouzounian, cello

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: “Kreutzer” Concerto featuring Ray Chen, violin (arr. of Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47)
Anna Clyne: Shorthand with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Janacek orch. Michael P. Atkinson: “Kreutzer” Sonata (arr. of String Quartet No. 1; original concept and arr. by Eric Jacobsen)
Colin Jacobsen: A Shadow Under Every Light featuring Ray Chen, violin

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian re-imaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Janacek with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and a new work drawn from Janacek’s field recordings of folk songs.  

The Knights 

Eric Jacobsen, Artistic Director and conductor

Colin Jacobsen, Artistic Director and concertmaster

Ray Chen, violin 

Karen Ouzounian, cello

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: “Kreutzer” Concerto featuring Ray Chen, violin (arr. of Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47)
Anna Clyne: Shorthand with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Janacek orch. Michael P. Atkinson: “Kreutzer” Sonata (arr. of String Quartet No. 1; original concept and arr. by Eric Jacobsen)
Colin Jacobsen: A Shadow Under Every Light featuring Ray Chen, violin

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian reimaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Leos Janáček with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and arrangements drawn from Janáček’s field recordings of folk songs.  

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Ludwig van Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzer Concerto, featuring Ray Chen, violin.
Anna Clyne: Shorthand, with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Leoš Janáček arr. Michael P. Atkinson: Kreutzer Sonata after String Quartet No. 1
Trad. arr. Colin Jacobsen: Folk songs drawn from Janáček’s archival field recordings

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian reimaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Leos Janáček with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and arrangements drawn from Janáček’s field recordings of folk songs.  

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Ludwig van Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzer Concerto, featuring Ray Chen, violin.
Anna Clyne: Shorthand, with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Leoš Janáček arr. Michael P. Atkinson: Kreutzer Sonata after String Quartet No. 1
Trad. arr. Colin Jacobsen: Folk songs drawn from Janáček’s archival field recordings

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian reimaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Leos Janáček with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and arrangements drawn from Janáček’s field recordings of folk songs.  

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Ludwig van Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzer Concerto, featuring Ray Chen, violin.
Anna Clyne: Shorthand, with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Leoš Janáček arr. Michael P. Atkinson: Kreutzer Sonata after String Quartet No. 1
Trad. arr. Colin Jacobsen: Folk songs drawn from Janáček’s archival field recordings

The Knights take The Kreutzer Project to Europe for an 11-stop tour from October 24th to November 6th, featuring dynamic violinist Ray Chen. The Kreutzer Project weaves together Knightsian reimaginings of the “Kreutzer” Sonatas of Beethoven and Leos Janáček with contemporary responses by Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, and arrangements drawn from Janáček’s field recordings of folk songs.  

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings
Ludwig van Beethoven arr. Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzer Concerto, featuring Ray Chen, violin.
Anna Clyne: Shorthand, with cellist Karen Ouzounian
Leoš Janáček arr. Michael P. Atkinson: Kreutzer Sonata after String Quartet No. 1
Trad. arr. Colin Jacobsen: Folk songs drawn from Janáček’s archival field recordings

The Knights are proud to be continuing their ongoing programs for present and future music-lovers alike. With a mix of family-oriented demonstrations, audience engagement, and performance, this concert at the beautiful Wethersfield Estate and Garden will have something for listeners of all ages.

With Selections from:

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

Anna Clyne: Shorthand

Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47, "Kreutzer" (arr. for string quartet by Colin Jacobsen)

On October 15, The Knights bring Bach’s immortal Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and selections from their new album, The Kreutzer Project, to the beautiful Wethersfield Estate and Garden.

Program:

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

Anna Clyne: Shorthand

Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47, "Kreutzer" (arr. for string quartet by Colin Jacobsen)

***CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER***

The Knights are pleased to make a Saturday appearance at the Downtown Brooklyn Arts Fest, with a selection of chamber music by Mozart, Glass, and others.

Program:

Komitas, arr. Aslamazyan: selections from Armenian Folk Songs

Philip Glass: selections from String Quartet No. 3 & 5

WA Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A, K. 581 Mvts 1 & 2

Pixinguinha, arr. LaValle: Urbatã

The Knights are delighted to partner once again with pianist/composer Aaron Diehl for a concert featuring Mary Lou Williams’ celebrated Zodiac Suite, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite alongside their hallmark rendition of J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.

Program:
Mary Lou Williams : selections from Zodiac Suite

George Gershwin arr. Michael P. Atkinson: Rhapsody in Blue

- intermission -

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

Igor Stravinsky arr. Michael P. Atkinson: Firebird Suite

Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Aaron Diehl, piano

On September 13, The Knights present The Kreutzer Project at Ravinia’s stunning Martin Theatre.

Program:

Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzings

Ludwig van Beethoven: Kreutzer Concerto after Violin Sonata No. 9 (arr. Colin Jacobsen)

Anna Clyne: Shorthand

Leoš Janáček: Kreutzer Sonata after String Quartet No. 1 (arr. Colin Jacobsen, orch. Michael P. Atkinson)

Traditional: Moravian/Slovakian folk songs (arr. Colin Jacobsen)

On September 11, The Knights bring The Kreutzer Project to the Candlelight Concert Society. This concert pairs Knightsian reimaginings and arrangements of Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 9, “Kreutzer,” Janáček’s Kreutzer Sonata, and Moravian/Slovakian folk songs with music by Anna Clyne and the world premiere of a new piece by acclaimed young composer Viet Cuong.

Program:

Viet Cuong: New Composition (World Premiere)

Ludwig van Beethoven: Kreutzer Concerto after Violin Sonata No. 9 (arr. Colin Jacobsen)

Anna Clyne: Shorthand

Leoš Janáček: Kreutzer Sonata after String Quartet No. 1 (arr. Colin Jacobsen, orch. Michael P. Atkinson)

Traditional: Moravian/Slovakian folk songs (arr. Leoš Janáček/Colin Jacobsen)

Music lovers of all ages will delight in a family-friendly concert that celebrates world-class music in an engaging, interactive setting. The Knights will perform excerpts from works by Debussy, Ravel, and Beethoven alongside audience participation activities that will highlight musical details and showcase the way instruments can tell a story. In this accessible afternoon performance, children and their parents will discover the limitless imaginative possibilities that exist in classical music.

Admission is free, but reservations are required.

In celebration of Clark Art Institute’s Rodin in the United States exhibit, The Knights present a free concert of French music by Debussy and Ravel, paired with a Knightsian arrangement of Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Concerto and Artistic Director Colin Jacobsen’s A Shadow Under Every Light, based on Moravian and Slovakian folk songs drawn from composer Leoš Janáček's field recordings.

PROGRAM:

Maurice Ravel: String Quartet in F major - II. Assez vif, très rythmé
Claude Debussy, arr. Michael P. Atkinson: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Traditional, arr. Colin Jacobsen: A Shadow Under Every Light
Ludwig van Beethoven, arr. Colin Jacobsen: Kreutzer Concerto, from Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47 (featuring Colin Jacobsen, violin)

This performance is free. Bring a picnic and your own seating.