The Knights Premiere New Work

The Knights

The Grammy-nominated orchestral collective The Knights presents a diverse program at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall on Wednesday, April 3 at 7:30 featuring music from the Baroque era through today, and from East to West.

The concert features the US premiere of Canons and Overtones by Donnacha Dennehy, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall for its 125 Commissions Project. This piece was written to recognize the significance of the 20th anniversary of Dubliin’s Crash. The story is told through layered melodies to create overtones, blurring the distinction between timbre and harmony.

Syrian clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh will be partnering up with The Knights for the New York premiere of his work, Concertino Grosso, that is also co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall. Both works signify Kinan’s diversity and virtuosity as a performer while emphasizing the connections of The Knights’ music from the Baroque to the modern era, and from East to West.

There is a lot to look forward to at the New York premiere! Contemporary works from the Brooklyn-based ensemble include Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte and Thomas Adès’s Chamber Symphony, Op. 2, alongside Vivaldi’s Sinfonia in B Minor, RV 169, "Al Santo Sepolcro."

Syrian composer and clarinetist Kinan Azmeh first appeared as a soloist with the Seattle Symphony exactly two years ago. His unforgettable performance at Music Beyond Borders, a concert featuring music from the seven countries banned by the February 2017 executive order, inspired people around the world.

The Knights were formed at a friendly late-night chamber music session at the home of violinist Colin Jacobsen and cellist Eric Jacobsen. The Knights’ roster boasts remarkably unique diverse talents, including composers, arrangers, singer-songwriters, and improvisers, who bring a range of cultural influences to the group, from jazz and klezmer to pop and indie rock music.

The Knights’ New York Premiere will be a breath-taking experience for the audience.

— Maria F. Sanchez

The Knights perform Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" during their soundcheck at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. You can hear the whole evening concert here: http://bit.ly/MiMPX2 © WQXR | New York Public Radio