by Kurt Knecht | Jul 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
Today we managed to set mic levels and get some solid takes of two of our improvisations. The first was a sort of passacaglia based on a coloristic succession of parallel major chords. The second used the digital tabla playing a 15/8 rhythm called Pancham. Apparently,...
by Kurt Knecht | Jul 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
Perhaps the most exciting part of this project so far is the collaborative element. Normally, composition is a rather isolated and lonely task with the weight of the Western cult of genius bearing down on each working minute. I once heard Wynton Marsalis remark that...
by Kurt Knecht | Jul 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
This week I am making a recording with the amazing violist Jonah Sirota. The project is quite unique. It will be a recording of improvisations for viola and organ. Naturally, my thoughts have turned to some of the interesting aspects of working on improvised...
by Kurt Knecht | Jun 11, 2013 | Uncategorized
Several friends have been passing around a recent NY Times articles about neurological studies and music. Naturally, it is fascinating stuff if you like working on cars. The article is called “Why Music Makes Our Brains Sing”, and you can read it here.My...
by Kurt Knecht | Jun 5, 2013 | Uncategorized
Almost once a week, I seem to discover a composer that I’ve never heard of before. I’m not talking about 16th century French composers with fantastic names like Jean Bastard, Italian conglomerates monikered Accademico Bizzarro Capriccioso, or the...
by Kurt Knecht | Jun 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
I’ve had a curious phenomenon happen twice in recent weeks. I’m not sure what to make of it, so I thought I would put it out on the internets and see what others thought about it.In my theological conversations with various and sundry people, it is often...
by Kurt Knecht | May 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
When you are engaged in creative work, it is important to keep a close eye on what you are consuming. You tend to be severely influenced by what is feeding you. You will also tend to imitate the people that you hang around. With this in mind, I started a project some...
by Kurt Knecht | May 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
A few weeks ago, I dropped off a friend who was giving a composition master class with some young composers. When I came back from my rehearsal to retrieve him, they were winding down, but I was asked to respond to a young composer who queried, “Do you think it...
by Kurt Knecht | May 24, 2013 | Uncategorized
I had the good fortune of rehearsing a piece with an ensemble a few weeks ago. It was one of my own compositions written specifically for the ensemble. The group is getting ready to perform the piece at the Association of British Choral Directors National Convention...
by Kurt Knecht | May 23, 2013 | Uncategorized
This weekend we celebrate Avi’s graduation from high school. Here is a video of his high school combo playing the latest chart that he wrote. The start is a little rocky, but they eventually settle into a groove. I think it is a most excellent and hip tune. He...
by Kurt Knecht | May 21, 2013 | Uncategorized
My first composition teacher was David Clark Isele. I remember the joy and intimidation I felt when I was introduced to an actual living composer. The first work of David’s that I listened to with great regularity was his “Celebration Requiem”. ...
by Kurt Knecht | May 19, 2013 | Uncategorized
In response to one of the posts in this series, Dwight Thomas – an absolutely fantastic and gifted musician – brought up a great question. Let’s say you are following the “say one thing and fix it” rule. How do you balance that with...
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