Composer & Arranger

Eric Knechtges

contact eric

Eric Knechtges
201 S 13th St
APT 1201
Philadelphia, PA 19107

EMAIL

QUESTIONS?

CLICK any titles on list that are LINKS to experience on YouTube or SoundCloud. 

Just let me know if you have questions. I’d love to hear from you. 
– Eric

STAGE WORKS

Last Call (2013) — Opera (one act) — 45′ — Explores the different meanings and purposes of a small town gay bar for various ages and populations. Musically eclectic, incorporating opera, jazz, and EDM, among other genres. Premiered by NANOWorks in Cincinnati.

ORCHESTRA

Podcast Theme (2020) — Orchestra — 2′ — Short piece written for a podcast series by the Cincinnati May Festival.

Loss (2018) — Strings, Piano — 3′ — Short, elegiac piece.

Phainou (2012) — Orchestra — 9′ — Based on the Epitaph of Seikilos, the oldest extant piece of notated Western music. Premiered by the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony orchestra, Paul Stanbery, conductor.

Planck’s Consonance (2009) — Strings, 2 Perc — 9′ — Based on quotations of two pieces by Jean-Phillippe Rameau, whose treatise on harmony laid the groundwork for tonal harmonic analysis. Tones that would now be considered non-harmonic tones were considered as chord members in his treatise, which I viewed as being remarkably similar to the wave-particle duality in physics. Premiered at Northern Kentucky University, Joseph Pollard White, conductor.

Things Left Unsaid (2008) — Orchestra — 13’30” — Based on themes from Tchakovsky’s Sixth Symphony, widely believe to have a “secret program” having to do with the composer’s homosexuality. Premiered by the Indiana University Concert Orchestra, Mark Gibson, conductor.

CHAMBER AND SOLO MUSIC

Sup? (2017) — Jazz sextet — 9′ — Variations on a popular song in several popular styles. Premiered at Northern Kentucky University’s Confluence of the Arts

Spark (2014) — Double-belled Trumpet — 1’​ — Technical showpiece for this unusual instrument. Premiered at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, NY.

Zed (2012) — 2 Violins — 4′ — Technical showpiece heavily influenced by the Delta blues and progressive metal

4WD (2012) — Trumpet, Alto Sax, Bsn — 10′ — Four-movement work based on impressions of four different roads that have special significance in my life: Interstate 75, Indiana Route 46, 14th Street in Cincinnati, and the German Autobahn. Premiered at the Fresh Ink Festival.

Red, Black, and Gold (2012) — Brass Quintet — 10′ — Three-movement work based on the three colors of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Premiered at Ohio Northern University by the Polaris Quintet.

The Cage Has Five Bars (2011) — 5 Percussion — 6′ — Inspired by turning a piece of staff paper 90 degrees and realizing that the staff lines resemble the bars of a jail cell. How much of musician’s lives are held prisoner by those five lives? Premiered by the Northern Kentucky University Percussion Ensemble.

Capriccio (2011) — Tuba, Piano — 6′ — A quirky piece reminiscent of Stravinsky and Vaughan-Williams. Premiered at the Southeast Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference, Timothy Olt, Tuba.

Dali Hexaptych (2010) — 4 Tpt, 1 Hn, 4 Tbn, 1 Tba — 9’30” — A multi-movement work for brass choir based on six artworks by Salvador Dali: The Persistence of Memory, Mae West Lips Sofa, The Face of War, Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening, Corpus Hypercubus, and The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory. Premiered by the Miami University Brass Choir, Timothy Olt, conductor.

Nightly Scrambles (2010) — Fl, Clar, Sax, Bsn, Tpt, Hn, Tbn, Tba — 9′ — Based on various aspects of the nightlife along Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Premiered by the Northern Kentucky University Chamber Winds, Brant Karrick, conductor.

Rivers Through Autumn (2009) — Vn, Vc, Pno — 9′ — Reflective and optimistic piece.

Shake (2009) — Viola + Narrator — 5′ — Text is three poems by Bryan Borland

Aeolian Nocturnes (2009) — Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Piano — 9′ — Minimalist-influenced work inspired by night scenes in nature.

Reflections on the River (2008) — Cello, Tuba, Piano — 9′ — Nostalgic and upbeat piece that includes quotations from Saint-Säens’ “The Swan” and the Adagio from Shostakovich’s The Limpid Stream.

Midnight Caffeine (2006) — 2 Euphonium, 2 Tuba — 4’30” — Jazz/funk-influenced piece that grooves hard.

Three Degrees of Separation (2005) — Flute, Clarinet, Viola, Cello, Marimba — 8′ — A bright piece with three different themes at different tempos which ultimately end up counterpointing each other unexpectedly and beautifully.

Exotherm (2005) — Wind quintet — 6′ — Abstract work depicting an unpredictable chemical reaction.

Que Pasa? (2004) — Tuba, Piano — 5′ — Quirky piece heavily influenced by Afro-Cuban jazz.

Der Jagd (2003) — Horn, Piano — 5′ — Angular piece inspired by Paul Hindemith.

A Metamusical Sonata (2002) — Bassoon, Piano — 12′ — Three-movement work whose “themes” are different musical styles (e.g., sound mass, bebop jazz, pop rock).

Fleurs d’Ete (2002) — String quartet — 5′ — Composed as a wedding processional and recessional, reminiscent of the music of Aaron Copland.

CHAMBER MUSIC WITH VOICE

Appalachian Angles (2016) — Soprano, Violin, Viola, Cello — 25′ — Six-movement work based on poems by living Appalchian women poets, and Appalachian folk songs and protest songs. Written for soprano Kimberly Lazzeri, premiered at Northern Kentucky University.

Clamavi (2014) — Baritone Voice — 1′ — Setting of a mystical quatrain by Rumi. Premiered by baritone Andrew Head in Iowa City, IA.

Blessing (2013) — Soprano, Tenor, WW5 — 8′ — A setting of the “Apache Blessing” from the western novel Blood Brother, popularized in the  movie Broken Arrow.

Red Hands (2012) — Baritone, Clarinet — 1′ — Poignant setting of a short poem by Bryan Borland.

Simon (2010) — Soprano, Flute, Clar, Pno — 14′ — Dramatic setting of text by Bryan Borland about one of the early anonymous victims of the AIDS epidemic.

Of War and Eternity (2009) — Tenor, Pno — 10′ — Setting of two poems by Stephen Crane. Intended as an anti-war protest piece. Premiered by Eric DeForest, tenor, at Northern Kentucky University.

Amherst Posy (2007) — Soprano, Flute, Guitar — 12′ — Four-movement setting of poetry by Emily Dickinson. Premiered at Indiana University.

The Mystic Trumpeter (2005) — Baritone, Flugelhorn, Piano — 3′ — Short setting of an excerpt of this poem by Walt Whitman

Bogorditse Djevo (2005) — Soprano, Euphonium, Piano — 4′ — Re-composition based on the melody used by Sergei Rachmaninoff in his Solemn Vespers. Premiered at Bowling Green State University.

Come and Be My Baby (2004) — Soprano, Alto Sax, Piano — 7’30” — Jazz-influenced setting of the poem by Maya Angelou. Premiered at Bowling Green State University.

CHORUS

Dreidel Meshugas (2018) — TTBB Chorus — 9′ — Humorous variations on “I Have a Little Dreidel” in the styles of various Jewish composers.

I Believe (2017) — TTBB Chorus (with divisi) — 6′ — A setting of a text found inscribed on a wall in the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII. Premiered by the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus.

Where Are They Now? (2016) — TTBB Chorus — 10′ — A humorous “follow-up” on several favorite childhood Christmas characters. Premiered by the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus.

Reconciliation (2012) — TTBB Chorus — 5′ — A setting of this poignant poem by Walt Whitman. In the spirit of unity, it features the word “reconciliation” as a repeated mantra/pedal point, translated into dozens of different languages.

Ainigma (2011) — SATB Chorus — 9′ — A dramatic setting of Plato’s allegory of the Cave. Also includes a quotation, in ancient Greek, of the relevant text from 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass darkly.” Premiered by the Northern Kentucky University Chamber Choir.

O Nata Lux (2006) — SSAATTBB Chorus — 9’30” — Challenging setting of this religious text.

Winter Night (2006) — SSATBB Chorus — 9′ — Evocative piece with vocalise syllables exploring the harmonies of 11-limit extended just intonation. Premiered at Indiana University.

Sic Enim Dilexit Deus Mundum (2005) — SSAATTBB Chorus — 6′ — An abbreviated account of the Passion (selected verses from the Latin Bible), with interludes of this text from John 3:16.

Sonos (2005) — SSAATTBB Chorus — 2’30” — A brief exploration of the sounds contained in the word “musica.” Premiered by the San Francisco Choral Artists.

The Sunset (2004) — SATB Chorus — 5′ — Text by Timothy Olt, dealing with cherishing memories during difficult life changes.

Autumn Twilight (2004) — SATB Chorus — 7′ — Evocative piece with vocalise syllables exploring the harmonies of 7-limit extended just intonation. Premiered at Bowling Green State University.

Caritas (2004) — SATB Chorus — 8′ — Setting of an excerpt from 1 Corinthians 13.

October Prayer (2002) — SATB Chorus — 4′ — A setting of this gripping text by Esther Popel, describing the final prayer of a victim of a lynching.

ELECTROACOUSTIC

Flow (2017) — Video — 6’30” — Meditative video featuring footage excerpted from art projects by Northern Kentucky University students involing water. Music utilizes 31-tone equal temperament.

Headspace (2017) — Euphonium and Electronics — 13′ — Exploration of a “stream of consciousness

Cxu mi ankorau spiras? (2008) — 10′ — Baritone, Baroque Oboe, and Electronics (including the P5 Data Glove) — An “update” of a madrigal by Carlo Gesualdo. Octophonic surround sound.

Narrow Road to the Deep North (2006) — 6′ — Voice, Electronics — A setting of excerpts from Matsuo Basho’s travel sketch.

 

BAND

To Kindle a Light (2015) — 8’30” — Premiere by the Clemson University Symphonic Band, Tim Hurlburt, conductor. In memory of Timothy L. Parry, musician and educator.

Ignite! (2015) — 4′ — Premiered by the Fillmore Wind Band, Jim Daughters, conductor. Flashy concert opener, inspired by the creative process.

In Memoriam (2013) — 4’30” — Premiered by the Fillmore Wind Band. Introspective piece inspired by the tintinnabulum of Estonian composer Arvo Part.

Vision Fanfare (2011) — 2’30” — Premiered by the Ohio Northern Wind Ensemble, Thomas Hunt, conductor. Fanfare based on the hymn “Be Thou My Vision.”

Eyes of the Hawk (2011) — 3′ — Premiered by the Miami University Wind Ensemble, Gary Speck, conductor. Concert opener based on the hymn “Be Thou My Vision.”

Autumn Passages (2009) — 9′ — Premiered by the Northern Kentucky University Symphonic Winds. Reflective and exciting journey based on “October” from Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons.

Hymn for a Summer Twilight (2008) — 10′ — Premiered by the Pride of Indy Band, Eric Knechtges, conductor. Meditative and triumphant piece in celebration of summer.

Tie-Line March (2008) — 3′ — Premiered by the “Experience the Music” (LGBA members) concert band, Eric Knechtges, conductor. A quirky march  written for the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA).

Mi Mariposa (2007) — 2’30” — Premiered by the Indiana University Wind Ensemble. Based on short tunes written by two children in Bloomington, Indiana.

To Build a Rainbow (2007) — 8′ — A retrospective look at the formation of the Pride of Indy band, on the occasion of their third anniversary

Blaze (2006) — 3′ [brass and percussion only] — Short, brilliant fanfare

Winds Unfurled (2005) — 25′ — A four-movement work, similar in nature to Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra based on themes from The Stars and Stripes Forever

Carpe Diem (2003) 18′ — Written for and premiered by the Champlin Park High School BAnd in Champlin, MN.

Jackson Fanfare (2003) — 3′ — A short, energetic fanfare for the city of Jackson, MI, premiered by the Jackson Community Concert Band.

Broken Silents (2000, rev. 2012) — 16′ — In memory of the victims of hate crimes against LGBT people, and the Stonewall Uprising at the Stonewall Inn in New York City.

BAND WITH SOLOIST

Twin Lake Reflections (2017) — 16′ — Tuba, Euphonium, and Band — Written for and premiered by SymbiosisDuo and the Falcone Festival Band, Joe Manfredo, conductor. Dedicated to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

Mariana: Variations on Ave Maria (2014) — 10’30” — Violin and Band — Written for Arianna Ranieri and the Ohio Northern University Wind Orchestra. Variations on a medieval chant melody, with a bit of a Celtic flare.

Up All Night (2013) — 9’30” — Trumpet and Band (also Euphonium and Band) — Third Prize Winner of the Doc Severinsen International Composition Contest. Premiered by Gabe DiMartino and the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble, Don Ryder, conductor. Depicts a wild night out on the town, from beginning in loneliness, to cruising with friends around the city and stopping at places of ill repute, to sitting at a diner at five in the morning as the sun rises, remembering all of the great times.

Aporia (2012) — 12’30” — Euphonium and Band — Commissioned by Sigma Alpha Iota of Miami University. Premiered by Adam Frey and the Miami University Wind Ensemble. Based on a quotation from Ives’ The Unanswered Question, this piece represents mankind’s many attempts and failures at answering the eternal question of existence.