Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Australia

Birth

:

1957 in St. Louis, MO

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

Douglas Knehans is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on October 16, 1957, in Willimantic, Connecticut, USA. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Knehans started playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the trumpet and guitar. He attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and a Master of Music degree in composition and conducting. Knehans' early works were influenced by the minimalist and post-minimalist movements of the 1970s and 1980s. His compositions often feature repetitive patterns and a focus on texture and timbre. In the 1990s, Knehans began to incorporate more traditional forms and structures into his music, such as sonatas and symphonies. One of Knehans' most notable works is his Symphony No. 3, "Arches," which was commissioned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2002. The symphony is divided into three movements, each of which is named after a famous arch: the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and the Arch of Constantine in Rome. The work features lush orchestration and a sense of grandeur, reflecting the majesty of the arches that inspired it. Another significant work by Knehans is his opera, "The Venerable Bede," which premiered in 2014. The opera tells the story of the life of the Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar, Bede, who is known for his contributions to the fields of history and theology. The work features a libretto by the poet and playwright, Richard Newman, and incorporates elements of medieval chant and polyphony. Knehans has also composed a number of works for chamber ensembles, including his String Quartet No. 2, "The Four Elements," which was commissioned by the Ariel Quartet and premiered in 2015. The work is divided into four movements, each of which is inspired by one of the classical elements: earth, air, fire, and water. The quartet features intricate counterpoint and a wide range of textures and moods. In addition to his work as a composer, Knehans is also a professor of music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award and the ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Prize. Overall, Douglas Knehans is a composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His works are characterized by their lush orchestration, intricate textures, and incorporation of traditional forms and structures. With a career spanning several decades, Knehans continues to be a prominent figure in the world of classical music.

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