Classical Music Album Review: Gil Shaham & The Knights play Beethoven and Brahms
“Taken together, then, these two performances showcase a group of instrumentalists whose collective musicianship is electrifying: full of just the right combination of wonder, play, and discovery this much-loved repertoire needs in order to sound fresh and truly come to life.”
— The Arts Fuse
Read More
The Knights Leadership Announcement
The Knights announces the election of Paul Sekhri to Board Chair and Graham Parker to Board Vice Chair; Bridget Mundy is named Executive Director.
Read More
The Knights Weave Old and New in Concert of Surprises at Dumbarton Oaks
“On one level, classical music concerns a dialogue between old and new. This is a programming specialty of the Knights…”
— The Washington Post
Read More
Through Collaboration, Balletcollective and The Knights Find New Heights
“…As the night wore on, the program’s creative team buzzed between each piece with an ease that revealed the electric closeness between the two innovative groups.”
— AllArts
Read More
The Knights Whirl Into Gypsy Lands at Tanglewood Concert
“…There was plenty to grin about in this live-wire chamber orchestra's sixth annual visit.”
— The Berkshire Eagle
Read More
In the Concert Hall, Clapping is Chaos. That’s Not a Bad Thing.
“…The music begs for that audience interaction…” — WQXR
Read More
Meet the Future
Who doesn’t want to experience challenging repertoire spanning centuries, played by engaged musicians, presented informally in aesthetically lovely surroundings?
— A Beast in the Jungle
Read More
The Head and the Load Is a Kaleidoscopic Tour of Africa’s Colonial History
“As with the best of Kentridge’s work, The Head and the Load is a kaleidoscopic affair. There are numerous collaborators: The music was composed by Philip Miller and Thuthuka Sibisi and played by the Brooklyn ensemble The Knights.” — The New Republic
Read More
Review: Pam Tanowitz’s ‘Four Quartets’ Hits Poetic Heights
“A superb new score by the illustrious Kaija Saariaho is also played, sometimes between stanzas, sometimes underneath the words, by the four musicians of The Knights…” — NY Times
Read More
Young Musicians From New York Give A Record Concert
The brilliant appearance of the chamber orchestra The Knights in the Great Hall of the Elbphilharmonie with works by Bach sets high standards.
— Hamburger Abendblatt (Germany)
Read More
The Knights Open View Into Strange Worlds
Epochs, styles, countries, and genre boundaries? They can be safely forgotten by New York Chamber Orchestra The Knights, which electrified the audience in the Graf-Zeppelin Haus.
— Schwaebische (Germany)
Read More
The Knights: a Must-see at the Elbphilharmonie
These two dozen musicians from Brooklyn… playfully combine early music with avantgarde, great classics with world music - constantly blowing away audiences because this mix is simply irresistibly refined.
— Hamburger Abendblatt (Germany)
Read More
The Fifth Easter Festival in Aix-en-provence - Chamayou and the Knights: Simply Sublime!
The Knights, an ensemble that loves to share and open doors of musical exploration for audiences, has reached, with its director Eric Jacobsen, a level of ambition and sound perfection that is, again, unparalleled. Unforgettable, was the comment one could overhear everywhere when leaving the concert hall. We agree and confirm!”
— Destimed (France)
Read More
Masschusetts' Artsiest Enclave Gives NYC a Run for its Money
For decades, dancers and those who adore them have converged on Becket, Mass., for the Jacob’s Pillow festival. Its 85th season promises all the usual family-friendly events, Q&As and performances, and a provocative world premiere: “The Principles of Uncertainty.” Inspired by Maira Kalman’s words and pictures, John Heginbotham’s piece features a score performed live by members of the Knights, New York’s hot young chamber orchestra.
— New York Post
Read More
Yo-Yo Ma and The Knights: The Sound of Classical Music Today
“Here is an album that has the potential to make you fall in love with new contemporary classical music. In the vision of Yo-Yo Ma and the ensemble The Knights (as well as the composers represented), this music becomes inspiring and terribly engaging.”
— Ici Musique (Canada)
Read More
The Knights and Yo-Yo Ma, 'Azul'
Hear the widely anticipated recording of Osvaldo Golijov's "Azul," performed by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and The Knights.
— Your Classical
Read More
The Knights and Bertrand Chamayou at the 5th Aix-En-Provence Easter Festival - Report - An Intelligent Freedom
"Classical music does not need pointless novelties; the freedom with which the Jacobsen brothers and their troops conceive it is its greatest asset."
— concertclassic.com (France)
Read More
The Audience Plays Conductor at The Aix-en-Provence Easter Festival
“On the occasion of the Easter festival in Aix-en-Provence…passers-by were able to take the baton and lead New York ensemble The Knights, under the the amused eye of their maestro.”
— Franceinfo (France)
Read More
A Free Concert for the People of Aix-en-Porvence where the Knights Demonstrated that All Roads Lead to Bach
"The New York ensemble that is praised in the entire world for its inventive spirit and creative freedom, multiplies the musical experiences. This is the perspective from which one has to understand the spirit of their concert, offering an original layout that allows the audience to become acquainted with all the members of the group. The concert could have carried the title "All roads lead to Bach" – and all return to him, one may add: a tribute to the great composer presented from different angles."
— DestiMed (France)
Read More
First Listen: Azul
“The music searches, reaching ever higher, whirling itself into ecstasy, and finally falls back to earth into a pool of percussion. The slow movement begins in serene meditation — a heartbeat pulse in the strings, birdsong percussion and sustained cello pitches — but it gradually blooms into a sweet thunder of brass and winds.”
— NPR
Read More