The Knights’ Week of Love

February 14-19, 2021

Inspired by Valentine’s Day, and in honor of connection cultivated through music, the Knights are releasing a series of duets recorded by Knights members and special guests throughout the week. These recordings were made as New York City – and much of the world – was in quarantine, with a spirit of solidarity and as a love letter to the wider Knights community.

Love is a Season - Sunday, February 14th

We kick off the Week of Love with a special release. Singer-songwriter and Knights violinist Christina Courtin leads The Knights in a whimsical, buoyant rendition of Love is A Season (complete with 80's-game-show-inspired visuals). Courtin’s inspired song reminds us that love exists all around us, even in our “darkest hour.” Please enjoy – and spread the love!

Telemann Canonic Sonatas - Monday, February 15th

Mario Gotoh and Miranda Sielaff present a movement from Telemann's dazzling Canonic Sonatas, recorded in April 2020. In this movement, Miranda’s viola follows Mario’s exactly, a joyful game of intertwining melodies.

Ernesto Nazareth - Tuesday, February 16th

Christina Courtin and Mike LaValle’s interpretation of Ernesto Nazareth’s Apanhei-Te Cavaquinho captures Nazareth’s ability to combine classical styles with the musics of his native Brazil in a manner entirely his own.

Magic Flute - Wednesday, February 17th

Kristi Helberg and Daniel Khalikov perform excerpts from The Magic Flute, Mozart’s seminal opera. Watch until the end for a very special guest appearance!

Sarabande - Thursday, February 18th

Day 5 of The Knights’ Week of Love features the father/daughter duo of Ariana and Young-Nam Kim. Ariana and Young-Nam bring us Bach’s Sarabande from the B Minor Partita for violin in duet with its Double, a variation and elaboration of the same movement. What results is lush, intricate interplay between the two violins.

Bach/Gounod Ave Maria - Friday, February 19th

The final day of The Knights’ Week of Love! In this special installment, Mario Gotoh returns with Tomek Miernowski for a gorgeous rendition of Bach/Gounod’s Ave Maria. In this famous setting of the Ave Maria prayer, Gounod’s simple, heartfelt melody, played here by Mario on viola, gracefully rests atop Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C Major, performed on keyboard by Tomek.