Here are some of Michael's Latest releases and some old favorites for your listening and purchasing pleasure.
Hot off the press is Michael's latest release - Michael Knopf 'Guitar Chant'
Michael Knopf 'Guitar Chant' 2009
Since the early 1980’s guitarist/composer Michael Knopf been interested in developing a melodic guitar style based on vocal chant and was particularly influenced early on by Flamenco and by Persian formal poetic and spiritual chants. He has subsequently modeled improvisations and compositions for solo guitar (and for orchestra, chorus and other solo instruments) on Flamenco, Persian, Arab and Hindu musical styles. These approximations have made possible the enshrining of diverse practices in new, original music. The pieces in this collection often use alternate tunings which provide the guitar with a unique resonance, sometimes ostensibly sounding like the Persian tar or the Arabic Oud, and at other times like a classical guitar but with an expanded range.
Track Listing
Ancient Beauty
Lament for Terra
Inner Landscape
The Caspian
Desert Song
Na’mayn
Gregoriana
Al Andaluz
Awen
Chant
Michael's Guitar Chant CD is available in these Brisbane outlets:
Rocking Horse Records - Albert Street Brisbane
The Library Shop - Queensland State Library Southbank
New Farm Editions - Merthyr Shopping Centre New Farm
Mary Ryan Books -Merthyr Shopping Centre New Farm
Michael Knopf 'Life' 2008
This collection of original music for guitar conveys a personal musical history for it presents musical styles and genres that I have performed and composed with through many years of music making. I am a self-confessed multi-stylist. Some pieces are composed and written - others are improvised or spontaneously composed. My music is of many worlds in the sense of its being a distillation of experience. It is music of this world and of the spiritual realm too, for music,at times, comes from somewhere else. Because of this, my hope is to convey not only stylistic adaptations in an original way, but to impart a sense that transcends craft and thus communicates through the human spiritual reality.
Track Listing
A Consolation For My Love
Nearing Midnight
Lament for Terra
Na’mayn
Brunswick Street Blues
Rain Outside
Bamboo and Running Waters
Renaissance
{3 Latin American Pieces}
Homage
Muhajer
The Green Light Expedition
7th Heaven
Al Andaluz
A Life
Purchase Download Now $9.99 AUD
Michael Knopf 'Solo' 2006
"Solo" is a distillation of his catholic philosophy. It's a record on which tastefully revamped jazz standards sit snugly beside original compositions informed by sources as diverse as classical Iranian song and passing airplanes.Michael's innate sense of spirituality is reflected in the raga-like 'Ancient Beauty'. Elsewhere, he goes decidedly earthy with a blues written for two old friends and bandmates. On Chick Corea's 'Spain', a personal favourite, the maestro skillfully unites three of his great loves - jazz, classical and flamenco. 'Nature Boy' and 'Close To You' you've probably heard a hundred times before, but not quite like this. Michael manages to imbue these timeless tunes with admirable freshness. Duke Jordan’s “Jordu” (best known as rendered by trumpeter Clifford Brown) translates surprisingly well to guitar - at least in Knopf's hands. But that's Michael's art, and that's why he rates so highly among Australian guitarists.
Tony Hillier Reviewer for The Weekend Australian & Rhythms Magazine
"Still" is an album of contemporary art music on themes of nature, art and spirituality delivering evocative and entrancing sound-scapes. From the ravishing ballad Maleny and the Moon (Centauri Ensemble) to the haunting On The Beach at Night for soprano, cello and gongs this CD explores the world of melody, colour, sound & silence.
Earthshine is a solo cello piece that reverberates a poignant otherworldliness, while Nightskyeyes (Centauri) displays a curious & emotive joining of jazz and contemporary pointillism. The title track Still, inspired by the art of Andy Goldsworthy is a palatial work for piano, crafted to force the listener to hear not only the sounds of the notes, but their continuing vibrating harmonics and the delicious silence between.
With the composer on the guitar (solo on Early Mists & Inner Landscape) and piano (on Still), and featuring cellist Louise King, soprano Louise Kennedy, percussionist Giuseppe Vizzone, bassist Giles Smith and saxophonist Craig Hanicek, this album is for those who want to listen to music with mind and heart.
Track Listing
Maleny And The Moon
Early Mists
Earthshine
NightSkyEyes
On The Beach At Night
Inner Landscape
Still
Purchase Download Now $6.99 AUD
Michael Knopf 'CARACAS'
7 Original modern jazz pieces ranging from the Latin title track to hard bop (Dodecabop) to the funky Lay it Down and to the Coltrane dedication Heart-light.
Track Listing
Caracas
Lay It Down
Nocturne
Dodecabop
It's That Time Again
Bluesology
Heartlight (Tribute to John Coltrane)
Purchase Download Now $6.99 AUD
Michael Knopf & Acoustica 'Live At The Rondo'
Standards such as Round Midnight,, Autumn Leaves and My Favorite Things all rendered with the unusual sounds of a classical/flamenco guitar in a jazz trio. Original fusion works Majmin, Spiritual Tu, and the raga-like Acoustica display the unique crossover sound of this dynamic trio.
Track Listing
Autumn Leaves
Majmin
My Favorite Things
Acoustica
Round Midnight
Spiritual Tu
Purchase Download Now $6.99 AUD
Events
Appearing most Sunday Evenings at 'ZAFRON ON BRUNSWICK' RESTAURANT
726 Brunswick St. New farm Brisbane. Directly accross from the old Village Twin Cinema on Brunswick St. up from the corner of Annie & Barker.
Reservations TEL. 3358 2655
A new work commissioned by Graeme Morton and St. Peters Luthern College Chorale entitled
"Cantillations" will be recorded in October and premiered at St. John's Cathedral on Friday
October 23rd at 8 p.m.
