Amos Elkana

Amos Elkana (Hebrew: עמוס אלקנה‎; born August 20, 1967) is an Israeli composer and improviser.

Biography

Amos Elkana was born in the United States but grew up in Israel. He began playing guitar and studying music at age 15. After his compulsory army service in Israel he returned to Boston to study jazz guitar at the Berklee College of Music and Composition at the New England Conservatory of Music.[1]

In 1990 he moved to France. While in Europe he studied composition with Michele Reverdy in Paris, Erik Norby in Copenhagen and master classes with Paul-Heinz Dittrich and Edison Denisov in Berlin. In 1992 he settled back in Israel where his two children were born.

Elkana continued his studies at Bard College, New York where he earned an MFA in Music and Sound. At Bard he focused on electronic music and took lessons with Pauline Oliveros, David Behrman, Richard Teitelbaum, George Lewis, Maryanne Amacher, Larry Polansky and more.

Elkana’s works have been performed and recorded around the world. His first saxophone quartet was premiered in Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1993.[1] The Berlin Festival commissioned his song-cycle Arabic Lessons and premiered it in 1998. His concerto for clarinet Tru’a was recorded by clarinetist Richard Stoltzman and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.

Elkana also performs his own works on the electric guitar and computer and he frequently collaborates with artists from other disciplines on joint projects. In 2003 he received the Golden Feather Prize for music composition.[2]

Major works

Quintet for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano

Septet for Oud, Mandolin, 2 Violins, 2 Violas and Cello

Sextet for 2 Bass viols (Viola da gamba), Harpsichord, Violin, Flute and Piano

Solo for Viola

Quartet for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophones

Trio for E-Guitar, Violin (or Cello) and Piano

Electronic music for 6 channels with voices

Trio for Electric Guitar, Piano, Percussion with Voice(s)

Solo for Cello (or Electric Guitar) with recorded voice and Electronics

Solo for Celesta

Solo for Clarinet

Chamber music for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb, Bass-Clarinet in Bb, Horn in F, Trombone, Harpsichord (doubling on Hammond or Harmonium), Piano (doubling on Celesta), 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, Double-Bass

Electronic music for Computer

Solo for Electric Guitar, live electronics and recorded voice

Electronic music for Computer 4 channels and recorded voice

Electronic music for Computer 4 channels and recorded voices

Solo for Piano

Duo for Oboe (doubling on English Horn) and Contrabassoon

Quartet for 2 Violins, Viola and Cello

Chamber music for Flute, Shakuhachi, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Djembe, Harp, Electric Guitar, Piano, Viola, Cello

Electronic music for Electronics and recorded Guitar

Quartet for 2 Violins, Viola and Cello

Electronic music for recorded Guitar, recorded Piano, recorded voice and electronics

Chamber music for 3 Sopranos, Flute (doubling piccolo), Trumpet in C, Tenor Saxophone, Cello, Electric Bass, Drum set

Quartet for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophones

Electronic music for Electronics, Voices and Violin

Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon

Quintet for Violin, Oboe, Clarinet, Cello and Piano

Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra (333 4331 Perc 12,10,8,8,7)

Orchestral music for Orchestra (3333 2221 Perc. Strings)

Trio for Flute, Viola and Harp

Quartet for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophones

Solo for Flute

Discography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Amos Elkana". Israel Composers' League. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  2. ↑ "Elkana Amos - Biography". Israel Music Institute. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2010.

External links