Knittel, Krzysztof

Knittel, Krzysztof, Polish composer; b. Warsaw, May 1, 1947. He received training in composition from Tadeusz Baird, Andrzej Dobrowolski, and Wfodzimierz Kotonski, and in computer music from Lejaren Hiller at the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw. After studying programming at the Mathematical Inst. of the Polish Academy of Sciences (1974–75), he was active at the Center for the Creative and Performing Arts at the State Univ. of N.Y. in Buffalo (1978). From 1973 he was associated with the Polish Radio Experimental Studio. In 1986 he founded the Freight Train Ensemble, with which he performed with various poets, artists, and jazz musicians. With Marek Choloniewski, he founded the CH & K Studio in 1989, with which he made appearances throughout Europe and North America. In 1996 he co-founded the European Improvisation Orch. From 1995 to 1998 he was director of the Warsaw Autumn International Festival of Contemporary Music. He served as vice president (1995–97) and president (from 1999) of the Polish Composers’ Union. Knittel received the Solidarity Award in 1985 and the award of the Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts in N.Y. in 1998.

Works

à la Santé for Clarinet, Trombone, Cello, and Piano (1974; Berlin, Dec. 6, 1975); Lipps for Jazz Trio and Sym. Orch. (1974-78; Poznań, April 19, 1990); Robak Zdobywca (The Conqueror Worm) for Tape (Poznań, April 4, 1976); dorikos for String Quartet and Tape (1976-77; Warsaw, Sept. 23, 1977); resztki (Odds and Ends) for Tape (Warsaw, Sept. 19, 1978); 5 Pieces for Cello and Piano (1979–80); Niskie dźwięki (Low Sounds) for Instruments, Voices, and Tape (1980); Norcet 1 and 2 for Computer (Warsaw, Sept. 24, 1980); Glos kobiecy (Woman’s Voice), ballet for Percussion and Tape (Lódź, Dec. 6, 1980); Dwadzieki (Low Sounds) for Instruments, Voices, and Tape (1980); Norcet 1 and 2 for Computer (Warsaw, Sept. 24, 1980); Glos kobiecy (Woman’s Voice), ballet for Percussion and Tape (Lódź, Dec. 6, 1980); Dwadzieki (Low Sounds) for Instruments, Voices, and Tape (1980); Norcet 1 and 2 for Computer (Warsaw, Sept. 24, 1980); Glos kobiecy (Woman’s Voice), ballet for Percussion and Tape (Lódź, Dec. 6, 1980); Dwadzieścia dziewieć pieciolinii (Twenty-Nine Systems) for Chamber Orch. (1980-81; Munich, Aug. 9, 1986); 4 Preludes for Piano (1984; N.Y., Nov. 21, 1991); String Quartet ’84-85 (1984-85; Warsaw, Oct. 20, 1985); Lapis for Electronics (1985; Wroclaw, Feb. 20, 1986); Fourteen Variations by Piotr Bikont and Krzysztof Knittel on Fourteen Variations by Edwin Moran on Fourteen Words by John Cage for Voices and Computers (1986-92; Wroclaw, Feb. 28, 1992); Histoire III for Harpsichord and Tape (1989; Wrocäaw, Feb. 20, 1990); Hommage to Charles Ives for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Piano, Percussion, Viola, and Double Bass (1991-92; N.Y., April 25, 1992); Szatan w Goraju (Satan in Goray), ballet for Flute, Piano, Violin, Cello, and Tape (1993; Philadelphia, Feb. 3, 1994); Sonatas da camera I-VII for Instruments and Synthesizer (1994–99); Wybraniec (Der Erwählte), ballet for Chamber Ensemble (1995; Warsaw, April 14, 1996); Surface en Rotation for Tape (1997); Przebudzenia (Awakenings), ballet (Poznan, April 25, 1998); The Heart Piece, opera (Warsaw, Sept. 22, 1999; in collaboration with John King).

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire