Extras

The Knights

Did you know that the members of Brooklyn Rider are also Knights? The Knights is a flexible chamber orchestra that expands and contracts accordion-like from a conductor-less string orchestra (which recently toured Ireland) to a full orchestra capable of giving love and devotion equally to Beethoven Symphonies, songs of Christina Courtin, Bartok's Divertimento, Gypsy music, Heinrich Ignaz Von Biber and much, much more. We're going to Europe in May, 2009. Would you like to join us?
www.knightsmusic.net

 

'In a Circle' concert series

In a joined desire for a new performing environment,
'In a Circle' was created in 2002 by Max Henrik Treitler and Johnny Gandelsman, to serve as a sharing place for artists and their audiences. The audience is invited and encouraged to be an integral part of the evening. During the last 5 years, "In a Circle" has presented such diverse artists and programs as Kayhan Kalhor with music of John Adams and an exhibition of Guillermo Resto's printmaking, Brooklyn Rider performing music of Brahms and Golijov alongside Christina Courtin, a singer-songwriter; Alim Qasimov and Jenny Scheinman with Schoenberg's "Transfigured Night" and paintings of Mary Frank. Composers Luis Prado and Ljova have seen their commissioned works premiered at these series. "In a Circle" is a community, for artists and audiences alike.

Read a New York Magazine Article about the last "In a Circle" concert.

See the evolution of "In a Circle" concerts in this photo gallery.

Watch "Beloved, do not let me be discouraged..." from the last "In a Circle" concert at the Brooklyn Lyceum:
Watch Part I
Watch Part II

 

Cirene

Have you ever been to the land of Doogie Waga? Met the charming girl Pooshie Shasha? Or seen the evil king Gonger Onger? Seen a processional involving student volunteer dancers and musicians demonstrating exponential growth through rhythm, melody and movement? If not, then you haven't experienced Cirene- which is a group dedicated to re-imagining timeless tales from all around the world and presenting them to children (and adults with active imaginations) through the combined mediums of dance, music and live painting/animation. Besides Colin and Eric, the group also consists of Maile Okamura, a dancer in the Mark Morris Dance Group, percussionist Shane Shanahan, and painter/animator Kevork Mourad. Vava Voovie!!!! (an expression of joy in the Doogie Wagan dialect). Please contact Colin at for more info or to book a school or family concert.

 

The Stillwater Music Festival

The Stillwater Music Festival (Stillwater, MN) was founded collectively by the members of Brooklyn Rider and this June, 2008 will be its third season. Its mission, to bring the world to Stillwater, is inspired by the shared activities and experiences of Brooklyn Rider and the deep Minnesotan roots that Nick, Colin and Eric share. Nick grew up in White Bear Lake, where his parents still live, situated very close to Stillwater, and Colin and Eric's father, Edmund Jacobsen (formerly a violinist in the Minnesota Orchestra and associate concertmaster of the Metropolitan Orchestra), is from Minnesota as well. His mother, the indomitable "Mimi" Jacobsen, has had a cottage on Square Lake (also Stillwater area) for close to her 101 years and Colin and Eric's family spent time there in the  summer throughout their life.

The Stillwater Music Festival has already proven in its first two years to be a valuable force in the cultural life of Stillwater and the surrounding area. Last year, our second season, Brooklyn Rider hosted the festival with invited guests pianist Steven Beck and pipa virtuoso Wu Man in two sold-out concerts at a historic courthouse along with a host of outreach and educational events. In a special appearance, American Public Media's Performance Today host Fred Child joined us on percussion and broadcast the concerts nationwide. Come join us the last two weeks of June in lovely Stillwater, Minnesota!