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Gabriel Kahane

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Gabriel Kahane
Background information
Born1981 (age 43–44)
Venice Beach, California, U.S.
GenresSinger-songwriter • classical
EducationBrown University (BMus)
RelativesJeffrey Kahane (father)

Gabriel Kahane (born July 10, 1981) is an American composer and singer-songwriter.

Early life and education

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Born in Venice Beach, California, Kahane is the son of a psychologist mother and the concert pianist Jeffrey Kahane.[1] He attended the New England Conservatory before transferring to Brown University, where he wrote his first musical and graduated with a bachelor's degree in music.[citation needed]

Career

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Songwriting

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Kahane's style is often compared to Sufjan Stevens and Rufus Wainwright and he has collaborated with both of these artists.[2]

Kahane released a self-titled album, Gabriel Kahane, on Family Records in 2008, receiving positive reviews.[3]

In September 2011, Kahane released his second singer-songwriter album, Where Are The Arms, on StorySound Records. It was recorded with many of his regular collaborators, including Rob Moose on violin and guitar, Matt Johnson on drums, and Casey Foubert, who also helped mix and produce it, on various instruments.[4] These three musicians would also collaborate with him on his next album, The Ambassador.[5]

For his 2014 album, The Ambassador, he used ten addresses in L.A. to write songs from the perspectives of characters both real and imaginary. The album was featured in Rolling Stone,[6] Vogue,[7] and Paste,[8] and Kahane also wrote a piece about exploring L.A. through music for The New Yorker.[9] The album was staged by Tony Award winner John Tiffany with set design by Tony Award winner Christine Jones at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Carolina Performing Arts in the fall of 2014 and at University of California, Los Angeles in the spring of 2015.[10] The song "Empire Liquor Mart (9127 S. Figueroa St.)" from The Ambassador was selected by NPR as one of their NPR Music's Favorite Songs of 2014.[11]

After the 2016 election, he embarked on a cross-country train trip that yielded the 2018 album Book of Travelers.[12]

Composing and performance

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Kahane's best-known work, the song cycle Craigslistlieder, which was his first concert work and was re-released by indie record label Family Records in 2008,[13] sets real Craigslist ads to music. Other artists have covered this voice-and-piano piece,[14] and Audra McDonald has included Craigslistlieder in her standard repertoire.[15]

Kahane performed regularly at Rockwood Music Hall, where he had artistic residencies beginning as early as 2009.[16]

In the spring of 2010, Gabriel Kahane performed as part of the American Songbook at Lincoln Center, garnering praise from the New York Times.[17] During the 2010–11 season, he performed with cellist Alisa Weilerstein in a duo recital featuring music composed by Kahane, including Little Sleep's Head Sprouting Hair in the Moonlight.[18] After writing a piano concerto for Natasha Paremski, he was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet to write The Red Book, a string quartet based on Anne Carson's Autobiography of Red, and by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a large chamber work.[19] Crane Palimpsest, a work about the Brooklyn Bridge, was conducted by Kahane's father, Jeffrey Kahane, conducting the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.[20]

Gabriel Kahane backstage at Carnegie Hall

As part of his 2012–2013 residency with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra,[21] Kahane wrote Gabriel's Guide to the 48 States inspired by the American Guide Series, commissioned by the government during the Great Depression. The piece received its New York Premiere at Carnegie Hall in April 2013 with Orpheus playing and Kahane singing.[22]

In 2016, he was a soloist with the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, in the Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, in the summer series. [23]

Other notable compositions include Come On All You Ghosts, a three-part song cycle setting Matthew Zapruder's poetry for a baritone and string quartet,[24] and he frequently performs and records with such artists as Timo Andres,[25] Brooklyn Rider,[26] Rob Moose,[27] Punch Brothers,[28] and Chris Thile.[29] In August 2019 he was appointed Creative Chair of the Oregon Symphony in Portland, Oregon.[30]

Musical theater

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Gabriel Kahane began to work in theater in New York City after winning a Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Award for Straight Man, which he wrote in college. He worked with New York theater company Les Freres Corbusier, music directing A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant and the LA production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson for Michael Friedman and Alex Timbers.[31]

His musical February House, commissioned by The Public Theater, told the story of a Brooklyn World War II-era commune, where W.H. Auden, Gypsy Rose Lee, Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, Carson McCullers, Jane Bowles, and Paul Bowles all lived together.[32]

His album The Ambassador was staged at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in 2014–2015 by Tony Award winner John Tiffany with set design by Tony Award winner Christine Jones.[10] In 2017, Kahane returned to BAM to present a multi-media solo concert of his album Book of Travelers, directed by Tony Award nominee Daniel Fish.[33]

Kahane has been commissioned by the Signature Theatre (Arlington, Virginia) and The Public Theater in New York City and is currently under commission for new pieces for both theaters.[34]

In September 2024, Kahane performed two of his albums, Book of Travelers and Magnificent Bird, in rep at Playwrights Horizons in New York City.[35]

Personal life

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Kahane spent much of his career in Brooklyn, New York City.[36] In March, 2020, Kahane moved to Portland, Oregon.[37] He currently performs his original songs in venues across the United States.

An accomplished scholastic chess player, Gabriel achieved the title of "Expert" at age 14.

Works

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Orchestra

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Large ensemble

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Chamber

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  • For the Union Dead (2008) for flute, clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), trumpet, banjo, piano, voice, and string trio (with violin doubling electric guitar), commissioned by the Verbier Festival
  • Pocket Concerto (2009) for solo trumpet, flute, clarinet, and string trio (with violin doubling electric guitar), commissioned by Linda and Stuart Nelson[39]
  • The Red Book (2010) for string quartet, commissioned by the Kronos Quartet[40]
  • Little Sleep's Head Sprouting Hair in the Moonlight (2010) for cello, piano, and baritone, commissioned by Linda and Stuart Nelson[18]
  • Come On All You Ghosts (2011) for string quartet and baritone, commissioned by Bravo! Vail for the Calder Quartet[24]
  • Line Up! (2012) for string quartet, commissioned by Caramoor International Music Festival for the Linden Quartet[41]
  • The Fiction Issue (2012) for string quartet, piano, reed organ, two guitars, and two solo voices (one male and one female), commissioned by Carnegie Hall for Brooklyn Rider, Shara Worden, and the composer[24]
  • Fun House (2012) for flute (doubling piccolo), B♭ clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), B♭ trumpet (doubling piccolo trumpet and chromatic harmonica), violin (doubling electric guitar), viola, and cello, written for yMusic[42]
  • Without a Frame (2013) for flute, bass clarinet, trumpet, electric or acoustic guitar, viola, and cello, written for yMusic[42][14]
  • Bradbury Studies (2014) for string quartet, commissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Keyboard

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  • Sonata (2008) for piano, commissioned by Linda and Stuart Nelson[43]
  • Django: Tiny Variations on a Big Dog (2009) for piano, commissioned by Jeffrey Kahane[40]
  • The Baffled King (after Leonard Cohen) (2011) for piano, commissioned by the Ecstatic Music Festival[44]
  • Being Alive (after Stephen Sondheim) (2011) for piano, commissioned by Anthony De Mare[45]
  • Works on Paper (2016) for piano, commissioned by Carnegie Hall for Timo Andres

Vocal

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  • Craigslistlieder (2006) for voice and piano[14]
  • The Memory Palace (2011) for baritone and piano, commissioned by New York Festival of Song[46]
  • Three Vernacular Songs (2013) for voice and piano
  • Sorkin Rants (2015) for voice and piano

Theater

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Miscellaneous

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  • Étude: Cobalt Cure (2010) for solo violin, commissioned by Festival Vestfold[48]

Discography

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As Gabriel Kahane

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  • Five Songs (2005) [EP][49]
  • Walking Away from Winter (2007) [EP][50]
  • Gabriel Kahane (2008)[51]
  • Where are the Arms (2011)[52]
  • The Ambassador (2014)[53]
  • Book of Travelers (2018)
  • Magnificent Bird (2022)

Compilations

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Sideman/arranger

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Original cast albums

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  • February House (2012)[59]

Composer

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References

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  1. ^ Huizenga, Tom. "Gabriel Kahane: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR Music. NPR. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Schlansky, Evan (August 29, 2011). "Gabriel Kahane". American Songwriter. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  3. ^ "Album Review: Gabriel Kahane – Gabriel Kahane | Prefix". Prefixmag.com. September 24, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  4. ^ Chinen, Nate (September 19, 2011). "A New Album by Mick Jagger and Friends". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  5. ^ Blickenstaff, Jacob (June 2, 2014). "Contact: Gabriel Kahane, a Conductor's Son, Crafts Pop Songs With Substance". Mother Jones. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  6. ^ DiMartino, Dave (June 4, 2014). "A Whole Lotta Led Zepelin". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  7. ^ Inglese, Elizabeth (May 30, 2014). "Gabriel Kahane Premieres New Album Inspired by the Architecture of Los Angeles". Vogue. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  8. ^ Orr, Dacey (May 28, 2014). "Video Premiere: Gabriel Kahane – "Bradbury (304 Broadway)"". Paste. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  9. ^ Kahane, Gabriel (June 11, 2014). "Learning to Look at L.A." The New Yorker. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Staged Version of Gabriel Kahane's THE AMBASSADOR, Directed by John Tiffany, Sets Dates in NYC, L.A. & North Carolina". Broadway World. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  11. ^ "NPR Music's Favorite Songs Of 2014". NPR. December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  12. ^ "Gabriel Kahane: Book of Travelers". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  13. ^ "Family Records Re-Releases Kahanes Craigslistlieder". Family Records. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  14. ^ a b c Smith, Steve (April 26, 2009). "A Singer-Songwriter Ignores Musical Boundaries". The New York Times. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  15. ^ "Audra McDonald performs "Craigslistlieder"". Thirteen. WNET New York Public Media. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  16. ^ a b Frisicano, Andrew (June 1, 2009). "Gabriel Kahane – June residency at Rockwood Music Hall". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  17. ^ Smith, Steve (March 5, 2010). "Tied to a Time and Place, but Not a Single Style". The New York Times.
  18. ^ a b Peck, Claude (February 20, 2011). "Alisa Weilerstein and Bach; Gabriel Kahane and Craigslist". Star Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  19. ^ "Gabriel Kahane, vocals, guitar & piano". Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  20. ^ a b Swed, Mark (April 23, 2012). "Music review: Gabriel Kahane's score is conducted by his father". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  21. ^ "Gabriel Kahane, Composer-in-Residence". Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Blog. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  22. ^ a b Robin, William (April 19, 2013). "Traveling 48 States, by Orchestra". The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  23. ^ "Notable Events and Performers". Naumburg Orchestral Concerts. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  24. ^ a b c Smith, Steve (October 28, 2012). "Boundaries? Don't Bother: Gabriel Kahane at Zankel Hall". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  25. ^ "Ecstatic Music Festival". Kaufman Music Center. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  26. ^ "Gabriel Kahane: Don't Even Listen". Carnegie Hall. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  27. ^ "Gabriel Kahane & Rob Moose Duo". Strathmore. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  28. ^ "Punch Brothers Begin Tour with Special Guest Gabriel Kahane". Nonesuch. March 13, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  29. ^ "more Punch Brothers & Chris Thile gigs (Gabriel Kahane too)". Brooklyn Vegan. February 2, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  30. ^ "Gabriel Kahane Named to New Role of Creative Chair at the Oregon Symphony – Nonesuch Records". Nonesuch Records Official Website. August 28, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  31. ^ Brantley, Ben (October 14, 2006). "A Guided Tour of Hell, With an Appearance by Satan". The New York Times. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  32. ^ a b Brantley, Ben (May 22, 2012). "Tuneful Rooms of Their Own in Brooklyn: 'February House,' at the Public Theater". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  33. ^ "World Premiere - 8980: Book of Travelers". Brooklyn Academy of Music. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  34. ^ "Gabriel Kahane". Gabriel Kahane. September 20, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  35. ^ "Book of Travelers/Magnificent Bird". Playwrights Horizons. July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  36. ^ "Gabriel Kahane". rockwoodmusichall.com. Rockwood Music Hall. February 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2022. A graduate of Brown University, Kahane lives in Brooklyn.
  37. ^ @gabrielkahane; (April 2, 2022). "Gabriel Kahane on Instagram" – via Instagram.
  38. ^ Kozinn, Allan (November 22, 2011). "Pop and Classical in the Same Voice". The New York Times. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  39. ^ "Song (score and parts): Pocket concerto for trumpet and micro ensemble". Sheet Music Plus. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  40. ^ a b "Gabriel Kahane". The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  41. ^ "Caramoor Presents Gabriel Kahane and The Linden String Quartet, 7/13". Broadway World. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  42. ^ a b "New EP Out Today!". yMusic. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  43. ^ "Piano Sonata". Sheet Music Plus. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  44. ^ Cohen, Jake (March 7, 2011). "Live Review: Timo Andres & Gabriel Kahane at NY's Ecstatic Music Festival (3/5)". Consequences of Sound. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  45. ^ "Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim for the Piano". Anthony De Mare. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  46. ^ "In the Memory Palace". New York Festival of Song. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  47. ^ "Caravan Man". Paul Toben. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  48. ^ "Kahane: Etude – Cobalt Cure". Presto Classical. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  49. ^ "Five Songs". Rate Your Music. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  50. ^ Colville, Liz (February 9, 2007). "Gabriel Kahane: Walking Away from Winter". Stylus. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  51. ^ "Gabriel Kahane". Family Records. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  52. ^ "Gabriel Kahane: Where are the Arms". StorySound Records. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  53. ^ "New Releases". Sony Masterworks. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  54. ^ "Red Hot + Bach Releases June 17th". Red Hot. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  55. ^ "Osso: Run Rabbit Run". Asthmatic Kitty. October 6, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  56. ^ "High Wide & Handsome-The Charlie Poole Project". The Rosebud Agency. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  57. ^ Deusner, Stephen (April 17, 2012). "Loudon Wainwright III: Older Than My Old Man Now". Paste. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  58. ^ "Finding Gabriel by Brad Mehldau Trio". nonesuch.com. May 17, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  59. ^ "February House". StorySound Records. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  60. ^ "Recordings". Natasha Paremski. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  61. ^ "Beautiful Mechanical". yMusic. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  62. ^ "Five Borough Songbook". Five Boroughs Music Festival. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  63. ^ "Munch Suite". HB Direct. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  64. ^ "yMusic-Year of the Dragon". Record Collection. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
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