Allen Krantz is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory and Stanford University and has received acclaim as a composer, solo guitarist, and chamber musician. He has performed in concert throughout the United States including appearances at Carnegie Hall, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and the Phillips Collection in Washington, with his diverse programs often featuring original compositions.
Recent performances have included the premiere of an orchestral overture, “At Gretna,” and “Songs of Innocence and Experience” for guitar and small orchestra, as well as his arrangement of Copland's Appalachian Spring sketches presented at the Library of Congress with the Martha Graham Company. Krantz's works include “An American Town” for string orchestra, commissioned by the Village Bach Festival in Michigan and also presented at the “Moscow Autumn 98” festival in Russia, and in Australia. “Without Borders,” commissioned by pianist Clipper Erickson, is featured on his new recording, “Woven Images.” “Anyone lived in a pretty how town,” commissioned by Music at Gretna, has been performed by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit in Saratoga and Philadelphia.
Allen Krantz is composer in residence for the Philadelphia-based chamber ensemble, 1807 & Friends, which premiered his “Little Elegy” for soprano and strings, “Quartet for Guitar and Strings,” and “In Five,” a quintet for piano and winds. Krantz's String Quartet was premiered by the Wister Quartet. His unique collaboration with Janet Eilber, principal dancer of the Martha Graham Company, has resulted in three collaborations for chamber ensemble featuring dancer/narrator and guitar, based on American poetry.
Allen Krantz heads the guitar program of The New School Institute at Temple University. He performs in “Duo Paganini” with violinist Nancy Bean and has performed and taught nationwide as an Affiliate Artist. His solo and chamber music arrangements for the guitar are published by International Music. Krantz's recordings include “Summer Music” with flutist Deborah Carter featuring two of his compositions; “The Romantic Guitar,” a recital of his arrangements of Schubert, Schumann and Brahms; and “The Philadelphia Connection,” which features his “Sonata for Violin and Guitar,” all on the DTR label.
Web: http://www.classicalarchives.com/artists/krantz.html