ALLEN KRANTZ, a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory and Stanford University, has received acclaim as a solo guitarist and chamber musician and composer. His performances throughout the United States have included appearances at Carnegie Hall, Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Phillips Collection in Washington, with his diverse programs often featuring original compositions.
Recent compositions include a Trio for Flute, Clarinet and Guitar, a Guitar Quintet, a book of Guitar Etudes and “Marilyn Cycle”, a setting of Marilyn Monroe’s poetry for voice, clarinet, cello and piano commissioned by the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association. “On the Road” and “Little Elegy” for voice and string quartet, were commissioned by Lyric Fest in Philadelphia. Other recent pieces are “Quartet for Piano and Strings”, which premiered at Gretna Music, “Passacaglia” for trombone, guitar and piano, premiered by Joseph Alessi of the New York Philharmonic; “Three Pieces for Chamber Orchestra”, "Sacred Places" for solo guitar, and “American Document” commissioned by the Martha Graham Dance Company. “A Musical Walk", a children's piece was commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra, and "Under One Roof", a trio for trumpet violin and piano was written in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Mr. Krantz heads the guitar program and teaches chamber music at Temple University. He also serves on the Artistic Committee for the Gretna Music festival. Krantz has received support from the American Composers Forum, Meet the Composer, Chamber Music America, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Philadelphia Cultural Alliance among others. Allen Krantz’s compositions are published by the Theodore Presser Co. and Falls House Press. His solo and chamber music arrangements for guitar are published by International Music. Allen Krantz’s recordings for the DTR label include “Notes” for flute and guitar with Mimi Stillman, “Summer Music”, “The Romantic Guitar”, and “The Philadelphia Connection”. He has also recorded for Albany and Crystal Records labels.