Biography

Daniel Molkentin
Biography

Daniel Molkentin, tenor, maintains an active schedule performing works ranging from Schütz and Bach to contemporary pieces written especially for him. Highlights of last season included Mahler´s “Das Lied von der Erde” with Orchestra INSONICA, Mozart’s “Requiem” with the String Orchestra of Brooklyn and Schubert’s “Die schöne Müllerin” at Steinway Hall. This season brings performances of J.S. Bach´s “Magnificat” and Cantata 106 (Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit) with Pro Arte Chorale, J.S. Bach´s Cantata 61 (Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland) with Westchester Choral Society, and Chris Park´s opera, “Phaedra and Hippolytus”, as well as the premieres of David Loeb´s song cycle, “I will make a Palace”, and Robert Cuckson´s opera, “A Night of Pity”.

A sought after recitalist, Daniel has given numerous performances of songs and cycles including Beethoven´s “An die ferne Geliebte”, Schubert‘s “Winterreise”, “Die schöne Müllerin”, and Schumann´s “Dichterliebe” at venues such as Weill Hall, Miller Theatre, Steinway Hall, Mannes College of Music, and Paul Hall (Juilliard), Barnard College and Vassar College. His collaborations with composers James Blachly, Terry Champlin, Bob Cohen, Robert Cuckson, David Loeb, Christopher Park and Paul Smith have lead to the premieres of over a dozen works. The Spoon River Duo, formed by Daniel and guitarist/composer Paul Smith, presents works exclusive to the voice and guitar medium or that share a special place in the history of the ensemble.
In addition to his performing activities, Daniel has a special interest in phonetics and diction. He is a teacher of English and German diction at the Mannes College of Music Extension Division, and gives presentations on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to choruses in the New York area. His word-for-word translations and IPA transcriptions of J.S. Bach´s “Matthäus Passion” and Mendelssohn´s “Paulus” have been used by organizations such as the Berkshire Choral Festival and Oratorio Society of New York. Future projects include Bach‘s “Johannes Passion” and Haydn‘s “Die Schöpfung.”

Daniel has participated in several festivals including the BachWoche at the Internationale Bachakademie of Stuttgart and was an apprentice at Berkshire Choral Festival (BCF) Sheffield in 2006 and 2007, and BCF Austria in 2008. Daniel received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Mannes College of Music where he studied with Antonia Lavanne. He continues his vocal studies with Dr. Robert White.