Ken Lindner Music

05/26/2025

This concerto highlights the wonderfully expressive qualities of the violin, combined with the solid sound of a wind band. The violin part requires the talents of a collegiate level player, while the band parts were written to be performable by an accomplished high school band.

Concerto for Violin, Wind & Percussion
https://soundcloud.com/user-379760088/sets/concerto-for-violin-winds

Enjoy!
Ken
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This concerto combines the expressive qualities of the violin with the solid sound of a wind band. The violin part requires the talents of a collegiate level player. The band parts were written to be

01/23/2025

Unlike the previous Songs of Earth series, ANTHROSCAPES is inspired by two distinct human creations. Each challenged me to select instruments which would convey the listening experience.

Here are the two descriptions for Anthroscapes:

- STAMPING MILL
This piece is based on rhythms of stamping machinery at work. It represents heavy industry as well as light manufacturing and supporting services, in relentless forward motion. All connections with nature are blotted out by a robotic-like pursuit of production quotas and profits. Driven by humans, but inhumane.

- LOS ANGELES, I-405
This music imagines a drive along Interstate 405 in Los Angeles. The scene is completely dominated by the works, micro cultures and activities of humankind. Beginning north of LA in Santa Clarita, the driver/passenger travels by the diverse areas of San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, LAX and Torrance/Long Beach. For +10 years Kathy and I personally drove various portions of 405 two to three times weekly when selling at the awesome farmers markets. Even with the traffic, this holds wonderful memories for us. Enjoy!

Songs of Earth - Anthroscapes
https://soundcloud.com/user-379760088

10/06/2024

Oct. 6, 2024

Light/uplifting, energizing, soothing and playful elements of the sea, this album took awhile to complete to a level which finally satisfied me. Especially in the wake of Helene's destruction and compassion for our neighbors in eastern TN and western NC.

Despite Milton's predicted Florida arrival in a few days, I have to admit that it's times like this, I'm not only deeply grateful to be able to bring light through my music, but also to be able to share it with you.

Songs of Earth - SEASCAPES
https://soundcloud.com/user-379760088/sets/songs-of-earth-seascapes

I hope the album provides a bit of a welcome respite. When you can, please let me know how you enjoy Seascapes!

Warm regards,
Ken

These four seascapes are a continuation of the series "Songs of Earth". The series recognizes the fragile beauty of our home planet and seeks to musically portray this loveliness before it is altered

09/21/2023

My just completed 'Solar Maximum' symphony is based on aspects of our nearest star, the sun. It was fun and I learned a lot about the sun in order to musically represent this scientific phenomena.

Currently (2023-2024), the sun is in its most active period. This occurs about every 11 years and is significant in that along with satellites and telecommunications disruptions, some flares may even affect the human body. So if you notice unexpected sporadic bodily symptoms ranging anywhere from headaches, vertigo, to even unexplained anxiety or fatigue, it's not your imagination - you may be in good company with other bio-electromagnetic earthlings!

NASA's monitoring of the current peak period of magnetic field reversals shows the sun's powerful magnetic lines of force when they are most twisted and conflicted/chaotic, causing all kinds of sunspots, flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Active CMEs often result in nightime viewing of spectacular northern lights!

Individual descriptions accompany each of these 5 movements:
1. Solar Flares
2. Solar Corona
3. Solar Spicules
4. Dance of Solar Magnetic Lines of Force
5. Solar Maximum

Enjoy!

Solar Maximum

This Solar Maximum Symphony is based on our nearest star, the sun. It was enjoyable for me to learn more about the sun and then write the music representing its various aspects. Currently, (2023-202

08/12/2023

A familiar favorite, 'Amazing Grace' is an 18th century Christian hymn, published in England in 1779.

This brass quartet arrangement was written for a good friend's wedding in 1983. Both bride and groom were deeply religious and loved this hymn, making it especially meaningful on their special day.

The arrangement uses the sound of the flugel horn added to the standard brass quartet of two trumpets and two trombones, the type of group I was performing in during that time.

As always, I hope you'll let me know how you enjoy it!
Ken

"Amazing Grace"

Amazing Grace is an 18th century Christian hymn, published in England in 1779. This brass quartet arrangement was written for a good friend's wedding in 1983. Both Bride and Groom were deeply religiou

07/10/2023

This three movement piece was written in 1992 for Oberlin Conservatory friend and roommate, Rick Pressley. Graduating together in 1971, Rick spent his career as the Co-Principal trumpet of the Seattle Symphony, as well as teaching. Now retired, he was a very accomplished player.

This solo piece was written recognizing his musical and technical ability, while with great fondness for him personally.

"Trumpet Sonata"
https://soundcloud.com/user-379760088/sets/sonata-for-trumpet-and-organ

As always, I hope you will let me know how enjoy it!

Ken

07/10/2023

Join me on a joyful journey through Indonesia!

This piece pays homage to the bright, distinctive sound of the Indonesian Gamelan orchestra, rich with brilliant percussive timbres. Four traditional Indonesian folk songs are featured.*

I love that music is a unique language which often celebrates cultural differences, with timeless expressions from the human heart.

"Indonesian Journey"
https://soundcloud.com/user-379760088/indonesian-journey

Please let me know how you enjoy it!

Ken
*Full description below the soundcloud music track.

07/10/2023

This is a new composition based on pre-18th century East Asian folk songs. Because my software doesn't include sounds of Chinese or Mongolian era instruments, the piece uses similar sounding western instruments.

I love that music is the one language which seems to transcend time, politics and cultural differences, with expressions from the human heart.

"Joys of Old Cathay"*
https://soundcloud.com/user-379760088

Please let me know how you enjoy it!
Ken
*Full description below the soundcloud music track.

07/10/2023

Not that I wear it on my sleeve, but I must confess to being a bit of a romantic at heart. This easy listening composition is one of the few I've written with lyrics.* It describes two people who share a seemingly short-term romantic fling, but at least one of them is not so sure it's temporary . . .

Hope you enjoy!
Ken

*Full description below the soundcloud music.

You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine*
https://soundcloud.com/user-379760088/you-go-your-way-ill-go-mine

07/10/2023

Inspired by four traditional French folk songs,* this lovely new composition reminds me more of what springtime in France might feel like.

Happy Spring and happy listening!
Ken

*Full description below the soundcloud music.

VIVE LA FRANCE!

A fantasia for full orchestra based on old traditional French folk songs. The songs used are: 1. Aupres de ma blonde (Next to my Fair-hared Lady) 17th century In the gardens of my father, the laure

02/18/2023

Remembering Dave Brubeck and Stan Kenton.... Let your toes tap along to this fun tune!

The piece incorporates the well known bass figure from Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" and transforms it into a Stan Kenton style big band blow out!

Playfulness abounds as solo breaks in the saxes, trumpets and trombones alternate with the sounds of the full band.

"HAPPY TOES" (or Take Two on Five)
https://soundcloud.com/user-379760088/happy-toes-or-take-two-on-five

Hope you enjoy!

Ken

Remembering Dave Brubeck and Stan Kenton.... Let your toes tap along to this fun tune! The piece incorporates the well known bass figure from Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" and transforms it into a Stan

01/30/2023

This is my first foray into writing for jazz big band. While I’ve performed with and greatly enjoyed various big bands over the years, my main focus has always been symphonic orchestra playing. This led me to mainly compose music for orchestras and concert bands, where the majority of my performance experience took place. However, I’ve had experience playing with big bands as well, even sitting in with the legacy Glenn Miller Band in my youth, performing in house bands in Reno, NV. I also formed and led the DEC Big Band while working for Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC) in Massachusetts.

Some may consider the 'big band sound' to be a thing of the past, but those who have heard a live big band know that it's impossible to duplicate the energy and excitement of this hard driving, competent group! My band at DEC played many benefit concerts where young people who thought they’d be bored with "old fashioned music” found themselves wildly enthusiastic over the live sound of the band. The company unexpectedly found itself with a very popular group of musicians and used them often throughout New England for benefits and corporate meetings.

It is with these vivid memories that I write my latest piece: Concerto for Clarinet and Jazz Orchestra. The clarinet is uniquely suited for this usage, being generally part of jazz orchestras, and able to alternately blend and soar above the sound of a big band. ENJOY!
Ken

"Concerto for Clarinet & Jazz Orchestra"

Background This is my first foray into writing for jazz big band. While I’ve performed with and greatly enjoyed various big bands over the years, my main focus has always been symphonic orchestra play