Welcome to these pages about Daniel Jencka’s musical life, which has two creative outlets:
Performing harpsichord music from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Pre-Classical periods by composers famous and
obscure. Daniel has been interpreting this repertoire for over thirty years as a soloist and ensemble player. Guided by his
knowledge of performance practices from those times, and playing resonant recreations of the old instruments colorfully tuned
in unequal temperaments to sound as they did then, he brings this beautiful and wonderfully varied music to life for his listeners.
Daniel gives concerts several times a year and is available for public and private occasions, including house concerts, art openings,
wedding ceremonies, educational events, and other cultural or celebratory gatherings. His repertoire is continually expanding and
includes well known composers such as Bach, Scarlatti, Telemann, Couperin, Purcell and Handel, and lesser known composers
such as Soler, Albero, Boutmy, Gunn, and many others whose masterful works deserve to be heard. As an artist for hire in the
“wild west”, Daniel humorously offers his musical services under he motto “Have Harpsichord, Will Travel!”
Composing music conceived for the heart and the intellect, with singable lines, rich harmonies and natural rhythms, set
within interesting contrapuntal and formal structures. But descriptions are no substitute for a listener’s own experience, so
please visit his Sibeliusmusic composer’s page to see, hear, or print his compositions.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1956, Daniel Jencka has been playing the harpsichord since age sixteen. He studied with
early keyboard artist Penelope Crawford, and with Early Music performer and scholar Lyle Nordstrom. Daniel started
composing as a teenager, and later studied with American composer Stanley Hollingsworth.
Daniel co-founded Flauto e Basso with recorder and Baroque flute player, Thomas Cirtin, and his playing experience was taken
to the professional level in over a hundred concerts they gave in Michigan and Canada in the late 70s and early 80s. They
attracted large audiences at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum, the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, and other
prominent venues. He also played with other ensembles in the area, including the Detroit Symphony Bassoon
Have Harpsichord, Will Travel! You can reach Daniel to inquire about playing a concert or other event at 505-718-8044,
or email him at dwjencka@gmail.com