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Once Around the Sun

An unprecedented collection of 365 solo guitar works, Once Around the Sun draws together the full breadth of the classical guitar tradition, including historical forms, cultural idioms, and traditional études.

by Michael Knopf

"Knopf is no ordinary musician. Each composition is a like a tiny masterpiece, a musical gem..."

Prof. Apostolos Paraskevas | Beklee College of Music

"Michael Knopf has created a huge work the like of which are few in the history of guitar. His idiomatic and versatile writing brings sometimes familiar but mostly new sounds, colors and characters from the instrument. I strongly recommend OATS to everyone who loves the guitar."

Professor Dr. Fabian Hinsche | Professor of Guitar at the University of the Arts Bremen; Hanns Eisler Academy of Music, Berlin; the Institute of Music, Osnabruck

Once Around the Sun
Complete 12 Volume Collection

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Once Around the Sun is conceived as a meaningful resource for musicians and educators seeking to expand the classical guitar canon with new repertoire that is both pedagogically robust and artistically rich.

Michael Knof performing in a church

Digital Scores

Once Around the Sun is a valuable collection for performers, teachers, and students with every piece exploring technique, style and aesthetic.

The Complete Collection is being released as a series of twelve volumes of 30-31 pieces in the coming months.

The Concert Platform Series consists of professional level solos, duos, and suites.

The Resonance Series features works focusing on lush harmony and melody at a tranquil pace.

The Etude Series provides studies with varying learning approaches to style, technique and expression.

  • Once Around the Sun – Volume 11 - Score Cover

    Once Around the Sun – Volume 11

    $25.00
    For Solo Guitar © 2025
    A diverse collection of miniature works for intermediate to professional guitarists, each volume of Once Around the Sun offers a…
    Add to Cart
  • Once Around The Sun – Complete 12 Volume Set - Score Cover

    Once Around The Sun – Complete 12 Volume Set

    $249.00
    For Solo Guitar © 2025
    A vibrant collection of 365 miniature guitar pieces spanning the full musical spectrum—contemporary, traditional, Latin, jazz, folk, and more. Crafted…
    Add to Cart
  • Once Around the Sun – Volume 10 - Score Cover

    Once Around the Sun – Volume 10

    $25.00
    For Solo Guitar © 2025
    A diverse collection of miniature works for intermediate to professional guitarists, each volume of Once Around the Sun offers a…
    Add to Cart
  • Once Around the Sun – Volume 9 - Score Cover

    Once Around the Sun – Volume 9

    $25.00
    For Solo Guitar © 2025
    A diverse collection of miniature works for intermediate to professional guitarists, each volume of Once Around the Sun offers a…
    Add to Cart
  • Once Around the Sun – Volume 1 - Score Cover

    Once Around the Sun – Volume 1

    $25.00
    For Solo Guitar © 2025
    A diverse collection of miniature works for intermediate to professional guitarists, each volume of Once Around the Sun offers a…
    Add to Cart
  • Once Around the Sun – Volume 4 - Score Cover

    Once Around the Sun – Volume 4

    $25.00
    For Solo Guitar © 2025
    A diverse collection of miniature works for intermediate to professional guitarists, each volume of Once Around the Sun offers a…
    Add to Cart
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About the Composer

Knopf’s unique compositional voice blends the elegance of classical guitar with the rhythmic flair of jazz, the hypnotic repetition of minimalism, the colour of world music, and the introspective textures of modernist traditions.

Every piece in the OATS collection is an invitation to explore, to challenge, and to feel.

About Michael
Guitar
Guitar scores

About the Project

Once Around the Sun is a groundbreaking collection of 365 original works for classical guitar by composer and guitarist Dr Michael D. Knopf.

This extensive body of work invites guitarists of all levels into a richly diverse musical journey, one that spans genres, aesthetics, and technical challenges.

About the Project

Testimonials

Let's connect

If you have any questions about the music or the project, please get in touch.

© 2025 Michael Knopf. All rights reserved.

The compositions in Once Around the Sun are licensed for personal and individual professional use only. Unauthorized distribution, resale, or sharing is prohibited. Arrangements require prior written consent from the composer.