THREE DECEMBERS (2008)
Chamber Opera in Two Acts (originally titled Last Acts) for soprano, mezzo-soprano and baritone with ten instruments (oboe/EH; reed doubler on fl, cl, sop sax, alt sax; two pianos; percussion; 3 violins; 1 cello; 1 bass) with libretto by Gene Scheer, based on Terrence McNally’s original play Some Christmas Letters. Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera and co-commissioned by San Francisco Opera in association with Cal Performances at UC Berkeley. First Performance: February 29, 2008 in the Cullen Theatre at the Wortham Center, Houston, TX. Cast: Frederica von Stade (Madeline), Kristin Clayton (Bea), Keith Phares (Charlie). Patrick Summers, conductor; Leonard Foglia, director and designer; Brian Nason, lighting; Cesar Galindo; costumes.
FOR A LOOK OR A TOUCH (2007)
A 35-minute music drama for one actor and a lyric baritone with flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano. Libretto by Gene Scheer, based on interviews from the documentary film Paragraph 175, produced by Rob Epstein. Commissioned by Music of Remembrance (Mina Miller, artistic director) to conclude its 9th season. First performance at Nordstrom Recital Hall in Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA, with actor Julian Patrick, baritone Morgan Smith, and Zart Dombourian-Eby (flute), Laura DeLuca (clarinet), Mikhail Shmidt (violin), Amos Yang (cello) and Craig Sheppard (piano).
TO HELL AND BACK (2006)
Opera in One Act for Soprano, Broadway Soprano and Period Instrument Orchestra (2-2-0-1, 2-0-0-0, 1 perc, 1 harpsichord, 5-5-3-3-1); Libretto by Gene Scheer, based on The Rape of Persephone. Commissioned by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra to celebrate its 25th season, and the 20th anniversary of music director Nicholas McGegan. First performance: Nov. 2, 2006 at the Mountain View Performing Arts Center in Palo Alto, CA with soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian and Broadway soprano Patti LuPone; Nicholas McGegan, conductor.
AT THE STATUE OF VENUS (2005)
A musical scene for soprano and piano. Libretto by Terrence McNally. Commissioned by Opera Colorado to celebrate the grand opening of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Sept. 10, 2005.
THE END OF THE AFFAIR (2003; rev. 2004-05)
Opera in 2 Acts based on the novel by Graham Greene. Libretto by Heather McDonald. Revised libretto by Heather McDonald, Leonard Foglia, and Jake Heggie. Six singing roles (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, three baritones) and one non-singing role (nine-year old boy). Original orchestration for chamber orchestra of 24 instruments (1-1-1-1, 1-1-1-0, perc, harp, pno, strings 4-3-2-3-2); also performed with larger string section.
Commissioned by
Houston Grand Opera with Madison Opera and Opera Pacific. Premiere: March 4,
2004 at the Cullen Theatre, Wortham Centre, Houston, TX. Conductor: Patrick
Summers. Director: Leonard Foglia. Sets: Michael McGarty. Costumes: Jess
Goldstein. Lights: Donald Holder. Cast: Cheryl Barker (Sarah), Teddy Tahu Rhodes
(Maurice Bendrix), Peter Coleman-Wright (Henry), Katherine Ciesinski (Mrs.
Bertram), Joseph Evans (Smythe), Robert Orth (Parkis).
DEAD MAN WALKING (1998-2000)
Opera in 2 acts; (libretto by Terrence McNally; based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ). Eleven large roles and eight smaller roles, male chorus, female chorus, children's chorus, orchestra (3 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani, 2 percussion, harp, piano, strings).
Commissioned by San Francisco Opera. Premiere: Oct. 7, 2000 at the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, CA. Conductor: Patrick Summers. Director: Joe Mantello. Sets: Michael Yeargan. Costumes: Sam Flemming. Lights: Jennifer Tipton. Cast: Susan Graham & Kristine Jepson (Sister Helen), John Packard (Joseph de Rocher), Frederica von Stade (Joseph’s Mother), Theresa Hamm-Smith (Sister Rose), Robert Orth (Owen), Nicolle Foland (Kitty), Catherine Cook (Jade), Gary Rideout (Howard), and others.
AGAIN (2000)
Operatic scene in 10 minutes ( libretto by Kevin Gregory). Four solo voices (soprano, mezzo, tenor and baritone) with chamber orchestra (24 instruments). Commissioned by the EOS Orchestra; Jonathan Sheffer, music director.
Premiere: May 4 & 5, 2000; Society for Ethical Culture, New York City. sop. Susannah Waters (Lucy); m-s Kimberly Barber (Ethel); ten. Matthew Chellis (Ricky); bar. Dean Ely (Fred).
SEEKING HIGHER GROUND:
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ROCKS NEW ORLEANS, APRIL 30, 2006 (2006)
New text by Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ. Double SATB chorus with full orchestra (2-2-2-2, 2-3-3-0, 2 perc, 1 harp, strings). Commissioned by the Pacific Chorale to celebrate its first performance in the new Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, CA. First Performance: Oct 22, 2006. Pacific Chorale and Pacific Symphony let by conductor John Alexander.
JOHN ADAMS' PRAYER (2004)
Chamber Chorus a cappella. A short canon composed to a text by President John Adams and contributed to "Mr. President," a new choral cycle based on presidential speeches (also featuring compositions contributed by Samuel Adler, Milton Babbitt, Jason Robert Brown, Daron Hagen, Paul Moravec, and others).
Premiere: October 26, 2004 at the Library of Congress (Coolidge Auditorium), Washington DC. The Election Singers conducted by Judith Clurman.
HE WILL GATHER US AROUND (2003)
SATB a cappella. An arrangement of the original hymn tune from the opera "Dead Man Walking." First performance: April 6, 2003 at Wichita State University.
MY GRANDMOTHER'S LOVE LETTERS (2000)
Poetry by Hart Crane. Full chorus (SATB) and orchestra. Commissioned by the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia; Donald Nally, artistic director. Premiered April 1, 2001 in Philadelphia.
ANNA MADRIGAL REMEMBERS (1999)
New text by Armistead Maupin (based on his character from "Tales of the City"). Mezzo-soprano solo and 12 male voices (SATB) a cappella.
Commissioned by SF Chanticleer. First performance: August 6, 1999 at Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. m-s Frederica von Stade (Anna); Conductor: Joseph Jennings
I SHALL NOT LIVE IN VAIN (1995, rev. 1998)
Poetry by Emily Dickinson. Song originally written in 1995, expanded and arranged for mezzo-soprano solo with girls chorus (SA), hand bells and piano. Commissioned by Convent of the Sacred Heart to celebrate its 150th anniversary. First performance: October 6, 1998 at SUNY Purchase with m-s Frederica von Stade.
PATTERNS (1999)
Poetry by Amy Lowell. Mezzo-soprano, female chorus (SSAA) and piano. Commissioned by San Francisco Girls Chorus to celebrate its 20th anniversary. First performance: May of 1999 with Frederica von Stade as soloist, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. Sharon J. Paul, conductor; Dwight Okamura, piano.
FAITH DISQUIET (1987)
Three poems by Emily Dickinson. SATB chorus a cappella. First performance: November 1987 at Royce Hall, UCLA. UCLA a cappella choir conducted by William Hatcher. 1. "Why do I love" You, Sir? 2. What if I say I shall not wait! 3. If you were coming in the fall
Soprano
FACING FORWARD/LOOKING BACK (2007)
Duets for Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano with Piano Poetry by Charlene Baldridge, Eugenia Zukerman, Raymond Carver, Armistead Maupin and Jake Heggie. Commissioned by Welz Kaufman and the Ravinia Festival in honor of the Steans Institute for Young Artists. First performance: August 8, 2007 at the Ravinia Festival.
1. Motherwit (Baldridge)
2. Grounded (Zukerman)
3. Hummingbird (Carver)
4. Mother in the Mirror (Maupin)
5. Facing Forward (Heggie)
RISE AND FALL (2007)
Poetry by Gene Scheer. Composed for soprano Constance Rock on a commission from the University of Connecticut at Storrs, generously funded by Dr. Raymond and Beverly Sackler. First performance: March 29, 2007 at the University of Connecticut in Storrs with soprano Constance Rock and pianist Jake Heggie.
1. Water Stone (Noguchi)
2. Incantation Bowl
3. Angels Wings
4. The Shaman
HOW WELL I KNEW THE LIGHT (2000)
Poetry by Emily Dickinson. First performance: January 23, 2000 at Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley, with soprano Nicolle Foland and pianist Jake Heggie.
1. Ample Make This Bed
2. The Sun Kept Setting
SONGS AND SONNETS TO OPHELIA (1999)
Composed for Peggy Kriha-Dye. First performance: May 9, 1999 at Old First Church, San Francisco. Peggy Kriya-Dye, soprano; Jake Heggie, piano.
1. The Spring is Arisen; Ophelia's Song (Heggie)
2. Women have loved before as I love now (Edna St. Vincent Millay)
3. Not in a silver casket cool with pearls (Millay)
4. Spring (Millay)
NATURAL SELECTION (1997)
Poems by Gini Savage. Music and poetry composed for Nicolle Foland. First performance: April 27, 1997 at Old First Church in San Francisco: Nicolle Foland, soprano; Donald Runnicles, piano.
1. Creation
2. Animal Passion
3. Alas! Alack!
4. Indian Summer - Blue
5. Connection
EVE-SONG (1996)
Poetry by Philip Littell. Commissioned by James Schwabacher. First performance: February 27, 2000 at Old First Church, San Francisco; Kristin Clayton, soprano; Jake Heggie, piano. (Even, Listen and Snake orchestrated for chamber orchestra, 2001)
1. My name
2. Even
3. Good
4. Listen
5. Snake
6. Woe to Man
7. The Wound
8. The Farm
FACING FORWARD/LOOKING BACK (2007)
Duets for Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano with Piano Poetry by Charlene Baldridge, Eugenia Zukerman, Raymond Carver, Armistead Maupin and Jake Heggie. Commissioned by Welz Kaufman and the Ravinia Festival in honor of the Steans Institute for Young Artists. First performance: August 8, 2007 at the Ravinia Festival.
1. Motherwit (Baldridge)
2. Grounded (Zukerman)
3. Hummingbird (Carver)
4. Mother in the Mirror (Maupin)
5. Facing Forward (Heggie)
STATUESQUE (2005)
New texts by Gene Scheer. Commissioned by University of Kansas at Lawrence for mezzo-soprano Joyce Castle. Premiere schedule for December 5, 2005. Also with chamber accompaniment.
1. Henry Moore: Reclining Figure of Elmwood
2. Pablo Picasso: Head of a Woman, 1932
3. Hapshetsut: The Divine Potter
4. Alberto Giacommetti: Standing Woman #2
5. Winged Victory: We’re Through
THE DEEPEST DESIRE (2002)
New texts by Sister Helen Prejean. Commissioned by Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival. First performance: Vail, Colorado, July 16, 2002. m-s Susan Graham, flutist Eugenia Zukerman, pianist Jake Heggie.
1. The Call; More is required; Love
2. I catch on fire
3. The deepest desire
4. Primary colors
THE STARRY NIGHT (2001)
Poetry by Ann Sexton, Emily Dickinson, A.E. Housman, with texts by Vincent Van Gough. commissioned for M-S Kristine Jepson by Evolutions in Song. Premiered April 17, 2001 at Merkin Concert Hall, New York. M-S Kristine Jepson, pianist John Churchwell.
1. The Starry Night (Anne Sexton)
2. Celestial Locomotion (Van Gogh)
3. Go Thy Great Way (Dickinson)
4. Reflection (Van Gogh)
5. The sun kept setting (Dickinson)
6. Touch (Van Gogh)
7. I would not paint a picture (Dickinson)
OF GODS AND CATS (2000)
Poetry by Gavin Geoffrey Dillard. Commissioned by Vija Nadai. First performance: Monte Carlo, May 2000. m-s Jennifer Larmore with pianist Antoine Palloc.
1. In the beginning ...
2. Once upon a universe
SONGS TO THE MOON (1998)
Part 1: "Fairy-Tales for the Children" Poetry by Vachel Lindsay. Commissioned for Frederica von Stade by MUSIC ACCORD. Premiere: August 20, 1998 at the Ravinia Festival, Illinois, with Martin Katz, pianist
1. Prologue: Once More - To Gloriana
2. Euclid
3. The Haughty Snail-King
4. What the Rattlesnake Said
5. The Moon's the North Wind's Cooky (What the little girl said)
6. What the Scarecrow Said
7. What the Gray-Winged Fairy Said
8. Yet Gentle Will the Griffin Be (What Grandpa told the children)
Songs To The Moon was commissioned by MUSIC ACCORD, INC., a consortium of music presenters, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood; The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New York City; The Krannert Center, University of Illinois, Urbana; The Library of Congress, Washington, DC; The Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL; San Francisco Performances, San Francisco, CA; Spivey Hall, Clayton State College, Morrow, GA; University Musical Society, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and the Wolf Trap Foundation, Vienna, VA.
PAPER WINGS (1997)
Lyrics by Frederica von Stade. Commissioned by Frederica von Stade and dedicated to her daughter, Lisa Elkus. First Performance: September 20, 1997 at Zellerbach Auditorium, UC Berkeley; Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano; Martin Katz, piano.
1. Bedtime Story
2. Paper Wings
3. Mitten Smitten
4. A Route to the Sky
ENCOUNTERTENOR (1995)
Lyrics by John Hall. Commissioned by Brian Asawa. First performance: November 21, 1995 at Wigmore Hall, London; Brian Asawa, countertenor; Melvyn Tan, fortepiano
1. Countertenor's Conundrum
2. The trouble with trebles in trousers ... (Pitch can be a bitch!)
3. A Gift to Share
FRIENDLY PERSUASIONS: Songs in Homage to Poulenc (2008)
Four songs for tenor and piano. Poetry by Gene Scheer, based on four transformative friendships and meetings in Francis Poulenc's life. First Performance: April 9, 2008 at the Wigmore Hall, London, featuring tenor John Mark Ainsley and pianist Malcolm Martineau.
1. Wanda Landowska
2. Pierre Bernac
3. Raymonde Linossier
4. Paul Eluard
THREE FOLK SONGS (1994)
Dedicated to Frederica von Stade. First performance: October 1995 at First Congregational Church in Berkeley: Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano; Jake Heggie, piano
1. Barb'ry Allen
2. He's Gone Away
3. The Leather-Winged Bat
A GREAT HOPE FELL: Songs from Civil War (2001)
Songs for baritone and chamber orchestra. Poetry and texts by authors including Maya Angelou, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Emily Dickinson and Stephen Foster. Commissioned by the Eos Orchestra, Inc. First performance scheduled for February 21, 2002 at the Society for Ethical Culture in New York with baritone Gordon Hawkins and the Eos Orchestra conducted by Jonathan Sheffer.
Prologue: Ships that Pass in the Night (Dunbar)
1. Africa (Angelou)
2a. When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Gilmore)
2b. Letter to President Lincoln from Annie Davis, 1864
2c. Was My Brother in the Battle? (Foster)
3. A great Hope fell (Dickinson)
4a. Glory (Howe)
4b. America (Angelou)
THE MOON IS A MIRROR(2001)
Five songs for baritone and piano (three songs orchestrated for full orchestra). Poetry by Vachel Lindsay. Commissioned by Credit Suisse and Bryn Terfel. First performance of orchestrated songs: September 17, 2001, Vienna. First performance of full cycle with piano: January 13, 2002, London at The Barbican: Bryn Terfel, baritone; Malcolm Martineau, pianist.
1. The Strength of the Lonely (What the Mendicant Said)
2. What the Miner in the Desert Said
3. The Old Horse in the City
4. What the Forester Said
5. What the Snowman Said
THOUGHTS UNSPOKEN (1996)
Lyrics by John Hall. Commissioned by Earle Patriarco. First performance: November 1996, Vocal Arts Festival at The George Washington University: Earle Patriarco, baritone; Kevin Murphy, piano
1. A learning experience over coffee...
2. You enter my thoughts
3. To speak of love
4. Unspoken thoughts at bedtime
TROIS POEMES INTERIEURS DE RAINER MARIA RILKE (1988)
Poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke.
1. Portrait intérieure
2. La porteuse de fleurs
3. Epilogue: C'est pour t'avoir vue...
THE DEEPEST DESIRE: Four Meditations on Love (2002; orch. 2005)
Texts by Sister Helen Prejean. Mezzo with chamber orchestra (2-2-2-2, 2-2-0-0, perc, pno, strings). Original version for mezzo & piano premiered July 16, 2002 by mezzo Susan Graham, flutist Eugenia Zukerman and pianist Jake Heggie. Orchestration commissioned by St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and premiered May 19, 2005 by mezzo Joyce DiDonato and conductor Patrick Summers.
Prelude: The Call
1. More is Required; Love
2. I catch on fire
3. The deepest desire
4. Primary colors
PAPER WINGS (1997 orch. 1999)
Lyrics by Frederica von Stade. Mezzo-soprano and full orchestra. Orchestration commissioned by The Louisville Orchestra. First performance: January 8, 2000 with Frederica von Stade; conductor Uriel Segal.
1. Bedtime Story
2. Paper Wings
3. Mitten Smitten
4. A Route to the Sky
THREE FOLK SONGS (1994, orch. 1997)
Mezzo-soprano and full orchestra. Orchestration commissioned by Frederica von Stade. First performance: August 28, 1997 at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles: Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano; Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Grant Gershon.
1. Barb'ry Allen
2. He's Gone Away
3. The Leather-Winged Bat
SO MANY NOTES! (1997)
Text by the composer. 11 solo singers and full orchestra. Commissioned by San Francisco Opera to celebrate its 75th Season. First Performance: September 5, 1997 at the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco. Conductor: Donald Runnicles; San Francisco Opera Orchestra; sopranos Nicolle Foland, Peggy Kriha Dye, Alison Buchanan, Christina Lamberti; mezzo-soprano Zheng Cao; tenor Stuart Skelton; baritones John Autry, David Okerlund, Mel Ulrich; bass-baritones John Relyea and Chester Patton.
ON THE ROAD TO CHRISTMAS (1996)
Mezzo-soprano and string orchestra; commissioned by the New Century Chamber Orchestra. First performance: December 13, 1996 at Herbst Theatre, San Francisco. Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano; New Century Chamber Orchestra with Stuart Canin, leader
1. The Night is Freezing Fast (A.E. Housman)
2. The Car Ride to Christmas (von Stade)
3. Good King Merrily on High (traditional)
4. I wonder as I wander (Niles)
5. The Road to Bethlehem (Dickinson)
6. And then the Setting Sun (von Stade)
7. Christmas Time of Year (Heggie)
HERE AND GONE (2005)
Poetry by A.E. Housman and Vachel Lindsay. Songs for tenor and baritone with violin, viola, cello and piano. Commissioned by Welz Kaufman and the Ravinia Festival for the Steans Institute. Premiere: August 6, 2005 at the Ravinia Festival with tenor Nicholas Phan and baritone Andrew Garland.
1. The Farms of Home (Housman)
2. In Praise of Songs That Die (Lindsay)
3. Stars (Housman)
4. The Factory Window Song (Lindsay)
5. In the Morning (Housman)
6. Because I Liked You Better (Housman)
7. The Half-Moon Westers Low (Housman)
STATUESQUE (2005)
New texts by Gene Scheer. Song for mezzo with flute, alto sax, clarinet (doubles on bass clarinet), violin, cello, bass and piano. Commissioned by University of Kansas at Lawrence for mezzo-soprano Joyce Castle. Premiere schedule for December 5, 2005. Also with piano accompaniment.
1. Henry Moore: Reclining Figure of Elmwood
2. Pablo Picasso: Head of a Woman, 1932
3. Hapshetsut: The Divine Potter
4. Alberto Giacommetti: Standing Woman #2
5. Winged Victory: We’re Through
TIMES OF DAY (2004)
Mezzo-soprano, violin, cello, piano. Commissioned by the Harmida Trio, San Francisco. Premiere: January 31, 2005 at Temple Emanu-El, San Francisco. Mezzo: Zheng Cao; Violin: Dawn Harms; Cello: Emil Miland; Piano: Laura Dahl.
1. The Minuet (Carver)
2. Simple (Carver)
3. The Best Time of the Day (Carver)
Vanity (Blah Blah Me) (2004)
Soprano, clarinet, cello, bass, piano and percussion (also a version for piano solo). Text by the composer. Commissioned by Carnegie Hall for Audra McDonald as part of a new cycle "The Seven Deadly Sins" (also featuring compositions contributed by Michael John La Chiusa, Stephen Flaherty, Ricky Ian Gordon and others). Premeire: June 2, 2004 at Zankel Hall, New York. Soprano: Audra McDonald; Piano and Music Director: Ted Sperling.
WINTER ROSES (2004)
Mezzo-soprano, string quintet, wind quintet and piano. Commissioned by Richard and Luci Janssen for Camerata Pacifica, Santa Barbara. Premiere: October 9, 2004 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara. Mezzo: Frederica von Stade. Violin: Sarah Thornblade, Agnes Gottschewski; Viola: Donald McInnes; Cello: Alan Stepansky; Bass: Tim Eckert; Flute: Adrian Spence; Oboe: Leslie Reed; Clarinet: Jose Franch-Ballester; Bassoon: John Steinmetz; Horn: Steve Becknell; Piano: Vicky Ray.
Prologue: Winter Roses (Charlene Baldridge)
I. Two Birds
1. The Wren (Baldridge)
2. The Robin (Dickinson)
II. Three Shades (in memoriam C.v.S.)
3. A Hero (Frederica von Stade)
4. Sleeping (Raymond Carver)
5. To My Dad (von Stade)
III. Looking West
6. Sweet Light (Carver)
Epilogue: Late Fragement (Carver)
FROM EMILY'S GARDEN (1999)
Poetry by Emily Dickinson. Soprano with flute, violin, cello and piano (first two songs from 1987 revised for this set). Premiere: May 29, 1998 at Old First Church in San Francisco with Nicolle Foland, soprano.
1. Here, where the Daisies fit my Head
2. In lands I never saw
3. To make a prairie
4. It makes no difference abroad
BEFORE THE STORM (1998)
Mezzo-soprano, cello and piano (three songs based on works written in 1986, revised.). Dedicated to Zheng Cao. Premiere: April 26, 1998 at Old First Church, San Francisco. m-s Zheng Cao; cellist Emil Miland; pianist Jake Heggie.
1. Before the Storm (Judyth Walker)
2. It sounded as if the streets were running (Emily Dickinson)
3. What lips my lips have kissed (Edna St. Vincent Millay)
4. The Thin Edge (Dorothy Parker)
My True Love Hath My Heart (1996)
Poetry by Sir Philip Sidney. Soprano, cello and piano (also arranged as a duet for soprano, mezzo, cello and piano).
Soprano
FINAL MONOLOGUE from MASTER CLASS (2007) Text by Terrence McNally from his Tony Award-winning play, Master Class. Composed for mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Merola Opera Program and to remember the late James Schwabacher. Commissioned by Rusty Rolland. First performance: May 19, 2007 in San Francisco with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and pianist Jake Heggie. NOTE: a revised version in a higher key and with optional notes was created for soprano Kiri Te Kanawa.
Vanity (Blah Blah Me) (2004) Text by the composer. Commissioned by Carnegie Hall for Audra McDonald as part of a new cycle "The Seven Deadly Sins" (also featuring compositions contributed by Michael John La Chiusa, Stephen Flaherty, Ricky Ian Gordon and others). Premiere: June 2, 2004 at Zankel Hall, New York. Soprano: Audra McDonald; Piano and Music Director: Ted Sperling. (First performance featured a version with chamber accompaniment.)
THE FACES OF LOVE Selections:
Poems of Emily Dickinson
Ample make this bed (1999)
The sun kept setting (1999)
It makes no difference abroad (1998)
I shall not live in vain (1995)
As well as Jesus? (1995)
At last, to be identified! (1995)
If you were coming in the Fall (1987)
"Why do I love" You, Sir? (1987)
Here, where the Daisies fit my Head (1987)
In lands I never saw (1987)
She sweeps with many-colored Brooms (1987)
All that I do (1987)
My True Love Hath My Heart (1996) poetry by Sir Philip Sidney
Mezzo-Soprano
THE FACES OF LOVE Selections:
Sophie's Song (1998)
Text by Frederica von Stade; commissioned by
Jennifer Larmore. First
performance: Alice Tully Hall, New York City; m-s
Jennifer Larmore and
pianist Jake Heggie.
Dixie (1997) An arrangement of the traditional song. Commissioned by Jennifer Larmore. First performance: October 1997 at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia: Jennifer Larmore, mezzo-soprano; Antoine Palloc, pianist
White in the Moon (1990) Poetry by A.E. Housman.
To Say Before Going to Sleep (1988) Poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke, translated by Albert Ernest Flemming. Dedicated to Frederica von Stade.
Away in a Manger (1986) Traditional.
Baritone
Grow Old Along With Me! (2004) Poetry by Robert Browning. Composed as a gift for baritone Robert Orth.
Everyone Sang (1998) Poetry by Siegfried Sassoon. Commissioned by James Schwabacher.
"HOLY THE FIRM" -- ESSAY FOR CELLO AND ORCHESTRA (2002) Commissioned by the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Emil Miland, cellist; Michael Morgan, conductor. Premiere: November 15, 2002 at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, CA. Recorded live. CD available from OEBS.
ORCHESTRAL EPISODES FROM DEAD MAN WALKING (2002). A 20-minute work for full orchestra featuring music from the opera Dead Man Walking. Commissioned by the Dallas Symphony; Andrew Litton, music director. Premiered June 28, 2002 at Meyerson Hall in Dallas, TX.
"CUT TIME" VARIATIONS FOR PIANO AND CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (2001). Commissioned by Eos orchestra. Premiered May 17, 2001 at the Ethical Cultural Society, New York. The Eos Orchestra with pianist Jeremy Denk; Jonathan Sheffer, conductor.
COWARD/CABARET (1996) Songs by Noel Coward freely arranged for cello and piano. Dedicated to Emil Miland. First performance: May 10, 1996 at Old First Church, San Francisco: Emil Miland, cello; Jake Heggie, piano. 1. Mad About the Boy 2. Someday I'll Find You 3. Meme les anges
ONE DAY AT THE DUCK POND (1987) Strings, winds, guitar, piano and percussion. Music and illustrations for children to write stories to. 1. At the Duck Pond 2. The Old Tree 3. The Rainy Day
"GLENGARIFF" TRIO (1985) Violin, cello and piano. In three movements.
"LUGALLA" STRING QUARTET (1984) Two violins, viola and cello. In four movements.
DIVERTIMENTO (1990) 1. Overture 2. Aria 3. Musette 4. Pastorale 5. Finale
RHOSYMEDRE (1987) arrangement of a work by Vaughan-Williams
SKELLIG VARIATIONS (1986)
INISFREE (1985)
HOMAGE A POULENC (1992) 1. Ouverture 2. Valse? 3. Pastorale 4. Epilogue
CHRISTMAS NOCTURNES (1991) 1. Est is ein Ros' 2. Coventry Carol 3. O Come, Emanuel 4. The Holly and the Ivy 5. I Saw Three Ships 6. I Wonder as I Wander 7. Silent Night
INISHFALLEN (1983) Based upon Irish folk melodies 1. The Lone Rock 2. Pulse of My Heart 3. The Precious Treasure
INDIANA BOUND (1982)
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