Scott Wheeler is an award-winning composer, conductor, pianist, teacher and writer on music. Best known for his operas and vocal music, he has also gained wide recognition as a composer of symphonies, concertos, chamber works, solo piano music and ballet.
Opera & Ballet
Baroness
45'
(libretto by Noel Carey and Scott Wheeler) Opera in one act (2019, in progress) for Dolora Zajick and the Institute for Dramatic Voices
The Construction of Boston
50'
(words by Kenneth Koch) Opera in one act (1988, revised 1989) Staged version available in arrangement for two players.. Staged version premiered by the Charlestown Working Theater in 1990.
Democracy: An American Comedy (2002)
2 Hours
(libretto by Romulus Linney) Opera in two acts
(Published by Peer Music Classical)
Commissioned and premiered by Washington National Opera, 2005. Scenes from this work were presented at Boston Conservatory in April 1998 and at American Opera Projects in New York, October 1998. Excerpts presented at Vox (Showcasing American Music) New York City Opera, May 2000.
The Gold Standard
7'
(words by Kenneth Koch) for two singers, 2 clarinets, viola, cello and contrabass Commissioned by Sequitur for premiere February, 2000 at Joe’s Pub, New York. Recorded by Sequitur, Koch.
Midsummer
10'
(libretto by Scott Wheeler, adapted from the play by Don Nigro) for 5 singers and chamber ensemble
Commissioned by Boston Opera Collaborative, who premiered the work October, 2018 at Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
Naga (2016)
90'
(libretto by Cerise Jacobs) Opera in two acts
(Published by Peer Music Classical)
Commissioned and premiered by Friends of Madame White Snake and Boston Lyric Opera, 2016. Workshops at New England Conservatory and Boston University in 2015.
Written with the assistance of a Fellowship from the MacDowell Colony.
The Sorrows of Frederick (2013)
2 hours
(libretto by Romulus Linney) Opera in two acts
(Published by Peer Music Classical)
Commissioned by The Metropolitan Opera and Lincoln Center Theatre. Workshopped by them in 2013. Frontiers at Fort Worth Opera, 2015. Center for Contemporary Opera 2015.
Nightingale
90'
Choreography and scenario by Melissa Barak (lyrics by Kathryn Levy) Ballet in two acts (in progress) featuring solo soprano.
Based on The Emperor and the Nightingale by Hans Christian Anderson.
Workshop presentation of excerpts, Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU, May 2016
Orchestra
200 Dreams from Captivity
30'
(text: Wang Dan, translated by Shalin Liu and Scott Wheeler) (2013) Seven songs for baritone, solo cello and orchestra or chamber orchestra Commissioned by Shalin Liu. Premiered 2014 by Michael Nyby and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra conducted by Judith Yan.
The Angle of the Sun
30'
(text: Veni Creator Spiritus (Dryden), Mark Van Doren and Paul Goodman) (1994) Cantata for mezzo soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra of hn, tbn, pno, hp, perc (2 players), strings Commissioned by the Boston Cecilia for the 25th Anniversary of its music director Donald Teeters
City of Shadows: Chamber Symphony
15'
Commissioned by Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. Premiered by them under conductor Kent Nagano in January 2007. Written with the assistance of the American Academy in Berlin. Recorded on BMOP Sound, Boston Modern Orchestra Project conducted by Gil Rose
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
25'
Commissioned by the Toledo Symphony for Sharan Leventhal. Premiered by them, conducted by Andrew Massey, in May 2001. Written with the assistance of a Fellowship from the MacDowell Colony.
Whiskers and Rhymes
15'
Five songs for treble chorus, piano, percussion and strings Commissioned by the Arts Council of North Reading, Mass. for the Treble Chorus of New England, Marie Stultz, director. Winner of Grand Prize, Composers Guild Competition 1991. String orchestra version premiered by the Treble Chorus of New England at the Shrewsbury Festival, July 1992.
Touch and Go
3'
String orchestra Commissioned by Chamber Orchestra of Boston. Premiere 2011 Chamber Orchestra of Boston, David Feltner.
Crazy Weather
22'
Double string orchestra. Commissioned by the Koussevitzky Foundation of the Library of Congress for the New England String Ensemble and premiered by them 4/04 in Wakefield, MA and Jordan Hall in Boston. Recorded on BMOP Sound, Boston Modern Orchestra Project conducted by Gil Rose
Four Corners
13'
2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsn, 2 hns, tpt, tbn, strings In memoriam Virgil Thomson. Commissioned by the Virgil Thomson Foundation for the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston. First performed by the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra in 1990, with Gunther Schuller conductor.
Gradualia
15'
Commissioned by the Chesapeake Symphony for Eliza Garth. Premiered by Eliza Garth. with the State Orchestra of Romania conducted by Jeffrey Silberschlag at the Alba Music Festival June 2006. US premiere River Concert Series.
The Little Dragon
28'
Children’s story for storyteller, chamber ensemble and orchestra Commissioned by Tales and Scales of Evansville, Indiana. First performed by them, with the Evansville Philharmonic
Northern Lights
17'
2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsn, 4 hn, 3 tpts, 3 tbns, tba, 3 perc, timp, pno, strings Commissioned by the Koussevitzky Foundation of the Library of Congress. Readings by New England Composers Orchestra (Charles Fussell cond.) 1988, Houston Symphony (Niklaus Wyss cond.) 1989. Recorded on BMOP Sound, Boston Modern Orchestra Project conducted by Gil Rose
Louise, the Rhinoceros Who Was Born to Dance
15'
(text by Jonathan Levy) (1995) Children’s story for narrator and orchestra Commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra. First performed by them, 3/95, cond. William Eddins.
Choral
Acquainted with the Night
4'
(text: Robert Frost)
SATB. Commissioned by Amherst College. Premiere Amherst College Chorus 3/23.
The Angle of the Sun
30'
(text: Veni Creator Spiritus, Mark Van Doren and Paul Goodman) (1994) Cantata for mezzo soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra of hn, tbn, pno, hp, perc (2 players), strings Commissioned by the Boston Cecilia for the 25th Anniversary of its music director Donald Teeters, with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. First performed by the Boston Cecilia 4/94.
A Babe is Born
3'
SATB. Text anonymous, Latin/English Dedicated to the Emerson College Chorus and first performed by them with the composer conducting. Subsequent performances Paul Madore Chorale, Wintersauce, Choir of All Saints Brookline, numerous others.
Cantate, Laudate
6'
SATB (optional children’s choir) + organ. Text from Psalm 148 with Latin refrains. Commissioned for the 100th anniversary of the choir of Christ’s Church in Rye, New York, and first sung by them under organist-choirmaster Stephen Rapp.
Cathedral Psalm
3'
Text from Psalm 9. Dedicated to Margaret Wheeler-Frothingham.
The Construction of Boston
50'
(words by Kenneth Koch) (1988) Opera in 1 Act for soloists, chorus and chamber orchestra (16 players) Commissioned by the John Oliver Chorale and first performed by them 1/89. Written with the support of the Guggenheim Foundation. Dedicated to Virgil Thomson. Recorded on Naxos American Classics, Boston Cecilia conducted by Donald Teeters
Embraced by Velvet Night
4'
SATB and piano. Text by Shalin Liu. Commissioned by the Summer Star Foundation. Premiered by Boston Cecilia, cond. Donald Teeters, 5/12.
Free Land
4'
SATB and piano. Text drawn from the speeches and writing of Anthony Burns, and from the Psalms. Commissioned by Boston Children’s Chorus. Premiered by Boston Children’s Chorus, cond. Anthony Trecek-King, 1/17.
Jabberwocky
4'
SSA and two cellos. Text by Lewis Carroll. Commissioned by Cantilena. Premiered by Cantilena, cond. Allegra Martin, 5/13.
New Love Song Waltzes
11'
SATB and piano duet. Texts by Shakespeare and Donne. Dedicated to Donald Teeters. Premiered by Boston Cecilia, cond. Donald Teeters, 5/12.
Peace
3'
SATB and piano or organ. Text by Henry Vaughan. Second Prize, choral, Composers Guild Competition, 1984
Peter Quince at the Clavier
5'
SATB and piano or SSA and piano. Text by Wallace Stevens. Commissioned by Singers Ltd., Darien, Conn.
Prayer of Mercy
4'
SATB plus Treble voices with organ. Text anonymous. Commissioned by Anne Guenzel for the Choir and Schola of All Saints Parish.
Prayer of St. Teresa
2'
Treble voices in unison with piano or organ. Text by St. Teresa of Avila. Dedicated to Keith Glavash and the Schola of All Saints Parish.
Prospects
4'
SATB a capella. Text by Anthony Hecht. Commissioned by Boston Secession, premiered by them under conductor Jane Ring Frank, April 2007.
Turning Back
15'
Four songs for mezzo-soprano, chorus and piano. Texts by H.D. (Hilda Doolittle). Commissioned by Boston Cecilia for mezzo-soprano Krista River. Premiere by Krista River and Boston Cecilia, Boston, May 2008.
Whiskers and Rhymes
15'
Five songs for treble chorus, piano duet, violin and percussion (words by Arnold Lobel and Jack Prelutsky) Commissioned by the Arts Council of North Reading, Mass. for the Treble Chorus of New England, Marie Stultz, director. Winner of Grand Prize, Composers Guild Competition 1991.
While You Here Do Snoring Lie
2'
SATB. Text by Shakespeare.
Chamber
Isolation Rag (2020)
3.5'
Solo violin
Written for Gil Shaham.
Traveling Light (2020)
10'
Violin, clarinet, piano
Commissioned by National Sawdust for Chris Grymes. Premiere 2021.
200 Dreams From Captivity
30'
(text: Wang Dan, translated by Shalin Liu and Scott Wheeler) (2013) Seven songs for baritone, violin, cello, piano and percussion Commissioned by Shalin Liu. Premiered 2014 by Aaron Engebreth and the Radius Ensemble
Brief Glimpses (2003)
2'
flute & viola For Ezra Sims on his 75th birthday. Premiered 11/14/03 by Dinosaur Annex at the Tsai Center in Boston, with choreography by Nicola Hawkins, who danced the work as a solo.
Calamity Rag (1979)
3'
2 tpts,hn,tbn,tba
Camera Dances (1999)
14'
Trio #2 for Violin, cello and piano Commissioned by First Night Boston in association with Donald Berman, premiered 12/31/96. Subsequent performances by Newport Music Festival, Boston Artists Ensemble, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Recorded by the Gramercy Trio.
Chorale Processional (1979)
4'
2 tpts,hn,tbn,tba. Fantasy on a chorale by J.S. Bach.
Dragon Mountain (1992)
18'
violin, viola, cello, piano Commissioned by the North Carolina School for the Arts. Premiered by Razoumovsky Plus Larsen, 1992. Recorded by the Gramercy Trio.
Dream Songs (2018)
12'
violin, viola, cello, contrabass, piano Commissioned by PhiloSonia, who premiered the work 11/2018, Brooklyn, NY.
Fables (1999)
10'
Flute and piano Commissioned by Julia Scolnik. Premiered by her June 1999 at Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA. First Prize, instrumental music Composers Guild.
Fantasy Dances (1984)
11'
3 clarinets Premiered by Dinosaur Annex
Granite Coast (2009)
21'
Violin, cello, piano Commissioned by the Rockport Chamber Music Festival. Dedicated to Shalin Liu. Premiere June 2010.
Illyrian Rounds (1996)
16'
Oboe, violin, viola, cello Commissioned by Boston Conservatory Chamber Players. Premiered by them 1996. Revised version premiered by Auros Ensemble 1997.
The Little Dragon (story by Jay O'Callahan)
28'
Children’s story for storyteller, soprano, flute, horn, trombone, cello, and percussion. Commissioned by Tales and Scales of Evansville, Indiana. First performed by them 1991. (see also orchestral version)
Lyric Variations (1986)
9'
Violin, marimba. For Sharan Leventhal and Steven Cornelius. Recorded by Marimolin on GM Recordings (GM2023 CD).
Nachtlied (2009)
3'
Guitar solo Commissioned by George Providakes and Catherine Creecy for Aaron Larget-Caplan; first performed by him at New School of Music, Cambridge, MA January 2009. Recorded by Aaron Larget-Caplan.
New Love Song Waltzes (2012)
11'
SATB and piano duet. Texts by Shakespeare and Donne. Solo voice version premiered by Polydora Ensemble, 2014
New Village Music (1993/2017)
13'
Flute, oboe, clarinet, piano For Exponential Ensemble, who premiered it 12/17. Original version commissioned by Crosscurrents for Arcadian Winds.
New Village Music (1993/2017)
13'
Flute, violin, clarinet, piano For Juventas, who premiered it 9/17. Original version commissioned by Crosscurrents for Arcadian Winds.
Night Owl Variations (1985)
10'
Fl, cl, perc, vcl Commissioned by Margaret Lee Crofts, with the assistance of the MacDowell Colony; Performances by Dinosaur Annex (composer conducting), Parnassus (cond. Anthony Korf), Earplay, Auros Ensemble. Recorded on Dinosaur Annex 30th Anniversary cd.
Octet -- Sea Surface Full of Clouds (1989, rev.1990)
16'
ob, bsn, tpt, tbn, vn, cb, pno, perc Commissioned by the Jerome Foundation for Parnassus, who premiered it under Anthony Korf in 1990. Subsequent performances by Wellesley Composers Conference under Efrain Guigui, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble under David Stock.
Over The Star (1975)
11'
Fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, perc, pno, strings Performances at Tanglewood, Dinosaur Annex.
Pas De Malheur (1978)
5'
Oboe and Piano
Piece for Five Players (1975)
7'
e.h., cl, tpt, vla, cb Finalist, International Society of Bassists.
The Palace at 4AM (2005)
15'
baritone, clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), horn, piano, percussion, violin (doubling mandolin), viola, cello Commissioned by the Fromm Foundation for the 21st Century Consort, who premiered it in 2006, with baritone William Sharp and conductor Christopher Kendall. Subsequent performances Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin, cond. Scott Wheeler and Sequitur (New York) cond. Paul Hostetter.
Pocket Concerto (1984)
15'
Fl, pcl, cl, bcl, perc, pno, vn, vla, vcl Dedicated to Christen Frothingham. First performed by Dinosaur Annex, 1985.
Pocket Concerto (Orchestration 1985)
15'
Fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, perc, pno, strings Performances by Wellesley Composers Conference, Omnibus (cond. Theodore Antoniou), Chicago Contemporary Players (cond.Ralph Shapey).
Postcard Overture (1983/86)
5'
Fl, pcl, cl, bcl, vn, va, vcl Written at Dartington Summer School of Music and first performed there. Subsequent performances and radio broadcast by Dinosaur Annex, Scott Wheeler conductor.
Presidential Fanfare and Procession (1991)
5'
2 tpts, hn, tbn, tuba Written and first performed for the installation of John Zacharis as president of Emerson College. Honorable mention, Composers Guild 1991.
Puppet Dance (1986/87)
3'
Violin, marimba Arrangement of F & S Rag, for Marimolin.
Quintet for Brass (1989)
14'
2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba or bass trombone Commissioned by the Beacon Brass Quintet for their tenth anniversary. Premiered by them in 1989
Sextet (1973)
10'
Fl, cl, hn, vn, cb, pno
Shadow Bands (1990)
9:30'
Violin, viola, cello Commissioned by the Washington Square Contemporary Music Series and premiered by them at Weill Recital Hall, 1991. Subsequent performances by Tanglewood Music Center, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, thers. Copying assistance from Emerson College Research Grant. Recorded by the Gramercy Trio.
Shadow Box (1998)
7'
Guitar solo Written for John Muratore; first performed by him at Dartmouth University, February 1999. Recorded by John Muratore.
Shore Watch (1998)
7'
Violin and piano Commissioned by the North Reading Arts Council for Cynthia Miller; first performed by her at Yale School of Music, April 1998. New York premiere Mary Rowell and Geoffrey Burleson, Merkin Hall June 2010.
Singerie (1979)
6'
Cl, vn, pno Premiered by Dinosaur Annex.
The Singing Turk (2017)
15'
Sonata #2 for Violin and piano Commissioned by Sharan Leventhal. Premiered at Sharan Leventhal and Randall Hodgkinson, Boston Conervatory, February 2017. Published by Peermusic Classical
Skyline: A Portrait of Jill Steinberg (2016/17)
2’30”
Flute and piano. Written for Ransom Wilson, premiered by him with Scott Wheeler piano, December 2017.
Slate River (2008)
10'
Vln, vcl, pno Commissioned by the Rivers School. Premiered at their Seminar for Contemporary Music, April 2008. Revised version commissioned and premiered by the Stony Brook Chamber Players, November 2008.
Sleeping on a Wire (1997)
6'
Two violins Commissioned by Gayle Davidge, first performed by Alea III, January 1997. New York premiere by Avian Ensemble 5/02.
The Small Rain (2006)
12'
Flute and piano Commissioned by Fenwick Smith, first performed by him and Sally Pinkas, piano, September 2006. Jordan Hall Boston New York premiere by the same performers, November 2006, Flute Club of New York.
Sonata (1984)
18'
Violin and piano Written for Sharan Leventhal and Anthony Tommasini, and first performed by them in 1984. New York premiere by Marimolin (with guest pianist John MacDonald) 1990. Recorded by the Gramercy Trio.
Sonata #2 for cello and piano: Songs without Words (2017)
17'
Commissioned by Jonathan Miller,, first performed by him and Diane Walsh with Boston Artists Ensemble, April 2018. Newton MA and Salem MA Written with the assistance of a Fellowship from Yaddo.
Spirit Geometry (2010)
21'
Cello and piano Commissioned by the Barlow Foundation at the University of Utah. Dedicated to Joshua Gordon and Randall Hodgkinson. Premiere by Joshua Gordon and Randall Hodgkinson at Slosberg Recital Hall, Brandeis University.
String Quartet (1994)
14'
Written for the Mendelssohn Quartet on commission from the Fromm Foundation at Harvard. Premiered by the Mendelssohn Quartet 12/94.
Three Night Songs (2017)
11'
Soprano, violin, viola cello, piano. Texts by Rilke, Colin Morton, Catherine Wing. First performed by Martha Guth at the Saugatuck Chamber Music Festival
Three Night Songs (2017/18)
11'
Soprano, cello, piano. Texts by Rilke, Colin Morton, Catherine Wing. First performed by Resinosa Ensemble, Augusta, ME
To The Owl (1978)
5'
Soprano, fl, cl, vcl. Text by Tennyson. Dedicated to Arthur Berger. First performed by Dinosaur Annex.
Touch and Go (2009)
3'
Violin, cello, piano Commissioned by Sharan Leventhal for the Gramercy Trio. Premiere January 2010. Dance by Zoé Dance, choreographed by Callie Chapman.
Unclouded (2019)
5'
Clarinet, violin, cello, piano Commissioned by Chamber Music Festival of the Northeast. Premiere July 2019.
Village Music (1993)
12'
Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon Commissioned by Crosscurrents for Arcadian Winds, who premiered it 10/4/93. Recorded by Arcadian Winds.
Whispered Sarabande (2018)
5'
Solo violin Dedicated to Mark Peskanov, who premiered it 1/4/19 at Bargemusic, New York
Winter Hills (1987)
16'
Cello, percussion, piano Commissioned by the Somerville Arts Council for the Aequalis Chamber Ensemble. Subsequent performances by Dinosaur Annex, League ISCM, Phantom Arts Ensemble.
Keyboard
Helen: A Portrait of Bunny Beekman (2022)
3'
Piano solo
Alphabet Dance (1992)
2'
Piano solo
80 bars for Arthur Berger’s 80th birthday.
Anima: Portrait of Susan Napier. (2018)
2:30'
Piano solo
Commissioned by Stephen Coit.
Arietta (2012)
2'
Piano solo
Portrait of Nancy Armstrong. Commissioned by James Woodman. Written as a donation to Boston Cecilia.
Artist Proofs (1998)
10'
Piano solo
Four occasional pieces: Birthday Card for Tony, Midnight Bells, Shimmer, Epithalamium. Recorded by Beth Levin.
Birthday Card (1986)
2'
Piano duet
For Virgil Thomson on his 90th birthday, on themes from his music. Performed 11/23/86 at Chanterelle, N.Y.C. by the composer and Anthony Tommasini, piano.
Birthday Card for Tony (1998)
2'
Piano solo
Dedicated to Tony Tommasini. Based on Virgil Thomson’s portrait of Tony. First performed by Donald Berman at Walden School, 1999.
Bleecker Study (2012)
3'
Piano solo
Portrait of Fern Lopez. Premiered by Donald Berman at Bargemusic, 2014
By the Sea (2013)
3'
Piano solo
For Stephen Sondheim, on the occasion of his Medal from the MacDowell Colony
Calamity Rag (1979)
3'
Piano solo
Dedicated to Willa Rouder. First performed by the composer at Emerson College, 1984.
Chanson Singeresse (1978)
4'
Piano solo
Adapted from the trio Singerie. First performed by Anthony Tommasini at Emerson College, 1978.
Cliff Walk (2006)
3'
Piano solo
Commissioned by Courtney Kenny for his recital at the Purcell Room, London, May 2006.
Cookie Waltz and Galop: Portrait of Elizabeth Cranstoun (1993)
4'
Piano solo
Cowley Meditation (2009)
3'
Piano solo
Portrait of James Woodman. Commissioned by James Woodman.
Written as a donation to Boston Cecilia.
Dad with Kids: Portrait of Charles Hoffman (1994)
2'
Piano solo
Epithalamion (1998)
For Donald Berman and Meredith Moss
F & S Rag (1986)
3'
Piano solo
Drawn from “March” for Fits and Starts, clown show by Sophie Parker and Steve Seidel.
The Fifth of July: Portrait of Stephen Krane (2007)
2'
Piano solo
Written as a donation to Boston Cecilia.
Firefly Lullaby (1996)
3'
Piano solo
For Alexa Rose Wheeler
Flow Chart (1993)
11'
Piano solo
For Donald Berman. Premiered by Donald Berman 1993, Boston.
Free Ranging (1982)
2'
Piano solo
For Jill Wheeler and Curtis Garry.
Green Geese (1978)
4'
Piano solo
Dedicated to Willa Rouder.
Grey Gardens (1977)
6'
Piano duet or two pianos
Premiered by Rodney Lister and Scott Wheeler on a concert of Dinosaur Annex.
Life Study (2014)
3'
Piano solo
Portrait of Megan Marshall. Commissioned by Scott Harney.
Premiered by Olga Vinokur at Bargemusic, 2014.
Lost in the Stars (2023)
3'
Piano solo
After Kurt Weill. In memory of Maureen Shea.
Morningside (2007)
2'
Fortepiano or piano solo
Portrait of Monica Jakuc. Commissioned by Smith College for the retirement recital of Monica Jakuc 2/08.
Oracle: A Portrait of Kathleen Ludwig (2018)
2'
Piano solo
Written as a donation to the MacDowell Colony.
Palette: A Portrait of Stephen Coit (2018)
3'
Piano solo
Commissioned by Susan Napier
Park View: A Portrait of Barbara Senchak (2017)
3'
Piano solo
Pastorale: A Portrait of Sara Davies (1991)
2'
Piano solo
Portrait of the composer’s hostess in Evansville, Indiana, 1991.
Prelude on “In Christ There is No East Nor West” (1989) for Veronica Koven
2'
Pseudo-Rag for G.S. (1985)
2'
Piano solo
Sixtieth birthday present for Gunther Schuller, quoting The Entertainer and When I’m Sixty-Four.
Quiet Sunday: A Portrait of Placido Domingo (2017)
3'
Piano solo
Shimmer: A Portrait of Peter Stringham (1998)
2'
Piano solo
Sketching: A Portrait of Shane Crabtree (1992)
2'
Piano solo
Skyline: A Portrait of Jill Steinberg (2016)
2’30”
Piano solo
Stone South: a portrait of Susan Unterberg (2009)
1’30”
Piano solo
Written with the assistance of a fellowship to Yaddo.
Study in Concord: a portrait of Marianne Evett (2000)
3'
Piano solo
Sunset: a portrait of Christen Frothingham (2016)
2’30”
Piano solo
Three Birthdays and a Portrait (1996)
8'
Piano solo
Alphabet Dance, Pseudo-Rag, Firefly Lullaby, Cookie Galop as a set. Premiered by Monica Jakuc at Smith College, March 1997.
To a Wild Rose: Portrait of Cheryl Young. (2018)
3'
Piano solo
Premiered by Scott Wheeler at the MacDowell Colony Gala, New York, 5/18.
To His Music (1999)
3'
Piano solo
For Malcolm Peyton on the occasion of his 35 years of teaching at New England Conservatory
Tracing Shadows: A Portrait of Edward Ludwig (2018)
3'
Piano solo
Commissioned by Kathleen Ludwig
Solo & Multiple Voice
All the Time There Is (2022)
3'
Song for voice and piano. Cabaret song on a lyric of Stephen Greco.
Amaryllis (2021)
2'
Arrival in China, 1932 (2023)
3'
Text by Harold Acton, from his Memoirs of an Aesthete. Commissioned by the NYU campus at Villa La Pietra, Florence. Premiered there May 2023.
At Home in Staten Island (2011)
4'
Song for soprano and violin. Text by Charles Mackay.
Commissioned by Five Boroughs Music Festival, for the Five Borough Songbook. Premiered by them October, 2011 at Galapagos Art Space.
Written with the assistance of a fellowship to Yaddo.
Ben Gunn (2016)
15'
Scena for baritone and piano. Texts by Paul Muldoon.
Commissioned by the Florestan Recital Project and Brooklyn Art Song Society. Premiere by Aaron Engebreth and Alison D’Amato, Buffalo Chamber Music Society, Buffalo, March 2016.
Canzoni italiane (2017)
9'
Three songs on anonymous Italian texts.
Commissioned by Bowers-Fader Duo with support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Premiered by Bowers-Fader Duo October, 2017, Tenri Cultural Center, NY
Written with the assistance of a fellowship to Yaddo.
Commuter Buddhist (2014)
3'
The Darker Sooner (2010)
3'
Song for voice and piano. Text by Catherine Wing.
Written with the assistance of a fellowship to Yaddo.
Equinox (1998)
3'
Song for soprano and piano. Text by Erika Mumford.
Dedicated to Renée Fleming.
Even the Lies (2017)
3'
Song for voice and piano. Text by Eva H.D.
Falling in Love with Ghosts (2020)
12'
Heaven and Earth (2007)
15'
Four songs for tenor and piano. Texts by William Blake.
Commissioned by the Marilyn Horne Foundation and ASCAP Foundation/Charles Kingsford Fund. Premiere by Dimitri Pittas and Carrie Ann Matheson, Weill Hall, New York, January 2008.
Helena and the Moonstone (2000)
15'
Monodrama for voice and piano. Text by the composer – based on the myth of Actaeon and Diana.
Premiered by Pamela Dellal and Donald Berman 5/03 in Newton, MA.
How Many Miles to Babylon from Democracy
2'
For voice and piano
“I am the Happiest of Women” from The Sorrows of Frederick (2013)
4'
Text by Romulus Linney.
I Will Always Be On Your Side (1998)
4'
Song for voice and piano. Text by Jack Larson.
Johnny Love Song (2010)
3'
Song for voice and piano. Text by Catherine Wing.
Written with the assistance of a fellowship to Yaddo.
Last Lullaby – the Selkie Returns to the Sea (2017)
13'
For soprano and alto sax or Bb clarinet. Text by Barbara Wiechmann.
Commissioned by Stephanie Munoz and Elisa Sunshine, premiered by them at New England Conservatory, Boston.
Light Enough (2016)
15'
Songs for baritone and piano. Texts by Lloyd Schwartz.
Commissioned by Robert Barefield and the Hartt School. Premiere by Robert Barefield and Kelly Horsted, Hartt School, February 2017.
Litany (2006)
3'
Song for voice and piano. Text by Billy Collins. Commissioned by American Opera Projects for baritone Marcus DeLoach.
“Looking at Stars” from Democracy (2004)
4'
Text by Romulus Linney.
Mozart, 1935 (1997)
4'
Song for bass and piano. Also available in transpositions for baritone, for soprano, and for mezzo-soprano. Text by Wallace Stevens.
Commissioned by Carol Korty for bass Dale Macurdy.
“Oh my great fat fool of a father” from The Sorrows of Frederick (2013)
4'
For baritone and piano. Text by Romulus Linney.
“Oh, what good is any speech of mine” from Democracy (2004)
4'
For tenor and piano. Text by Romulus Linney.
Oranges and Lemons (1979)
8'
Three short songs for voice and piano. Texts by Arthur Williams, Gertrude Stein, Edith Sitwell.
The Palace at 4AM (2005)
15'
baritone, clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), horn, piano, percussion, violin (doubling mandolin), viola, cello
Commissioned by the Fromm Foundation for the 21st Century Consort, who premiered it in 2006, with baritone William Sharp and conductor Christopher Kendall. Subsequent performances Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin, cond. Scott Wheeler and Sequitur (New York) cond. Paul Hostetter.
Refrain (2022)
4'
for Soprano and Piano. Text by Helen Hunt Jackson
Commissioned by Monica Williams-McCullough.
Serenata (1991)
10'
Five songs for tenor and guitar. Texts by Mark Van Doren.
Written for tenor Marshall Hughes and guitarist John Muratore.
Premiered by them 1/91 at Dartmouth College.
Serenata (1991/1993)
10'
Five songs for baritone and piano. Texts by Mark Van Doren.
Serenata (1991/1994)
10'
Five songs for tenor and piano. Texts by Mark Van Doren.
Premiered by Paul Kirby and Anthony Tommasini at the Warebrook Festival, 7/94.
She Left for Good But Came Back (2018)
5'
Shadow Dream (1999)
2'
Song for soprano and piano. Text by Colin Morton
Shining Shore (2012)
3’30”
Hymn by George F. Root set for soprano and cello.
For the inauguration of Lee Pelton as President of Emerson College, 9/12
Premiered by Sabrina Learman and Rafael Popper-Keizer
Singing To Sleep (1984)
11'
Three lullabies for voice and piano. Texts anonymous, Rilke/Randall Jarrell, W.H. Auden.
Delius Prize 1989. Third Prize vocal Composers Guild, 1986.
A Single Flower (2011)
3'
Song for voice and piano. Texts by George Eliot, John Ruskin.
For Plácido Domingo.
Songs to Fill the Void (2015)
12'
Three songs for baritone and piano. Texts by Robert Barefield.
Commissioned by Robert Barefield. Premiere by Robert Barefield and Carolyn Hague, Hartt School, September 2015.
Song for voice and piano. Texts by George Eliot, John Ruskin.
For Plácido Domingo.
The Spice Store (2019)
10’
Three songs for mezzo soprano and piano. Texts by Eva H.D.
Sunday Songs (1999)
6’
Two songs for soprano and piano. Texts by Emily Dickinson.
Premiered by soprano Renée Fleming, Alice Tully Hall, New York, February 2000.
Three Night Songs (2017)
11’
Soprano and piano. Texts by Rilke, Colin Morton, Catherine Wing.
Piano version premiered by Joanna Mongiardo, Scott Wheeler piano
Three Night Songs (2017)
11’
Soprano, violin, viola cello, piano. Texts by Rilke, Colin Morton, Catherine Wing.
First performed by Martha Guth at the Saugatuck Chamber Music Festival
Three Night Songs (2017/18)
11’
Soprano, cello, piano. Texts by Rilke, Colin Morton, Catherine Wing.
First performed by Resinosa Ensemble, Augusta, ME
Turning Back (2007)
15’
Four songs for mezzo-soprano and piano. Texts by H.D. (Hilda Doolittle).
Commissioned by Concert Artists Guild for mezzo-soprano Krista River. Premiere by Krista River and Judith Gordon, Weill Hall, New York, January 2008.
Waiting for Snow (2020)
4.5'
Baritone and piano. Poem by Scott Harney.
Dedicated to Megan Marshall.
Wasting the Night (1990)
12’
Five songs on texts of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Available for soprano or mezzo-soprano and piano.
Written for a concert of Alea III, on which the songs were premiered by soprano Susan Lambert and pianist Thomas Stumpf. Subsequent performances Utah Composers Consortium, Crosscurrents, Amy Lalime with the composer, Nancy Armstrong with Anthony Tommasini. Recorded on Naxos CD Wasting the Night with Susanna Phillips and Donald Berman.
“What This Town Needs is Beauty” from The Construction of Boston (1988)
4’
Text by Kenneth Koch.
Et Tu Brute
23’
for three singers and piano
Commissioned by Mirror Visions, who premiered it February, 2018 at Lincoln Center, New York.
The Gold Standard
7’
(words by Kenneth Koch) for two singers, 2 clarinets, viola, cello and contrabass
Commissioned by Sequitur for premiere February, 2000 at Joe’s Pub, New York. Recorded by Sequitur, Koch.
Letters to Isabella
15’
(words by Henry James, Paul Bourget, Kokuzo Okakura) for three singers and piano
Commissioned by The Mirror Visions Ensemble for premiere October, 2011 at Salon des Boiseries, Paris. US premiere tour including Northwestern University in Chicago, Longy School in Cambridge, Merkin Hall in New York.
New Love Song Waltzes (2012)
11’
SATB and piano duet. Texts by Shakespeare and Donne.
Dedicated to Donald Teeters. Premiered by Boston Cecilia, cond. Donald Teeters, 5/12.
Moonlight of Dreams (2022)
3’
for two voices and piano. Text by Colin Morton. An expansion of Shadow Dream.
Written for Amanda Squitieri and Erin Smith for their joint recital, May 2006 at the Young Artist Program of Washington National Opera, Washington DC. Revised for Monica Williams and Linda Lister.
Music For Theater
Baba Yaga and the Black Sunflower (play by Carol Korty)
70'
Children’s play.
Workshop production at Emerson College 10/94; staged reading as part of New Visions/New Voices at Kennedy Center for the Arts, Washington D.C. 5/95. Premiered by Emerson Stage 11/96.
Anchorage Press
Caucasian Chalk Circle (1981)
Songs and incidental music to the play by Brecht, for a production at Emerson College.
F & S March (1986)
2'
Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet
Commissioned by Sophie Parker and Diane Heffner for their clown-theater work Fits and Starts.
Free Fall (1986)
15'
Electronic tape
Commissioned for the dance of the same name by choreographer Janet Craft. First performed by the Emerson College Dance Co., 1986.
The Gold Standard
7'
(words by Kenneth Koch) for two singers, 2 clarinets, viola, cello and contrabass
Commissioned by Sequitur for premiere February, 2000 at Joe’s Pub, New York. Recorded by Sequitur, Koch.
A Happy Fellow (1986)
25'
Mixed Chamber ensemble
Music for clown theater piece by Ronlin Foreman. Commissioned by the Arts Council of the city of Mobile, Alabama, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Little Dragon (story by Jay O'Callahan)
28'
Children’s story for storyteller, soprano, flute, horn, trombone, cello, and percussion.
Commissioned by Tales and Scales of Evansville, Indiana. First performed by them 1991. (see also orchestral version)
Rock Monologues (1984)
20'
Dance-theater collaboration with choreographer Janet Craft.
Under The Greenwood Tree (1983)
2'
Text by Shakespeare.
Commissioned for insertion into a production of The Taming of the Shrew.
Film
Company Town (1983)
Documentary film by James Rutenbeck (shown on PBS North Carolina and Australian Broadcasting Corp.)
Music based on Southern American folk materials.
Data's Congestion (2001)
Documentary film by Marisa LaGrave
Arrangements
Northeastern Suite by Virgil Thomson (arr. 1989)
6'
flute, oboe, bassoon, violin, cello, piano
Arrangements of piano portraits, recorded on Northeastern Records NR 240-CD.
Oraison Funebre by Virgil Thomson.
Soprano with strings and timpani. Arrangement commissioned by the Virgil Thomson Foundation for the New England String Ensemble. 2005
Portraits by Virgil Thomson (arr.1982)
Published by Boosey & Hawkes, Inc.
Arrangement for Full Orchestra.
Orchestrations of Thomson’s piano portraits, commissioned by the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, who first performed them under conductor Henri Pensis. Private recording (LP) includes others in the set, orchestrated by Thomson and by Rodney Lister.
Three Pieces by Leroy Anderson
6'
Violin and piano. (arr. Wheeler).
Composers Guild Honorable Mention 1986.
When I Survey the Bright Celestial Sphere by Virgil Thomson.
3'
Unison choral work. Published by C.F. Peters with brass transcription by Scott Wheeler.
First performed by the Emerson College Chorus 1979.
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