Music for Pianos
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Music for Pianos |
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Elizabeth Austin; Catalogue of Works ORCHESTRAL:
Wilderness Symphony
(No. 1) for two reciters and orchestra, based on “Wilderness” by Carl
Sandburg (permission from Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovitch), 1987. Duration: 19:00
ca. Recorded by the Krakau Radio/TV Orchestra, Szymon Kawalla conducting.
Capstone CD (CPS-8634)
As
we approach the end of a century infamous
for its animalistic explosions of violence, the lurid chill of Sandburg’s
menagerie is quite relevant. Six
character variations evolve out of the introductory landscape, as each animal
emerges from our psychological ‘zoo’.
The Petroushka quotes
suggest a similar life force, pent up yet threatening to burst out. Symphony No. 2 (“Lighthouse”), This work represents an “Adieux!” at the turn of the millennium, through its structural use of musical quotes from European and American sources. A lighthouse as a metaphoric beacon provides the program for the first movement. The second movement is a Burlesque on a theme by Johann Stamitz (The composer honors Mannheim through this usage; she returns to Mannheim each spring.) An Elegia concludes the work, with the radiant lighthouse once more brought to mind in an incantation.
WIND
ENSEMBLE AND CHORUS:
Cantata Beatitudines
for SATB chorus, soli, wind
The
inspiration of ancient Greek music, verse, and movement provided the
background setting, and the idea
of ‘blessedness’ as wholeness is pursued. In this work, the positive but
realistic theology of the Beatitudes concludes with an “outburst of
joy,” an homage to Messiaen.
CHAMBER WORKS
Solo:
A Child’s Garden of Music
for solo piano, 2000. Duration: 5:00 ca.
Intended
primarily for intermediate level pianists, these miniatures are musical
portraits of young friends and relatives of the composer.
The
conclusion of each piece gives the pianist something lively to do, while
characterizing the portrait!
Gathering Threads
for clarinet in B flat, 1990. Duration: 6:00. Publication by Peter Tonger
Verlag (Germany), 2000. Capstone CD: CPS-8625
A
collection of fragmentary threads replaces
a traditional motive at first. By the end, these threads become
transformed by a Strauss quote.
Ghosts
for bassoon and tape, 1980. Duration: 7:00.
The
bassoonist becomes increasingly drawn to the “Doppelänger” of the
electronic ghost. The phantom player responds by imitating and a game comes
about. The winner is heard at the work’s end!
Klavier Double
for piano and tape, 1983. Duration: 11:07. Capstone CD: CPS-8625. Jerome Reed,
pianist. First Prize: David Lipscomb Competition, 1983.
The
“double” of klavier
(piano) and Synklavier (synthesizer)
explains the title of this piece. Thematic fragments of Schumann’s Fantasie
in C, op. 17 become the basis for thematic and stylistic transformation.
Lighthouse I
for harpsichord, 1989. Duration: 9:00 ca. Published by Peter Tonger Verlag. On
Capstone CD: CPS-8625
Historical
sonata-allegro form involves duality, usually concerning two themes of
contrasting character in close proximity. The duality of ideas in this work
concerns the use of tonal/non-tonal patterns as a kind of analog of this
sonata principle.
Puzzle Preludes
for piano ,1994. Duration: 9:00 ca. Commissioned by Craig R. Johnson.
Each
of the five Preludes centers around a quote, intentionally bent. The
listener must guess the source, taken from composers of the
Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods.
Sonata for Soprano
Recorder, 1991. Duration: 14: 45 ca.
On CD from the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Heidelberg-Mannheim
1993, Stefanie Grundmann,
recorder.
A
caged bird, beating his wings in desperation, provides the program. A
commentary on the futility of war, with the third and final movement, one of
hope: “Keep a green bough in your heart and a singing bird shall come.”
Zodiac Suite
for piano, 1980 (revised, 1993). Duration:
11:30 ca. On Capstone CD: CPS-8625 Five variations on a theme, including Aries, Sagittarius, Libra, Aquarius, and Taurus..
Ensemble:
Capricornus Caribbicus
for flute, oboe, and piano, 1998. Duration: 10:00. Commissioned by the
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Virginia Chapter.
The
fast, upbeat Danza reflects the
influences of African rhythms impacting on the English contradance. The middle
movement, calm and expectant, was inspired by the beatitude, “Blessed are
the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Musical permutations to several
popular songs enliven the final movement.
Circling for
violoncello and piano, 1982. Duration: 9:00. Publication pending by Peter
Tonger Verlag, 1996. On Capstone CD: CPS-8625
The
geometric patterns involving circles at the beginning of each of the four movements mirror a relationship between two people; the
performers map out these interpersonal moods.
To Begin
for brass quintet, 1990. Duration:6:45 ca. On Capstone CD : CPS-8625
Inspired
by a cummings phrase, “..the leaping greenly spirits of trees..”, the
frolicsome first movement gives way to a musical ballgame in Movement II. A
boisterous concluding Ländler sustains a light mood, while a theme from
Beethoven’s Fidelio is cited:
“Es sucht der Bruder seine Brüder.” (“Brother seeks brothers.”)
Sans Souci Souvenir for
viola d’amore and harpsichord,
1996. Duration:8:00 ca. Commissioned by Fine Zimmermann.
With personal and professional ties to Potsdam, the composer was
inspired as much by the resonance surrounding Sans Souci as by the lyric
beauty of the viola d’amore. This
two-movement work is a dualistic reflection on the earthly/heavenly continuum
of light and shadow, sorrow and joy, as intermingled as the continuum of
colors in a rainbow.
Sans Souci Suite
for Baroque flute and percussion, 1996. Duration: 8:00 ca. Commissioned by
Susan Lowenkron.
The Baroque flute was championed by Quantz, in the employ of Frederick
the Great at Sans Souci (and Rheinsberg). Borrowing musical ‘affectations’
from his time, as well as musical quotes from his own compositions,
this work also contains variations on a theme given to Bach by the
King, when the venerable composer visited Sans Souci.
Showings for soprano, trombone, and organ, 2000. Based on texts by Julian of Norwich (1342-1412 ca). Duration: 13:00 ca. Commissioned by The
Julian
of Norwich wrote Showings, based on
sixteen visions of God, occurring as she was extremely ill. As an anchoress, a
solitary who is often pictured with her sole companion, a cat, her books were
the first to be written in English by a woman.
A Triadic Tribute for brass quintet and organ (2000). Duration: 11:00 ca.
A
fanfare of triadic motives taken from hymns used throughout the church year.
Towards the end of the one-movement work, the brass quintet spreads out
through the audience, metaphorically sending their ‘light’ into the world.
Water Music I. Beside still waters...
for eight celli, 1996. Duration: 8:00 ca. Commissioned by Mary Lou Rylands.
The
‘water’ of humanity, that of weeping, joins the lamentoso
setting of this work. Envisaging the sweep of waves, an ebb and flow, and
rippling movement, the compositional preoccupation with water -music in the
flow of time , measured and unendless, is addressed.
Hommage for Hildegard
for mezzo soprano, baritone, flute, clarinet, percussion, and piano, 1997.
Duration: 19:00 ca.
Based
on the antiphon Caritas abundat by Hildegard von Bingen. Won the Miriam Gideon First
Prize, 1998, IAWM Composition Competition.
VOCAL
WORKS Choral:
An die Nachgeborenen (To Those Born Later) for SATB Chorus and piano, 1991. Duration:
19:00 ca. Poem by Bertolt Brecht
(English translation by John Willett). German
text used with permission of Suhrkamp Verlag. Available in German and English.
On Capstone CD: CPS-8625
Christ Being Raised
for SATB and organ(opt.), 1955. Duration: 3:00 ca. Published by Arsis Press.
Christmas, the Reason for
SSAA and piano, 1981. Duration: 3:00 ca. Poem used with permission of Sister Maura Eichner, S.S.N.D.
Mass of Thanksgiving (“We Gather Together”) for
SATB choir, organ , flute, trumpet, 1987. Available in English and Latin. The Master’s Hands for SATB and organ(piano), 1994. Poem used with permission of Marilyn Nelson. Duration: 4:00 ca. Solo Voice:
A
Birthday Bouquet for high voice and piano, 1990, Duration: 12:00 ca. Poems by e.e.
cummings, Christine Rossetti, William Butler Yeats. Capstone CD (CPS-8646).
Drei
Rilke Lieder
for middle voice and piano, 1958. Duration: 8:00 ca. Herbst,
Herbsttag, Liebeslied. Publication pending by Peter Tonger Verlag.
Frauenliebe
und –leben for mezzo-soprano and piano, 1999. Duration: 11:00 ca. Poems by
Adelbert von Chamisso.
Litauische Lieder
for baritone and piano, 1995. Duration: 11:00 ca. Poems by Johannes Bobrowski.
Sonnets From the Portuguese
for soprano and piano, 1988. Poetry by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Duration:
11:00 ca. On Capstone CD (CPS-8618), M. Liebermann, soprano; C. Witthöft,
piano.
A complete list of works is available
from the composer. Scores are
available either from the publishers (Arsis Press, Peter Tonger Verlag) or
from the American Composers Alliance. Recordings are available either from
Capstone Records or from the composer:1
(Elizabeth R. Austin, BMI) American Composers Alliance President, Connecticut Composers, Inc. Browse catalogue of all classical mp3 Files |
