Works: Orchestra

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Title/Year Instrumentation Duration Notes
Absolute Ocean (2008) for solo soprano, harp obbligato, and orchestra 18' alternate version: solo mezzo-soprano, harp obbligato, and orchestra. Pairs perfectly with Mahler’s 4th Symphony
Astral Canticle (2005) double concerto for flute, violin and orchestra 22'
The Auditions (2019) for chamber orchestra 27' Can be performed with 9 strings or with full string section. Pairs perfectly with Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland, for which the scoring of his original ballet is: Fl. Cl. Bsn. Pno. Strings (22221)]
Aureole (2012) for orchestra 7'30" Designed specifically to precede a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony; Or to precede a performance of any Beethoven Symphony.
Brio (2018) for orchestra 11' see also Music for Dance and Ballet
Crackle for Wind Ensemble is a transcription of Brio
Canticle Weaving: Trombone Concerto #2 (2002) for solo trombone and orchestra 24'
Carnival (Bassoon Concerto) (2022) for bassoon and wind ensemble (26 players); or in version for bassoon and orchestra 23' Solo part can be played by bassoon, baritone saxophone, euphonium or trombone. A 13-minute version exists.
Cello Concerto #1: Vigil (1990) for cello and orchestra 11' see also Meditation
Cello Concerto #2: Ritual Incantations (1999) for cello and chamber orchestra 13'
Cello Concerto #3: Legend of the Phoenix (2013) for cello and orchestra 26'
Ceremonial (1999) for orchestra 8'
Chanting to Paradise (2002) for solo soprano, SATB chorus and orchestra 18' or 5’30” see also Works for Chorus
Movement #3: Blazing in Gold and quenching in Purple can be performed as a stand-alone composition of 5’30”
Clara’s Ascent (2019) for string orchestra or string quartet featuring solo cello 6' On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Clara Schumann, this work honors the legacy and contributions of a pioneering performer, caring collaborator and artistic confidant.
Credences of Summer (2005) for orchestra 16' or 9' or 3’45” Second movement can be performed as a stand-alone piece: Duration 3’45” Second and Third movement can be performed together as a stand-alone piece: Duration 9'
Dance Foldings (2021) For orchestra or chamber orchestra 13' Snapshot description: Like jazz big band interlaces with Stravinsky Ballets. See also Music for Dance and Ballet
Dance Mobile (2021) for 13 players or for small chamber orchestra 14' In memoriam Oliver Knussen
see also Chamber Works
Dancing Stars (2021) for open instrumentation orchestra or chamber ensemble of no less than 8 players 4' Instrumentation may include a group of voices singing open vowels. Ideal for socially distanced and virtual performances
see also Chamber Works
Daylight Divine (2001) for solo soprano, childrens chorus and chamber orchestra 20' see also Works for Chorus
Dream Threads, a ballet (2007) for youth orchestra and ballet 22' See also Music for Dance and Ballet
Earth Echoes (2012) for solo mezzo-soprano, solo baritone and chamber orchestra 30’ or 5’20” Alternate versions: Perform as a double concerto by replacing the two voices with: Trumpet and Trombone; Alto Saxophone and Tenor Saxophone; Clarinet and Bassoon; English Horn and Bassoon; or Alto Flute and Tenor Saxophone. MOVEMENT #4: petal waterfall can be performed as a stand-alone piece: duration: 5’20”
EOS (Goddess of the Dawn) (2015) a ballet for orchestra 16'30" see also Music for Dance and Ballet
Fanfare of Hope and Solidarity (2020) for chamber orchestra 4' Percussion set up is very small requiring very few instruments. Memorial Day Weekend and Fourth of July festivities are perfect times to perform this Fanfare. Performing this with musicians surrounding the audience works marvelously since the individual parts are not technically challenging.
Far Past War (2020) for SATB chorus and orchestra 11' Texts by Cammy Thomas. About bringing peace through nature, both to the self and to the world. See also Choral Works
FIESTA! (no chaser!) (2023) for trumpet in C and wind ensemble; or in version for trumpet and orchestra 23' A 13-minute version exists. Live concert audio recording from World Premiere is available for archival purposes only and for private listening. If you would like to review the recording please contact Augusta Read Thomas.
Flash (2011) for SATB chorus and orchestra 7' see also Works for Chorus
Floating Temples (2011) for SATB chorus and orchestra 24' see also Works for Chorus
Galaxy Dances, a tone poem (2004) for orchestra 12' see The Kennedy Center's short video on Galaxy Dances
Gambol (2010) for orchestra 3’40” see Jubilee
Gathering Paradise (2004) for solo soprano and orchestra 28'
Gwendolyn Brooks Settings (2018-2020) for Treble Chorus and Orchestra 30' Treble Chorus can be comprised of a mix of adult sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, altos, with youth girl and boy sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, and altos.
Haemosu’s Celestial Chariot Ride (2024) for solo saxophone, 6 or 7 players, and string orchestra
Based on six Korean Sijo
30'30" see also Chamber Music
Helios Choros, a Ballet (Complete) (2006-2007) a triptych for orchestra 38' see also Music for Dance and Ballet
Helios Choros I (2006) for orchestra 9'
Helios Choros II (2007) for orchestra 18'
Helios Choros III (2007) for orchestra 11'
Hemke Concerto "Prisms of Light" (2014) for solo alto saxophone and orchestra 22'
In My Sky at Twilight (2002) solo soprano and 18 players: picc.1120/2200/2 perc/2 piano (celesta)/harp/str.11110 20' Perfect for sinfonietta-sized ensembles. Requires only 4 string players and is possible for wind ensembles that have access to a string quartet
Jubilee (2010) for orchestra 18’ or 3’40” Movement #4: GAMBOL can be performed as a stand-alone piece. Duration: 3’40”
L’envers des destinées (2023) for solo baritone, solo cello, and small orchestra 11’ Texts by Maeterlinck. In homage to Gabriel Fauré
Light the First Light of Evening (2002) for orchestra 1'30" Commissioned for the Oliver Knussen 50th Birthday Concert.
Magic Box (2019) for percussion quartet and string quartet 7' Can be performed by string quartet or by string orchestra.
Meditation: Trombone Concerto (1990, arr. 1995) for solo trombone and orchestra 11' see also Vigil
Memory Palace (2019) for string orchestra (no basses) 6'30" Playful, optimistic, colorful.
Of Paradise and Light (2010) for string orchestra (no double basses) 4'30" an alternate version exists for cello ensemble
Orbital Beacons: Concerto for Orchestra (1998) for orchestra (re-seated) 27'
Plea for Peace (2017) A vocalise for soprano and string orchestra (no basses).
There is a version where the vocalize is shared between Flute, Oboe, Trumpet with string orchestra (no basses)
6' The vocalise solo line can also be performed by Flute, Alto Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Trumpet, Soprano Saxophone, Violin, Viola, Cello, or Countertenor in place of the Soprano.
May also be performed with string quartet.
see also Chamber Works
Prayer and Celebration (2006) for chamber orchestra 4' see also Chamber Works
Prayer Bells (2001) for orchestra 12'
Radiant Circles (2010) for orchestra 8' Featuring Brass and Timpani; the percussion set up is very small requiring very few instruments.
Ring Out, Wild Bells, to the Wild Sky (2000) for solo soprano, large chorus and orchestra
*NOTE: The solo soprano part could be sung by a soloist or 1/3 of the soprano section from the chorus.
15' see also Works for Chorus
Selene - Moon Chariot Rituals (2015) octet for percussion quartet and string orchestra 18' alternate version: It is possible to perform SELENE with small string quartet (instead of string orchestra) and 4 percussion
Silver Chants the Litanies, in memoriam Luciano Berio (Horn Concerto) (2004) for solo horn and chamber orchestra or solo horn and 18 players: Picc,.1/120/2200/2 Perc./2 Piano (celesta)/Harp/Str.11110 13' Perfect for sinfonietta-sized ensembles. Can be played by string quartet in one version; or small chamber orchestra with Contrabass part. G. Schirmer rents two distinct versions of the score and parts.
Song in Sorrow (2000) for solo soprano, large chorus and orchestra 22' see also Works for Chorus
Sonorous Earth (2017) for percussion quartet playing bells from around the world (approximately 300 pieces of metal) and chamber orchestra 33' Movement 2, PRAYER, can be performed as a stand-alone composition which lasts 7’20”.
Sunburst (2022) a fanfare for orchestra 7’ Ideal for youth, community, and college orchestras. Celebratory and optimistic. Only a tiny percussion set up is needed.
Sun Dance (2020) for orchestra 6’ Designed specifically to precede a performance of Beethoven's “Pastoral” Sixth Symphony; Or to proceed a performance of any Beethoven Symphony. In Memoriam Oliver Knussen
Sunlight Echoes (2002) for orchestra 5' see also Works for Chorus
Tangle (2003) for orchestra 20'
Terpsichore's Box of Dreams for 13 virtuosi (2023) for flute (picc.), oboe, clarinet (bass cl.), alto saxophone (baritone sax.), horn, 2 percussion, harp, piano, 2 violin, viola, and cello. 19' Optional: a second Clarinet (bass cl.) player can replace the saxophone (baritone sax.). Can be performed by chamber orchestra. See also Chamber Works
and Music for Dance and Ballet
Terpsichore's Dream (2007) a ballet for chamber orchestra 15'30" see also Music for Dance and Ballet
Toward a Secret Sky (2023) For SATB Chorus and Orchestra 36' Text by Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī
see also Works for Chorus
Trainwork (2002) for orchestra 9'
Viola Concerto #1 (2013) for solo viola and orchestra 20' This is identical to Violin Concerto #3 ("Juggler in Paradise"). This viola version is merely transposed down a perfect fifth in many places. Slight re-orchestrations were made by the composer to accommodate the downward transposition.
Viola Concerto #2 (2013) for solo viola and orchestra 26' This is identical to Cello Concerto #3 - viola version merely has a few notes transposed up one octave.
Violin Concerto #1: Spirit Musings (1997) for violin and 14 players or chamber orchestra 11' Can be performed by flute solo in place of violin soloist. see Chamber Works
Violin Concerto #2: Carillon Sky (2005) for solo violin and 13 players or for small chamber orchestra 8' see Chamber Works
Violin Concerto #3: Juggler in Paradise (2008) for violin and orchestra 20'
Words of the Sea (1995-1996) for orchestra 18' Homage to Debussy