Soprano with Instruments

We Are Innocent, op. 94

Published on

cantata on letters of Julius & Ethel Rosenberg, 1987-88, 45’30”

for baritone (or tenor), soprano, and optional chorus, with piano or orchestra

in 12 movements, prelude & 2 interludes.

First complete performance by Helene Williams and Peter Schlosser,

with composer at piano, on “Meet the Composer” grant,

at Bryant Library, Roslyn 6/14/88;

also perf. at Museum of Fine Art (Roslyn)10/6/88,

Community Church of Boston, 12/11/88, WESPAC (Ardsley, NY) 12/22/88;

prem. with (Metropolitan Philharmonic) Chorus

at Community Church of NY 6/19/88

also perf. WQXR-AM, NY (“The Listening Room”) 12/8/88

#2, 1, 7 & 4 perf. at Weill Recital Hall benefit for Ezrath Nashim 6/14/89

and at Temple Sinai of Roslyn 8/20/89

prem. w/Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra:

Metropolitan Philharmonic Chorus & Orch, cond. by composer

[Associate Conductor: Bill Grossman]

Marymount Manhattan Theater 6/11/89;

video on YouTube as indicated below:

audio recording: OPUS ONE #145

other perfs w/Helene Williams, Ronald Edwards & Chor:

Plandome Unitarian Church 6/19/93;

w/Helene Williams, Gregory Mercer & Chor:

6/15/03 Puffin Cultural Forum, Teaneck NJ;

6/18/03 Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, Manhattan

Prelude

1) Childhood Memories (Julius)

2) The Shofar (Ethel [+Chorus])

3) Together (Julius & Ethel)

4) We Are Innocent (Julius & Ethel [+Chorus])

5) How Sad I Was To Leave You (Ethel) + Interlude

6) How Much You Have Given Me (Julius)

7) The Astounding Spectacle (Ethel & Julius [+Chorus])

7A) Interlude

8) A Visit From Mother (Ethel)

9) Of Course It Isn’t Easy (Julius)

10) “Mercy”?

11) On the Threshold of Death (Julius)

(Variations on a theme by Edith Segal, used by permission)

12) To Michael & Robert (Ethel & Julius [+Chorus])

Lot’s Wife, op. 100 #1

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#1 (6’45”) from Sisters, op. 100 – 3 Biblical monologues (1989)

for Female Voice & Piano or 9 instruments;

performed separately by Helene Williams & composer at piano,

Theater unterm Dach, E.Berlin 6/27/89,

Dresden Center for Contemporary Music 7/1/89, and at

Downtown Music Productions Holocaust Mem concert 3/5/90

Sisters, op. 100

Published on

3 monologues based on first-person stories of Biblical women

(1989) 16’11” for Female Voice & Piano or 9 instruments

recorded by Helene Williams & composer at piano

on “Songs of Conscience” (1990):

1) Lot’s Wife

2) Miriam

3) Zelophehad’s Daughters

prem. 6/14/89 Weill Recital Hall

prem. with dancers: Cadmon Hill-Clinton Dance Choir,

Paulina Kent Dennis, dir.; Temple Sinai, Roslyn 8/20/89;

prem. of complete solo version: Golden Fleece Ltd.,

Theater 22, 3/31/90

prem. of complete solo version w/cl.-bc.-alto sax, vc, pno,

perc. & synth: LICA, Bryant Library 3/21/93

Yedid Nefesh, op. 121 #2

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“Beloved of the Soul” (6′)

arrangement of traditional prayer in Hebrew or English tr.

by composer; words & melody by R. Eliezer Azkiri (16th cent.)

for mezzo, clarinet & piano,

commissioned by Marion Capriotti, Fall 1994;

re-arranged by composer for soprano, violin & piano, 2010:

premiered by Helene Williams, Herbert Feldman & composer

Dec. 19, 2010 LICA concert, Plainview-Old Bethpage Library