Augusta Read Thomas - Composer

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Mathieu DuFour (soloist), Augusta Read Thomas, Robert Chen (soloist), and Daniel Barenboim (conductor), at the world premiere of Astral Canticle with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in June 2006 (Photo © by Dan Rest)

Absolute Ocean for solo soprano, harp obbligato, and orchestra (2008)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Text by E. E. Cummings
First performance by Twyla Robinson (solo soprano) and Paula Page (solo harp), Hans Graf, conductor, the Houston Symphony, in Houston, Texas, on 22 January 2009
Solo soprano, solo harp, pic., fl., alto fl.1+EH.1+bcl.1/2.2.1.0/[4perc]/pno./cel/str
Duration 18'

Absolute Ocean for solo mezzo-soprano, harp obbligato, and orchestra (2008)

This is identical to the soprano version merely transposed down a Minor Third. Slight re-orchestrations were made by the composer to accommodate the downward transposition.

Astral Canticle double concerto for flute, violin and orchestra (2005)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim, conductor, on 1 June 2006
Solo Flute, Solo Violin;1+pic.33(bcl.)2(cbn)/4331/3perc/hp/str
Duration 22'

Aureole, for orchestra (2013)PROGRAM NOTES

Commissioned by DePaul University School of Music on the occasion of their Centennial
First performance: DePaul University Orchestra, Cliff Colnot conducting: 29 May 2013, Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, Chicago, Illinois
2+picc.2.2.2+cbn./4.3(3=Picc.Tpt).1+btbn.1/4perc/str
Duration 8' 30" [Duration option: 7'30" (It is optional for the whole orchestra to Tacet measures 176 to 200 in order to render a shorter duration.)]

Aurora, for piano and chamber orchestra (2000)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Co-commissioned and premiered by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, June 10, 2000
Daniel Barenboim, conductor and piano soloist
solo piano and 2221/2210/strings (also an optional soprano for the final 75 seconds)
Duration 15'

Canticle Weaving: Trombone Concerto #2 for solo trombone and orchestra (2003)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTESAUDIO

Premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Ralph Sauer, trombone,
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conducting, in Los Angeles, California, 29 March 2003
solo trombone and 3+pic.3+EH.3+bcl.2 cbn/4.2Ctpt+1Bbpictpt.2([btbn]).1//4 perc./harp/strings
Duration 24'

Cellist Lynn Harrell

Cello Concerto #3: "Legend of the Phoenix" (2013)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

First performance: Lynn Harrell, Cello soloist, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Christoph Eschenbach conducting, 14-16 March 2013
2+pic.1+ca.2(2 dbl. bcl.)1+cbn./2.3(3 is picc. tpt).1+btbn.0./4perc/1hp/pno/str
Duration 26'

Ceremonial for orchestra (1999)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTESAUDIO

Commissioned and premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Barenboim, conducting
4343/4431/4 perc./1 harp/strings- 2 soprano saxophones optional
Duration 8'

Chanting to Paradise for solo soprano, SATB chorus and orchestra (2002)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Premiered by the Norddeutscher Rundfunk Orchestra, Christoph Eschenbach, conducting, in Hamburg, Germany, 15 November 2002
solo soprano, SATB chorus, 2222/4.2Ctpt+1Bbpictpt.2.0/3 perc./1 harp/strings
Duration 18'

Credences of Summer for orchestra (2005)PROGRAM NOTESAUDIO

Premiered by the San Diego Symphony, Jahja Ling, conductor, on 20 May 2005
2+pic.3.3(3 dbl.bcl) 2(2 dbl. Cbsn)/4.3.3.1/3perc/hp/str
Duration 16'

Daylight Divine, for solo soprano, childrens chorus and chamber orchestra (2001)PROGRAM NOTESAUDIO

Text by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Commissioned and premiered by the Chamber Orchestra of Paris and Soli Deo Gloria, June 2001
John Nelson, conducting
solo soprano, childrens chorus and 2221/2200/harp/1 percussion/small strings
Duration 20'

Dream Threads, a ballet, for youth orchestra and ballet (2007)BALLET DESCRIPTION PROGRAM NOTES

First performance by the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra and the Orlando Ballet School Ballet at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa, Florida on 17 May 2009
Dr. William W. Wiedrich, conducting
Tom Gold, choreographer
Youth Orchestra and ballet: 2+pic. 2(1 dbl.Eng. Hn). 2(2 dbl.bcl).1/4.3.1.0/4 perc/2hp/ pno.(dbl. cel) str
Duration 21'

Earth Echoes, for solo mezzo-soprano, solo baritone and chamber orchestra (2012)PROGRAM NOTESAUDIO

Texts by many poets (see Program Notes link)
First performance by Sasha Cooke, solo mezzo-soprano; Nathan Gunn, solo baritone; and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra; Carnegie Hall, New York, 11 October 2012
solo mezzo-soprano, solo baritone and 2(picc)2(EH)2(bcl)2(Cbsn)/2210/2 percussion/harp/strings
Duration 30'

Flash, for SATB chorus and orchestra (2011)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Texts: Gerard Manley Hopkins
First performance: University of South Florida Orchestra and Chorus, William Wiedrich, conductor, 3 April 2011
Duration 7'

Floating Temples, for SATB chorus and orchestra (2011)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Texts: Matsuo Basho and Gerard Manley Hopkins
First performance: University of Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Robert Mueller, conductor, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, AR, 15 April 2011
Duration 24'

Galaxy Dances for orchestra (2004)PROGRAM NOTES

See The Kennedy Center's short video on GALAXY DANCES

Commissioned and premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra, 6 May 2004
Mstislav Rostropovich, conducting
3+pic.2+E.H.4(3 Ebcl, 4 bcl)/4.3Ctpt.3[btbn].1/3perc/Timp./hp/Pno./str
Duration 12'

Gathering Paradise for solo soprano and orchestra (2004)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Texts by Emily Dickinson
Commissioned, and to be premiered by the New York Philharmonic, Lorin Maazel, conductor, Heidi Grant Murphy, soprano, in New York on 29 September 2004
solo soprano(light lyric)/3+pic.2+EH .4(3 & 4 dbl. Eb +bcl.)2 (2 dbl. cbn)/4.3Ctpt (1 dbl.Bbpic tpt.)2+ 1btbn.1/3perc/hp/pno.(dbl.cel.) str
Duration 28'

Photo by Jason Smith

Harvest Drum (2012)PROGRAM NOTES

First performance by Symphony Orchestra of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, conducted by Zhang Yi, 17 March 2013 in Beijing, China
Picc,2121+optional cbn/2321/6perc/hp/pno/str
Duration 13'

Helios Choros, a Ballet a triptych for orchestra (2006-2007) (title translation: Sun God Dancers)BALLET DESCRIPTION PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

2+pic.2+EH.3(bcl.)2/4431/4perc/2hp/pno(cel.)/str
Circa 38'

Helios Choros I, commissioned by the Dallas Symphony, was composed in 2006 and is dedicated with admiration and gratitude to Sir Andrew Davis, Victor Marshall, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. It was premiered on May 3,4,5,6, 2007 by the Dallas Symphony, Sir Andrew Davis conducting.
Duration 9'

Helios Choros II, co-commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra, was composed in 2007, and is dedicated with admiration and gratitude to the London Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Martin Mellish. LSO premiere was in December 2008, Daniel Harding, conducting. Boston Symphony Orchestra presented the World USA premiere on October 15, 16, 17, and 20, 2009, with Ludovic Morlot conducting.
Duration 18'

Helios Choros III, commissioned by the Orchestra of Paris, was composed in 2007 and is dedicated with admiration and gratitude to Christoph Eschenbach. It was premiered on December 12, 2007 in Paris.
Duration 11'

In My Sky at Twilight, for solo soprano and chamber orchestra (2002)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, December 1, 2002
Pierre Boulez, conducting
solo soprano, piccolo, 1220/2200/2 percussion/2 piano (celesta)/harp/str.11110
Duration 20'

Jubilee for orchestra (2010)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Commissioned by the Juilliard School with the Trust of Francis Goelet
World premiere by the Juilliard Orchestra, Xian Zhang conducting, at Alice Tully Hall in New York on April 30, 2010
Picc.2.2+E.H.2+bcl.2(cbn)/4431/6perc/2hp/pno/cel/str
Duration 18'

Light the First Light of Evening for orchestra (2002)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Premiered by the London Sinfonietta, Oliver Knussen, conducting, at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, England, 12 June 2002
2(II=picc).1.2.1/2110/2 perc(vib/glsp/mcas/vibraslap/t.bells/timp/BD/susp.cym/tgl/tam-t)/1 harp/2 pf/cel/2 vln.vla.vcl.db
Duration 4'

Meditation: Trombone Concerto for solo trombone and orchestra (1990, arr. 1995)

Premiered by the Brevard Music Festival Orchestra, John Marcelus, trombone, in Brevard, North Carolina, 24 July 1997
First recorded performance by the BBC National Orchestra (Wales), Christian Lindberg, trombone, December 1995
solo trombone and 2222/2210/2 perc./1 harp/pf/strings
Duration 11'
See also Vigil

Of Paradise and Light (2010)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

First perfomance by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz, conductor, 8 September 2010
String orchestra (no double basses)
Duration 4'30"

Orbital Beacons: Concerto for Orchestra for orchestra (re-seated) (1998)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Commissioned by the Louise Durham Mead New Music Fund, and premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez conducting, on 27 November 1998
4443/5431/4 perc./2 harp/strings
Duration 27'

Prayer and Celebration (2006)PROGRAM NOTESAUDIO See also Chamber Works

First performance by Saint Paul's High School, David Seaton, conductor, Concord, New Hampshire, 1 June 2007
1111/0000/strings
Duration 4'

Prayer Bells for orchestra (2001)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Commissioned and premiered by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, May 2001
Mariss Jansons, conducting
3343/4431/4 perc./1 harp/strings
Duration 12'

Radiant Circles for orchestra (2010)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

First performance by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, William Boughton, conductor, New Haven, Connecticut, on 10 March 2011
Picc.1.2(E.H.)2+(bcl.)1/3331/ timp./1perc/1hp/str
Duration 15'

Ring Out, Wild Bells, to the Wild Sky, for solo soprano, large chorus and orchestra (2000)PROGRAM NOTESAUDIO

Text by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Commissioned and premiered by the Choral Arts Society of Washington, Norman Scribner, conducting
solo soprano, chorus, and 2231/4310/harp/3 percussion/strings
Duration 15'

Ritual Incantations, for cello and chamber orchestra (1999)PROGRAM NOTES

Commissioned by Thomas van Straaten
Premiered by David Finckel, cellist, and the Aspen Music Festival Chamber Orchestra, July 16, 1999
Hugh Wolff, Conductor
1120/2210/2 perc./harp/piano/strings
Duration 13'

Shakin' for orchestra (2004)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Premiered by the Memphis Symphony, David Loebel, conductor, on 24 February 2006
2+pic.2+EH.3(3 dbl.bcl) 1 alto sax. 2(2 dbl. Cbsn)/4.3.2.1/3perc/hp/pno./str
Duration 8'
BUY SCORE

Silver Chants the Litanies, in memoriam Luciano Berio (Horn Concerto) for solo horn and orchestra (2004)PROGRAM NOTES

Premiered by the Southern Methodist University Wind Ensemble, Dallas, Texas, March 2004
Greg Heustis, horn
Jack Delaney conducting
Solo Horn, Picc,.1/220/2200/2 Perc./2 Piano (celesta)/Harp/Str.11110
Duration 13'

Stephen Jones, Augusta Read Thomas, and Sir Andrew Davis

Song in Sorrow, for solo soprano, large chorus and orchestra (2000)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Text by 40 poets
Commissioned and premiered by the Cleveland Orchestra and Kent State University
Jahja Ling, conducting
solo soprano, chorus, 6 choral soloists and picc3342/4331/harp/4 percussion/strings
Duration 22'

Spirit Musings, for violin and chamber orchestra, VIOLIN CONCERTO #1 (1997)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Commissioned by Thomas van Straaten
Premiered by The Boston Modern Orchestra Project & Indiana University New Music Ensemble, 1998
Violin Solo, 1121/1100/1 perc./harp/strings (11111)
Duration 11'

Sunlight Echoes, for orchestra (2002)PROGRAM NOTESAUDIO

Text by Emily Dickinson
Premiered by the Chicago Youth Symphony and the Chicago Children's Choir, Allen Tinkham conducting, at Carnegie Hall, New York, New York, 23 February 2002
Chorus, and 3.2(ca).3.3/4331/3 perc./harp/strings
Duration 5'

Tangle for orchestra (2003)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through the generosity of Cindy Sargent and Sally Hands, with support from the Louise Durham Mead New Music Fund
Premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, David Robertson conducting, 18 March 2004
3(picc)3(ca)3(bc)2(cb)/42(2 picc)31/timp-perc./cel/2 harp/strings
Duration 20'

Terpsichore's Dream a ballet for chamber orchestra (2007)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

First performance by the Utah Symphony, Cliff Colnot conducting, Salt Lake City, Utah, 18 October 2007
2(2picc)1.2(2bcl)1/2.2.1.0/4perc/2hp.pno/str
Duration 17'

Trainwork for orchestra (2002)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTESAUDIO

Premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Christoph Eschenbach, conducting, at the Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, Illinois, 29 June 2002
3+pic.3.3+bcl.2/4.2Ctpt+2Bbpictpt.3([btbn]).1/4 perc./harp/strings
Duration 9'

Vigil: A Cello Concerto for cello and orchestra, 1990 PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Premiered by Norman Fischer, cello, and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio, 4 November 1990
Ed London, conducting
2222/2210/2 perc./harp/piano/strings
Duration 11'
See also Meditation

Viola Concerto for solo viola and orchestra (2013)

This is identical to Violin Concerto #3. 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.
First performance: TBD
Solo Viola, Picc.2(alto Fl).2+E.H.2+bcl.1+cbn/4431/6perc/2hp/pno/cel/str
Duration 20'

Viola Concerto #2 for solo viola and orchestra (2013)

This is identical to Cello Concerto #3. This viola version merely has a few notes transposed up one octave.
First performance: TBD
Solo Viola, 2+picc.1+ca.2(2 dbl. bcl.)1+cbn./2.3(3 is picc. tpt).1+btbn.0./4perc/1hp/pno/str
Duration 26'

Violin Concerto #3: "Juggler in Paradise" for violin and orchestra (2008)PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

First performance by Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin solo) and Festival Présences with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Andrey Boreyko conductor, at Salle Pleyel, in Paris, on 16 January 2009
Second performance by Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin solo) and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiri Belohlavek, conductor, at Royal Albert Hall, in London, on 9 September 2009
Violin Solo, Picc.2(alto Fl).2+E.H.2+bcl.1+cbn/4431/6perc/2hp/pno/cel/str
Duration 20'

Words of the Sea for orchestra, 1995-1996 PRESS & PROGRAM NOTES

Commissioned and premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conducting
3333/4331/4 perc./timpani/harp/piano/strings
Duration 18'

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