Joyce E. Orenstein
Joyce E. Orenstein
Joyce Orenstein's compositions include chamber music, a work for orchestra, and song settings. Her composition Noon, for chamber ensemble, was commissioned by the Composers Guild of New Jersey and won a performance grant from American Composers Forum. She has also been commissioned by Trio Spark. Ms. Orenstein is a three-time recipient of fellowships from the Composers Conference at Bennington College and Johnson College in Vermont. Her compositions have been performed in the United States, Europe and Japan.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Orenstein attended the University of Chicago and Stanford University. After receiving a bachelor's degree in English from UCLA, she studied composition with Leonard Stein. After moving to New York, she studied composition with Mario Davidovsky at The City College of the City University of New York, where she earned a masters degree in music composition and twice received the Mark Brunswick Award for Composition. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in music composition from Rutgers University, where she studied with Robert Moevs, Rolv Yttrehus and Charles Wuorinen. She has taught both music and English at the college level. Currently, she is president of the board of the Composers Guild of New Jersey.
Norman Sketches
Year: 2008
Duration (in minutes): 8 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players, solo instrument with piano, solo string with piano
Instruments: any string, cello, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece was begun during a stay in the countryside of Normandy. The music reflects some of its moods and sounds, as well as recollecting events that took place there.
Fragments, from the Song of Songs
Year: 2006
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of selected texts from the Song of Songs
Dance/Trance
Year: 2005
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Rhythmic piece for piano
Other Stream
Year: 2004
Duration (in minutes): 4 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of a poem by Ithaca poet-composer Ann Silsbee about breaking up of ice in early spring.
Other Stream
Year: 2004
Duration (in minutes): 4 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem by composer and poet Ann Sillsbee, written in her memory. The poem is a dramatic description of the thawing of ice in spring.
Other Stream
Year: 2004
Duration (in minutes): 4 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem by composer and poet Ann Sillsbee, written in her memory. The poem is a dramatic description of the thawing of ice in spring.
Lamento
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 7 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, clarinet, piano, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Employs both clarinet and bass clarinet. Uses both 12-tone and free atonality.
Fondations
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 2 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of a poem by French poet Yves Chapoulie expressing angst of modern world.
Lamento
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any low voice, any male voice, any string, any voice, any woodwind, bass voice, clarinet, piano, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece laments the beginning of the war in Iraq. It is in three sections. The first and third sections, which employ clarinet, violin and piano, are in a twelve-tone style. The middle section, which employs bass clarinet, viola and piano, is not.
Fondations
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 2 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of a poem by Yves Chapoulie, in French. The poem describes the noisy machinery of building in modern times.
Fondations
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 2 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of a poem by Yves Chapoulie, in French. The poem describes the noisy machinery of building in modern times.
Lamento
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any low voice, any male voice, any string, any voice, any woodwind, bass voice, clarinet, piano, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece laments the beginning of the war in Iraq. It is in three sections. The first and third sections, which employ clarinet, violin and piano, are in a twelve-tone style. The middle section, which employs bass clarinet, viola and piano, is not.
Soundings
Year: 2002
Duration (in minutes): 6.5 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo string instrument
Instruments: any string, guitar
Publisher: Self-Produced
Soundings
Year: 2002
Duration (in minutes): 7 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo string instrument
Instruments: guitar
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Lyrical, dramatic twelve-tone pice for solo guitar.
Celebration
Year: 2000
Duration (in minutes): 6-7 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano
Instruments: percussion
Publisher: Self-Produced
Six Songs for a Young Child
Year: 1999
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Six Songs for a Young Child
Year: 1999
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Six pieces for young children. All are in an easily singable and playable tonal style. Ilustrations are by Philip Orenstein. Lyrics are by the composer.
Six Songs for a Young Child
Year: 1999
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Six pieces for young children. All are in an easily singable and playable tonal style. Ilustrations are by Philip Orenstein. Lyrics are by the composer.
Ochos Rios
Year: 1998
Duration (in minutes): 4'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Ochos Rios
Year: 1998
Duration (in minutes): 4 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem Ochos Rios by Theadore Meth. The poem describes a seductive evening in the jungle.
Ochos Rios
Year: 1998
Duration (in minutes): 4 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem Ochos Rios by Theadore Meth. The poem describes a seductive evening in the jungle.
Washington Square in Spring
Year: 1997
Duration (in minutes): 9'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Washington Square in Spring
Year: 1997
Duration (in minutes): 9 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This is a setting of a poem written by my daughter, Eve Orenstein. The poem is a description of activities, places and people in and around Washington Square in New York City, in spring.
Noon
Year: 1995
Duration (in minutes): 6'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument quintet
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, cello, flute, guitar, oboe, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Inspired by the poem El Mediodia by Cuban poet Fina Garcia Marruz. The composition contains four sections, which correspond in mood to the four verses of the poem. The pitch structure of the piece is based on a twelve-tone series.
Noon
Year: 1995
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument quintet
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, cello, flute, guitar, oboe, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece was inspired by, and based upon, the poem El Mediodia by the Cuban poet Fina Garcia Marruz. The poem is a description of noon and its effects upon the poet. The composition is an attempt to reflect this in music.
Refractions
Year: 1993
Duration (in minutes): 15'39;
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: orchestra and chamber orchestra
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: For full orchestra
Refractions
Year: 1993
Duration (in minutes): 15 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: orchestra and chamber orchestra
Instruments: percussion, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: For full orchestra with harp, piano and 3 percussion. 12-tone piece.
Refractions
Year: 1993
Duration (in minutes): 15 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: orchestra and chamber orchestra
Instruments: percussion, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: For full orchestra with harp, piano and 3 percussion. 12-tone piece.
Elegy
Year: 1990
Duration (in minutes): 3'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble
Instruments: any string, any voice, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, oboe, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of a section of the poem by Thomas Grey
Lullaby
Year: 1990
Duration (in minutes): 10'39;
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble
Instruments: any voice, any woodwind, flute, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of poem by the composer -- a protest against war
Lullaby
Year: 1990
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble, solo voice(s) with solo instruments
Instruments: any voice, any woodwind, flute, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of poem written by the composer. Anti-war sentiments.
Elegy
Year: 1990
Duration (in minutes): 3 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble, solo voice(s) with solo instruments
Instruments: any string, any voice, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, oboe, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of a section of the poem Elegy in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray.
Constellations
Year: 1989
Duration (in minutes): 15'39;
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any woodwind, bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, percussion, trombone, trumpet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece opens with an aleatoric section, and includes duets of various pairs of instruments (flute-clarinet, bassoon-horn, trumpet-trombone). Its pitch structure is based on the arrangement of stars in certain constellations.
Constellations
Year: 1989
Duration (in minutes): 15 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any woodwind, bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, percussion, trombone, trumpet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Chamber work based on intervals of certain constellations of stars. Includes chance elements.
O Taste and See
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 6'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, woodwind ensemble, woodwind quintet
Instruments: any brass, any woodwind, bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, oboe
All Down Darkness
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 12'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any string, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, horn, percussion, trumpet, vibraphone, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
O Taste and See
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, woodwind ensemble, woodwind quintet
Instruments: any brass, any woodwind, bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, oboe
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Woodwind quintet inspired by the poem of that title by Denise Levertov.
All Down Darkness
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any string, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, horn, percussion, trumpet, vibraphone, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Lyrical chamber work.
Four Songs
Year: 1986
Duration (in minutes): 11'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Settings of poems written by the composer
Four Songs
Year: 1986
Duration (in minutes): 11 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Four settings of poems by the composer.
Three Pieces for Piano
Year: 1984
Duration (in minutes): 9 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: 12-tone composition. Second movement is a minuet. Third movement is mysterious.
31-Oct
Year: 1975
Duration (in minutes): 1 minute
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Halloween piece
Dialogue for Clarinet and Cello
Year: 1975
Duration (in minutes): 1 minute
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, cello, clarinet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Dialogue for Clarinet and Cello
Year: 1975
Duration (in minutes): 1 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, cello, clarinet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Lyrical composition, based on selected intervals.
31-Oct
Year: 1975
Duration (in minutes): 1 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Good piece for Halloween.
Quintet for Strings
Year: 1974
Duration (in minutes): 12 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, string ensemble, string quintet
Instruments: any string, cello, contrabass, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: The second movement of this piece can be performed by itself.
Quintet for Strings
Year: 1974
Duration (in minutes): 12 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, string ensemble, string quintet
Instruments: any string, cello, contrabass, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: 12-tone work. Second movement, a set of variations, may be performed separately.
Three Pieces for Clarinet
Year: 1971
Duration (in minutes): 10 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, clarinet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Three pieces for solo clarinet in a lyrical 12-tone style. The first piece, over 3 minutes long, can stand by itself.
Music for Flute, Viola and Percussion
Year: 1971
Duration (in minutes): 10 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, flute, percussion, viola
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece includes an improvised percussion solo.
Three Pieces for Clarinet
Year: 1971
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, clarinet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Lyrical, serial piece for solo clarinet. Uses some simultaneous sounds.
Music for Flute, Viola and Percussion
Year: 1971
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, flute, percussion, viola
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Serial work. Includes improvised percussion solo.
For Carlos, in memoriam
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, flute
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A 12-tone piece for solo flute in a lyrical style.
Poppies in October
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any string, any voice, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, trumpet, viola
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem Poppies in October by Sylvia Plath
For Carlos, in memorium
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, flute
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A lyrical 12-tone composition.
For Carlos, in memorium
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, flute
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A lyrical 12-tone composition.
Poppies in October
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any string, any voice, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, trumpet, viola
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A chamber setting of Sylvia Plath's poem published in the collection of her poetry entitled Ariel.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Orenstein attended the University of Chicago and Stanford University. After receiving a bachelor's degree in English from UCLA, she studied composition with Leonard Stein. After moving to New York, she studied composition with Mario Davidovsky at The City College of the City University of New York, where she earned a masters degree in music composition and twice received the Mark Brunswick Award for Composition. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in music composition from Rutgers University, where she studied with Robert Moevs, Rolv Yttrehus and Charles Wuorinen. She has taught both music and English at the college level. Currently, she is president of the board of the Composers Guild of New Jersey.
Norman Sketches
Year: 2008
Duration (in minutes): 8 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players, solo instrument with piano, solo string with piano
Instruments: any string, cello, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece was begun during a stay in the countryside of Normandy. The music reflects some of its moods and sounds, as well as recollecting events that took place there.
Fragments, from the Song of Songs
Year: 2006
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of selected texts from the Song of Songs
Dance/Trance
Year: 2005
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Rhythmic piece for piano
Other Stream
Year: 2004
Duration (in minutes): 4 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of a poem by Ithaca poet-composer Ann Silsbee about breaking up of ice in early spring.
Other Stream
Year: 2004
Duration (in minutes): 4 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem by composer and poet Ann Sillsbee, written in her memory. The poem is a dramatic description of the thawing of ice in spring.
Other Stream
Year: 2004
Duration (in minutes): 4 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem by composer and poet Ann Sillsbee, written in her memory. The poem is a dramatic description of the thawing of ice in spring.
Lamento
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 7 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, clarinet, piano, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Employs both clarinet and bass clarinet. Uses both 12-tone and free atonality.
Fondations
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 2 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of a poem by French poet Yves Chapoulie expressing angst of modern world.
Lamento
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any low voice, any male voice, any string, any voice, any woodwind, bass voice, clarinet, piano, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece laments the beginning of the war in Iraq. It is in three sections. The first and third sections, which employ clarinet, violin and piano, are in a twelve-tone style. The middle section, which employs bass clarinet, viola and piano, is not.
Fondations
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 2 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of a poem by Yves Chapoulie, in French. The poem describes the noisy machinery of building in modern times.
Fondations
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 2 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of a poem by Yves Chapoulie, in French. The poem describes the noisy machinery of building in modern times.
Lamento
Year: 2003
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any low voice, any male voice, any string, any voice, any woodwind, bass voice, clarinet, piano, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece laments the beginning of the war in Iraq. It is in three sections. The first and third sections, which employ clarinet, violin and piano, are in a twelve-tone style. The middle section, which employs bass clarinet, viola and piano, is not.
Soundings
Year: 2002
Duration (in minutes): 6.5 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo string instrument
Instruments: any string, guitar
Publisher: Self-Produced
Soundings
Year: 2002
Duration (in minutes): 7 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo string instrument
Instruments: guitar
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Lyrical, dramatic twelve-tone pice for solo guitar.
Celebration
Year: 2000
Duration (in minutes): 6-7 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano
Instruments: percussion
Publisher: Self-Produced
Six Songs for a Young Child
Year: 1999
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Six Songs for a Young Child
Year: 1999
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Six pieces for young children. All are in an easily singable and playable tonal style. Ilustrations are by Philip Orenstein. Lyrics are by the composer.
Six Songs for a Young Child
Year: 1999
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Six pieces for young children. All are in an easily singable and playable tonal style. Ilustrations are by Philip Orenstein. Lyrics are by the composer.
Ochos Rios
Year: 1998
Duration (in minutes): 4'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Ochos Rios
Year: 1998
Duration (in minutes): 4 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem Ochos Rios by Theadore Meth. The poem describes a seductive evening in the jungle.
Ochos Rios
Year: 1998
Duration (in minutes): 4 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem Ochos Rios by Theadore Meth. The poem describes a seductive evening in the jungle.
Washington Square in Spring
Year: 1997
Duration (in minutes): 9'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Washington Square in Spring
Year: 1997
Duration (in minutes): 9 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This is a setting of a poem written by my daughter, Eve Orenstein. The poem is a description of activities, places and people in and around Washington Square in New York City, in spring.
Noon
Year: 1995
Duration (in minutes): 6'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument quintet
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, cello, flute, guitar, oboe, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Inspired by the poem El Mediodia by Cuban poet Fina Garcia Marruz. The composition contains four sections, which correspond in mood to the four verses of the poem. The pitch structure of the piece is based on a twelve-tone series.
Noon
Year: 1995
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument quintet
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, cello, flute, guitar, oboe, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece was inspired by, and based upon, the poem El Mediodia by the Cuban poet Fina Garcia Marruz. The poem is a description of noon and its effects upon the poet. The composition is an attempt to reflect this in music.
Refractions
Year: 1993
Duration (in minutes): 15'39;
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: orchestra and chamber orchestra
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: For full orchestra
Refractions
Year: 1993
Duration (in minutes): 15 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: orchestra and chamber orchestra
Instruments: percussion, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: For full orchestra with harp, piano and 3 percussion. 12-tone piece.
Refractions
Year: 1993
Duration (in minutes): 15 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: orchestra and chamber orchestra
Instruments: percussion, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: For full orchestra with harp, piano and 3 percussion. 12-tone piece.
Elegy
Year: 1990
Duration (in minutes): 3'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble
Instruments: any string, any voice, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, oboe, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of a section of the poem by Thomas Grey
Lullaby
Year: 1990
Duration (in minutes): 10'39;
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble
Instruments: any voice, any woodwind, flute, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of poem by the composer -- a protest against war
Lullaby
Year: 1990
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble, solo voice(s) with solo instruments
Instruments: any voice, any woodwind, flute, piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of poem written by the composer. Anti-war sentiments.
Elegy
Year: 1990
Duration (in minutes): 3 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble, solo voice(s) with solo instruments
Instruments: any string, any voice, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, oboe, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Setting of a section of the poem Elegy in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray.
Constellations
Year: 1989
Duration (in minutes): 15'39;
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any woodwind, bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, percussion, trombone, trumpet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece opens with an aleatoric section, and includes duets of various pairs of instruments (flute-clarinet, bassoon-horn, trumpet-trombone). Its pitch structure is based on the arrangement of stars in certain constellations.
Constellations
Year: 1989
Duration (in minutes): 15 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any woodwind, bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, percussion, trombone, trumpet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Chamber work based on intervals of certain constellations of stars. Includes chance elements.
O Taste and See
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 6'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, woodwind ensemble, woodwind quintet
Instruments: any brass, any woodwind, bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, oboe
All Down Darkness
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 12'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any string, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, horn, percussion, trumpet, vibraphone, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
O Taste and See
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, woodwind ensemble, woodwind quintet
Instruments: any brass, any woodwind, bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, oboe
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Woodwind quintet inspired by the poem of that title by Denise Levertov.
All Down Darkness
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any string, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, horn, percussion, trumpet, vibraphone, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Lyrical chamber work.
Four Songs
Year: 1986
Duration (in minutes): 11'39;
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Settings of poems written by the composer
Four Songs
Year: 1986
Duration (in minutes): 11 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo voice(s) with piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Four settings of poems by the composer.
Three Pieces for Piano
Year: 1984
Duration (in minutes): 9 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: piano
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: 12-tone composition. Second movement is a minuet. Third movement is mysterious.
31-Oct
Year: 1975
Duration (in minutes): 1 minute
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Halloween piece
Dialogue for Clarinet and Cello
Year: 1975
Duration (in minutes): 1 minute
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, cello, clarinet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Dialogue for Clarinet and Cello
Year: 1975
Duration (in minutes): 1 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, cello, clarinet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Lyrical composition, based on selected intervals.
31-Oct
Year: 1975
Duration (in minutes): 1 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Good piece for Halloween.
Quintet for Strings
Year: 1974
Duration (in minutes): 12 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, string ensemble, string quintet
Instruments: any string, cello, contrabass, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: The second movement of this piece can be performed by itself.
Quintet for Strings
Year: 1974
Duration (in minutes): 12 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, string ensemble, string quintet
Instruments: any string, cello, contrabass, viola, violin
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: 12-tone work. Second movement, a set of variations, may be performed separately.
Three Pieces for Clarinet
Year: 1971
Duration (in minutes): 10 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, clarinet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Three pieces for solo clarinet in a lyrical 12-tone style. The first piece, over 3 minutes long, can stand by itself.
Music for Flute, Viola and Percussion
Year: 1971
Duration (in minutes): 10 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, flute, percussion, viola
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: This piece includes an improvised percussion solo.
Three Pieces for Clarinet
Year: 1971
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, clarinet
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Lyrical, serial piece for solo clarinet. Uses some simultaneous sounds.
Music for Flute, Viola and Percussion
Year: 1971
Duration (in minutes): 10 min.
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players
Instruments: any string, any woodwind, flute, percussion, viola
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: Serial work. Includes improvised percussion solo.
For Carlos, in memoriam
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, flute
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A 12-tone piece for solo flute in a lyrical style.
Poppies in October
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 minutes
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, mixed instrument ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any string, any voice, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, trumpet, viola
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A setting of the poem Poppies in October by Sylvia Plath
For Carlos, in memorium
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, flute
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A lyrical 12-tone composition.
For Carlos, in memorium
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: solo instrument other than piano, solo woodwind instrument
Instruments: any woodwind, flute
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A lyrical 12-tone composition.
Poppies in October
Year: 1970
Duration (in minutes): 6 min.
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: larger chamber ensembles - more than 4 players, solo voice(s) with chamber ensemble
Instruments: any brass, any string, any voice, any woodwind, cello, clarinet, flute, trumpet, viola
Publisher: Self-Produced
Description: A chamber setting of Sylvia Plath's poem published in the collection of her poetry entitled Ariel.
