List of Compositions

sjchd061711

Contact Susan J. Clearman:
(828) 526-2078
savory@luxnova.com

add pics of PrLivSt, compBK, Brink&Trey?

Compositions by

SUSAN J. CLEARMAN

Works performed in Boston, New York, Atlanta, Juneau, Nebraska, Tennessee, Scotland

“Thanks so much for sending me the CD of your works.  I have enjoyed listening to them immensely…You do a good job in blending a mix of styles in your writing, which is not easy to do.  In many senses, you’re the  best kind of musician/composer to have out there, because this is the way music is moving, and you’ve already got a knack for this…I liked all of the works.”–Jennifer Higdon, Pulitzer Prize winning composer 

“…your delightful music–very modern and creative, yet pleasant to listen to, which is saying something these days…” Cliff Self, violinist

on “Breathing Space”:  “Wow! I loved it! The feeling of spaciousness was effective. The close harmony in the piano contrasted the soberness of the horn. The vocal line very expressive. Congratulations on a fine work.” Todd Skrabanek, Atlanta Symphony Chorus pianist and composer

on Bessarabica:  “I think it is a great piece!  I’m sure it is real fun playing it…I liked the cadenza in the second [movement] a lot!  The fourth has a wonderful rhythm in the accompaniment (some Klezmer, some even [sic] Jazz] and the ‘Schmaltz’ suits perfect to describe the melody…I liked especially the ending a lot!”  Shirley Brill, Israeli clarinet student at New England Conservatory…

“I am at work and I decided to have a listen to the CD you gave me…I am on the 3rd movement of the Bessarabica. I had to stop and tell you how amazing you are – and I am not even finished yet.  I was taken within the first few seconds – such a great feeling of this Bohemian gypsy dance like thing and I LOVE IT!!!  I am going to finish listening now.” Michelle T, soprano

“Thank you very much for contacting me regarding this wonderful project; it was so much fun to play!  I do very much appreciate your musical,emotional and financial commitments to this; I…really enjoyed playing along with my fellow musicians. I look forward to our next project.” Fabrizio Mazzetta, cellist and Longy Conservatory graduate

“I remember how awesome Bessarabica was. 🙂 “–Deirdre Viau, flutist

“Dear Susan, your piece is perfect …the Maestra has spoken!!!”  Todd Brunel, clarinetist

“These are very nice pieces. Congratulations…” Cantor Robbie Solomon, Temple Isaiah, Lexington, MA

on “Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness“:  “It went well Sunday…It was very effective and everybody loved it!” Brink Bush, organist & choirmaster

on Springs in the Desert:  “Bravo!!”– Dr. Robert Freeman, then director of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY

on Temple Slip Jig and Reel: “I have been looking at the ‘Temple Slip Jig and Reel’ and I must say that this is a fine piece – a very original idea…Good work.”–Philip Jones FRCO, organist and music director

on “Welcome, All Wonders in One Sight!”:  “WOW! …The music suggests to me the — anticipation — wonder — mystery — frenzy excitement — of new birth.  That last measure suggests a very different event than ‘silent night’  I like it.”–Rev. Cecelia Duke

"...your delightful music--very modern and creative, yet pleasant to listen to,
which is saying something these days..." Cliff Self, violinist.

Polaroid Exif JPEG

Bessarabica rehearsal, Longy School, Cambridge, MA Karen Oosterbaan-violin, Daniel Plane-‘cello, Todd Brunel-clarinet, Trisha Craig–flute

Savory Press Catalog

    Buy Online at the LNP Retail Webstore     Dealer Inquiries Welcomed Here

    By Catalog Number

  • SAV-010   Springs in the Desert   (organ)   buy it online
  • SAV-011   Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness   (chorus [unis.] & piano)   buy it online
  • SAV-012   Temple Slip Jig and Reel   (organ & bodhran)   buy it online


    By Genre (Instrumentation)

  • SAV-011   Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness   (chorus [unis.] & piano)   buy it online
  • SAV-010   Springs in the Desert   (organ)   buy it online
  • SAV-012   Temple Slip Jig and Reel   (organ & bodhran)   buy it online


    By Title (Alphabetical)

  • SAV-011   Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness   (chorus [unis.] & piano)   buy it online
  • SAV-010   Springs in the Desert   (organ)   buy it online
  • SAV-012   Temple Slip Jig and Reel   (organ & bodhran)   buy it online


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Copyright ©2003 Lux Nova Press.  All Rights Reserved.—————————————————–

Alphabetical Listing by Title

ALPHABETICAL LISTING WITH DESCRIPTIONS

This is an incomplete list of the composer’s works with some detail offered. The task of cataloging the composer’s complete works, including incomplete manuscripts and older versions of works, is underway.

Susan J. Clearman’s music is published by Savory Press.
Performance rights administered by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)

 

  • “Alleluia, Christ Our Passover”
  • unison chorus and piano (or organ)
    unpublished
    Composed: 1994
    Duration: 0′ 25″
    Composer’s comments: This is a liturgical response for a eucharistic service.
  • Bessarabica
    flute, clarinet, violin, violoncelloPolaroid Exif JPEG
    unpublished
    Composed: 2005
    Duration: 13′ 54″
    Movements:
    1) The Familiar
    2) Bereft and Desolate
    3) Attempting to Start Over
    4) Recovering Playfulness
    5) Freilach Nouveau
    Composer’s comments: A journey from catastrophic loss of everything familiar to recovery and a new way. The five sections are based on Klezmer dance forms [Freilach, Doina, Hora, Choisdl,and another Freilach]. Themes are presented in traditional styles first, and then morph into something new: is it Jazz? something Caribbean? a touch of Funk, perhaps?

    • Break Forth
      brass quintet
      unpublished
      Composed: 2007
      Duration: 9′ 17″
      Composer’s comments: In quest of “shimmer” with brass instruments!

    • “Breathing Space”
      soprano, horn and piano
      unpublished
      Composed: 2006
      Duration: 5′ 16″
      Text: “From my confinement I called to God; God’s wide open space was Her reply.” [Adapted from a Jewish prayer]

    • “Come Your Kingdom”
      mixed chorus, piano and bass guitar
      unpublished
      Composed: 1998
      Duration: 1′ 00″
      Composer’s comments: Used in preparation for prayer.

      • Cornycopia Rag
        solo piano
        unpublished
        No. 1 of  Outsprings of Abundant Life Suite
        Composed: 1974
        Duration: 2′ 00″

      • “Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness”
        unison chorus and piano
        Savory Press
        SAV-011
        Composed: 1999
        Duration: 2″ 30″
        Composer’s comments: Set to a text by John Greenleaf Whittier, Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness was composed to help the congregation disengage from the frenetic urban pace, calm down, and focus in preparation for worship. The specified slow tempo is a support/breathing challenge, but the sustained line and deep breathing help singers [and listeners] to “ramp-down” from the frenetic life.

      • “He Is Gentle and Lowly in Heart”
        mixed chorus and organ
        unpublished
        Composed: 1976
        Duration: 4′ 15″
        Composer’s comments: Text is taken from Isiah’s “suffering servant” passage, the Gospel of Matthew, and Philippians, juxtaposing the humility and Lordship of Jesus. Chromaticism, counterpoint.

      • “The Lord’s Prayer”
        • Prayer”
          mixed chorus, flute, acoustic guitar, organ, and bass guitar
          unpublished
          Composed: 1994
          Duration: 2′ 15″
          Composer’s comments: This setting mixes classical and contemporary influences.

        • The New Creation
          solo piano
          unpublished
          Composed: 1976
          Duration: 3′ 20″

        • Nostalgía
          solo piano
          unpublished
          No. 2 of  Outsprings of Abundant Life Suite
          Composed: 1974
          Duration: 2′ 35″

        • O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!
          violin and piano
          unpublished
          Composed: 1976
          Duration: 5′ 00″
          Composer’s comments: The violin begins alone, wistfully, with the piano joining in canon. The theme, built on an octatonic modal scale, develops within thickening textures, building intensity to a climax of triumph and vitality. The denouement sees the solo violin return, ending the work with an echo of the sense of longing with which it began.

        • Outsprings of Abundant Life Suite
          solo piano
          unpublished
          Composed: 1974
          Duration: 5′ 55″

          • Duration: 5′ 55″
            Movements:
            1) Cornycopia Rag
            2) Nostalgía
            3) Polka-in-the-Ribs
            Composer’s comments: Three reflections on abundant life.

          • The Pepperoni Rag
            solo piano
            unpublished
            Composed: 1979
            Duration: 1′ 30″
            Composer’s comments: Jaunty, mischievous and fun-loving, The Pepperoni Rag was written to be theme music for a children’s TV series set in a pizza parlor.pepprag3

          • Polka-in-the-Ribs
            solo piano
            unpublished
            No. 3 of  Outsprings of Abundant Life Suite
            Composed: 1974
            Duration: 1′ 20″

          • Spirited Away by the Four Winds
            flute, clarinet, french horn, and bassoon.
            unpublished
            Composed: 1976
            Duration: 9′ 33″
            Composer’s comments: In Hebrew scripture, there is one word respresenting spirit, wind and breath. This work is an expression of four aspects of God, in the context of that word in selected Biblical passages. All are interwoven in the introduction, then individually expounded upon, in sections featuring a particular instrument, designated “Majesty and Power” (bassoon), “Joy and Life” (flute), “Peace and Comfort” (french horn), and “Freedom” (clarinet).

          • Springs in the Desert
            solo organ
            Savory Press
            SAV-010
            Composed: 1995
            Duration: 8′ 30″
            Composer’s comments: A set of variations for solo organ based on two tunes: the Gregorian chant Veni Creator Spiritus and the Hebrew Maoz Tsur (familiar as a setting of David Ben Judah’s hymn, “Rock of Ages, Let Our Song…”). The work reflects Celtic, Eastern European Klezmer, Contemporary and Classical influences. It was commissioned by St. Anne Church, Rochester, New York for the the dedication service of their new, tonally colorful Konzelman pipe organ (3 manuals, 20 ranks). Organist Brink Bush of St. Anne premiered Springs in the Desert at that service in September of 1995. The work was enthusiastically received by laypeople, clergy and trained musicians alike. Dr. Robert Freeman, then director of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, turned to the composer and exclaimed “Bravo!” immediately after the conclusion of the performance.

          • Temple Slip Jig and Reel
            organ and bodhran (Irish drum).
            Savory Press
            SAV-012Composed: 2000
            Duration: 4′ 00″
            Composer’s comments: A festive Celtic postlude based on Personent Hodie and St. Patrick’s Breastplate. Premiered at the celebration of the Rev. Canon Gray and Jean Temple’s 25 merry, courageous and generous years with St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Dunwoody, Georgia.

          • “Tender Compassion”
            mixed chorus, alto (or tenor) saxophone or flute, and harp (or piano)
            unpublished
            Composed: 1999
            Duration: 1′ 55″
            Text: “In the tender compassion of our God, the Dawn from on high shall break upon us.” [Luke 1:78]
            Composer’s comments: For use in Advent, Christmas and Epiphany services.

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