John Corigliano (1938- )
One
of contemporary music's most distinguished composers, John Corigliano
has infused classical music with new life by engaging an unusually
broad audience. The only person to have won two Grammy Awards for Best
Contemporary Classical Composition, he has also received three other
Grammy Awards, the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in Music for his Symphony No. 2,
the 2000 Academy Award for his score for The Red Violin (his third film
score), and the 1991 Grawemeyer Award for Best New Orchestral
Composition, for his Symphony No. 1 (inspired by the deaths of friends
from AIDS). Decrying elitism in his field, Corigliano has suggested
that today's greatest art is found on television and describes
classical music as "an art form that's dying in front of our eyes"
because, too often inaccessible to the general public, it "has ceased
to have an active contemporary life." To combat this trend, he uses
imaginative techniques to make an emotional connection with his
audience. Corigliano's 2004 Circus Maximus wind symphony was composed
to be performed with the audience surrounded by the musicians, and in
his piece entitled "Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan," he
arranged Dylan songs in an order that told the story of an individual's
journey from innocence to political activism and set the lyrics to new
music sung by soprano Sylvia McNair. Raised in Brooklyn by a
pianist mother and a father who was first violinist and concertmaster
of the New York Philharmonic, Corigliano taught himself orchestration
as a high school student by listening to recordings while following the
scores. His formal composition education began at Columbia College,
where he studied with accomplished composer and opera conductor Otto
Leuning, graduating with honors. In 2002 Corigliano addressed students
on campus, reminiscing and sharing professional insights. When he was
honored by the College with a John Jay Award for Distinguished
Professional Achievement in 2003, he said of his own undergraduate days
that he felt encouraged to become a composer because Columbia did not
espouse the "fundamentalist 'there is only one way' kind of composing."
Having served as composer-in-residence with the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra, Corigliano is a Distinguished Professor of Music at Lehman
College and began teaching composition at the Julliard School of Music
in 1991.COMPOSITIONS Corigliano Links ~ ~ ~ Works by Genre
Kaleidoscope, 2 pianos (1959)
Petit Fours, voice and piano (1959)
A Dylan Thomas Trilogy, mezzo-soprano/boy soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus and orch (1960; rev. 1999)
Fern Hill, mezzo-soprano, chorus and orchestra/chamber orchestra (1960)
What I Expected Was . . ., chorus and orchestra (1962)
Sonata for Violin and Piano (1963)
The Cloisters, voice and orchestra (1965)
Elegy, orchestra (1965)
Tournaments, orchestra (1965)
Christmas at the Cloisters, voice or chorus and piano (1966)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1968)
Poem in October, tenor and chamber orchestra (1970; rev. 1999, 2003)
L’ Invitation au Voyage, chorus (1971)
Wedding Song, voice and ensemble (1971)
A Black November Turkey, chorus (1972; arr, for string quartet, 2003)
Creations: Two Scenes from Genesis, narrator and orchestra (1972)
Gazebo Dances, piano 4-hands (1972; arr. for orchestra or band, 1974)
- Adagio (from “Gazebo Dances”), piano (1972)
- Overture to the Imaginary Invalid (from “Gazebo Dances”), orchestra (1974)
Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra (1975)
- Aria (4th Movement of Concerto for Oboe), with string orchestra (1975)
Scherzo for Oboe and Percussion (1975)
Etude Fantasy, piano (1976)
Poem on His Birthday, baritone, chorus and orchestra (1976)
Psalm No 8, chorus and organ (1976)
Voyage, string orchestra (1976)
Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra (1977)
Etude No. 1, piano left hand (1978)
Promenade Overture, orchestra (1981)
Altered States, film score (1980)
- Ritual Dance, from the film “Altered States”, orchestra (1981)
- Three Hallucinations (based on the film score to “Altered States”), orchestra (1981)
Pied Piper Fantasy, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (1982)
Voyage, flute and string orchestra (1983) (also arr. for flute and piano/harp/string quintet)
Fantasia on an Ostinato, piano (1985; arr. for orchestra, 1986)
Revolution, film score (1985)
Campane di Ravello (a celebration piece for Sir Georg Solti), orchestra (1987)
Symphony No. 1, orchestra (1988)
- Tarantella, orchestra (1988)
Three Irish Folksong Settings, voice and flute (1988)
The Ghosts of Versailles, opera (1991)
- O God of Love (from “The Ghosts of Versailles”), organ (1991)
- Phantasmagoria (on Themes from “The Ghosts of Versailles”), cello and piano (1993)
- Phantasmagoria: Suite from “The Ghosts of Versailles”, orchestra (2000)
Of Rage and Remembrance, mezzo-sop., boy sop., male chorus, 12 chimes, timpani and low strings (1991)
Fanfares to Music, brass (1993)
Troubadours (Variations for Guitar and Chamber Orchestra) (1993)
Amen, chorus (1994)
Antiphon, brass ensemble (1994)
How Like Pellucid Statues, Daddy, 4 bassoons (1994)
Jack and Jill, voice and piano (1994)
To Music, orchestra (1994)
Soliloquy, clarinet and orchestra or string quartet (1995)
String Quartet No. 1 (1995)
Fancy on a Bach Air, cello (1996)
Liebeslied, soprano, alto, tenor, bass, chorus and piano 4-hands (1996)
Chiaroscuro, piano (1997)
DC Fanfare, orchestra or band (1997)
Dodecaphonia (or, They Call Her Twelve-Tone Rose), mezzo-soprano and piano (1997)
The Red Violin, film score (1998)
- The Red Violin: Chaconne for Violin and Orchestra or Piano (1997)
- The Red Violin: Anna's Theme, piano (1997)
- The Red Violin Caprices, solo violin (1999)
- The Red Violin: Suite for Violin and Orchestra (1999)
Vocalise, soprano and orchestra (1999)
The Mannheim Rocket, orchestra (2000)
Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan, soprano and piano or orchestra (2000)
- Forever Young, from “Mr. Tambourine Man”, soprano and chorus (2000)
Symphony No. 2, string orchestra (2000)
Utah Fanfare, brass and percussion (2000)
Irreverant Heart, tenor and piano (2001)
Marvelous Invention (Songbook for a New Century), mezzo-soprano and piano (2001)
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (“The Red Violin”) (2003)
Shatter Me, Music, soprano solo (2003)
Snapshot: Circa 1909, string quartet (2003)
Circus Maximus (Symphony No. 3), large wind ensemble (2004)
Midsummer Fanfare, orchestra (2004)
One Sweet Morning, voice or female chorus and piano (2005)
Salute, chorus (w/24 kazoos minimum), brass and percussion (2005)
Jamestown Hymn, orchestra (2007)
Conjurer: Concerto for Percussionist and String Orchestra (2007)
Etude No. 1, "for the left hand", piano (2007)
A Birthday Cakewalk, piano 4-hands (2007)
Winging It, piano (2008)
End of the Line, mezzo-soprano and piano (2008)
Edge of Darkness, film score (2009, rejected)
WORKS BY GENRE Corigliano Links ~ top of page ~
Dramatic/Theater
The Ghosts of Versailles, opera (1991)
Orchestra
Elegy, orchestra (1965)
Tournaments, orchestra (1965)
Creations: Two Scenes from Genesis, narrator and orchestra (1972)
Gazebo Dances, piano 4-hands (1972; arr. for orchestra, 1974)
Overture to the Imaginary Invalid (from “Gazebo Dances”), orchestra (1974)
Voyage, string orchestra (1976)
Promenade Overture, orchestra (1981)
Ritual Dance, from the film “Altered States”, orchestra (1981)
Three Hallucinations (based on the film score to “Altered States”), orchestra (1981)
Fantasia on an Ostinato, piano (1985; arr. for orchestra, 1986)
Campane di Ravello (a celebration piece for Sir Georg Solti), orchestra (1987)
Symphony No. 1, orchestra (1988)
Tarantella, orchestra (1988) [from Symphony No. 1, 1988]
Phantasmagoria: Suite from “The Ghosts of Versailles”, orchestra (2000)
To Music, orchestra (1994)
DC Fanfare, orchestra (1997)
The Mannheim Rocket, orchestra (2000)
Symphony No. 2, string orchestra (2000)
Midsummer Fanfare, orchestra (2004)
Jamestown Hymn, orchestra (2007)
Band
Gazebo Dances, piano 4-hands (1972; arr. for orchestra or band, 1974)
DC Fanfare, orchestra or band (1997)
Circus Maximus (Symphony No. 3), large wind ensemble (2004)
Soloist(s) w/Orchestra
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1968)
Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra (1975)
Aria, oboe and string orchestra (1975) [4th Movement of Concerto for Oboe]
Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra (1977)
Pied Piper Fantasy, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (1982)
Voyage, flute and string orchestra (1983) (also arr. for flute and piano/harp/string quintet)
Troubadours (Variations for Guitar and Chamber Orchestra) (1993)
Soliloquy, clarinet and orchestra or string quartet (1995)
The Red Violin: Chaconne for Violin and Orchestra or Piano (1997) [from The Red Violin, film score, 1998]
The Red Violin: Suite for Violin and Orchestra (1999) [from The Red Violin, film score, 1998]
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (“The Red Violin”) (2003)
Conjurer: Concerto for Percussionist and String Orchestra (2007)
Chorus w/Orchestra
A Dylan Thomas Trilogy, mezzo-soprano/boy soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus and orch (1960; rev. 1999)
Fern Hill, mezzo-soprano, chorus and orchestra/chamber orchestra (1960)
What I Expected Was . . ., chorus and orchestra (1962)
Poem on His Birthday, baritone, chorus and orchestra (1976)
Of Rage and Remembrance, mezzo-sop., boy sop., male chorus, 12 chimes, timpani and low strings (1991)
[based on the 3rd mvt of "Symphony No. 1", 1988]
Salute, chorus (w/24 kazoos minimum), brass and percussion (2005)
Choral
Christmas at the Cloisters, voice or chorus and piano (1966)
L’ Invitation au Voyage, chorus (1971)
A Black November Turkey, chorus (1972)
Psalm No 8, chorus and organ (1976)
Amen, chorus (1994)
Liebeslied, soprano, alto, tenor, bass, chorus and piano 4-hands (1996)
Forever Young, soprano and chorus (2000) [from Mr. Tambourine Man, 2000]
One Sweet Morning, voice or female chorus and piano (2005)
Chamber
A Black November Turkey, chorus (1972; arr, for string quartet, 2003)
Scherzo for Oboe and Percussion (1975)
Voyage, flute and string orchestra (1983) (also arr. for flute and piano/harp/string quintet)
Fanfares to Music, brass (1993)
Antiphon, brass ensemble (1994)
How Like Pellucid Statues, Daddy, 4 bassoons (1994)
Soliloquy, clarinet and orchestra or string quartet (1995)
String Quartet No. 1 (1995)
Utah Fanfare, brass and percussion (2000)
Snapshot: Circa 1909, string quartet (2003)
Salute, chorus (w/24 kazoos minimum), brass and percussion (2005)
Solo Instrument
Sonata for Violin and Piano (1963)
Voyage, flute and string orchestra (1983) (also arr. for flute and piano/harp/string quintet)
Phantasmagoria (on Themes from “The Ghosts of Versailles”), cello and piano (1993)
Fancy on a Bach Air, cello (or viola) (1996)
The Red Violin: Chaconne for Violin and Orchestra or Piano (1997) [from The Red Violin, film score, 1998]
The Red Violin Caprices, solo violin (1999) [from The Red Violin, film score, 1998]
Piano/Organ
Kaleidoscope, 2 pianos (1959)
Gazebo Dances, piano 4-hands (1972; arr. for orchestra, 1974)
Adagio (from “Gazebo Dances”), piano (1972)
Overture to the Imaginary Invalid (from “Gazebo Dances”), orchestra (1974)
Etude Fantasy, piano (1976)
Etude No. 1, piano left hand (1978)
Fantasia on an Ostinato, piano (1985; arr. for orchestra, 1986)
O God of Love, organ (1991) [from The Ghosts of Versailles, 1991]
Chiaroscuro, piano (1997)
The Red Violin: Anna's Theme, piano (1997) [from The Red Violin, film score, 1998]
Etude No. 1, "for the left hand", piano (2007)
A Birthday Cakewalk, piano 4-hands (2007)
Winging It, piano (2008)
Vocal
Petit Fours, voice and piano (1959)
The Cloisters, voice and orchestra (1965)
Christmas at the Cloisters, voice or chorus and piano (1966)
Poem in October, tenor and chamber orchestra (1970; rev. 1999, 2003)
Wedding Song, voice and ensemble (1971)
Three Irish Folksong Settings, voice and flute (1988)
Jack and Jill, voice and piano (1994)
Dodecaphonia (or, They Call Her Twelve-Tone Rose), mezzo-soprano and piano (1997)
Vocalise, soprano and orchestra (1999)
Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan, soprano and piano or orchestra (2000)
Irreverant Heart, tenor and piano (2001)
Marvelous Invention (Songbook for a New Century), mezzo-soprano and piano (2001)
Shatter Me, Music, soprano solo (2003)
One Sweet Morning, voice or female chorus and piano (2005)
End of the Line, mezzo-soprano and piano (2008)
Two Cabaret Songs, voice and piano [Dodecaphonia, 1997; Marvelous Invention, 2001]
Three Cabaret Songs, voice and piano [Dodecaphonia, 1997; Marvelous Invention, 2001; End of the Line]
Incidental/Film
Altered States, film score (1980)
Revolution, film score (1985)
The Red Violin, film score (1998)
Edge of Darkness, film score (2009, rejected)
CORIGLIANO LINKS Works by Genre ~ top of page ~
Behind the Scenes: John Corigliano Talks About Aaron Copland (John Ardoin, PBS/Great Performances)
The Gospel According to John: At Home with John Corigliano (Frank J. Oteri, NewMusicBox)
Interview with Composer John Corigliano (Nolan Gasser, Classical Archives)
Jeffrey Brown talks with Pulitzer Prize winning composer John Corigliano (PBS/Online NewsHour)
John Corigliano - Revitalizing Such Traditional Forms as the Symphony & String Quartet (Lawrence Johnson, Andante.com)
John Corigliano at 70 (WNYC)
John Corigliano Interview (SoundtrackNet)
John Corigliano's "The Ghosts of Versailles" (Barry Drogin, A Musical Contrarian)
John Corigliano Speaks (Charles T. Downey , Opera in the 20th Century)
Make Your Own Rules: Notes on Composition from John Corigliano (NewMusicBox)
Meet John Corigliano - or, How to Learn to Stop Worrying & Love Classical Music (Michael Rodman, New Music Connoisseur)
The Music of Communion (Mara McGinnis, Columbia Magazine)
Native Son (Daniel Sonenberg, PlaybillArts)
The Red Violin (David Poole, Christian Lauliac, musicolog.com)
A Score Is Born (Robert Faires, The Austin Chronicle)
Walkabout (Alex Ross, The Rest is Noise)
Composer's website
Corigliano @ Wikipedia
Corigliano @ 8notes.com
Corigliano @ AIDS in Film, Popular Culture and the Visual Arts, AIDS in American Literature
Corigliano @ Answers.com
Corigliano @ CITWF / Complete Index to World Film
Corigliano @ City University of New York also here
Corigliano @ Classic Cat
Corigliano @ Classical Archives
Corigliano @ Classical Composers Database
Corigliano @ Classical Net
Corigliano @ ClassicsToday
Corigliano @ Columbia250
Corigliano @ composition:today
Corigliano @ Dilettante Music
Corigliano @ Dr. Estrella's Incredibly Abridged Dictionary of Composers
Corigliano @ Everything2
Corigliano @ Facebook
Corigliano @ Fandango
Corigliano @ Film Reference
Corigliano @ Film Score Click Track
Corigliano @ From the Top Hall of Fame
Corigliano @ glbtq.com
Corigliano @ Grawemeyer Awards
Corigliano @ IMDb (Internet Movie Database)
Corigliano @ The Julliard School
Corigliano @ The Kenndey Center
Corigliano @ mfiles
Corigliano @ Movie Music UK
Corigliano @ MSN Movies
Corigliano @ Music Academy Online
Corigliano @ Music of Remembrance
Corigliano @ MusicWeb International
Corigliano @ musicianguide.com
Corigliano @ Naxos
Corigliano @ New World Records
Corigliano @ The New York Times
Corigliano @ NPRmusic
Corigliano @ REC Music Foundation /The Lied and Art Song Texts Page
Corigliano @ G. Schirmer
Corigliano @ SoundtrackCollector
Corigliano @ Soundtrack Express
Corigliano @ United States Marine Band
Corigliano @ US Opera
Publisher
Corigliano @ G. Schirmer
Streaming Audio
Corigliano @ Classical Archives
Corigliano @ CUNY Radio Podcasts
Corigliano @ The Kenndey Center
Corigliano @ last.fm
Corigliano @ Music & Vision
Corigliano @ NPRmusic
Corigliano @ PRX (Public Radio Exchange)
Corigliano @ Rhapsody
Corigliano @ Sony Masterworks’ Podcasts
Corigliano @ WGBH Boston/Backstage with Brian Bell and John Corigliano
Corigliano @ WNYC/John Corigliano at 70
Corigliano @ WNYC/New Sounds
Corigliano @ WNYC/Studio 360
Recordings
Corigliano @ ArkivMusic
Corigliano @ ClassicsOnline
Corigliano @ Discogs
Video
Corigliano @ YouTube
Corigliano @ Google Video
Corigliano @ Vimeo
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