Tina Davidson (1952- )
Tina
Davidson, a highly regarded American composer, creates music that
stands out for its emotional depth and lyrical dignity. She has been
acclaimed for her authentic voice, her "vivid ear for harmony and
colors" (New York Times) and her works of "transfigured beauty"
(OperaNews). She writes "real music, with structure, mood, novelty and
harmonic sophistication - with haunting melodies that grow out of
complex, repetitive rhythms" (Philadelphia Inquirer) that is both
"intellectually rigorous and deeply moving" (Star-Tribune). Tina
Davidson was born in Stockholm, Sweden and grew up in Oneonta, NY
and Pittsburgh, PA. She received her BA in piano and composition from
Bennington College in 1976 where she studied with Henry Brant, Louis
Calabro, Vivian Fine and Lionel Nowak. Over her twenty-five year
career, Davidson has been commissioned by well known ensembles such as
National Symphony Orchestra, OperaDelaware, Roanoke Symphony, Women’s
Philharmonic, Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, VocalEssence,
Concertante, Kronos Quartet, Mendelssohn String Quartet, and Cassatt
Quartet. Her music has been widely
performed by many orchestras and ensembles, including The Philadelphia
Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, Florida Symphony, St. Paul
Chamber Orchestra, Harrisburg Symphony, Relāche Ensemble, and Orchestra
2001. As composer-in-residence with the Fleisher Art Memorial (1998-2001),
she was commissioned to write for the Cassatt Quartet, Voces Novae et
Antiquae, and members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She also created
the city-wide Young Composers program to teach inner city children how
to write music through instrument building, improvisation, and graphic
notation. She was composer-in-residence as part of the innovative Meet
The Composer New Residencies with OperaDelaware, the Newark Symphony
and the YWCA in Delaware. During this residency, she wrote
the critically acclaimed full-length opera Billy and Zelda, as well as
creating community partner programs for homeless women, and with
students at a local elementary school. The recipient of numerous
prestigious grants and fellowships, Davidson was the first classical
composer to receive a $50,000 Pew Fellowship, the largest such grant in
the country for which an artist can apply. She has been awarded four
Artist’s Fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, CAP
grants from the American Music Center and numerous Meet the Composer
grants. Her work Transparent Victims was selected by American
Public Radio as part of the International Rostrum of Composers, held at
the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. In addition to composing she founded the Philadelphia Chapter
of the American Composers Forum and served as its director from
1999-2001.COMPOSITIONS Tina Davidson Links ~ ~ ~ Works by Genre
Two Beasts from the Forest of Imaginary Beings, narrator and orchestra (1975) [text: based on Jorge Luis Borges]
Five Songs, soprano and viola (1975)
Atropa Belladonna, 4 female voices (1976)
Cardamine Pratensis, 4 female voices (1978)
Seven Macabre Songs, piano (1979)
Dancers, orchestra (1980)
Company, accordian (1980)
To Understand Weeping, soprano (1980)
Piano Concerto, piano and orchestra (1981)
Day of Rage, piano (1984)
I am the Last Witness, piano, left hand alone (1984)
Wait for the End of Dreaming, 2 baritone saxophones and double bass (or bassoon) (1983-85)
Blood Memory: A Long Quiet After the Call, cello and orchestra (1985)
Never Love a Wild Thing, unspecified instrumentation (6-10 players) (1986)
Lullaby, unspecified instrumentation (6-8 players) (1986) - ???related to Lullaby (sweet child, sleep and dream)
- Lullaby, mezzo-soprano and unspecified ensemble (4-10 players) (1986)
Requiem for Something Lost, soprano saxophone and pre-recorded saxophones (1986)
Descending Figure with Lullaby, mezzo-soprano and unspecified ensemble (4-10 players) (1986)
Transparent Victims, soprano/alto saxophone and pre-recorded saxophones (1987)
Star Myths, piano (1987)
Dark Child Sings, 4 cellos (1988; rev. 1998)
In the Darkness I Find a Face [It Is Mine], orchestra (1989)
Blue Dawn (The Promised Fruit), flute, English horn, bassoon and piano (1989)
Cassandra Sings, string quartet (1989)
I Hear the Mermaids Singing, flute, English horn, bassoon and piano (1990)
Woman Dreaming, flute, English horn, clarinet/bass cl, violin, cello, piano and percussion (1990)
The Selkie Boy, narrator and orchestra (1991; arr. w/chamber orch, 2000) [text: based on a children's story by Helen Claire]
Bleached Thread, Sister Thread, string quartet (1991)
Blessings (Sacred Space), alto saxophone and orchestra (1992)
The Dancing Sword (Unsheathed), 2 pianos (1992)
Fire on the Mountain, marimba, vibraphone and piano (1993)
They Come Dancing, orchestra (1994)
Over Salt River, soprano, English horn & piano (1994) [text: Joy Harjo: "Eagle Poem," to composer's cousin who died of AIDS]
- arr. 1995 for soprano and orchestra
Touching the Rock, soprano, female chorus and marimba (1995)
Quietly (3 songs), children's or female chorus and piano (1995) [also arr. for soprano & pf] [text: Cassandra Blum, age 10]
Starfire, youth orchestra (1996)
It Is My Heart Singing, 2 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos (1996) [also arr. for string quartet and piano]
Of the Running Way, clarinet (or alto saxophone) and piano (1996)
Lullaby (sweet child, sleep and dream), chorus (1997)
- Lullaby (sweet child, sleep and dream), 8 cellos (1997)
Lost Love Songs (7 pieces), cello (or marimba) (1997) [based on poems of Paul Luard]
Songs of Passage, Love and War, 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor or baritone (five singers) and piano (1997)
Billy and Zelda, an opera in 2 acts (1998) [lyrics by Eva Davidson, and script by Lale Davidson]
- 15 selected songs from opera-theater piece, Billy and Zelda - includes solos, duos, quartets, and quintets
Music Is the Sound, children's chorus and piano (1998)
On My Street, children's chorus, SATB chorus and piano (1998)
River of Love, River of Light, chorus, English horn, violin, cello, marimba and piano (1998)
- Alleluia for the Virgin, chorus or female chorus [from "River of Love, River of Light"]
- Antiphon for a Virgin, chorus or female chorus [from "River of Love, River of Light"]
Celestial Turnings, string orchestra (1999)
- Celestial Turnings, 8 cellos (1999)
The Delight of Angels, string quartet (1999)
In the Early Light, glass harmonica and 3 cellos (1999)
Devil Stone, chamber orchestra (2000)
Beyond the Blue Horizon, orchestra (2000)
Paper, Glass, String & Wood, string quartet and string orchestra (2000)
Mango Songs (6 pieces), piano; or piano and reader (2000) [based on a poem by Regie Cabico]
In the Garden, chorus and piano (2000)
Walk in the Light, chorus, w/opt. piano (2001)
Bodies in Motion, violin, cello and piano, w/opt. soprano and marimba (2001)
Listening to the Earth, chorus and children's choir (2002)
- Speak to the Earth, chorus and piano (2002) [from "Listening to the Earth", 2002]
- Plankton, children's chorus and piano (2002) [from "Listening to the Earth", 2002]
- Lived Like a Saint, chorus and piano (2002) [from "Listening to the Earth", 2002]
Thomas Eakins: Scenes from Modern Life, TV documentary film score (2002)
Hymn of the Universe, chorus, English horn, marimba and string orchestra (2003)
\CEL"E*BRATE\, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, piano and percussion (2003)
River, chamber orchestra (2004)
Amen, chorus (2004)
A Bright Flash of Wings, 2 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos (2004)
By Air, Bright Air, string orchestra(2005)
Duan Nollaig (5 songs), chorus and chamber orchestra (2005) [5 Celtic Christmas Songs from the "Carmina Gadelica"]
Tu Autem, domine, chorus (2005)
On the Other Side of Change, chorus (2005) [text: Richard Shaull]
What We Need Is Here, chorus (2005) [text: Wendell Berry]
Spring After Spring (3 songs), soprano and voice (2005) [text: Eva Davidson]
Summer of the Swans, an opera for family audiences (2006)
By Earth, Earth, string orchestra (2006)
By Fire, Brilliant Fire, string orchestra (2007)
Run, cello and piano (2007)
Close to the Bone, 1 marimba (3 players) (2007)
Bar None, piano (2007)
Run, piano (2007)
Deisis, violin and string orchestra (2008)
Within Circles, chorus (2008)
Love Is the Spirit, chorus (2008)
Pearl, an opera in 3 acts (2009)
Blue Like an Orange, piano trio (violin, cello and piano) (2009) [also arr. for piano trio and student string orchestra]
WORKS BY GENRE Tina Davidson Links ~ top of page ~
Dramatic/Theater
Billy and Zelda, an opera in 2 acts (1998) [lyrics by Eva Davidson, and script by Lale Davidson]
Summer of the Swans, an opera for family audiences (2006)
Pearl, an opera in 3 acts (2009)
Orchestra
Two Beasts from the Forest of Imaginary Beings, narrator and orchestra (1975) [text: based on Jorge Luis Borges]
Dancers, orchestra (1980)
In the Darkness I Find a Face [It Is Mine], orchestra (1989)
The Selkie Boy, narrator and orchestra (1991; arr. w/chamber orch, 2000) [text: based on a children's story by Helen Claire]
They Come Dancing, orchestra (1994)
Starfire, youth orchestra (1996)
Celestial Turnings, string orchestra (1999)
Devil Stone, chamber orchestra (2000)
Beyond the Blue Horizon, orchestra (2000)
River, chamber orchestra (2004)
By Air, Bright Air, string orchestra(2005)
By Earth, Earth, string orchestra (2006)
By Fire, Brilliant Fire, string orchestra (2007)
Soloist(s) w/Orchestra
Piano Concerto, piano and orchestra (1981)
Blood Memory: A Long Quiet After the Call, cello and orchestra (1985)
Blessings (Sacred Space), alto saxophone and orchestra (1992)
Paper, Glass, String & Wood, string quartet and string orchestra (2000)
Deisis, violin and string orchestra (2008)
Blue Like an Orange, piano trio (violin, cello and piano) (2009) [also arr. for piano trio and student string orchestra]
Chorus w/Orchestra
Hymn of the Universe, chorus, English horn, marimba and string orchestra (2003)
Duan Nollaig (5 songs), chorus and chamber orchestra (2005) [5 Celtic Christmas Songs from the "Carmina Gadelica"]
Choral
Atropa Belladonna, 4 female voices (1976)
Cardamine Pratensis, 4 female voices (1978)
Touching the Rock, soprano, female chorus and marimba (1995)
Quietly (3 songs), children's or female chorus and piano (1995) [also arr. for soprano & pf] [text: Cassandra Blum, age 10]
Lullaby (sweet child, sleep and dream), chorus (1997)
Music Is the Sound, children's chorus and piano (1998)
On My Street, children's chorus, SATB chorus and piano (1998)
River of Love, River of Light, chorus, English horn, violin, cello, marimba and piano (1998)
- Alleluia for the Virgin, chorus or female chorus [from "River of Love, River of Light"]
- Antiphon for a Virgin, chorus or female chorus [from "River of Love, River of Light"]
In the Garden, chorus and piano (2000)
Walk in the Light, chorus, w/opt. piano (2001)
Listening to the Earth, chorus and children's choir (2002)
- Speak to the Earth, chorus and piano (2002) [from "Listening to the Earth", 2002]
- Plankton, children's chorus and piano (2002) [from "Listening to the Earth", 2002]
- Lived Like a Saint, chorus and piano (2002) [from "Listening to the Earth", 2002]
Amen, chorus (2004)
Tu Autem, domine, chorus (2005)
On the Other Side of Change, chorus (2005) [text: Richard Shaull]
What We Need Is Here, chorus (2005) [text: Wendell Berry]
Within Circles, chorus (2008)
Love Is the Spirit, chorus (2008)
Chamber
Wait for the End of Dreaming, 2 baritone saxophones and double bass (or bassoon) (1983-85)
Never Love a Wild Thing, unspecified instrumentation (6-10 players) (1986)
Lullaby, unspecified instrumentation (6-8 players) (1986)
Dark Child Sings, 4 cellos (1988; rev. 1998)
Blue Dawn (The Promised Fruit), flute, English horn, bassoon and piano (1989)
Cassandra Sings, string quartet (1989)
I Hear the Mermaids Singing, flute, English horn, bassoon and piano (1990)
Woman Dreaming, flute, English horn, clarinet/bass cl, violin, cello, piano and percussion (1990)
Bleached Thread, Sister Thread, string quartet (1991)
Fire on the Mountain, marimba, vibraphone and piano (1993)
It Is My Heart Singing, 2 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos (1996) [also arr. for string quartet and piano]
Of the Running Way, clarinet (or alto saxophone) and piano (1996)
Lullaby (sweet child, sleep and dream), 8 cellos (1997)
The Delight of Angels, string quartet (1999)
Celestial Turnings, 8 cellos (1999)
In the Early Light, glass harmonica and 3 cellos (1999)
Bodies in Motion, violin, cello and piano, w/opt. soprano and marimba (2001)
\CEL"E*BRATE\, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, piano and percussion (2003)
A Bright Flash of Wings, 2 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos (2004)
Run, cello and piano (2007)
Close to the Bone, 1 marimba (3 players) (2007)
Blue Like an Orange, piano trio (violin, cello and piano) (2009) [also arr. for piano trio and student string orchestra]
Solo Instrument
Company, accordian (1980)
Requiem for Something Lost, soprano saxophone and pre-recorded saxophones (1986)
Transparent Victims, soprano/alto saxophone and pre-recorded saxophones (1987)
Lost Love Songs (7 pieces), cello (or marimba) (1997) [based on poems of Paul Luard]
Piano
Seven Macabre Songs, piano (1979)
Day of Rage, piano (1984)
I am the Last Witness, piano, left hand alone (1984)
Star Myths, piano (1987)
The Dancing Sword (Unsheathed), 2 pianos (1992)
Mango Songs (6 pieces), piano; or piano and reader (2000) [based on a poem by Regie Cabico]
Bar None, piano (2007)
Run, piano (2007)
Vocal
Five Songs, soprano and viola (1975)
To Understand Weeping, soprano (1980)
Lullaby, mezzo-soprano and unspecified ensemble (4-10 players) (1986)
Descending Figure with Lullaby, mezzo-soprano and unspecified ensemble (4-10 players) (1986)
Over Salt River, soprano, English horn & piano (1994) [text: Joy Harjo: "Eagle Poem," to composer's cousin who died of AIDS]
- arr. 1995 for soprano and orchestra
Songs of Passage, Love and War, 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor or baritone (five singers) and piano (1997)
Billy and Zelda, opera (1998)
- 15 selected songs from opera-theater piece, Billy and Zelda - includes solos, duos, quartets, and quintets
Spring After Spring (3 songs), soprano and voice (2005) [text: Eva Davidson]
Music for Children
Two Beasts from the Forest of Imaginary Beings, narrator and orchestra (1975) [text: based on Jorge Luis Borges]
The Selkie Boy, narrator and orchestra (1991; arr. w/chamber orch, 2000) [text: based on a children's story by Helen Claire]
Quietly (3 songs), children's or female chorus and piano (1995) [also arr. for soprano & pf] [text: Cassandra Blum, age 10]
Starfire, youth orchestra (1996)
Music Is the Sound, children's chorus and piano (1998)
On My Street, children's chorus, chorus and piano (1998)
Plankton, children's chorus and piano (2002) [from "Listening to the Earth", 2002]
Incidental/Film
Thomas Eakins: Scenes from Modern Life, TV documentary film score (2002)
Electronic
Requiem for Something Lost, soprano saxophone and pre-recorded saxophones (1986)
Transparent Victims, soprano/alto saxophone and pre-recorded saxophones (1987)
TINA DAVIDSON LINKS Works by Genre ~ top of page ~
Cassatt String Quartet Makes Time for the Young Ones (Rebecca J. Ritzel, Intelligencer Journal/AllBusiness)
Classical Composer Inspires Donegal Pupils (Diane Bitting, Lancaster Online)
From A Mother's Hobby Comes A Daughter's Future In Music (Peter Dobrin, philly.com)
Hechinger Encores Commission Composer Tina Davidson (Molly Sheridan, NewMusicBox)
High School Students Find ‘Good Crowd’ at Musicopia (The Phildelphia Tribune)
A Local Composer Earns Accolades (Rebecca J. Ritzel, Lancaster Newspapers, BNET)
Meet the Composer - Tina Davidson (Peter Burwasser, Philadelphia CityPaper)
Musicopia Offers Philadelphia-area Kids a Chance to Compose (David Patrick Stearns, philly.com)
Composer's website . . . contact Tina Davidson: here
Tina Davidson @ Wikipedia
Tina Davidson @ American Composers Forum
Tina Davidson @ American Music Center
Tina Davidson @ Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
Tina Davidson @ Concertante
Tina Davidson @ Facebook
Tina Davidson @ IMDb (Internet Movie Database)
Tina Davidson @ InstantEncore
Tina Davidson @ LinkedIn
Tina Davidson @ Meet the Composer
Tina Davidson @ New World Records
Tina Davidson @ The Norton/Grove Dictionary of Women Composers (Julie Anne Sadie, et al, books.google.com)
Tina Davidson @ Opera America
Tina Davidson @ The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage also here
Tina Davidson @ Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble
Publisher
Tina Davidson @ Composer's website
Tina Davidson @ Beyond the Blue Horizon Music
Streaming Audio
Tina Davidson @ last.fm
Recordings
Tina Davidson @ Composer's website
Tina Davidson @ Amazon.com
Tina Davidson @ ArkivMusic
Tina Davidson @ CD Baby
Tina Davidson @ CD Universe
Tina Davidson @ ClassicsOnline
Tina Davidson @ Discogs
Tina Davidson @ DRAM Online
Tina Davidson @ New World Records
Video
Tina Davidson @ YouTube
Tina Davidson @ Google Video
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