Jennifer Higdon (1962- )
Jennifer
Higdon started late in music, teaching herself to play flute
at
the age of 15 and then beginning formal musical studies at 18, with an
even later start in composition at the age of 21. Higdon makes her
living from commissions and her music is known for its technical skill
and audience appeal. Hailed by the Washington Post as "a savvy,
sensitive composer with a keen ear, an innate sense of form and a
generous dash of pure esprit," the League of American Orchestras
reports that she is one of America's most frequently performed
composers. Higdon's list of commissioners is extensive and include The
Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chicago Symphony, The Atlanta Symphony, The
National Symphony, The Minnesota Orchestra, The Pittsburgh Symphony,
The Indianapolis Symphony, The Dallas Symphony, and The Oregon
Symphony. Most recently, Higdon wrote a violin concerto for Hilary Hahn
which was commissioned by the Indianapolis Symphony, Toronto Symphony,
the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Curtis Institute Symphony
Orchestra. This work won the composer the 2010 Pulitzer Prize
in
Music.COMPOSITIONS Higdon Links ~ ~ ~ Works by Genre ~ ~ ~ Higdon on Higdon
When Souls Meet, flute and piano (1982)
The Jeffrey Mode, flute and piano (1984)
Sax Sonata, sax and piano (????)
Mountain Songs, flute choir (1985)
Autumn's Cricket, string quartet (1987)
Solitudes, 3 flutes and alto flute (1987)
Steeley Pause, 4 flutes (1988)
String Trio, violin, viola and cello (1988)
Wedding Hymn (1988)
- soprano, flute and piano
- 2 flutes and piano
- flute, clarinet and piano
- soprano saxophone, violin and piano
Soliloquy, orchestra (1989)
Lullaby (1990)
- mezzo-soprano, flute and piano
- 2 flutes and piano
- flute quartet
- soprano saxophone, flute and piano
- 2 alto saxophones and piano
- soprano saxophone, alto saxophone and piano
- soprano, alto saxophone and piano
- flute, clarinet and piano
Sonata for Viola and Piano (1990)
Zones, percussion quartet (or quintet) and CD (1991)
In Our Quiet, soprano or mezzo-soprano and piano (1991)
rapid.fire, flute (1992)
Notes on Love (8 songs), soprano, flute and piano (1992)
Voices (3 pieces), string quartet (1993) [Blitz; Soft Enlacing; Grace]
Autumn Reflection, flute and piano (1994)
Shine, orchestra (1995)
Autumn Music, woodwind quintet (1995)
Song, flute (1995)
Lake Blue Sky, mezzo-soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion (1995)
running the edgE, 2 flutes and percussive piano (1996)
Short Stories, saxophone quartet (1996)
Sky Quartet, string quartet (1997)
Deep in the Night, chorus (1997)
O Magnum Mysterium (1997)
- chorus, 2 flutes, 2 crystal glasses and chimes
- chorus and organ
- chorus a cappella
Morning Opens, soprano and piano (1997)
Illuminata, band (1998)
Southern Grace (8 pieces), chorus (1998)
wissahickon poeTrees, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and percussion (1998)
To Home, soprano and piano (1998)
blue cathedral, orchestra (1999)
Soliloquy (1999)
- cello and string orchestra
- clarinet and string orchestra (or string quartet)
- English horn and string orchestra (or string quartet)
- flute and string quartet
Fanfare Ritmico, 4 percussion and orchestra (1999; arr. for band, 2002)
Imagine, chorus (1999)
A Quiet Moment, male or female chorus; or chorus (1999)
Sing, Sing, chorus (1999)
Scenes from the Poet's Dreams, piano left hand and string quartet (1999)
Legacy, flute (or violin) and piano (1999)
breaking, soprano and piano (1999)
Wind Shear, winds and horns (2000)
Freedom Dreams, band (2000)
Celestial Hymns, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano (2000)
Secret & Glass Gardens, piano (2000)
Ceremonies (7 mvts), organ and brass (2001)
1. Opening Ceremony, brass quintet and organ
2. Meditation, organ
3. Fanfare, horn and organ
4. Prayer Song, organ
5. Processional, 2 trumpets and organ
6.Celebration, organ
7. Ceremony, brass quintet and organ
Ceremonies Suite, organ (2001)
Dark Wood, bassoon, violin, cello and piano (2001)
DASH (2001)
- clarinet, violin and piano
- flute, clarinet and piano
- flute, soprano saxophone and piano
- soprano saxophone, violin and piano
Sanctus, double chorus (2001)
Hop and Toe Dance, soprano and piano (2001)
City Scape, orchestra (2002) [SkyLine; river sings a song to trees; Peachtree Street]
Concerto for Orchestra (2002)
- String, string orchestra (2002) [from "Concerto for Orchestra"]
Machine, orchestra (2002)
Amazing Grace, string quartet; or flute choir (pub. 2002)
Light Refracted, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano (2002)
Bentley Roses (4 songs), mezzo-soprano, flute and piano (2002)
Celebration Fanfare, string orchestra (2003)
Impressions (4 pieces), string quartet (2003) [Bright Palette; Quiet Art; To The Point; Noted Canvas]
- Quiet Art, 4 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos (2003) [arr. from original work for string quartet, "Impressions", 2003]
- To The Point, string orchestra (2003) [arr. from original work for string quartet, "Impressions", 2003]
Piano Trio, violin, cello and piano (2003) [2 mvts: Pale Yellow; Fiery Red]
Southern Harmony, string quartet (2003) [Soft Summers; Reel Time; Gentle Waltz]
Trio Song, 2 flutes and cello (2003)
Zaka, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and percussion (2003)
Zango Bandango, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, marimba and piano (2003)
Falling, voice and piano (2003)
Threaded, mezzo-soprano and piano (2003)
Loco, orchestra (2004)
Rhythm Stand, band (2004) [BandQuest Series – Grade 3]
This Singing Art, chorus, chimes and organ (2004)
Bop, saxophone quartet (2004)
Summer Shimmers, piano and woodwind quintet (2004)
Trumpet Songs, trumpet and piano (2004)
Dooryard Bloom, baritone and orchestra (2004)
Red, bass-baritone and piano (2004)
Oboe Concerto (2005)
Percussion Concerto (2005)
Trombone Concerto (2005)
Voice of the Bard, male chorus (2005)
An Exaltation of Larks, string quartet (2005)
Light, orchestra (2006)
Spirit, brass and percussion (2006)
Kelly's Field, band (2006)
Piano Concerto (2006)
Smash, flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano; or flute, clarinet, violin,cello and piano (2006)
Splendid Wood, marimba ensemble (3 marimbas, 6 players) (2006)
String Poetic, violin and piano (2006)
The Singing Rooms, violin, chorus and and orchestra (2007)
Concerto 4-3, 2 violins, double bass and orchestra (2007)
Soprano Sax Concerto (2007)
somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond, chorus, vibraphone and piano (2007?)
Gilmore Variation, piano (2007?) [based on the "Goldberg" Variations by J.S. Bach, BWV 988]
Violin Concerto (2008) [recipient of a 2010 Pulitzer Prize, dedicated to Hilary Hahn]
On the Death of the Righteous, chorus and orchestra (2009)
Music Box of Light, 3 flutes and harp (2009)
WORKS BY GENRE Higdon Links ~ ~ ~ Higdon on Higdon ~ top of page ~
Orchestra
Soliloquy, orchestra (1989)
Shine, orchestra (1995)
blue cathedral, orchestra (1999)
Fanfare Ritmico, 4 percussion and orchestra (1999; arr. for band, 2002)
Wind Shear, winds and horns (2000)
City Scape, orchestra (2002) [SkyLine; river sings a song to trees; Peachtree Street]
Concerto for Orchestra (2002)
- String, string orchestra (2002) [from "Concerto for Orchestra"]
Machine, orchestra (2002)
Celebration Fanfare, string orchestra (2003)
To The Point, string orchestra (2003) [arr. from original work for string quartet, "Impressions", 2003]
Loco, orchestra (2004)
Light, orchestra (2006)
Spirit, brass and percussion (2006)
Band
Illuminata, band (1998)
Fanfare Ritmico, 4 percussion and orchestra (1999; arr. for band, 2002)
Freedom Dreams, band (2000)
Wind Shear, winds and horns (2000)
Rhythm Stand, band (2004) [BandQuest Series – Grade 3]
Kelly's Field, band (2006)
Soloist(s) w/Orchestra
Soliloquy (1999)
- cello and string orchestra
- clarinet and string orchestra (or string quartet)
- English horn and string orchestra (or string quartet)
Oboe Concerto (2005)
Percussion Concerto (2005)
Trombone Concerto (2005)
Piano Concerto (2006)
Concerto 4-3, 2 violins, double bass and orchestra (2007)
Soprano Sax Concerto (2007)
Violin Concerto (2008) [recipient of a 2010 Pulitzer Prize, dedicated to Hilary Hahn]
Chorus w/Orchestra
The Singing Rooms, violin, chorus and and orchestra (2007)
On the Death of the Righteous, chorus and orchestra (2009)
Choral
Deep in the Night, chorus (1997)
O Magnum Mysterium (1997)
- chorus, 2 flutes, 2 crystal glasses and chimes
- chorus and organ
- chorus a cappella
Southern Grace (8 pieces), chorus (1998)
Imagine, chorus (1999)
A Quiet Moment, male or female chorus; or chorus (1999)
Sing, Sing, chorus (1999)
Sanctus, double chorus (2001)
This Singing Art, chorus, chimes and organ (2004)
Voice of the Bard, male chorus (2005)
somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond, chorus, vibraphone and piano (2007?)
Chamber
Mountain Songs, flute choir (1985)
Autumn's Cricket, string quartet (1987)
Solitudes, 3 flutes and alto flute (1987)
Steeley Pause, 4 flutes (1988)
String Trio, violin, viola and cello (1988)
Wedding Hymn (1988)
- soprano, flute and piano
- 2 flutes and piano
- flute, clarinet and piano
- soprano saxophone, violin and piano
Lullaby (1990)
- mezzo-soprano, flute and piano
- 2 flutes and piano
- flute quartet
- soprano saxophone, flute and piano
- 2 alto saxophones and piano
- soprano saxophone, alto saxophone and piano
- soprano, alto saxophone and piano
- flute, clarinet and piano
Zones, percussion quartet (or quintet) and CD (1991)
Voices (3 pieces), string quartet (1993) [Blitz; Soft Enlacing; Grace]
Autumn Music, woodwind quintet (1995)
running the edgE, 2 flutes and percussive piano (1996)
Short Stories, saxophone quartet (1996)
Sky Quartet, string quartet (1997)
wissahickon poeTrees, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and percussion (1998)
Scenes from the Poet's Dreams, piano left hand and string quartet (1999)
Soliloquy (1999)
- cello and string orchestra
- clarinet and string orchestra
- clarinet and string quartet
- English horn and string quartet
- English horn and string orchestra
- flute and string quartet
Celestial Hymns, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano (2000)
Ceremonies (7 mvts), organ and brass (2001)
1. Opening Ceremony, brass quintet and organ
2. Meditation, organ
3. Fanfare, horn and organ
4. Prayer Song, organ
5. Processional, 2 trumpets and organ
6.Celebration, organ
7. Ceremony, brass quintet and organ
Dark Wood, bassoon, violin, cello and piano (2001)
DASH (2001)
- clarinet, violin and piano
- flute, clarinet and piano
- flute, soprano saxophone and piano
- soprano saxophone, violin and piano
Amazing Grace, string quartet; or flute choir (pub. 2002)
Light Refracted, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano (2002)
Impressions (4 pieces), string quartet (2003) [Bright Palette; Quiet Art; To The Point; Noted Canvas]
- Quiet Art, 4 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos (2003) [arr. from original work for string quartet, "Impressions", 2003]
Piano Trio, violin, cello and piano (2003) [2 mvts: Pale Yellow; Fiery Red]
Southern Harmony, string quartet (2003) [Soft Summers; Reel Time; Gentle Waltz]
Trio Song, 2 flutes and cello (2003)
Zaka, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and percussion (2003)
Zango Bandango, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, marimba and piano (2003)
Bop, saxophone quartet (2004)
Summer Shimmers, piano and woodwind quintet (2004)
An Exaltation of Larks, string quartet (2005)
Smash, flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano; or flute, clarinet, violin,cello and piano (2006)
Splendid Wood, marimba ensemble (3 marimbas, 6 players) (2006)
Music Box of Light, 3 flutes and harp (2009)
Solo Instrument
When Souls Meet, flute and piano (1982)
The Jeffrey Mode, flute and piano (1984)
Sax Sonata, sax and piano (????)
Sonata for Viola and Piano (1990)
rapid.fire, flute (1992)
Autumn Reflection, flute and piano (1994)
Song, flute (1995)
Legacy, flute (or violin) and piano (1999)
Trumpet Songs, trumpet and piano (2004)
String Poetic, violin and piano (2006)
Flute(s)
When Souls Meet, flute and piano (1982)
The Jeffrey Mode, flute and piano (1984)
Mountain Songs, flute choir (1985)
Solitudes, 3 flutes and alto flute (1987)
Steeley Pause, 4 flutes (1988)
Wedding Hymn (1988) [other arr. also available]
- soprano, flute and piano
- 2 flutes and piano
- flute, clarinet and piano
Lullaby (1990) [other arr. also available]
- mezzo soprano, flute and piano
- 2 flutes and piano
- flute quartet
- soprano saxophone, flute and piano
- flute, clarinet and piano
rapid.fire, flute (1992)
Autumn Reflection, flute and piano (1994)
Song, flute (1995)
running the edgE, 2 flutes and percussive piano (1996)
Legacy, flute (or violin) and piano (1999)
Soliloquy, flute and string quartet (1999) [other arr. also available]
DASH, flute, clarinet (or soprano saxophone) and piano (2001) [other arr. also available]
Amazing Grace, flute choir (pub. 2002) [also arr. for string quartet]
Trio Song, 2 flutes and cello (2003)
Music Box of Light, 3 flutes and harp (2009)
Sax(es)
Sax Sonata, sax and piano (????)
Wedding Hymn, soprano saxophone, violin and piano (1988) [other arr. also available]
Lullaby (1990) [other arr. also available]
- soprano saxophone, flute and piano
- 2 alto saxophones and piano
- soprano saxophone, alto saxophone and piano
- soprano, alto saxophone and piano
Short Stories, saxophone quartet (1996)
DASH, soprano saxophone, violin and piano (2001) [other arr. also available]
Bop, saxophone quartet (2004)
Piano
Secret & Glass Gardens, piano (2000)
Ceremonies Suite, organ (2001)
Gilmore Variation, piano (2007?) [based on the "Goldberg" Variations by J.S. Bach, BWV 988]
Vocal
Wedding Hymn, soprano, flute and piano (1988) [other arr. also available]
Lullaby, mezzo-soprano, flute and piano; or soprano, alto saxophone and piano (1990) [other arr. also available]
In Our Quiet, soprano or mezzo-soprano and piano (1991)
Notes on Love (8 songs), soprano, flute and piano (1992)
Lake Blue Sky, mezzo-soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion (1995)
Morning Opens, soprano and piano (1997)
To Home, soprano and piano (1998)
breaking, soprano and piano (1999)
Hop and Toe Dance, soprano and piano (2001)
Bentley Roses (4 songs), mezzo-soprano, flute and piano (2002)
Falling, voice and piano (2003)
Threaded, mezzo-soprano and piano (2003)
Dooryard Bloom, baritone and orchestra (2004)
Red, bass-baritone and piano (2004)
Falling Deeper, voice and piano (????)
The Solid Rock Song, voice and piano (????)
HIGDON LINKS Works by Genre ~ ~ ~ Higdon on Higdon ~ top of page ~
The Accidental Genius (UPenn Gazette)
A Beacon for Young Composers (John Fleming, St. Petersburg Times)
"blue cathedral" Performance (Jennifer Higdon, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)
Caged Heat (Jennifer Higdon, NewMusicBox)
Composer Jennifer Higdon in Boise (Dana Oland, Idaho Statesman)
Composer Jennifer Higdon Making Music History (Andrew Druckenbrod, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Concerto for Orchestra (The Kennedy Center)
Down to Earth, Seven Days a Week: Frank Oteri Interviews Jennifer Higdon (NewMusicBox)
Heritage High Grad and Classical Composer Jennifer Higdon Wins Pulitzer (Steve Wildsmith, The Daily Times)
Interview: The Award-Winning Jennifer Higdon (Jason Victor Serinus, HomeTheaterHiFi)
Jennifer Higdon (David Patrick Stearns, Andante.com)
Jennifer Higdon And Me: A Musical Friendship (Marin Alsop, WBUR)
Jennifer Higdon: Down to Earth - in conversation with Frank J. Oteri (NewMusicBox)
Jennifer Higdon Comes Out on Top (Joseph Dalton, mybiggayears.com)
Jennifer Higdon Interview (Annelena Lobb, The Wall Street Journal)
Jennifer Higdon - "Shine" Puts Young Composer in the Spotlight (Susan Lonkevich, The Pennsylvania Gazette)
Jennifer Higdon's "Dooryard Bloom" (NPRmusic)
Jennifer Higdon's Masterpiece (Brett Campbell, Andante.com)
Jennifer Higdon's Percussion Concerto - Interview with Sterling Beeaff (KBAQ)
Jennifer Higdon's Violin Concerto - in Baltimore & On-Line (Thoughts on a Train)
Philadelphia Composer Jennifer Higdon Scores a Grammy (David Dunkle, The Patriot-News)
Playback: All Access (Jim Steinblatt, ASCAP)
SFist Interviews Jennifer Higdon (Cedric, SFist)
Telarc’s Higdon SACD Wins Major Award (Jason Victor Serinus, Stereophile)
Three Questions Before the First Night - Carson Cooman Talks to Jennifer Higdon ... Trombone Concerto (Music & Vision)
Y Music Talk: Composer Jennifer Higdon (Kirk Noreen, 92Y Blog)
Composer's website
Higdon @ Wikipedia
Higdon @ American Composers Forum
Higdon @ American Music Center
Higdon @ Answers.com
Higdon @ Arizona Friends of Chamber Music
Higdon @ ArtWorks for Virginia/Minds Wide Open
Higdon @ Bard College
Higdon @ BEHINDtheBEAT Artists
Higdon @ Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music also here also here
Higdon @ Classical Archives
Higdon @ Classical Net
Higdon @ ClassicsToday
Higdon @ composition:today
Higdon @ Continental Harmony
Higdon @ Dallas Festival of Modern Music
Higdon @ Dayton Philharmonic
Higdon @ Dilettante Music
Higdon @ eighth blackbird
Higdon @ InstantEncore
Higdon @ Ithaca College Library
Higdon @ John Clare's Composing Thoughts LIVE
Higdon @ The Kennedy Center also here
Higdon @ Music Quotes Homepage
Higdon @ MusicWeb International
Higdon @ Naxos
Higdon @ The New York Times
Higdon @ NPRmusic
Higdon @ The Oberlin Orchestra
Higdon @ Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Higdon @ Pew Fellowship in the Arts
Higdon @ The Philadelphia Singers
Higdon @ Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Higdon @ Polyphonic.org
Higdon @ Present Music
Higdon @ The Pulitzer Prizes
Higdon @ Radio Swiss Jazz
Higdon @ Vox Novus
Higdon @ The Wind Repertory Project
Streaming Audio
Higdon @ Composer's website (sound clips of selected works under individual titles)
Higdon @ Arizona Friends of Chamber Music
Higdon @ BEHINDtheBEAT Artists
Higdon @ Classical Archives
Higdon @ eighth blackbird
Higdon @ KBAQ/Jennifer Higdon's Percussion Concerto - Interview with Sterling Beeaff
Higdon @ last.fm
Higdon @ NewMusicBox/Jennifer Higdon: Down to Earth - in conversation with Frank J. Oteri
Higdon @ NPRmusic
Higdon @ PRX (Public Radio Exchange)
Higdon @ Rhapsody
Hidgon @ Stuart Melina/Harrisburg Sym Orch - Dicussing Jennifer Higdon's Percussion Concerto (podcast)
Higdon @ WBUR/Jennifer Higdon And Me: A Musical Friendship (Marin Alsop, WBUR)
Higdon @ WOSU Arts Blob/Christopher Purdy in Conversation with Jennifer Higdon
Higdon @ WRTI/Crossover: Time for Three and Composer Jennifer Higdon
Recordings
Higdon @ ArkivMusic
Higdon @ ClassicsOnline
Higdon @ Discogs
Higdon @ YouTube
Higdon on Higdon: Being Creative in Philadelphia
Higdon on Higdon: Hilary Hahn Interview with Jennifer Higdon
Higdon on Higdon: On Her Piano Concerto
Higdon on Higdon: On Her Trombone Concerto
Higdon on Higdon: Higdon and Sandra Dylan Discuss BandQuest Project
Higdon on Higdon: Giving Tips to New Composers
Higdon on Higdon: Composing Thoughts with John Clare
Higdon on Higdon: Higdon and Rachmaninoff with Michael Christie
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