Augusta Read Thomas (1964- )
Augusta
Read Thomas’ deeply personal music is guided by her particular
sense of musical form, rhythm, timbre, and harmony. But given this
individuality, her music is affected by history - in Thomas' words,
"Old music deserves new music and new music needs old music." For
Thomas, this means cherishing her place within the musical tradition
and giving credit to those who have forged the musical paths she
follows and from which she innovates. Thomas was the Mead
Composer-in-Residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from May 1997
through June 2006, a residency that encompassed nine world premieres,
culminating in the premiere of her concerto
for violin, flute
and orchestra entitled Astral Canticle -
one of two finalists
for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in Music.COMPOSITIONS Augusta Read Thomas Links ~ ~ ~ Works by Genre ~ ~ ~ A R Thomas on A R Thomas
Vigil: A Cello Concerto, cello and chamber orchestra (1990)
Meditation (Trombone Concerto), trombone and orchestra (1990; arr. 1995)
Chant, cello (or alto saxophone, or viola) and piano (1991; rev. 2002)
Alleluia (Midsummer Blaze), chorus (1993)
Ligeia, chamber opera (1994) [libretto: Leslie Dunton-Downer, based on a short story by Poe]
The Rub of Love, chorus (1995) [text: anonymous Greek poet]
Incantation, violin (or viola) (1995; arr. for viola, 2002)
Spring Song, cello (1995)
Words of the Sea, orchestra (1995-96)
Psalm 91: Verse 11, chorus (1996)
Piano Etudes Nos. 1 & 2 (1996)
Spirit Musings, violin and chamber orchestra (1997)
Love Songs, chorus (1997) [text: Pope, Pinckney, Sharp, Rogers, Byron, Shakespeare, Emerson]
Orbital Beacons: Concerto for Orchestra (1998)
Ceremonial, orchestra (1999)
Ritual Incantations, solo cello, concertino group of flute, oboe and violin, and chamber orchestra (1999)
Passion Prayers, cello solo, flute, clarinet, violin, piano, harp and percussion (1999)
Fugitive Star, string quartet (1999-2000) [part of "Sun Threads", 1999-2002]
Aurora, piano and orchestra (2000)
Ring, Flourish, Blaze!, a fanfare, 16 winds and brass (2000)
Ring Out Wild Bells, to the Wild Sky, soprano, chorus and orchestra (2000) [text: Alfred, Lord Tennyson]
Song in Sorrow, soprano, female-voice sextet, chorus & orch (2000) [text: Aeschylus, anon., Browning, Butler, Byron, etc.]
...a circle around the sun..., piano trio (violin, cello and piano) (2000)
Invocations, string quartet (2000) [part of "Sun Threads", 1999-2002]
Bells Ring Summer, cello (2000)
Prayer Bells, orchestra (2001)
magnecticfireflies, band (2001)
Daylight Divine, soprano, children's chorus and orchestra (2001) [text: Gerard Manley Hopkins]
Eagle at Sunrise, string quartet (2001) [part of "Sun Threads", 1999-2002]
Murmers in the Mist of Memory, 11 strings (2001)
Rumi Settings, violin and cello (or viola) (2001)
Aspen Starry Night Prayer Chords, piano (2001)
Around Midnight Variation, piano (2001)
among dawn flowers, soprano and piano (2001) [text: Basho]
Sunlight Echoes, orchestra (2002; fp. Feb)
Light the First Light of Evening, orchestra (2002; fp. June)
Trainwork, orchestra (2002; fp. June)
Sunlight Echoes, chorus and orchestra (2002) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Chanting to Paradise, soprano solo, chorus and orchestra (2002) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Four Basho Settings, children's choir (2002)
Rise Chanting, string quartet (2002) [part of "Sun Threads", 1999-2002]
In My Sky at Twilight (Songs of Passion and Love), soprano & chamber orch (2002) [text: Pablo Neruda & Christina Rossetti]
Tangle, orchestra (2003)
Canticle Weaving (Trombone Concerto No. 2), concerto, trombone and orchestra (2003)
To the Rain, female or children's choir (2003) [text: Basho]
Pulsar, violin (2003; arr. for viola, 2006)
Piano Etudes Nos. 3 & 4 (2003)
Bubble: Rainbow (spirit level), soprano, fl, ob, vln, vc, pf and percussionist (2003) [text: Elizabeth Bishop & Emily Dickinson]
Galaxy Dances, orchestra (2004; fp. May) [arr. band as "Dancing Galaxy"]
- Dancing Galaxy, band (2004) [arr. from orchestral work " Galaxy Dances"]
Shakin', orchestra (2004; fp. Feb 2006) [homage to Elvis Presley and Igor Stravinsky]
Silver Chants the Litanies, in memoriam Luciano Berio (Horn Concerto), horn and chamber orchestra (2004)
Fruit of my Spirit, chorus (2004) [text: Bible]
Purple Syllables, chorus (2004) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Prairie Sketches I, "...diamonds on orchid velvet...", soprano, 7 players and children's chorus (2004) [text: Suzann Zimmerman]
Whispers of Summer, 3 cellos (2004)
Rush, violin (2004)
Silhouettes, marimba (2004)
Final Soliloquy of the Interior Paramour, mezzo-soprano, tenor and small ensemble (2004) [text: Wallace Stevens]
Gathering Paradise, song cycle, soprano and orchestra (2004) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Sun Songs - Three Micro-Operas, mezzo-soprano and 3 percussionists (2004) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Credences of Summer, orchestra (2005)
Astral Canticle, double concerto, violin, flute and orchestra (2005)
Berkshire Songs, children's choir (or mixed chorus) (2005; fp. 2006) [text: Emily Dickinson]
The Rewaking, male chorus (2005) [text: William Carlos Williams]
Carillon Sky, violin and ensemble (2005)
Memory: Swells, 2 guitars (2005)
Moon Jig, violin, celo and piano (2005)
Caprice, violin (2005)
D(i)agon(als), clarinet (2005)
Piano Etudes Nos. 5 & 6 (2005)
Traces, piano (2005)
Six Etudes, piano (2006) [collected Piano Etudes]
Prayer and Celebration, youth chamber orchestra (2006)
Helios Choros I, orchestra (2006)
Angel Tears and Earth Prayers, organ and C trumpet (or flute, or oboe, or clarinet) (2006)
Silent Moon, violin and viola (2006)
The Soul is Light, oboe (or flute), violin and harp (2006)
Toft Serenade, violin (or viola) and piano (2006)
Love Twitters, piano (2006)
Helios Choros II, orchestra (2007)
Terpsichore's Dream, a ballet for chamber orchestra (2007)
Dream Threads, ballet, youth orchestra and ballet (2007)
Helios Choros III, orchestra (2007)
Helios Choros, a ballet, triptych for orchestra (2006-2007) [title translation: Sun God Dancers] [ Helios Choros I, II & III]
Juggler of Day, female chorus (2007) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Scat, flute (or oboe), violin, viola, cello and piano (or harpsichord) (2007)
Scherzi Musicali, 2 trumpets, horn and trombone (2007)
Squeeze, saxophone quartet (2007)
Dancing Helix Rituals, clarinet, violin and piano (2007) [music for dance]
Cantos for Slava, cello (or viola) and piano (2007)
Eurythmy Etudes, piano (2007) [music for dance]
Violin Concerto No. 3, "Juggler in Paradise", violin and orchestra (2008)
Roses, female chorus and piano (2008) [text: George Eliot]
Two e. e. cummings Songs, female chorus (2008)
Lake Reflecting Stars with Moonrise, saxophone and cello (2008)
Euterpe's Caprice, a two-minute fanfare, flute (2008)
Dream Catcher, violin (or viola) (2008)
Bells, piano 4-hands (2008)
Ballade, "Weaving Skyward", piano (2008)
Absolute Ocean, soprano, harp obbligato and chamber orchestra (2008) [text: e. e. cummings]
Capricious Angels, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, 3 violins and viola (2009)
Jubilee, orchestra (2010; fp. Apr)
Of Paradise and Light, string orchestra (2010; fp. Sept)
Radiant Circles, orchestra (2010; fp. Mar 2011)
Jeu D'Esprit, 2 trumpets (2010)
Fête, brass ensemble (2010)
Pilgrim Soul, English horn and 2 violins (2010)
Dream in the Cave of Eros, opera (in progress) [libretto: Leslie Dunton-Downer]
WORKS BY GENRE Augusta Read Thomas Links ~ ~ ~ A R Thomas on A R Thomas ~ top of page ~
Dramatic/Theater
Ligeia, chamber opera (1994) [libretto: Leslie Dunton-Downer, based on a short story by Poe]
Sun Songs - Three Micro-Operas, mezzo-soprano and 3 percussionists (2004) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Dream in the Cave of Eros, opera (in progress) [libretto: Leslie Dunton-Downer]
Ballet and Dance Works
Helios Choros, a ballet, triptych for orchestra (2006-2007) [title translation: Sun God Dancers]
- Helios Choros I, orchestra (2006)
- Helios Choros II, orchestra (2007)
- Helios Choros III, orchestra (2007)
Dream Threads, ballet, youth orchestra and ballet (2007)
Dancing Helix Rituals, clarinet, violin and piano (2007) [music for dance]
Eurythmy Etudes, piano (2007) [music for dance]
- Still Life
- Motion Detector
Orchestra
Words of the Sea, orchestra (1995-96)
I. ...words of the sea...
II. ...the ever-hooded, tragic-gestured sea...
III. ...beyond the genius of the sea...
IV. ..mountainous atmospheres of sky and sea... (homage to Debussy)
Orbital Beacons: Concerto for Orchestra (1998)
Ceremonial, orchestra (1999)
Prayer Bells, orchestra (2001)
Sunlight Echoes, orchestra (2002; fp. Feb)
Light the First Light of Evening, orchestra (2002; fp. June)
Trainwork, orchestra (2002; fp. June)
Tangle, orchestra (2003)
Galaxy Dances, orchestra (2004; fp. May) [arr. band as "Dancing Galaxy"]
Shakin', orchestra (2004; fp. Feb 2006) [homage to Elvis Presley and Igor Stravinsky]
Credences of Summer, orchestra (2005)
Prayer and Celebration, youth chamber orchestra (2006)
Helios Choros I, orchestra (2006)
Helios Choros II, orchestra (2007)
Terpsichore's Dream, a ballet for chamber orchestra (2007)
Helios Choros III, orchestra (2007)
Jubilee, orchestra (2010; fp. Apr)
Of Paradise and Light, string orchestra (2010; fp. Sept)
Radiant Circles, orchestra (2010; fp. Mar 2011)
Band
Ring, Flourish, Blaze!, a fanfare, 16 winds and brass (2000)
magnecticfireflies, band (2001)
Dancing Galaxy, band (2004) [arr. from orchestral work " Galaxy Dances"]
Soloist(s) w/Orchestra
Vigil: A Cello Concerto, cello and chamber orchestra (1990)
Meditation (Trombone Concerto), trombone and orchestra (1990; arr. 1995)
Spirit Musings, violin and chamber orchestra (1997)
Ritual Incantations, solo cello, concertino group of flute, oboe and violin, and chamber orchestra (1999)
Aurora, piano and orchestra (2000)
Canticle Weaving (Trombone Concerto No. 2), concerto, trombone and orchestra (2003)
Silver Chants the Litanies, in memoriam Luciano Berio (Horn Concerto), horn and chamber orchestra (2004)
Astral Canticle, double concerto, violin, flute and orchestra (2005)
Carillon Sky, violin and ensemble (2005)
Violin Concerto No. 3, "Juggler in Paradise", violin and orchestra (2008)
Chorus w/Orchestra
Ring Out Wild Bells, to the Wild Sky, soprano, chorus and orchestra (2000) [text: Alfred, Lord Tennyson]
Song in Sorrow, soprano, female-voice sextet, chorus & orch (2000) [text: Aeschylus, anon., Browning, Butler, Byron, etc.]
Daylight Divine, soprano, children's chorus and orchestra (2001) [text: Gerard Manley Hopkins]
Sunlight Echoes, chorus and orchestra (2002) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Chanting to Paradise, soprano solo, chorus and orchestra (2002) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Choral
Alleluia (Midsummer Blaze), chorus (1993)
The Rub of Love, chorus (1995) [text: anonymous Greek poet]
Psalm 91: Verse 11, chorus (1996)
Love Songs, chorus (1997) [text: Pope, Pinckney, Sharp, Rogers, Byron, Shakespeare, Emerson]
Four Basho Settings, children's choir (2002)
To the Rain, female or children's choir (2003) [text: Basho]
Fruit of my Spirit, chorus (2004) [text: Bible]
Purple Syllables, chorus (2004) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Prairie Sketches I, "...diamonds on orchid velvet...", soprano, 7 players and children's chorus (2004) [text: Suzann Zimmerman]
Berkshire Songs, children's choir (or mixed chorus) (2005; fp. 2006) [text: Emily Dickinson]
The Rewaking, male chorus (2005) [text: William Carlos Williams]
Juggler of Day, female chorus (2007) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Roses, female chorus and piano (2008) [text: George Eliot]
Two e. e. cummings Songs, female chorus (2008)
Chamber
Passion Prayers, cello solo, flute, clarinet, violin, piano, harp and percussion (1999)
Fugitive Star, string quartet (1999-2000) [part of "Sun Threads", 1999-2002]
...a circle around the sun..., piano trio (violin, cello and piano) (2000)
Ring, Flourish, Blaze!, a fanfare, 16 winds and brass (2000)
Invocations, string quartet (2000) [part of "Sun Threads", 1999-2002]
Eagle at Sunrise, string quartet (2001) [part of "Sun Threads", 1999-2002]
Murmers in the Mist of Memory, 11 strings (2001)
Rumi Settings, violin and cello (or viola) (2001)
Rise Chanting, string quartet (2002) [part of "Sun Threads", 1999-2002]
Whispers of Summer, 3 cellos (2004)
Carillon Sky, violin and ensemble (2005)
Memory: Swells, 2 guitars (2005)
Moon Jig, violin, celo and piano (2005)
Angel Tears and Earth Prayers, organ and C trumpet (or flute, or oboe, or clarinet) (2006)
Silent Moon, violin and viola (2006)
The Soul is Light, oboe (or flute), violin and harp (2006)
Scat, flute (or oboe), violin, viola, cello and piano (or harpsichord) (2007)
Scherzi Musicali, 2 trumpets, horn and trombone (2007)
Squeeze, saxophone quartet (2007)
Dancing Helix Rituals, clarinet, violin and piano (2007) [music for dance]
Lake Reflecting Stars with Moonrise, saxophone and cello (2008)
Capricious Angels, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, 3 violins and viola (2009)
Jeu D'Esprit, 2 trumpets (2010)
Fête, brass ensemble (2010)
Pilgrim Soul, English horn and 2 violins (2010)
Solo Instrument
Chant, cello (or alto saxophone, or viola) and piano (1991; rev. 2002)
Incantation, violin (or viola) (1995; arr. for viola, 2002)
Spring Song, cello (1995)
Bells Ring Summer, cello (2000)
Pulsar, violin (2003; arr. for viola, 2006)
Rush, violin (2004)
Silhouettes, marimba (2004)
Caprice, violin (2005)
D(i)agon(als), clarinet (2005)
Toft Serenade, violin (or viola) and piano (2006)
Cantos for Slava, cello (or viola) and piano (2007)
Euterpe's Caprice, a two-minute fanfare, flute (2008)
Dream Catcher, violin (or viola) (2008)
Piano
Piano Etudes Nos. 1 & 2 (1996)
Aspen Starry Night Prayer Chords, piano (2001)
Around Midnight Variation, piano (2001)
Piano Etudes Nos. 3 & 4 (2003)
Piano Etudes Nos. 5 & 6 (2005)
Traces, piano (2005)
Six Etudes, piano (2006) [collected Piano Etudes]
Love Twitters, piano (2006)
Eurythmy Etudes, piano (2007) [music for dance]
- Still Life
- Motion Detector
Bells, piano 4-hands (2008)
Ballade, "Weaving Skyward", piano (2008)
Vocal
among dawn flowers, soprano and piano (2001) [text: Basho]
In My Sky at Twilight (Songs of Passion and Love), soprano & chamber orch (2002) [text: Pablo Neruda & Christina Rossetti]
- Deeper than all Roses
- Lament
Bubble: Rainbow (spirit level), soprano, fl, ob, vln, vc, pf and percussionist (2003) [text: Elizabeth Bishop & Emily Dickinson]
Final Soliloquy of the Interior Paramour, mezzo-soprano, tenor and small ensemble (2004) [text: Wallace Stevens]
Gathering Paradise, song cycle, soprano and orchestra (2004) [text: Emily Dickinson]
- gleam
- illumination
- fuse is lit
- the Everlasting Clocks - Chime - Noon
- Soft as the massacre of Suns
- Image of Light, Adieu -
Sun Songs - Three Micro-Operas, mezzo-soprano and 3 percussionists (2004) [text: Emily Dickinson]
Prairie Sketches I, "...diamonds on orchid velvet...", soprano, 7 players and children's chorus (2004) [text: Suzann Zimmerman]
Absolute Ocean, soprano, harp obbligato and chamber orchestra (2008) [text: e. e. cummings]
AUGUSTA READ THOMAS LINKS Works by Genre ~ ~ ~ A R Thomas on A R Thomas ~ top of page ~
Augusta Read Thomas Interview (David Bruce, CompositionToday)
Augusta Read Thomas: Perfect Clarity (Molly Sheridan, NewMusicBox)
Composer Augusta Read Thomas Appointed University Professor (University of Chicago)
Composer Augusta Read Thomas Talks About Her Writing Process (Peter Gregson, BBC Radio 3 Blog)
An Interview with Augusta Read Thomas (Rebecca Clarke, Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy)
Noted Composer Serves as McIlroy Visiting Professor (University of Arkansas)
OSU’s Contemporary Music Festival: Augusta Read Thomas (Christopher Purdy, Classical 101/WOSU)
Three Questions Before the First Night - Carson Cooman Talks to Augusta Read Thomas (Music & Vision)
Uncommon Interview: Augusta Read Thomas (Madalyn Frigo, The Chicago Maroon)
Composer's website . . . contact Augusta Read Thomas: here
Augusta Read Thomas @ Wikipedia
Augusta Read Thomas @ Academy of Arts and Letters
Augusta Read Thomas @ Atlantic Center for the Arts
Augusta Read Thomas @ Arizona Friends of Chamber Music
Augusta Read Thomas @ Behind the Beat
Augusta Read Thomas @ Boston Symphony Orchestra also here
Augusta Read Thomas @ Classical Archives
Augusta Read Thomas @ Classical Composers Database
Augusta Read Thomas @ The Classical Source
Augusta Read Thomas @ ClassicsToday
Augusta Read Thomas @ Columbus Symphony
Augusta Read Thomas @ composition:today
Augusta Read Thomas @ The Ensemble Sospeso
Augusta Read Thomas @ Facebook
Augusta Read Thomas @ InstantEncore
Augusta Read Thomas @ The Kennedy Center
Augusta Read Thomas @ Los Angeles Philharmonic/Hollywood Bowl
Augusta Read Thomas @ Music of the 21st Century/DePauw University
Augusta Read Thomas @ MusicWeb International
Augusta Read Thomas @ Naxos
Augusta Read Thomas @ New Music School
Augusta Read Thomas @ New Opera at Peabody
Augusta Read Thomas @ New World Records
Augusta Read Thomas @ The New York Times
Augusta Read Thomas @ New Haven Symphony
Augusta Read Thomas @ REC Music Foundation /The Lied and Art Song Texts Page
Augusta Read Thomas @ SoundUnwound
Augusta Read Thomas @ ViolinStudent.com
Augusta Read Thomas @ Vox Novus
Augusta Read Thomas @ Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy
Publisher
Augusta Read Thomas @ Composer's website also here
Augusta Read Thomas @ G. Schirmer
Streaming Audio
Augusta Read Thomas @ Composer's website (see individually noted works)
Augusta Read Thomas @ Arizona Friends of Chamber Music
Augusta Read Thomas @ BBC Radio 3 Blog
Augusta Read Thomas @ Behind the Beat
Augusta Read Thomas @ Classical 101/WOSU
Augusta Read Thomas @ Classical Archives
Augusta Read Thomas @ last.fm
Augusta Read Thomas @ NewMusicBox/Interview
Augusta Read Thomas @ Rhapsody
Recordings
Augusta Read Thomas @ Composer's website
Augusta Read Thomas @ ArkivMusic
Augusta Read Thomas @ ClassicsOnline
Augusta Read Thomas @ New World Records
Video
Augusta Read Thomas @ YouTube
Augusta Read Thomas @ Google Video
Augusta Read Thomas @ Vimeo
Augusta Read Thomas on Augusta Read Thomas: Boston Sym Orch Interview (VIDEO)
Augusta Read Thomas on Augusta Read Thomas: Resounding Earth w/Third Coast Perc (VIDEO)
Augusta Read Thomas on Augusta Read Thomas: Perfect Clarity (VIDEO)
Composers
Speak on the Web at Pytheas~ click on composer picture to listen ~
Augusta Read Thomas on Augusta Read Thomas: On Her Writing Process (streaming audio)
Composers
Speak on the Web at Pytheas~ click on composer picture to listen ~
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