Pattern of Entries:
«Name of Composition»
(translation if necessary) (duration)
cast
movements / parts
publisher (order number, price)
comments — appearing in blue print
2022:
«Weaving Sound» (ca. 7'20")
Bb clarinet and bass clarinet (one player), viola and piano
I. Weaving the Morning
II. Song of the Wild Dove
III. Summer Dance
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2021:
«Christmas for All» (ca. 5'49")
Antiphonal Choirs (SATB) and Symphony Orchestra
Poem A Star Shall Guide, and Latin text selections: the
composer
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2020:
«Wind of Change»
SATB Choir and String Orchestra
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Commissioned by the ETSU Department of Music for the Inauguration of the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts
«Silberglanz»
SATB Choir and String Orchestra
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Poem To the Thawing Wind, by Robert Frost
Commissioned by the ETSU Department of Music for the Inauguration of the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts
2019-2020:
«Four Movements for Violin and Piano»
(ca. 16'30")
violin, piano
I. Corona Sonata
II. Meditation
III. Intermezzo: A Vivid Dream
IV. Ritournelle: deux amis
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Program Notes for «Four Movements for Violin and Piano»
I have composed my «Four Movements for Violin
and Piano» for violinist Miroslav Hristov and pianist Chih-Long
Hu.
I conceived the music during an eventful time in my personal
life. As I completed the work in 2020, the world was in the
middle of a lethal pandemic. At the beginning of May 2020, close
to 70,000 lives had already been lost in the USA due to
Covid-19. Concert halls were silent. The public was warned
against crowd gatherings. Theatre performances and public
concerts where feared virus spreaders. What was to become of the
Arts and of Music? I didn't know when the performers would bring
my new composition to life.
The following is a short description of my movements: Four
Pieces for Violin and Piano, by Maria A. Niederberger
I. Corona Sonata
The first movement starts with a chromatic main theme of searching quality that does not seem to settle. It expresses perhaps the anxiety of our time. The second theme is an almost breathless, pleading gesture. The movement concludes in a comforting tone.
II. Meditation
It is a slow movement projecting calmness and tranquility. A main theme rises in the violin, while the piano underpins it with dark slow sounds. After a transition, both instruments engage in playful, imitative exchange.
III. Intermezzo:
A Vivid Dream. Like a fun dream that lifts the spirit, this short interlude is sparkling and lighthearted. The middle section is slower and suggests a melody from the Romani musical tradition.
IV. Ritournelle: deux amis (two friends)
For this movement, I adapted the ritournelle form with its varied sections in a free treatment. A recurring theme presents both instruments in a congenial conversation. The intervening contrasting sections showcase the versatility and skill of violin and piano playing.
About the Performers
Violinist Miroslav Hristov
was First Prize winner of the International
Violin Competition "Dobrin Petkov," and a prizewinner for the
MTNA Collegiate String Performance Competition. Hristov has
recorded for Centaur Records, Romeo Records, Blue Griffin
Records, the Divine Arts Record label, Bulgarian National Radio
and WUOT Knoxville. His recordings are broadcast on NPR stations
across the United States and abroad. As part of the
internationally-acclaimed Kaleidos Duo with pianist, Vladimir
Valjarevic, Dr. Hristov's recordings and performances have
received rave reviews from The Strad Magazine, Fanfare, DUMA
(Sofia, Bulgaria), and Lucid Culture (New York).
Hristov is Professor of Violin at the University of Tennessee.
He is also Founder and Director of the University of Tennessee's
Ready for the World Music Series, which brings renowned
artists to perform and talk about musical styles and literature
from diverse regions around the world, emphasizing each region's
contribution to western classical music.
Pianist Chih-Long Hu's
performance career was launched after winning prizes from the Mauro Monopoli International Piano Competition in Italy, the Concours International De Piano D'Escaldes-Engordany in Andorra, the Takamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan, and San Jose International Piano Competition in California. Hu performs extensively as a concerto soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. His CD albums "Formosa Caprices", «Rachmaninov Etudes-Tableaux», «Goldberg Variations», and complete Beethoven violin sonatas with Miroslav Hristov have received critical acclaims. Hu holds a doctorate in piano performance from the University of Michigan. He is currently an endowed professor and the coordinator of keyboard studies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
2019:
«Fantasy for E: Rocks, Sea, and a Muse»
piano
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2012:
«An Old Appalachian Hymn Made New»
women's choir, solo tenor, violin, piano
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2012:
«Schlittle»
children's choir and symphony orchestra
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A Swiss dialect children's song, poem by Traugott Meyer
(1895-1959)
see also 1995: version for women's choir
2011:
«Dash of Color for Three» (2011)
(ca. 08'30")
oboe, French horn, piano
I. Introduction
II. Cayenne Pepper
III. Blooming Desert
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2010:
«Mountain Visions» (2009-2010)
(ca. 12')
Solo Violin
I. Awakening
II. Glistening Leaves
III. Winter Escapades
IV. Avian Creatures
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2009:
«Homage à Frédéric Chopin: Three
Impromptus» (2008-2009)(ca. 11')
Solo Piano
Impromptu I: «Tears, From Heaven, Transformed, Falling on His
Heart»
Impromptu II: «With Whom Shall I Speak?»
Impromptu III: Joy Mingling With Sorrow
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«Time Gates» (2008-2009)(ca.
10')
Clarinet Quartet: Bb cl I, II, III, and Bass clarinet
I. Little Prelude
II. Summer's Dream
III. Trembling Stars
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«Only One Today»(TBD)(2007-2009)
Song cycle for soprano and piano
Winged Worshipper (Lyrics: Charles Sprague)
Shadow Evidence (Lyrics: Mary Mapes Dodge)
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2008:
«Baby, Dream Your Dream» (240)
voice and piano
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Lyrics: composer
«Säntis Thoughts» (12)
violin and piano
I. Shapes
II. Premonitions
III. Dance of the Alpine Birds
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2007:
«Mit deinen Augen» (Through Your
Eyes)(330)
soprano, tenor, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon
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Lyrics: Heinrich Heine
2005:
«Duo for Violin and Cello» (430)
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«Soliloqui: 1841 Lives» for Solo
Clarinet in Bb (ca. 349)
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«Lullaby»
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Lyrics: «Wiegenlied» by Clemens Brentano
«Full Pockets», (ca. 14)
Song cycle for soprano, harp and flute (2003-2005)
Songs set to the following poems:
On the Road (Anna Achmatova)
Ode to the Storm (Pablo Neruda; transl.)
Dreaming by the Ocean (Maria A. Niederberger)
The Harp (Pablo Neruda; transl.)
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2004:
«Folia» for Solo Clarinet in Bb,
(ca. 3)
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2003:
«Aevaw I» for Solo Flute, (ca.
7)
flute and light percussion (wood bells, two small bells,
triangle, rainstick ca. 5" or substitute)
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I. Liberamente
II. Waves
III. Ancient River
The poem of this piece is «Waves», by Mark Halperin)
Aevaw I (A Wave) is a somewhat theatrical
piece. Beside traditional performance techniques, the music
makes use of extended techniques like whistle tones, glissandi,
key clicks,flutter tongue, colored noise, etc. To surround the
flute with additional sounds, the composer asks the flutist to
engage a battery of small percussion instruments. In the second
movement, a poem is partly recited by the flutist, partly
projected onto a screen, together with coordinated photos of
artwork. (For this purpose, one might use a PowerPoint
presentation.)
As an alternative or if technical difficulties arise, the piece
may be performed purely instrumental without the suggested
projections. The poem, Waves, is used by generous permission of
poet Mark Halperin.
2002:
«An Unexpected Journey», (ca.
10)
Organ
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I. Prayer
II. Spirit of the Ocean
III. Vision of the Humble
«Movement for Solo Violin, Harp, and
Symphony Orchestra», (ca. 6)
solo violin, harp and orchestra (2 Flutes, Oboe, Engl.Horn,
Clarinet in Bb, Bassoon, 2 F-Horns, Trumpet, 2 Trombones,
Percussion, Xylophone, Strings)
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«While Shepherds Watched» a
Christmas carol, (ca. 6)
organ, choir, solo tenor and SSSAAA Womens Ensemble. (This may
be replaced by organ if necessary.)
SME
Lyrics: Nahum Tate
2001:
«Thoughts 2001»
Solo violin
SME (2002)
I. Story Telling
II. Shadow Lines and Sudden Gleams
III. Blue Ridges
«With Song and Trumpet Calls» a
Christmas carol (ca. 3')
mixed choir (SATB), trumpet and trombone (horn in F if
necessary)
With the composer
Lyrics: medieval (Latin), Maria A. Niederberger (English)
«I Sing For Joy», (1' 30")
Mixed Choir (SATB)
With the composer
Lyrics: based on Psalm 92
1999/2000:
«Concerto for Oboe and Instrumental
Ensemble» (20')
Solo Oboe, Fl (Picc), Klar, Hn, Hp, 2 V, Va, Vc, CB
SME/EMS, Posfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9919; CHF 44.00/29.00
Suited for organ and ensemble or (preferred) oboe and small
orchestra. High level of difficulty for the oboe. The harp and
the horn play an important role as well.
1995/1999:
«Oh grosses Wunder» (Oh, Great Wonder): a collection of
songs (two Christmas carols and three songs for the New
Year)(12')
For high voices and small orchestra
SME/EMS. Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9918; CHF 32.00/21.00
I. Oh Grosses Wunder (Oh, Great Wonder) (second version)(M.
Niederberger)
II. Fluss der Zeit (River of Time) (M. Niederberger)
III. Die Nacht ist hin (The Night Is Gone) (J.Chr. Günther)
IV. Zum Neuen Jahr (For The New Year) (E. Mörike)
Suited for youth orchestra and small professional orchestra
1998:
«Vernissage: Musical Thoughts and
Sketches for the Piano»
piano
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9901; CHF 24.00/16.00
also:
Staccato Verlag, 2003; Klaviermusik von Komponistinnen (Music
for the piano by women composers)
I. Antezedenz (Antecedence)
II. Blautöne (Blue Hues)
III. Stilleben (Still Life)
IV. Szene (Scene)
V. Wellen und Vektoren (Waves and Vectors)
VI. Finale (Finale)
1997:
«Images» (20')
flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone,
contrabass, piano, percussion
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9911; CHF 44.00/29.00
I. Fluid Shapes
II. Light and Shadow
III. Symmetries - Broken Symmetries.
featured piano and trumpet
«On Winter's Margin» (12')
marimba and violin
SMS/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland,
order number: 9905; CHF 30.00/20.00
I. First Reflection Interlude 1
II. Second Reflection
III. Princess of Crumbs Interlude 2: A Hymn
IV. Ice Flowers
Loose relations to a poem by Mary Oliver
«A Swift Progression» (3')
solo violin
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland,
order number: 9902; CHF 10.00/6.60
1996/97:
«Sonnenspur: Tonbilder aus Kalifornien»
(11')
(Traces of the Sun: Tone Poems from California) (11')
flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, percussion (2), piano, string
quartet, contrabass
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland,
order number: 9910; CHF 64.00/42.00
Fantasy Prelude
I. Nächtlicher Kojotentanz (Dance of Coyotes by Night)
II. Morgensonn das Meer enthüllet (Morning Sun Unveils The Sea)
III. Purple Horses
IV. Yosemite
featured percussion
1996:
«Petite Suite» (5'30")
solo viola
The American Viola. New Works for Viola Solo.
publishers: MMB Music, Inc., Contemporary Arts Building, 3526
Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 631019, USA, tel. ++
(314) 531-9635
I. Saltarello (A Gymnasts Routine)
II. In Summer we Dance (Eclectic Variations)
III. Mitten im Leben sind wir... (In the midst of life we
are...)
«Six Choral Songs» (10')
mixed choir a capella
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland,
order number: 9916; CHF 26.00/17.00
1. Under the Greenwood Tree
2. Nocturne
3. A Boys Head
4. Advent
5. The Door
6. Destiny
In a traditional, tonal style, with relatively free rhythms
«Towards the Sound of River Aa»
(4'30")
symphony orchestra (2(also Picc),2,2,1, Co-Fag- 4,3,3,B-Trb,
o-Perc, Perc(2),Hrp, Pno- Str)
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9912; CHF 38.00/25.00
1995:
«Einmal» (Once) (1')
choir
HBS Nepomuk, Entfelderstr. 39, Postfach, CH-5000 Aarau,
Switzerland
Lyrics: Erica Pedretti
«The Door» (1'20")
mixed choir
With the composer
Lyrics: Miroslav Holub, Ian Milner
«Schlittle» (Sledding) (2')
women's choir
HBS Nepomuk, Entfelderstr. 39, Postfach, CH-5000 Aarau,
Switzerland
Lyrics: Traugott Meyer (1895-1958)
«In der Nacht» (By Night) (1')
childrens choir
HBS Nepomuk, Entfelderstr. 39, Postfach, CH-5000 Aarau,
Switzerland
Lyrics: Joseph von Eichendorff
«Frühlingsmusen» (Muses
of Spring) (1')
childrens choir
HBS Nepomuk, Entfelderstr. 39, Postfach, CH-5000 Aarau,
Switzerland
Lyrics: M. Niederberger
«Durch die Wipfel» (Through the
Treetops)(8')
childrens choir
With the composer
Songs to poems by Adalbert von Chamisso, Matthias Claudius,
Josef von Eichendorff, Maria Niederberger
«Destiny» (2')
mixed choir
With the composer
Lyrics: Edwin Arnold
«Lieder für hohe Stimmen» (Songs
for high voices) (6')
soprano and alto voices
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9915; CHF 16.00/10.50
These four german songs a capella (two-part to four-part) in a
traditional-tonal style are suited for amateur singers, but they
are not without demands. They may also be performed
independently.
1. Carl Sandburg: Der Nebel (The Mist - two-part)
2. Gertrud Burkhalter: D Chrinne (The Crows - two-part)
3. Friedrich Bischoff: Schneefall (Snowfall - four-part)
4. Ernst Penzoldt: Abreise (Departure - canon for 3 sopranos)
«Oh grosses Wunder» (Oh Great
Wonder) (4')
A Christmas carol (first version) (4')
choir and organ
choir with flute, triangle and string quartet (string ensemble)
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9914; CHF 10.00/6.60
(Score with instruments: CHF 14.00/9.50)
The choir does not exceed two parts. The text consists of four
verses. Music is in a traditional (tonal) style. German lyrics:
M. Niederberger
«Wait for Me» (10')
song cycle for soprano with piano accompaniment
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9913; CHF 36.00/24.00
Four songs: two in German, two in English. Lyrics by Silja
Walter, Pablo Neruda, Langston Hughes, Ingeborg Bachmann.
German-English translation of all lyrics by the composer
1994:
«Tragische Geschichte» (Tragical
Story) (6')
childrens choir
HBS Nepomuk, Entfelderstr. 39, Postfach, CH-5000 Aarau,
Switzerland
Lyrics: Adalbert von Chamisso
«September» (1')
womens choir
HBS Nepomuk, Entfelderstr. 39, Postfach, CH-5000 Aarau,
Switzerland
Lyrics: Werner Bergengrün
«Christiane» (2')
childrens choir
HBS Nepomuk, Entfelderstr. 39, Postfach, CH-5000 Aarau,
Switzerland
Lyrics: Matthias Claudius
«Sounds of Space-Time» (18')
clarinet (also bass clarinet), marimba and piano
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9906; CHF 34.00/22.50
The clarinet is treated as a solo instrument. Virtuoso passages;
exacting.
1993:
«Tandem Points» (9')
flute, oboe, bass clarinet, horn, percussion (2), violin, viola,
cello, contrabass
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9909; CHF 46.00/30.50
featured horn and percussion
1990:
«Piano Quintet» (ca. 10')
string quartet and piano
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9907; CHF 38.00/25.00
SCI (Society of Composers, Inc.)
Vol. 31 of the SCI Journal of Music Scores, circulated by the
European American Music Distributors Corporation
1989:
«D Vogelschiichi» (The
Scarecrow) (8')
song cycle for youth choir (SATBar) and soloists (elected by the
choir)
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9917; CHF 20.00/13.00
Nidwaldner Mundartlyrik (poems in Swiss Nidwalden dialect by:
Felix Stöckli)
1. Nid uiswiiche (Dont Evade)
2. Zangg vo de junge Chräje (Young Crows Fighting)
3. Oh die Jöhrli (Oh Those Years)
4. Zangg vo de-n-alte Chräje (Old Crows Fighting)
5. Stirm hend pfuided (Storms Have Raged)
6. Ringelreihe vo de junge Chräje (Young Crows'
Ring-around-a-rosy)
7. Nid uiswiiche (Dont Evade)
1988/89:
«Album Pages» (6')
solo violin
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9903; CHF 12.00/8.00
1985:
«Inferences» (8')
flute (also alto-flute), clarinet (also B-clarinet), bassoon,
percussion (2), piano, violin, viola, cello
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9908; CHF 32.00/21.00
featured piano
1984:
«Daedaleum» (5'30")
solo cello
HBS Nepomuk, Entfelderstr. 39, Postfach, CH-5000 Aarau,
Switzerland
(out of print)
SME/EMS, Postfach 7851, CH-6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland;
order number: 9904; CHF 12.00/8.00
Notation: points not written traditionally: they change
according to the playing method (pii, col legno, etc.)