DAVID WARD-STEINMAN
DAVID WARD-STEINMAN
David Ward-Steinman, a native of Alexandria, Louisiana, is an Adjunct Professor of Music at Indiana University-Bloomington and Distinguished Professor Emeritus (and former Composer-in-Residence) at San Diego State University where he directed the Comprehensive Musicianship Program, New Music Ensembles, and taught composition. He has received many national and state awards for his compositions and teaching, including the Bearns Prize from Columbia University; four BMI-SCA awards; first prizes in the Phi Mu Alpha, SAI, and National Federation of Music Clubs composition contests; the Dohnanyi Citation and Outstanding Alumnus of the Year awards from Florida State University; the Outstanding Professor Award from the Trustees of the Calif. State Universities and Colleges; and was a White House reception honoree in 1966. In 1970-72 he was the Ford Foundation composer-in-residence for the Tampa Bay area of Florida, in 1986 composer-in-residence at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, and in 1986-87 he was appointed University Research Lecturer at San Diego State University.
Commissions include those from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet, San Diego Ballet, California Ballet, MTNA, National Association of College Wind & Percussion Instructors, American Harp Society (San Diego chapter), and the San Diego Symphony, which commissioned works for both the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons that were premiered under the baton of Jung-Ho Pak. Other orchestral works have been performed by the Japan Philharmonic, New Orleans Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra USA, Seattle Symphony, City of London Sinfonia, Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, Brevard Festival Orchestra, The Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, etc. Gregory Peck and Vincent Price have appeared as Narrator in different performances of Ward-Steinman’s oratorio The Song of Moses.
Ward-Steinman has been featured guest composer and lecturer at over 75 campuses here and abroad, with performances in all the major cities of the USA and over a dozen countries abroad, in every continent except Africa. He is the author of Toward a Comparative Structural Theory of the Arts and over fifty published compositions, and co-author of the two-volume Comparative Anthology of Musical Forms.
Ward-Steinman holds degrees from Florida State University (BM cum laude), the University of Illinois (MM and DMA), and was awarded the Kinley Memorial Fellowship from UI for foreign study. He has also been a post-doctoral Fellow at Princeton, a Fulbright Senior Scholar to Australia and New Zealand, and a composer at IRCAM in Paris. His teachers included his mother Daisy Ward-Steinman, John Boda (FSU), Burill Phillips (UI), Darius Milhaud (Aspen), Milton Babbitt and Aaron Copland (Tanglewood), Nadia Boulanger (Paris), and Edward Kilenyi (Piano, FSU).
For more information, please visit www.ward-steinman.com
View scores here (roll over to view score title):
|
Gasparilla Day (1970) -- 3’
Commission Information: Tampa Bay area Composer-in-Residence Project under a grant from the Ford Foundation - MENC Contemporary Music Project
Premiere Information: February, 1971, King High School Band, Tampa, FL; Tom Luter, director
Available From E.B. Marks Music Corp.
Jazz Tangents (1967) -- 13’
Commission Information: Univ. of North Dakota Wind Ensemble, Michael Polovitz, director
Premiere Information: Univ. of North Dakota Wind Ensemble, Michael Polovitz, director, Johnny Smith as guitar soloist, April 23, 1967
Available From MJQ Music, Inc
Quintessence for Wind Quintet, Brass Quintet, and Percussion (1985) -- 13’
Commission Information: National Assoc. of College Wind & Percussion Instructors
Premiere Information: April 11, 1986, NACWPI convention, Anaheim, CA, Arizona Wind Quintet, Univ. of New Mexico Brass Quintet, David Steinquest, perc.; Gary Cook, conductor
Available From Composer
Raga for Winds (1972) -- 10'
Commission Information: Tampa Bay area Composer-in-Residience project under a grant from the Ford Foundation-MENC Contemporary Music Project.
Premiere Information: March 10, 1972, MENC natl. convention, Atlanta, GA; Univ. of South Florida Concert Band Ensemble; Gale Sperry, conductor
Additional Information: Also available in a version for orchestra called Taj Mahal (2008)
Available From MJQ Music, Inc.
Scorpio (1976) -- 7’
Commission Information: College Band Directors' National Association, Western Division
Premiere Information: April 10, 1976, CBDNA Convention, Tuscon, AZ, San Diego State University Wind Ensemble, Charles D. Yates, conductor
Available From Ione Press, Inc.
Child's Play for Bassoon and Piano (1968) -- 10’
Commission Information: Barney Childs for Lester Weil
Premiere Information: April 12, 1969, Lester Weil, bassoon, Ward-Steinman, piano; American Society of University Composers conference, Univ. of Cal., Santa Barbara
Available From Highgate Press
Cinnabar for Viola and Piano (1991) -- 6'
Published: #144-40262
Commission Information: Karen Elaine Bakunin
Premiere Information: Karen Elaine Bakunin, viola, with the composer at the piano; June 15, 1991, 19th International Viola Congress, Ithaca, NY
Additional Information: This is an alternate version of the first movement of Cinnabar Concerto for Viola, Percussion, Piano/Celeste, and Strings
Golden Apples for Alto Saxophone and Fortified Piano (1981) -- 14’
Commission Information: James Rötter
Premiere Information: Dec. 4, 1981, James Rötter, saxophone, and Delores Stevens, piano; San Diego State University, CA
Available From Composer
Incantation and Dance for Native American Flute and Fortified Piano -- 6'
Native American Flute (5 holes), Fortified Piano
Premiere Information: March 25, 2008, Indiana University (James Pellerite, Nat.Amer. Fl., David Ward-Steinman, Pno.)
Additional Information: Published: 144-40520
Intersections II: Borobudur for Fortified Piano and Percussion (1989) -- 11-15’
Commission Information: Composed under the auspices of the Australian-American Educational Foundation during a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award to Australia, 1989-90
Premiere Information: March 5, 1990, Canberra Institute of the Arts, Australia; Daryl Pratt, perc., David Ward-Steinman, fortified piano
Available From MJQ Music, Inc.
Summer Suite for Oboe and Piano (1987) -- 7’
Published: #494-01372
Commission Information: Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival of the First United Methodist Church of Alexandria, LA, in memory of Dr. M. Lee Jarrell
Premiere Information: April 27, 1985, Stephen F. Caplan, oboe, composer at the piano
Three Songs for Clarinet and Piano (1957) -- 9’
Published: #494-00586
Premiere Information: May 21, 1958, Univ. Illinois, Urbana. John Winking, cl; David Ward-Steinman, piano
Additional Information: First Prize, Phi Mu Alpha national composition contest
• Recordings
Toccata For Synthesizer and Slide Projectors (1978) -- 8’
Premiere Information: November 2, 1978, by the composer at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Available From Composer
Vega for Tape Alone
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Antares for Orchestra and Tape (1971) -- 10’
3(Picc.)-3(E.H.)-3(B.Cl.)-3(Cbsn.)/4-4-3-1; Timp., 3 Perc., Pno.(Cel.), Hp., Gospel Choir ad lib, Tape or Synthesizer, Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Florida Center for the Arts under a grant from the Ford Foundation - MENC Contemporary Music Project
Premiere Information: April 22, 1971, Florida Gulf Coast Symphony, Tampa; Irwin Hoffman, conductor
• Reviews
Arcturus (1972) -- 12’
3(Picc.)-3(E.H.)-3(B.Cl.)-3(Cbsn.)/4-3-3-1; Hp., Clave-Pno.(Cel.), Timp., 4 Perc., Putney Synthesizer or Tape, Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Premiere Information: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, June 15, 1972, Chicago, with the composer at the synthesizer; Irwin Hoffman, guest conductor
Concert Overture (1957) -- 7’
3(Picc.)-2-2-2/4-3-3-1; Timp., 2 Perc., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: May 6, 1958, Urbana, IL; University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the composer
Additional Information: Sagalyn Prize, Berkshire Music Center, Tanglewood, 1957
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (1963-65) -- 20’
3(Picc.)-1(E.H.)-3(B.Cl.)-2; 4-3-3-1; Timp., 3 Perc., Pno.(Cel.), Hp., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Edgar Lustgarten
Premiere Information: June 13, 1967, Edgar Lustgarten, cello, Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo; Milton Katims, guest conductor
• Reviews
Double Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra (1994-5) -- 27’
2(Picc.)-2(E.H.)-2-2; 4-3-3-1; 3 Perc., Hp., Pno.(Cel.), Str.
Commission Information: Jeanne Bandes and the International Musicians' Recording Fund for Igor and Vesna Gruppman, violinists
Available From Composer
Elegy for Astronauts for Orchestra or Chamber Ensemble (1986) -- 10’
Orchestra version: 3(Picc.)-3(E.H.)-3(B.Cl.)-3(Cbsn.); 4-4-3-1; 4 Perc., Tape, Pno.(Cel.), Hp., Str. Chamber Ensemble version: 2 Pno.(Cel.), Hp., Tape, 5 Perc.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Orchestra version: December 7, 1986, San Diego State University Symphony, San Diego; Donald Barra, conductor. Chamber Ensemble version: December 4, 1986, San Diego State University New Music Ensemble, San Diego, CA; Donald Barra, guest conductor
• Reviews
Fiesta! (Millennium Dances Finale) for Symphony Orchestra and Solo Percussion (2002) -- 7'
Solo Percussion (Marimba + 4 floor drums); 3(Picc.) 2 1(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 4Perc. Hp. Pno./Toy Pno. ad lib. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: San Diego Symphony and Jung-Ho Pak, Artistic Director.
Premiere Information: April 27, 2002 San Diego Symphony, Jung-Ho Pak, conductor, Steven Schick, solo percussion
Millennium Dances for Symphony Orchestra and Solo Percussion (2001) -- 18'
Solo Percussion; 3(Picc., Irish tin whistle) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 4Perc.(incl. world instr.) Kbd.(Pno./Toy Pno./Cel.) Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: San Diego Symphony and Jung-Ho Pak, Artistic Director
Premiere Information: 25th, 26th, 27th May, 2001. John Flood, solo Percussion, San Diego Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jung-Ho Pak, Copley \ Symphony Hall, San Diego.
Millennium Fanfare (2000) -- 4'
3(Picc) 2 2 2; 4 3 3 1; 3 Perc, Timp; Strings
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra
Premiere Information: San Diego, June 6, 2000, Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra, conducted by David Ramos
Olympics Overture (1984) -- 6’
3(Picc.)-2-3(B.Cl.)-3(Cbsn.)/4-4-3-1; 3 Perc., Pno., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra under a grant from the Col. Frank C. Wood Memorial Fund of the San Diego Community Foundation
Premiere Information: June 10, 1984, University of California, San Diego, San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra; Arne Christiansen, conductor
Prelude and Toccata (1962) -- 12’
3(Picc.)-3(E.H.)-3(B.Cl.)-2; 4-3-3-1; Timp., 3 Perc., Hp., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: March 21, 1963, Albuquerque, NM, Albuquerque Civic Symphony; Maurice Bonney, conductor
Additional Information: Winner of Albuquerque Civic Symphony national composition contest
• Reviews
Season's Greetings (1981) -- 2'
3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Perc. Pno. Cel. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Dec. 15, 1983, San Diego, San Diego Symphony; Mathew Garbutt, conductor
Symphony (1959) -- 22’
3(Picc.)-3(E.H.)-2-2; 4-3-3-1; Timp., 3 Perc., Pno.(Cel.), Hp., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: December 4, 1962, San Diego Symphony; Earl Bernard Murray, conductor
Additional Information: Joseph H. Bearns Prize, Columbia University; BMI Prize, SCA competition
Taj Mahal (Raga for Symphony Orchestra) (2008) -- 11'
Solo Eb Alto Sax, 3(picc) 2(E.H.) 2 2 - 4 3 3 1; Hp., Clave-Piano, Timp., 3Perc., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Additional Information: Orchestration of Raga for Winds (1972)
The Song of Moses for Narrator, STTB Soli, Double SATB Chorus and Orchestra (1963-64) -- 70’
3(Picc.)-3(E.H.)-3(B.Cl.)-2-A. Sax./5-3-3-1; Timp., 4 Perc., Pno.(Cel.), Hp., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: J. Dayton Smith and the Music Dept. of San Diego State College
Premiere Information: May 21, 1964, San Diego, CA, with Gregory Peck, narrator, SDSC Chorus, Concert Choir, and Symphony Orchestra; Paul V. Anderson, conductor
Additional Information: Winner of the Albuquerque Civic Symphony national composition contest
• Recordings
• Reviews
These Three Concert Suite from the Ballet
2(Picc.)-2(E.H.)-2(B.Cl. A. Sax.)-2/A. Sax (B. Sax)/4-3-3-1; 3 Perc., Pno., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: November 9, 1979, Am. Society of University Composers conference, Las Cruces, NM; New Mexico State University Civic Symphony; Marianna Gabbi, conductor
• Reviews
Three Miniatures (1967) -- 3'
2 1 2 1 - 2 2 2 0; 2Perc. Str.
Available From Lee Roberts Music Publications
Western Orpheus Concert Suite from the Ballet (1968) -- 20’
2(Picc.)-2(E.H.)-2(B.Cl.)-2/2-2-2-0; Timp., Perc., Solo Pno./Cel. (doubling Koto or Cheng ad lib), Hp., Solo Vln., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: March 6, 1975, Bloomington, IL, Illinois Wesleyan Univ. Orchestra; Richard Hishman, conductor
• Recordings
• Reviews
Latter-Day Lullabies (1961-66) -- 7’
Available From E.B. Marks Music Corp.
Sonata for Piano (1956-57) -- 11’
Premiere Information: Lowell Roddenberry, spring, 1957, Florida State Univ., Tallahassee
Available From Composer
Sonata for Piano Fortified (1972) -- 12’
Commission Information: Florida Center for the Arts under a grant from the Ford Foundation - MENC Contemporary Music Project
Premiere Information: June 23, 1972, University of South Florida, Tampa, Gary Wolf
Available From Composer
What's Left for the Left Hand Alone (1987) -- 4’
Premiere Information: February 29, 1988, San Diego State University, CA, Conrad Bruderer
Available From Composer
Brancusi's Brass Beds Quintet No. 2 (1976) -- 16’
2 Tpts., Hn., Tbn., Tuba
Commission Information: The Bowling Green Brass Quintet
Premiere Information: January 22, 1978, Bowling Green Brass Quintet, Bowling Green State Univ., KY
Additional Information: First Prize, University of Kansas Brass Quintet Composition Contest
Available From Composer
Chroma Concerto for Multiple Keyboards, Percussion and Chamber Orchestra (1984) -- 19’
1 1 1 1 - 1 0 0 0; 3Perc. Pno. Cel. Toy Pno.(3-8ve); Synthesizer, Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: The Nouveau West Chamber Orchestra, with grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts
Premiere Information: May 7, 1985, Scottsdale, AZ, by the composer and Amy Smith-Davie, keyboard soloists with the Nouveau West Chamber Orchestra; Terry Williams, music director
• Reviews
Cinnabar Concerto for Viola and Strings, with Percussion and Piano (Celeste) (1991-93) -- 17’
Solo Vla.; Perc., Pno./Cel.; Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Karen Elaine, with a grant from the National Association of Negro Musicians
Premiere Information: April 16, 1994, University of San Diego, CA, Karen Elaine, viola, San Diego Contemporary Music Ensemble; Lily Hood Gunn, director
• Reviews
Concerto Grosso for Combo and Chamber Orchestra (1960) -- 17’
0-0-0-0, A. Sax.(Ten. Sax), Ten. Sax., Bar. Sax., 0-3-3-1, Drum Set, Pno., Str.
Commission Information: John Garvey for the Modern Jazz Quartet's School of Jazz, Lenox, MA
Premiere Information: November 8, 1964, Carnegie Hall, NY, Orchestra U.S.A.; John Lewis, music director; Harold Farberman, conductor
Additional Information: BMI Prize, SCA Competition
Available From MJQ Music, Inc.
Concerto No. 2 for Chamber Orchestra (1960-62) -- 17’
1-1-1-1/1-1-1-0; Timp., Perc., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Sherwood Hall Orchestra of La Jolla, CA
Premiere Information: March 3, 1963, La Jolla, CA, Sherwood Hall Orchestra; Daniel Lewis, conductor
• Recordings
• Reviews
Incantation and Dance for Native American Flute and Chamber Orchestra (6')
Solo Native American Flute (5 holes); 0 1 2(dbl. B.Cl.) 1 - 2 0 0 0; Timp. 2Perc. Hp. Str. (single or section)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: January 25, 26 and 27, 2009, Timothy Archambault, Native American Flute; Tifereth Israel
Flute and Fortified Piano version: March 25, 2008, Indiana University (James Pellerite, Nat.Amer. Fl., David Ward-Steinman, Pno.)
Additional Information: Version for Native American Flute and Fortified Piano Published: 144-40520
Moiré for Piano and Chamber Ensemble (1984) -- 5'30"
Solo Pno.; 1 0 1 1(A.Sax.) - 0 1 1 0; Perc.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: April 27, 1984
Montage Woodwind Quintet (1968) -- 6’
Commission Information: Young Audiences, Inc., San Diego, CA
Premiere Information: June 6, 1968, San Diego, Firenze Quintet from the San Diego Symphony
Available From MJQ Music, Inc.
Night Winds Woodwind Quintet No. 2 (1993) -- 17’
Published: #144-40269
Commission Information: San Diego State University, for the Arioso Wind Quintet
Premiere Information: November 4, 1993, Arioso Wind Quintet; Festival of New American Music, California State University, Sacramento
Available Separately:Set of parts (#144-40269P)
Full Score - Large (#144-40269S)
Now-Music for Four Tape Recorders and Dice
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#141-40036S)
Putney Three for Woodwind Quintet, Piano and Tape (1970) -- 13’
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Florida State Music Teachers' Association
Premiere Information: November 9, 1971, Ars Nova Quintet (Univ. of South Fla.) with the composer at the piano and synthesizer; FSMTA Convention, Tallahassee
Quintet For Brass, No. 1 (1958-59) -- 13’
2 Tpts., Hn., Tbn., Tuba
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: April 5, 1960; Univ. of Illinois, Urbana, Brass Quintet–William Geis, Richard Vandament, Richard Ely, Liborio Arcuri, and Ronald Bishop
Additional Information: First Prize, National Federation of Music Clubs national contest
The Tracker for Clarinet, Fortified Piano, and Tape (stereo or quad) (1976) -- 11’
Commission Information: Barney Childs and Phillip Rehfeldt
Premiere Information: November 13, 1976, Phillip Rehfeldt, clarinet, Barney Childs, fortified piano and tape; Am. Soc. of Univ. Composers conference, Cal. State Univ., Fullerton
Additional Information: From a poem by Barney Childs
Available From ASUC/SCI Journal of Scores, Vol. 13
Winging It 1-1-1-0; Hn., Perc., Str. (1986) -- 13’
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Las Cruces Symphony Association
Premiere Information: November 22, 1986, Las Cruces, NM, Chamber Players de Las Cruces; Marianna Gabbi, conductor
• Reviews
Rituals for Dancers and Musicians (1971) -- 14’
Fl.(d. Indian Bamboo Flute, Sop.Rec.), Bamboo Fl.(d.Sop.Rec.), Koto(or alternative), Mbira(or Marimba), Prepared Pno., Perc.[may also be performed with 4 musicians with further doublings - see score for details]
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Florida Center for the Arts under a grant from the Ford Foundation - MENC Contemporary Music Project
Premiere Information: Television premiere: December 5, 1971, Channel 13, Tampa, FL. Choreography by William Hug; dancers from the University of South Florida, Tampa
Tamar Music-Drama in Three Acts for Six Voices, Dancers and Orchestra (1970-77) -- 2 hr. 20'
Additional Information: . Libretto by William J. Adams, from the Tamar of Robinson Jeffers.
Available From Composer
...And Waken Green Seven Poems by Douglas Worth for Medium Voice or Voices and Piano (1983) -- 12’
Premiere Information: October 19, 1983, Carlsbad City Library, CA, Joe Stanford and Ellen Lawson, composer at the piano
Available From Leyerle Publications
And in These Times a Christmas Cantata for Narrator, Soloists, Chorus and Wind Ensemble (1979-81) -- 55’
3(Picc., A.Fl.)-3(E.H.)-6(A.Cl., B.Cl., Cb. Cl.)-2-2 Sax. (Alto, Ten.); 3-4-3-1; 5 Perc., Kbds.(Pno./Cel./Elec. Pno.), Hp., Vcl. obbligato, Cb.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: December 12, 1982, San Diego State University, CA, Palomar Chorale and the San Diego State University Wind Ensemble; Joe Stanford, conductor
Additional Information: Libretto by Douglas Worth
Fragments from Sappho for Soprano, Flute, Clarinet and Piano (1962-65) -- 15’
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: April 29, 1966, Sherwood Hall, La Jolla, CA; Emma Small, sop., Frederick Baker, fl., Dan Magnusson, cl., composer at the piano; Louis Campiglia, conductor
• Recordings
• Reviews
Of Wind and Water Choral Suite for Mixed Chorus, Piano and Two Percussion (1982) -- 13’
Commission Information: Collegiate Choir and Chamber Singers of Illinois Wesleyan University
Premiere Information: Collegiate Choir and Chamber Singers of Illinois Wesleyan University; David Nott, conductor, March 4, 1982, Bloomington, IL
Available From Composer
Psalms of Rejoicing for Mixed Chorus SSAATTBB a cappella (1960) -- 4’
Premiere Information: April 23, 1961, Kansas City; NFMC Biennial, Mississippi State University Meistersingers; H.C. Collings, director
Additional Information: First Prize, National Federation of Music Clubs composition contest
Seasons Fantastic for Mixed Chorus and Harp (1991-92) -- 4’
Commission Information: the American Harp Society, San Diego Chapter
Premiere Information: June 25, 1992, American Harp Soc. National Convention, University of San Diego, CA, Marian Rian Hays, harp, San Diego Choral Artists; Ron Gillis, conductor
Additional Information: Four Poems by Robert Lee
Available From Composer
The Tale Of Issoumbochi for Soprano, Narrator and Chamber Ensemble (1968) -- 20’
Narr., Sop., Fl., Cl., Perc., Pno./Cel., Vcl.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Association for Childhood Education International
Premiere Information: April 18, 1968, San Diego, ACEI convention; Emma Small, sop., S. Sanford Engel, narr.; conducted by the composer
Additional Information: Libretto by Susan Lucas, from a Japanese fairy tale
• Reviews
Voices From The Gallery for Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Chamber Orchestra, and optional art projections (1990; orch. 2000) -- 40’
1(Picc., A.Fl.) 1(E.H.) 1(B.Cl.) 0 - 0 0 0 0; Perc. Hp. Pno./Cel. Str. (2 1 1 1 0)
Commission Information: Composed under the auspices of the Australian-American Educational Foundation during a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award to Australia, 1989-90
Premiere Information: February 13, 1994, San Diego State University, CA; Ann Chase, Martin Chambers, Philip Larson, voices; Bob Willey, slide projector, composer at the piano
Available From Composer
Roncorp EMS-021:
Phillip Rehfeldt, clarinet; David Ward-Steinman, piano
Con Com. No. 1:
Richard Robinette, clarinet; Composer, piano.
 | Duo for Cello and Piano |
Orion Records No. 74141:
Edgar Lustgarten, cello; John Williams, piano.
California Ballet Recordings No. 1 (cassette):
David Ward-Steinman, piano; San Diego State University New Music Ensemble, Mimi Dominiguez, conductor.
Century Records No. 31198:
Vincent Price, narrator; San Diego State College Chorus, Concert Choir, and Symphony Orchestra; Howard Hill, conductor.
"…there can be no doubt that he knows how to write hightly effective music that plays to a listener's mind and heart."-Peter Jacobi, Herald-Times (Bloomington, IN)
"It was something like finding some singing, celestial music, and then re-wiring it to make the component parts oppose each other to create exciting colors and rhythms and textures."-Martin, The Tampa Times
| Chroma Concerto for Multiple Keyboards, Percussion and Chamber Orchestra |
"Ward-Steinman uses four esoteric keyboards (synthesizer, 'fortified' piano, toy piano, and celesta) in addition to a multitude of percussion instruments, to create new – or at least unusual – colors and sounds, which he then develops rhythmically with great technical skill."-Drobatschewsky, The Arizona Republic
| Cinnabar Concerto for Viola and Strings, with Percussion and Piano (Celeste) |
"…an exploration of the contrasting sonorities of the two instruments in moods varying from introverted meditation to intense aggressiveness."-Saville, Readers Guide To Classical Music
"…most intriguing, with its shimmering, almost extraterrestrial sounds."-Johnson, The Tacoma News Tribune"The work is surcharged with intensity, and the contrasts are striking."-Stromberg, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"[1st mvt.] …quick, swirling theme… a breathless, light-textured effect… [2nd mvt.] simple tune, clean lines and soaring trumpet… [3rd mvt.] energetic and syncopated, with many surprises…"-Susan L. Peña, Reading Eagle, PA"Its freshness of invention… made me sorry that I could get to hear it only once; it had throughout a treasurable quality that invited closer acquaintance."-Saville, San Diego Reader"In this work, the composer shows his characteristic vigor, movement, the strong melodic elements, and the sonorous brass; and his distinctive use of the xylophone, percussion, and flute. The rhythms are coercive, compelling, and powerful."-Shields, San Diego Magazine"The premiere of David Ward-Steinman's Concerto No. 2 for Chamber Orchestra was a victory for both the composer and the orchestra, and one in which the audience took enormous delight in sharing … Vehement and convincing in expression and fitted together with consummate craft."-Kriegsman, The San Diego Union"David Ward-Steinman's Concerto No. 2 begins where Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra ends, with a percolating theme darting around the orchestra."-Reel, The Arizona Daily Star
| Duo for Cello and Piano |
"…a lyrical work with moments of Prokofiev-like vitality."-The Instrumentalist
"…written with poignancy… [following the Challenger explosion]"-Peter Jacobi, Hoosier Times
"…one of the great finds of the year.
The setting…ricochets off this text in brilliant fashion…"-High Fidelity"The compositions were well thought out and attractively presented. The crystal-like combination of instruments and voice created a vivid tone coloring."-Lois Roberts, La Jolla Journal"These songs illustrated Ward-Steinman’s fine perceptions of instrumental tone colors as they relate to each other and complement, in this instance, the soprano voice quality. And his settings of the texts were natural, graceful and generally integral to basic word rhythms.
It will be a great pleasure to hear the work again."-Donald Dierk, San Diego Union
"The work has subtle as well as informal organization … There is bite to his harmonies as well as distinctive color to his orchestration… The Prelude And Toccata exhibits intelligence and sound craft."-Gagnard, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
"No event of the entire year was more impressive … than the world-premiere of the stirring oratorio The Song Of Moses… the year's ultimate in musical rewards."-Kriegsman, The San Diego Union
"…charming."-Peter Jacobi, Hoosier Times
"…brilliantly patterned with individual relationships, with little vignettes of private and personal tenderness and hopes and lamentations … its jazzy air, its insistent beat, its restless pace serve the choreographer expertly."-Terry, World Journal Tribune
"The score is composer David Ward-Steinman's best. It achieves a sustained, at times moving balance between touching lyricism and demonic acerbity."-Stamon, San Diego"David Ward-Steinman is a latter-day Greek Orpheus, carrying his Muse's gift of a musical pilgrimage through the world of men and shades."-Shields, The Valley News
"Ward-Steinman's work has continuity, not randomness. True, some of the harmonies are strange to ears more accustomed to the 'conventional,' and tempo changes abound, but the music is deeply expressive."-Boyce, Sun-News (Las Cruces, NM)"…a jolly, jazzy little work in three movements."-Dierks, The San Diego Union
|
|
