. . . Cloudburst. Springtime pokes its head through the daisies. A sodden quandary of mud puzzles. Foxfire and fern frost. Ruins of flora. Fire flies sparks spidering toward stars. Thorns thistles brambles and briers. Heaving and dearth. Night flocks of angels trumpet. Rainbows end. Instrumentation: saxophone, double bass, piano and percussion Duration: 25 minutes Premiere: 7 June 2011 by Eric Hansen, David Kjar, Scott Holden, and Ron Brough […]
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Ginger
“Because ginger had to be imported from Asia, it remained a relatively expensive spice. Nevertheless, it was still in great demand. … [Eventually] it became so popular in Europe that it was included in every table setting, like salt and pepper.” — The Healing Power of Herbs and Spices Instrumentation: string quartet Duration: 12 minutes Premiere: 6 December 2014 by the […]
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Gorre and Daphetid
Over 30 years, John Whitby Allen constructed what some consider the greatest model railroad ever made, the “Gorre and Daphetid.” Ten days after Allen died from a heart attack in 1973, his house caught fire, destroying his life’s work. Instrumentation: piano trio Duration: 4 minutes Recording: read by the New York Piano Trio Performance History: Dance premiere, 31 March and 1 April 2011 Press: ‘New Works […]
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Monet’s Gardens
“It turns out we never made it to Monet’s gardens. We missed the train we needed by about 10 minutes. So after going to church, getting out money at the ATM, and doing our best to make it happen, it fell through. “We were all hungry so we decided to go to the Tulleries to […]
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I AM
“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” — Robin Williams Instrumentation: fl. (= picc.), ob., cl., bsn., hn., tpt., tbn., 2 perc., pno. (= cel.), str.: 2.1.1.1 Duration: 8 minutes Premiere: 5 November 2008 by the Musical North Chamber Ensemble, Live Ivanov, cond. Ordering: Please use my contact form or email inquiries [at] josephsowa.com to order this work. “I AM” […]
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Interstate Pastoral
A three movement pastoral written in three states. Instrumentation: flute, clarinet, and bassoon Duration: 8 minutes Premiere: 14 July 2011 by the ITCH Ensemble Score and Ordering: Perusal Score: FREE Download Now Hard Copy Score and Parts: $60 PDF Score and Parts: $35
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