Here's a playlist of works by Aaron Alter in multiple styles. Thank you for listening!

Aaron Alter

Premiered in Antwerp, Belgium by the Collegium Musicum Carinthia conducted by Alexei Kornienko at the Festival of Flanders.

March Swale is a musical collage of sections beginning with wind and including party music to describe the month. A swale is a meadow or a marsh where a diversity of wild plants grow due to good soil and water.  The composer uses the word swale to mean a kind of musical collage of newly composed swatches. The piece opens with music reminiscent of Kentucky fiddle music. 

Each of the Three Swales may be performed individually, but if they're performed together, the preferred order is Kentucky Swale, Blue Bell Swale and March Swale. 

Beth Anderson’s music has been described as having “a refreshing simplicity without naiveté” and as “deeply felt, direct, and yes, beautiful” and “charming and deeply felt to the point of romanticism.” MSR Classics has issued The Praying Mantis and the Bluebird – Flute Music of Beth Anderson (MS1434) - World Premiere recordings of 11 works and New World Records released Swales and Angels - World Premiere recordings of 7 works.

Read Just Dropping In, a fascinating interview with the composer on NewMusicBox at nmbx.newmusicusa.org/beth-anderson-…t-dropping-in/ and hear a Listening to Ladies podcast with her at listeningtoladies.com/episode10/.

For more information about Ms. Anderson, including a bio, other videos, list of works, discography and much more, please visit www.beand.com.

If you'd like to have a score of March Swale for consideration, contact Beth Anderson at beth@beand.com.

Unknown album (5/27/2021 3:04:00 PM)

Beth Anderson's March Swale from Three Swales for String Orchestra

String Theory starts out with a slow introduction, inspired by the music of John Coltrane, followed by a Coltrane-inspired theme with a virtuosic solo by the first violin. After the solo, some of the music from the slow introduction returns, followed by a fast finale to the finish line. 

The title of the composition, String Theory, was inspired by the concert where it was performed by the Composers Concordance in New York, entitled "CompCord & Entertaining Science." All the works on the concert program had a scientific theme and the title "String Theory" was a way to use a scientific term and describe the piece at the same time. 

This recording is from the award-winning album "New Music for String Quartet Vol.1" by the ÉxQuartet on the Phasma Music Label (distributed by Naxos,) The members of the ÉxQuartet are Monika Sawczuk, 1st Violin; Łukasz Górewicz, 2nd Violin; Grzegorz Sadowski, Viola and Tomasz Szczęsny, 'Cello. The ÉxQuartet has played String Theory many times and likes it so much that they program it as the "Grand Finale" of the concert or as an encore.

String Theory was a National Finalist in the 2021-2022 American Prize in Chamber Music Composition.

String Theory for String Quartet is published by Universal Edition. For scores and parts, please visit:
https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/String-Theory-for-String-Quartet/P0207090

For more information on String Theory and other works by Aaron Alter, please visit aaronalter.com/compositions .

String Theory For String Quartet (inspired by John Coltrane)

This is the finale from Variations on Lo Lanu Ha-Shem for cello and piano, performed by the Cracow Duo (Jan Kalinowski, cello and Marek Szlezer, piano)in Kraków, Poland on September 13, 2020, sponsored by the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust.
To see a video of the complete Variations on Lo Lanu Ha-Shem, please visit the page on my website: https://aaronalter.com/chamber-variations-on-lo-lanu-hashem

Variations on Lo Lanu Ha-Shem are based on my "Lo Lanu Ha-Shem" (a setting of Psalm 115) for Women's Chorus, Flute, Harp, Two Horns, Double-Bass and Tambourine. To hear the original choral work, please visit the page on my website: https://aaronalter.com/choral-lolanuhashem

Finale from Variations on Lo Lanu Ha-Shem for cello and piano

This is the World Premiere performance of Aaron Alter's "Fire and Sleet and Candlelight" for Soprano voice and Chamber Ensemble that took place in New York on December 2, 2022. The performers were:
Ljiljana Winkler - soprano (to whom the work was dedicated)
Peter Oswald - trumpet
Lynn Bechtold - violin
Katie Scheele - oboe
Gene Pritsker - electric guitar
Jai Jeffryes - piano
Charles Coleman - conductor

Performed as part of Composers Concordance presents Art of the Art Song, featuring soprano Ljiljana Winkler with Formation Solenne / CompCord Ensemble on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Greenwich House, New York City.

Fire and Sleet and Candlelight is published by Universal Edition. For scores and parts, please visit:
https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Fire-and-Sleet-and-Candlelight-for-Soprano-Voice-Trumpet-Oboe-Violin-Electric-Guitar-and-Piano/P0307152

The text is based on the poem by Elinor Wylie.

Fire and sleet and candlelight.

For this you've striven
Daring, to fail:
Your sky is riven
Like a tearing veil.

For this, you've wasted
Wings of your youth;
Divined, and tasted
Bitter springs of truth.

From sand unslak-ed
Twisted strong cords,
And wandered naked
Among trysted swords.

There's a word unspoken,
A knot untied.
Whatever is broken
The earth may hide.

Your race is ended—
See, it is run:
Nothing is mended
Under the sun.

Fire, sleet, candlelight.

For more information on Fire and Sleet and Candlelight and other works by Aaron Alter, please visit https://aaronalter.com/compositions .

Fire And Sleet And Candlelight - World Premiere in New York

This is the live performance of Aaron Alter's "Toccata-Variations on a Theme by Charlie Parker, performed by the Steinway Artist, Susan Merdinger on November 10, 2022 at the Howard Brubeck Theatre at Palomar College, San Marcos, California. Toccata-Variations combines thematic material from the Charlie Parker tune, "Segment", with stylistic elements of Johann Sebastian Bach's organ toccatas.

Toccata-Variations on a Theme by Charlie Parker is published by Universal Edition. For scores, please visit: https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Toccata-Variations-on-a-Theme-by-Charlie-Parker/P0307969

For more information on Toccata-Variations on a Theme by Charlie Parker and other works by Aaron Alter, please visit https://aaronalter.com/compositions .

Toccata-Variations on a Theme by Charlie Parker, performed by Susan Merdinger, Steinway Artist

Vival-departures for string orchestra is inspired by the music of Antonio Vivaldi. Although there are no direct quotes of Vivaldi's music in Vival-departures, there is a Vivaldi-like interlude that appears in different forms and becomes a point of departure for musical development. In addition to the influences of Vivaldi's music, you'll hear influences of blues and rock music also.

This track is from the commercial recording "LVIV 1" by the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine on the Phasma-Music label. 

Vival-departures (inspired by the music of Antonio Vivaldi) for String Orchestra is published by Universal Edition. For scores and parts, please visit:
https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Vival-departures-inspired-by-the-music-of-Antonio/P0207088

For more information on Vival-departures and other works by Aaron Alter, please visit https://aaronalter.com/compositions .

Vival-departures (inspired by the music of Antonio Vivaldi) for String Orchestra

This is the world premiere performance of Aaron Alter's Latin-Jazz-inspired piece, Who, if not You?, for mixed chamber ensemble and tap dancer. The performance was part of a concert entitled 
Composers Concordance & Talujon Present "Ensemble Motion"
Talujon Percussion Meets CompCord Ensemble
Featuring Max Pollak & Dancers
Sunday, March 26th, 2023
St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery, New York

The performers were:
CompCord Ensemble
Michiyo Suzuki, Clarinet
Daniel Schnyder, Soprano Saxophone
Jonathan Finlayson, Trumpet
Gene Pritsker, Electric Guitar
Jay Elfenbein, Double Bass
Peter Jarvis, Conductor

Talujon Percussion Ensemble
David Cossin, Suspended Cymbal
Michael Lipsey, Conga
Riley Palmer, Cajon
Matt Ward, Vibraphone

Tommy Wasiuta, Tap Dancer

Recording by Moti Margolin

For more information on Who, if not You? and other works by Aaron Alter, please visit https://aaronalter.com/compositions .

Who, if not You? for Mixed Chamber Ensemble and Tap Dancer - World Premiere in New York

Sunset on the Spire (Introspective Blues #2) is an Art Song for Soprano Voice that is in the tradition of Art Songs by Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms, but with a more modern instrumental accompaniment of a Jazz Quintet of Trumpet, Tenor Saxophone, Piano, Double-Bass and Drum Set. The text is by the early 20th century American poet, Elinor Wylie. The beginning and end of the song are in a Blues style, while the middle section is in a style that is more Brahms-inspired.

The performers were:
Ljiljana Winkler, Soprano (to whom the song was dedicated)
Peter Oswald, Trumpet
Dennis Brandner, Tenor Saxophone
Jai Jeffryes, Piano
Troy Rinker, Jr., Double-Bass
Lee Jeffryes, Drum Set
Gene Pritsker, Conductor

Sunset on the Spire was premiered by Ljiljana Winkler and the CompCord Ensemble as part of Composers Concordance Presents "Art of the Art Song" November 29, 2023 at DROM, New York City.
This audio recording was by James Lane (Hot Indie Media.)

Sunset on the Spire was awarded a National Finalist Honorable Mention in the 2025 Charles Ives Award for Vocal Chamber Music Composition from The American Prize.

Sunset on the Spire by Elinor Wylie (abridged by Aaron Alter)
All that I dream
By day or night
Lives in that stream
Of lovely light.

Here is the earth,
And there is the spire;
This is my hearth,
And that is my fire.

From the sun's dome
I am shouted proof
That this is my home,
And that is my roof.

And I am wooed
From the moon's brink.

And the days go over,
And the nights end;
Here is my lover,
Here is my friend.

Sunset on the Spire (Introspective Blues #2) is published by Universal Edition. For scores and parts, please visit:
https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Sunset-on-the-Spire-Introspective-Blues-2-for-S/P0261476

For more information on Sunset on the Spire and other works by Aaron Alter, please visit https://aaronalter.com/compositions .

Sunset On The Spire (Introspective Blues #2) for Soprano voice and Jazz Quintet-Premiere in New York

Lament for Theodore Antoniou for solo alto flute was written in memory of the brilliant composer, conductor and educator, Theodore Antoniou. Aaron Alter had the honor and pleasure of studying with him when Aaron was on a fellowship in Composition at Tanglewood in the summer of 1976 and remembered his impeccable musicianship and high standards. The recording of Lament for Theodore Antoniou by the flutist Iwona Glinka (to whom the work was dedicated) was released in 2021 on the Phasma Music Label (Distributed by Naxos) in a monumental three-volume project with Laments from composers all over the world. The recording received the award of "Best Classical Album" at the 2021 Akademia Music Awards.

Lament for Theodore Antonio is published by Universal Edition. For scores, please visit:
https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Lament-for-Antoniou-for-solo-Alto-Flute/P0261646

Lament for Antoniou Vol. 1

Lament For Theodore Antoniou for solo Alto Flute

This is a recording of the world premiere performance of the fourth movement (Arioso) of Aaron Alter's "Cantata of Praise" for chorus and chamber orchestra on March 23, 2025 by The New Mexico Bach Society Chorale and Orchestra at the Hope in the Desert Episcopal Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Cantata of Praise is a setting of the poetic interpretation of Psalms 118 and 150 by the Elizabethan poet Mary Sidney Herbert, from her book "The Sidney Psalter" from around the year 1599, with some added text from Psalm 118 in the original Hebrew and from The King James Bible.

The music in Cantata of Praise displays a wide range of influences. The fourth movement shows influences of Bach’s sacred cantatas and "Classic" Rock.

Cantata of Praise was commissioned by the New Mexico Performing Arts Society.

The performers were:
New Mexico Bach Society Chorale and Orchestra
Franz Vote, Artistic Director and Conductor

André García-Nuthmann, tenor soloist

New Mexico Bach Society Orchestra
Linda Marianiello, flute
Elaine Heltman, oboe
Joshua Petersen, clarinet
Lisa Grodin, concertmaster
Carla Kountoupes, violin 2
Lisa Di Carlo, viola
Joel Becktell, cello
Bob Barney, double bass
Joshua Pielemeier, piano

Text: 4th Movement (Arioso for Tenor:)
(from Psalm 118)
You righteous troop with me rejoice,
Consort with mine your joyful voice:

Text is from The Sidney Psalter, The Psalms of Sir Philip and Mary Sidney
Published by the Oxford University Press (2009)
Copyright Hannibal Hamlin, Michael G. Brennan, Margaret P. Hannay and
Noel J. Kinnamon, 2009
Reproduced with permission of the Licensor through PLSclear.


Cantata of Praise - 4th movement (Arioso) for Tenor soloist and Chamber Orchestra

This is a recording of the world premiere performance of the fifth movement (Blues for Alto) of Aaron Alter's "Cantata of Praise" for chorus and chamber orchestra on March 23, 2025 by The New Mexico Bach Society Chorale and Orchestra at the Hope in the Desert Episcopal Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Cantata of Praise is a setting of the poetic interpretation of Psalms 118 and 150 by the Elizabethan poet Mary Sidney Herbert, from her book "The Sidney Psalter" from around the year 1599, with some added text from Psalm 118 in the original Hebrew and from The King James Bible.

The music in Cantata of Praise displays a wide range of influences. As the title suggests, the fifth movement is strongly influenced by The Blues.

Cantata of Praise was commissioned by the New Mexico Performing Arts Society.

The performers were:
New Mexico Bach Society Chorale and Orchestra
Franz Vote, Artistic Director and Conductor

Kehar Koslowsky, alto soloist

New Mexico Bach Society Orchestra
Linda Marianiello, flute
Joshua Petersen, clarinet
Lisa Grodin, concertmaster
Carla Kountoupes, violin 2
Lisa Di Carlo, viola
Joel Becktell, cello
Bob Barney, double bass
Joshua Pielemeier, piano

Text: 5th Movement (Blues for Alto:)
(from Psalm 118)
Say, 'Praised his hand, yea, double praisèd,
Be his strong hand so highly raisèd.'

Text is from The Sidney Psalter, The Psalms of Sir Philip and Mary Sidney
Published by the Oxford University Press (2009)
Copyright Hannibal Hamlin, Michael G. Brennan, Margaret P. Hannay and
Noel J. Kinnamon, 2009
Reproduced with permission of the Licensor through PLSclear.

Cantata of Praise - 5th movement (Blues) for Alto soloist and Chamber Orchestra

© Michael Calabris Music (ASCAP), 2024. All rights reserved. 

"Prelude & Fugue" was composed in February 2017. The piece was realized using Logic Pro X; specifically, Logic's Retro Synth feature. I used Retro Synth to create the twenty "analog" synth patches heard in this track.

Prelude & Fugue (for Synthesizer)

La Joie de Vivre was inspired by the painting by Picasso of the same name. That painting shows a Mediterranean scene with mythological figures, such as satyrs and a centaur and a nude woman playing music and dancing. The music goes through several transformations. It begins in a modal jazz style, but later evolves into folk-rock, blues-rock and finally ends with a folk dance, all of which evoke the spirit of the Picasso painting.

This track is from the recording, "Zayin," by the flutist Iwona Glinka and the pianist Vicky Stylianou that was released on the Phasma Music label (distributed by Naxos.)

La Joie de Vivre (inspired by the painting of Picasso) is published by Universal Edition. For scores and parts, please visit:
https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/La-Joie-de-Vivre-inspired-by-the-painting-by-Pica/P0207092

For more information on "La Joie de Vivre" and other works by Aaron Alter, please visit https://aaronalter.com/compositions

La Joie De Vivre For Flute And Piano

Alban Berg's Piano Sonata in a single movement, Opus 1, was published in 1910.

Berg, Piano Sonata

Aaron Alter is a composer from Carlsbad, California. His music is published by Universal Edition and Silverwinds Publishing. Aaron calls his new music his "New Beginning" because it is an exploration of a new style and energy that defies categorization.    

A native of Chicago, Aaron Alter's musical background was a product of the rich musical life that he found growing up in the Windy City. Aaron received his Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University, where he studied piano with Frances Larimer and Gui Mombaerts, and composition with Lynden DeYoung and David Noon. He received his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Princeton University, where he studied with Milton Babbitt and James K. Randall.  

Aaron’s new music was first performed in 2015, with the performance of “Homage to Josquin” for two flutes, piano, electric bass and drum set by The New Mexico Performing Arts Society in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “Homage to Josquin” received an Honorable Mention in the 2016 American Prize competition for Chamber Music Composition.  

Works such as "Solar Rays" and "Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry" defy genres and exist in Classical ensemble and Jazz Big Band versions. Both the classical piano trio (piano, violin and ‘cello) and Jazz Big Band versions of “Solar Rays” have received Silver medals at the Global Music Awards. Aaron’s Introspective Blues #1 for Flute and Harp has become his most popular work, with over 16,100 plays on SoundCloud and over 5,200 plays on Jango Internet Radio. Aaron’s music has been featured on the albums “One Minute”, “Two Minutes”, “Gimel” and “Daleth”, by the flutist Iwona Glinka on the Sarton and Phasma Music labels, all of which have won Silver Medals at the Global Music Awards.  

Aaron has received two commissions in the past two years for choral works with an instrumental ensemble from The New Mexico Performing Arts Society.  The first commission, “Together We Create and Sing! (inspired by the music of Franz Joseph Haydn”) was a semi-finalist at the 2018 American Prize competition for Choral Music Composition and received a Silver Medal at the August 2019 Global Music Awards.  The latest commission, “Lo Lanu Ha-Shem” (a setting of Psalm 115) received a Silver Medal from the March 2019 Global Music Awards.  

Aaron is a regular contributor of compositions to the repertoire of the flutist Iwona Glinka, the pianist and Steinway Artist, Susan Merdinger, the pianist Vania Pimentel, The New Mexico Performing Arts Society and Composers Concordance in New York.  

Aaron also serves as an Executive Board Member of the Carlsbad Friends of the Arts.

Fire And Sleet And Candlelight - World Premiere in New York

AaronAlterComposer

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