Featuring Miguel Vargas, flute
Music by Daniel Gall

Fox at Play

This is a MIDI realization of a short fanfare commissioned and premiered by The Oregon Symphony (David Danzmayr, Music Director) on Oct. 2nd, 2021 in Portland, Oregon.

Time In for orchestra (2021) [MIDI realization]

New York premiere performance of New Dances of the League of David, featuring pianist David Kaplan performing Schumann's Davidsbündlertänze together with "Interruptions and Interludes" by composers, including Samuel Carl Adams, Timo Andres, Marcos Balter, Martin Bresnick, Caleb Burhans, Michael Brown, Mark Carlson, Mohammed Fairouz, Ryan Francis, Michael Gandolfi, Ted Hearne, Gabriel Kahane, Hannah Lash, Andrew Norman, Caroline Shaw, and Augusta Read Thomas. Performed on March 22, 2015 at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City.  Recorded on October 23, 2014 at Yamaha Artist Services by Jessica Slaven. Presented by Metropolis Ensemble led by conductor Andrew Cyr.

Marcos Balter: ***

World premiere performance by 
Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra and Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Christopher Bell, Choral Director
June 17th, 2015, Chicago, IL

Grant Park Festival

Symphony no. 3 mvt. I

Monica Ohuchi, solo piano
Marin Symphony, AlasdairNeale, Music Director
Nov. 11th, 2011, Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium

Marin Symphony 11/6/11

Piano Concerto, mvt. I

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Warm Chromatic (2017) for piano

Sacconi Strings

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all the birds sing (2018) for string quartet

Supermaximum is inspired by the rich tradition of chain gang songs from the prison camps of the Jim Crow South. Stemming from a long and painful past with roots originating in West African work song, through generations of enduring slavery and post-Reconstruction racial terrorism, this body of work serves as a singular example of a group of oppressed people resorting to, of all things, art for spiritual and, at times, physical survival under the most needlessly cruel of circumstances. The word "Supermaximum" refers to the highest possible level of security for incarceration in America. I imagined this work as a presence of compassion offered in direct proportion to counter this cruelty- specifically the defiant rediscovery and celebration of one's own humanity in the face of the entity that seeks to remove and deny that humanity.

The work begins with the unpitched rhythm of chain gang work- the highly coordinated swinging of axes and clanging of hammers. Using this reference as a point of departure, the music is then transformed over the course of the work to suggest a transcendence above the conditions of this harsh reality to an elevated, spiritual state of grace. The work ends full circle with a reiteration of the chain gang elements, but perhaps now with a galvanized, hopeful resolve.
	The original string orchestra version of Supermaximum was commissioned by the Brooklyn Friends of Chamber Music for the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, and was premiered May 1st, 2011 at the Church of St. Ann and the Holy Trinity in Brooklyn, NY. The full orchestra version was written for the Portland Youth Philharmonic, whose 2014 performance is heard here, under the direction of Music Director David Hattner. 
Supermaximum is my most performed orchestral work, with materials available for rental at Bill Holab Music.

Supermaximum for orchestra ( 2014)

A collaboration with poet Zayra Yves.  This piece is for amplified voice and live computer.  

Surrender me endless

A set of 5 songs
Elizabeth Kerstein, voice
Tali Tadmor, piano
Poetry by Carl Sandburg

Fogs & Fires: I.  Pearl Fog

Live recording - 6.01.12
Chicago Composers Orchestra
Ruth Page Theater, Chicago, IL 

For program notes and additional information, visit: https://www.alexandragardner.net/works/banyan/

Fox at Play

Daniel Gall Creative Works

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