Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
…and low to the lake falls home (a memoriam for Margaret and Joseph Wincenc, 2009) for flute, viola and harp, or flute and piano, 20 min.
Commissioned by Carol Wincenc for Trio Les Amies (Carol Wincenc, flute, Cynthia Phelps, viola, Nancy Allen, harp)
“… Ms. Clearfield’s consonant and melodic style, and the ease with which she moves between graceful tracery and lively, rhythmically vital writing, suits these instruments and players perfectly.”
–Alan Kozinn, The New York Times, February 24, 2010
Rhapsodie for flute, harp and string trio (2008), 17 min.
Commissioned by Wally Loeb for Mimi Stillman and the Dolce Suono Chamber Music Series
“… brightly invented color and sonic weaving… the work celebrated richness of sound and intriguing development.”
–Daniel Webster, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 11, 2009
Spirit Island (flute, cello, piano – 1996), 15 min. Arr. for flute, double bass and piano available.
Lung-Ta (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, percussion, violin, viola, cello, digital field recordings – 2009), 25 min.
Commissioned by Network for New Music
“…In the spirit of works being created for Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, Lung-Ta captures the ethos of Eastern music with a nine-member Western chamber-music ensemble…all rendered with the precision of a composer who is out to make every note count.”
–David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 10, 2009
Unimagined Bridges, Duo for Native American and transverse flutes (2010) 17 min.
Commissioned by Lisamarie McGrath
Dream Variations (SATB chorus, flute, viola, harp, organ – 2008), 22 min.
Commissioned by The Debussy Trio
Into the Blue (SATB chorus, flute, vibraphone, piano, also for SATB chorus, flute and piano – 2008), 8 min.
Commissioned by the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware
L is for Laughter (sop., flute, cello and piano – 2005), 5 min.
Commissioned by Jane Foster
Reminiscence (English Horn and piano – 1997), 7:19 min. Arr. for E.H. and string quartet. Tenor sax arrangement is also available.
Commissioned by George Corbett
A reminiscence sing (soprano, clarinet or soprano saxophone and piano – 2009) for James Freeman
Into the Falcon’s Eye (arr. for clarinet, horn and piano, and also clarinet, cello and piano – 2003), 11:07 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre
“This is a jewel. Clearfield’s exploitation of the timbres and techniques – bends, glissandi, stopping and flutter – lays the souls of the instruments bare…”
–Adrienne Fox, The Horn Player (Published by the British Horn Society), April, 2005
Unremembered Wings (soprano sax and piano – 2001), 11:12 min.
Commissioned by Andrea Gullickson
“For those of you interested in good recital music for soprano saxophone and piano, I highly recommend Andrea Clearfield’s Unremembered Wings!…”
A reminiscence sing (soprano or tenor, oboe and string quintet – 2009) for James Freeman
Three Tenses of Light (SATB chorus and string quintet – 2012), 11 min. Commissioned by the Newburyport Music Festival
Romanza for Violin and Chamber Orchestra (Violin solo, flute, oboe, Bb clarinet, percussion, harp, piano, strings – 2007), 19:08 min. Arr. for violin and piano available. Commissioned by Orchestra 2001
“You always take a chance when commissioning a new piece. Will it be what you’re hoping for? The remarkably positive answer came when I first saw Andrea’s score. A wonderful piece, full of emotion and orchestral color, and a real tour de force for the solo violinist. It’s a piece that should be played by violinists everywhere.”
–James Freeman, Artistic Director, Orchestra 2001
Rhapsodie for flute, harp and string trio (2008), 17 min.
Commissioned by Wally Loeb for Mimi Stillman and the Dolce Suono Chamber Music Series
Into the Falcon’s Eye (arr. for 2 celli and piano – 2003), 11:07 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre
Convergence (viola and piano – 2008), 11 min.
Commissioned by Barbara Westphal
Sonic Circuits (solo cello and film with interactive technology – 2007), 15 min.
Commissioned by Chamber Music Now
Spirit Island (flute, cello, piano – 1996), 15 min. Arr. for flute, double bass and piano available.
“…this work is ethereal and deeply spiritual.”
–Ted McIrvine, Classical Voice of North Carolina, Asheville, N.C., June 14, 2009
Shape of my Soul (treble chorus and string quartet – 2005), 7:30 min.
Commissioned by the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir
Women of Cyprus (string quintet – 2002), 6 min.
Commissioned by Group Motion Dance Company
Redstone Fantasy (string quintet – 2002), 6 min.
Commissioned by Group Motion Dance Company
Brass
Into the Falcon’s Eye (2 horns and piano – 2003), 11:07 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre. Recorded by Froydis Ree Wekre, Lisa Ford and Andrea Clearfield on 2L Records
Into the Falcon’s Eye (Arr. for clarinet, horn and piano – 2003), 11:07 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre
Songs of the Wolf (horn and piano – 1994), 14 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre.
“A valuable addition to the horn repertoire, Andrea Clearfield’s Songs of the Wolf is in two movements: “Wolf Night,” based on a poem by Manfred Fischbeck and “La Loba” (The Wolf Woman), based on a Native American legend. This is a dramatic work and Clearfield illustrates expressive wolf cries in the first movement by having the hornist gradually close the bell with the hand, which lowers the pitch gradually by a half step.It is highly rhythmic and technically difficult for both parts, but is musically powerful. This work is frequently performed and was written for Froydis Ree Wekre, who premiered it at the International Horn Symposium in Kansas City in 1994. It is recorded by Wekre, horn with Clearfield, piano on Songs of the Wolf (Crystal Records CD678) and by Cynthia Carr, horn with Julie Nishimura, piano on Images: Works for Horn and Piano by Women Composers (self-produced)”
Millennium Fanfare (2 horns, 4 trpts, 3 trbns – 1999), 1:30 min.
Commissioned by Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia
Our Better Angels (ten. and bar. solos, TTBB, 4 trumpets, 4 horns, 3 trombones, (2 tenor, 1 bass), tuba, 2 percussion, harp, organ – 2009), 40 min.
Commissioned by the Turtle Creek Chorale
“Andrea Clearfield has an uncanny way of capturing the very deepest essence of the texts she sets. OUR BETTER ANGELS is a wonderful example of pairing intense, rich poetry with passionate, fiery music. Singers attach themselves to the words and melodies quickly, and are able to provide nuance early on in the preparation. The complex rhythmic intensity in the orchestration helped make our performances thrilling for singer and audience member alike.”
–Jonathan Palant, Artistic Director, The Turtle Creek Chorale
“Andrea Clearfield goes from strength to strength. Her Concertino for Marimba and Strings is a landmark, a brilliant addition to the marimba repertoire. She has succeeded in writing a showpiece brimming with originality, color and flair. Our audiences jumped to their feet as though charged by an electric current. I can’t wait to perform it again!”
–Karl Middleman, Artistic Director, Philadelphia Classical Symphony
Double Play (piano and percussion – 1999), 11 min.
Commissioned by the Hoffmann/Goldstein Duo
"Clearfield’s Double Play put keyboard and percussion through a seamless, no less taut, conversation…a vibrant work."
–Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun, November 8, 2001
Trax (marimba quartet – 2000), 6:22 min.
For Battery 4 Percussion Group
Harp/Piano
…and low to the lake falls home (a memoriam for Margaret and Joseph Wincenc) for Carol Wincenc and trio Les Amies (Carol Wincenc, flute, Cynthia Phelps, viola, Nancy Allen, harp)
Rhapsodie for flute, harp and string trio (2008), 17 min.
Commissioned by Wally Loeb for Mimi Stillman and the Dolce Suono Chamber Music Series
Dream Variations (SATB chorus, flute, viola, harp, organ – 2008), 22 min.
Commissioned by The Debussy Trio
The Rim of Love (arr. for sop., harp, percussion, string quartet- 2005), 20 min., 4 arias, may be performed separately
Commissioned by Astral
Double Play (piano and percussion – 1999), 11 min.
Commissioned by the Hoffmann/Goldstein Duo
Lung-Ta (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, percussion, violin, viola, cello, digital field recordings – 2009), 25 min.
Commissioned by Network for New Music
“Facilitating the collaboration between artist Maureen Drdak and composer Andrea Clearfield (“Lungta, the Windhorse”) was one of the most satisfying projects I have engaged in during my tenure as Artistic Director of Network for New Music. Andrea’s chamber music was gloriously radiant and meticulously crafted; it masterfully incorporated elements of traditional Tibetan music with the composer’s own style to create a trans-cultural work that took the breath away from musicians and listeners alike.”
–Linda Reichart, Artistic Director, Network for New Music
Kawa Ma Gyur (ob, bsn, percussion, vln, viola, cello, electronic sound – 2010), 11:30 min.
Commissioned by Network for New Music
TRAX (fl, ob, cl/sax, vla, bass, bsn, marimba, piano – 2001), 7 min.
For the Relâche Ensemble
Angelfire (fl, vla, ob, cl, bsn, bass, perc, pno – 1998), 16 min.
For the Relâche Ensemble
Women of Valor (arr. for sop. and one or two mezzo solos, narrator, violin, percussion, piano – 2000), 65 min.
Commissioned by The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony
“One of the highlights of my career as a conductor was to present the premiere of Andrea Clearfield’s oratorio, Women of Valor. The expansive work is accessible to all, incredibly well crafted both in its musical form and the arch of its emotional impact on an audience. From the moment the work begins you are catapulted to a different world filled with beautiful poetry and music. Each word is musically enriched as the piece brilliantly weaves the unique perspectives of the stories of 10 biblical women. Both the orchestral and vocal writing are of the highest caliber. It is a work that deserves many performances.”
–Dr. Noreen Green, The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, artistic director
Chamber Works
To order music, contact Andrea Clearfield unless otherwise indicated:
Click on individual piece names for detailed information including audio files, program notes and score excerpts
©Mark Stehle Photography
Woodwinds
Woodwinds: Flute
…and low to the lake falls home (a memoriam for Margaret and Joseph Wincenc, 2009) for flute, viola and harp, or flute and piano, 20 min.
Commissioned by Carol Wincenc for Trio Les Amies (Carol Wincenc, flute, Cynthia Phelps, viola, Nancy Allen, harp)
“… Ms. Clearfield’s consonant and melodic style, and the ease with which she moves between graceful tracery and lively, rhythmically vital writing, suits these instruments and players perfectly.”
–Alan Kozinn, The New York Times, February 24, 2010
Rhapsodie for flute, harp and string trio (2008), 17 min.
Commissioned by Wally Loeb for Mimi Stillman and the Dolce Suono Chamber Music Series
“… brightly invented color and sonic weaving… the work celebrated richness of sound and intriguing development.”
–Daniel Webster, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 11, 2009
Spirit Island (flute, cello, piano – 1996), 15 min. Arr. for flute, double bass and piano available.
Lung-Ta (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, percussion, violin, viola, cello, digital field recordings – 2009), 25 min.
Commissioned by Network for New Music
“…In the spirit of works being created for Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, Lung-Ta captures the ethos of Eastern music with a nine-member Western chamber-music ensemble…all rendered with the precision of a composer who is out to make every note count.”
–David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 10, 2009
Unimagined Bridges, Duo for Native American and transverse flutes (2010) 17 min.
Commissioned by Lisamarie McGrath
Dream Variations (SATB chorus, flute, viola, harp, organ – 2008), 22 min.
Commissioned by The Debussy Trio
Into the Blue (SATB chorus, flute, vibraphone, piano, also for SATB chorus, flute and piano – 2008), 8 min.
Commissioned by the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware
L is for Laughter (sop., flute, cello and piano – 2005), 5 min.
Commissioned by Jane Foster
Gaia (sop., flute, piano – 1993), 10 min.
Love Song (sop., flute, piano – 1995), 4:40 min.
always (light)/fragments (love) (sop., flute, cello, piano – 2000), 10 min.
Commissioned by Network for New Music
Legacy (sop., flute, piano – 1997), 10 min.
Woodwinds: Oboe/English Horn
Unremembered Wings (oboe and piano – 2001), 11:12 min. Arr. for soprano sax and piano available.
Commissioned by Andrea Gullickson
“…a true chamber ensemble piece, with intricate interplay between the two instruments. A substantive and substantial work.”
–Jerry Dublins, Fanfare Magazine, November/December, 2004
Three Songs for Oboe and Double Bass after poems by Neruda (1997), 7 min. Also arr. for bassoon and double bass
For Robert Kesselman
"These pieces have a variety, creativity and inner logic…”
–The Double Reed, November, 2008
A reminiscence sing (sop., oboe, string quintet, 2009) , 7 min.
For James Freeman, artistic director, Orchestra 2001
Gaia (sop., oboe, piano – 1993), 10 min.
Love Song (sop., oboe, piano – 1995), 4:40 min.
Reminiscence (English Horn and piano – 1997), 7:19 min. Arr. for E.H. and string quartet. Tenor sax arrangement is also available.
Commissioned by George Corbett
Red Clay (sop., oboe, piano – 1991), 5.30 min.
Under the Sleeping Tree (sop., oboe, piano – 1990), 5:30 min.
Woodwinds: Clarinet/Saxophone
A reminiscence sing (soprano, clarinet or soprano saxophone and piano – 2009) for James Freeman
Into the Falcon’s Eye (arr. for clarinet, horn and piano, and also clarinet, cello and piano – 2003), 11:07 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre
“This is a jewel. Clearfield’s exploitation of the timbres and techniques – bends, glissandi, stopping and flutter – lays the souls of the instruments bare…”
–Adrienne Fox, The Horn Player (Published by the British Horn Society), April, 2005
Unremembered Wings (soprano sax and piano – 2001), 11:12 min.
Commissioned by Andrea Gullickson
“For those of you interested in good recital music for soprano saxophone and piano, I highly recommend Andrea Clearfield’s Unremembered Wings!…”
–Susan Fancher, Saxophone Journal, November/December 2009
SAX TRAX (saxophone quartet – 1997), 5:12 min.
Three Songs for Soprano Sax and Double Bass after poems by Neruda (1997), 7 min.
Fantasy (saxophone quartet – 1997), 5:30 min.
Timecycle (sop., clarinet – 2000), 15 min.
Commissioned by the Pennsylvania and Delaware Music Teachers National Association
Only The Wind (sop., clarinet, piano – 1995, rev. 1998) , 14 min.
Weeping into Green (sop., clarinet, piano – 1995), 6 min.
Strings
A reminiscence sing (soprano or tenor, oboe and string quintet – 2009) for James Freeman
Three Tenses of Light (SATB chorus and string quintet – 2012), 11 min. Commissioned by the Newburyport Music Festival
Romanza for Violin and Chamber Orchestra (Violin solo, flute, oboe, Bb clarinet, percussion, harp, piano, strings – 2007), 19:08 min. Arr. for violin and piano available. Commissioned by Orchestra 2001
“You always take a chance when commissioning a new piece. Will it be what you’re hoping for? The remarkably positive answer came when I first saw Andrea’s score. A wonderful piece, full of emotion and orchestral color, and a real tour de force for the solo violinist. It’s a piece that should be played by violinists everywhere.”
–James Freeman, Artistic Director, Orchestra 2001
Rhapsodie for flute, harp and string trio (2008), 17 min.
Commissioned by Wally Loeb for Mimi Stillman and the Dolce Suono Chamber Music Series
Three Songs for Violin and Double Bass after poems by Neruda (1997, arr. 1998), 7 min.
For Edgar Meyer
Into the Falcon’s Eye (arr. for 2 celli and piano – 2003), 11:07 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre
Convergence (viola and piano – 2008), 11 min.
Commissioned by Barbara Westphal
Sonic Circuits (solo cello and film with interactive technology – 2007), 15 min.
Commissioned by Chamber Music Now
Spirit Island (flute, cello, piano – 1996), 15 min. Arr. for flute, double bass and piano available.
“…this work is ethereal and deeply spiritual.”
–Ted McIrvine, Classical Voice of North Carolina, Asheville, N.C., June 14, 2009
Shape of my Soul (treble chorus and string quartet – 2005), 7:30 min.
Commissioned by the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir
Women of Cyprus (string quintet – 2002), 6 min.
Commissioned by Group Motion Dance Company
Redstone Fantasy (string quintet – 2002), 6 min.
Commissioned by Group Motion Dance Company
Brass
Into the Falcon’s Eye (2 horns and piano – 2003), 11:07 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre. Recorded by Froydis Ree Wekre, Lisa Ford and Andrea Clearfield on 2L Records
Into the Falcon’s Eye (Arr. for clarinet, horn and piano – 2003), 11:07 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre
Songs of the Wolf (horn and piano – 1994), 14 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre.
“A valuable addition to the horn repertoire, Andrea Clearfield’s Songs of the Wolf is in two movements: “Wolf Night,” based on a poem by Manfred Fischbeck and “La Loba” (The Wolf Woman), based on a Native American legend. This is a dramatic work and Clearfield illustrates expressive wolf cries in the first movement by having the hornist gradually close the bell with the hand, which lowers the pitch gradually by a half step.It is highly rhythmic and technically difficult for both parts, but is musically powerful. This work is frequently performed and was written for Froydis Ree Wekre, who premiered it at the International Horn Symposium in Kansas City in 1994. It is recorded by Wekre, horn with Clearfield, piano on Songs of the Wolf (Crystal Records CD678) and by Cynthia Carr, horn with Julie Nishimura, piano on Images: Works for Horn and Piano by Women Composers (self-produced)”
–by Lin Foulk, Works with Horn by Women Composers.
“…a beautiful and intense new work…””
–Horn Call Journal, November, 1994
Millennium Fanfare (2 horns, 4 trpts, 3 trbns – 1999), 1:30 min.
Commissioned by Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia
Our Better Angels (ten. and bar. solos, TTBB, 4 trumpets, 4 horns, 3 trombones, (2 tenor, 1 bass), tuba, 2 percussion, harp, organ – 2009), 40 min.
Commissioned by the Turtle Creek Chorale
“Andrea Clearfield has an uncanny way of capturing the very deepest essence of the texts she sets. OUR BETTER ANGELS is a wonderful example of pairing intense, rich poetry with passionate, fiery music. Singers attach themselves to the words and melodies quickly, and are able to provide nuance early on in the preparation. The complex rhythmic intensity in the orchestration helped make our performances thrilling for singer and audience member alike.”
–Jonathan Palant, Artistic Director, The Turtle Creek Chorale
River Melos (tuba and piano – 2004), 7 min.
Percussion
Concertino for Marimba and String Orchestra (2004), 6:43 min.
Arr. for marimba and piano available.
Commissioned by the Philadelphia Classical Symphony
“Andrea Clearfield goes from strength to strength. Her Concertino for Marimba and Strings is a landmark, a brilliant addition to the marimba repertoire. She has succeeded in writing a showpiece brimming with originality, color and flair. Our audiences jumped to their feet as though charged by an electric current. I can’t wait to perform it again!”
–Karl Middleman, Artistic Director, Philadelphia Classical Symphony
Double Play (piano and percussion – 1999), 11 min.
Commissioned by the Hoffmann/Goldstein Duo
"Clearfield’s Double Play put keyboard and percussion through a seamless, no less taut, conversation…a vibrant work."
–Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun, November 8, 2001
Trax (marimba quartet – 2000), 6:22 min.
For Battery 4 Percussion Group
Harp/Piano
…and low to the lake falls home (a memoriam for Margaret and Joseph Wincenc) for Carol Wincenc and trio Les Amies (Carol Wincenc, flute, Cynthia Phelps, viola, Nancy Allen, harp)
Rhapsodie for flute, harp and string trio (2008), 17 min.
Commissioned by Wally Loeb for Mimi Stillman and the Dolce Suono Chamber Music Series
Dream Variations (SATB chorus, flute, viola, harp, organ – 2008), 22 min.
Commissioned by The Debussy Trio
The Rim of Love (arr. for sop., harp, percussion, string quartet- 2005), 20 min., 4 arias, may be performed separately
Commissioned by Astral
Double Play (piano and percussion – 1999), 11 min.
Commissioned by the Hoffmann/Goldstein Duo
Cal-3 (piano solo- 2009), 7 min.
For Heiner Reipl
Large Chamber Ensemble
Lung-Ta (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, percussion, violin, viola, cello, digital field recordings – 2009), 25 min.
Commissioned by Network for New Music
“Facilitating the collaboration between artist Maureen Drdak and composer Andrea Clearfield (“Lungta, the Windhorse”) was one of the most satisfying projects I have engaged in during my tenure as Artistic Director of Network for New Music. Andrea’s chamber music was gloriously radiant and meticulously crafted; it masterfully incorporated elements of traditional Tibetan music with the composer’s own style to create a trans-cultural work that took the breath away from musicians and listeners alike.”
–Linda Reichart, Artistic Director, Network for New Music
Kawa Ma Gyur (ob, bsn, percussion, vln, viola, cello, electronic sound – 2010), 11:30 min.
Commissioned by Network for New Music
TRAX (fl, ob, cl/sax, vla, bass, bsn, marimba, piano – 2001), 7 min.
For the Relâche Ensemble
Angelfire (fl, vla, ob, cl, bsn, bass, perc, pno – 1998), 16 min.
For the Relâche Ensemble
Women of Valor (arr. for sop. and one or two mezzo solos, narrator, violin, percussion, piano – 2000), 65 min.
Commissioned by The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony
“One of the highlights of my career as a conductor was to present the premiere of Andrea Clearfield’s oratorio, Women of Valor. The expansive work is accessible to all, incredibly well crafted both in its musical form and the arch of its emotional impact on an audience. From the moment the work begins you are catapulted to a different world filled with beautiful poetry and music. Each word is musically enriched as the piece brilliantly weaves the unique perspectives of the stories of 10 biblical women. Both the orchestral and vocal writing are of the highest caliber. It is a work that deserves many performances.”
–Dr. Noreen Green, The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, artistic director