Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
Romanza for Violin and Chamber Orchestra (Violin solo, flute, oboe, Bb clarinet, percussion, harp, piano, strings – 2007), 19:08 min.
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
“”Andrea Clearfield juggles traditional lyricism and genial polytonal collages with a virtuosity that never contradicted the title of her new piece, Romanza, premiered over the weekend by violinist Gloria Justen and Orchestra 2001. It could be a lasting contribution to chamber concerto repertoire.”
–The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tuesday, April 17, 2007, David Patrick Stearns
“Rich and complex, the sound was delicious to behold.”
“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
Reminiscence (English Horn and strings – 1997), 7:19 min.
Commissioned by George Corbett
Solo Voice & Orchestra
The Rim of Love (sop. solo, 2 percussion, harp, string orchestra – 2005), 20 min.
Commissioned by Astral
Women of Valor (sop. and mezzo solos, narrator, symphony orchestra – 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
Leah’s Aria (from Women of Valor (mz. solo, harp, piano, strings, narrator – 2000), 6 min.
Rachel’s Aria (from Women of Valor (sop. solo, harp, piano, strings, – 2000), 5 min.
Miriam’s Dance (from Women of Valor (sop. and mz. solos, harp, piano, strings, narrator – 2000), 5:30 min.
Commissioned by The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony
Hannah’s Prayer (from Women of Valor (sop. solo, harp, strings, narrator – 2000), 7 min.
Chorus & Orchestra
Tse Go La (At the threshold of this life) (double chorus, chamber orchestra, electronics, 32 minutes – 2012).
Commissioned by Mendelssohn Club and Pennsylvania Girlchoir
Les Fenêtres (soprano, mezzo soloists, SATB chorus, chamber orchestra – 2011, 15 minutes).
Commissioned by Singing City
Kabo Omowale (SATB, narrator, orchestra – 2008), 19 min.
Commissioned by The Philadelphia Orchestra
““The music’s broadly drawn strokes touched emotional bases as only music can. It was bound to make the audience jump up and cheer at the end. And it did.”
–David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 29, 2008
““What an incredible experience this has been, for me and for the chorus! We have really enjoyed the process and are looking forward to a stellar premier tomorrow evening! I’m greatly looking forward to conducting this work, and the impact it will have on our St. Louis audience! Thank you for this tremendous work.”
–Kevin McBeth, Associate Conductor, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Fire and Ice (sop. and bar. solos, SATB, orchestra – 2007), 46 min.
Commissioned by the Handel Society of Dartmouth College
“Fire and Ice was commissioned by the Handel Society in celebration of their bicentennial anniversary. This moving cantata is the first major setting of poetry by Robert Frost since the 1955 setting of Frostiana by Randall Thompson. Andrea’s writing is sensitive, intuitive, and deeply personal. Her commitment to the poet’s intent and colorful, intriguing orchestrations combined with the meticulous care she took when writing for the human voice allowed for Fire and Ice to become a significantly rewarding experience for both the performers and audience alike.”
–Robert Duff, Conductor, Handel Society of Dartmouth College
The Golem Psalms (bar. solo, SATB, orchestra – 2006), 30 min.
Commissioned by The Mendelssohn Club
“Among the many large, choral/orchestra works commissioned by Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia in the past 20 years, Andrea Clearfield’s THE GOLEM PSALMS is one of the most compelling. Beautifully written for both choral and orchestral forces, it has a direct and powerful impact and it remains a favorite of our performers and our audience.
The solo role of the baritone, as the Golem, is brilliant. This is a perfectly balanced piece. Working with Andrea is a conductor’s dream!”
–Alan Harler, Music Director, The Mendelssohn Club
The Long Bright (sop. solo, SSAA women’s or children’s chorus, also suitable for intergenerational treble chorus, orchestra – 2004), 60 min.
Commissioned by David Wolman
“An hour-long cantata on a husband’s poetic response to the death of his wife from breast cancer might have been maudlin and depressing. Instead, this is a terrific piece, uplifting, optimistic, hopeful, featuring a wonderful part for children’s chorus, and a virtuosic role for solo soprano, sung beautifully at the work’s premiere with Orchestra 2001 – surely one of our most successful premieres ever – by the extraordinary Hila Plitmann.”
–James Freeman, Artistic Director, Orchestra 2001
Awake at Dawn (sop. solo, SATB, flute, percussion, harp, string orch. – 2000), 15 min.
Commissioned by The Music Group of Philadelphia
Orchestral 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
Solo Instrument & Orchestra
Romanza for Violin and Chamber Orchestra (Violin solo, flute, oboe, Bb clarinet, percussion, harp, piano, strings – 2007), 19:08 min.
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
“”Andrea Clearfield juggles traditional lyricism and genial polytonal collages with a virtuosity that never contradicted the title of her new piece, Romanza, premiered over the weekend by violinist Gloria Justen and Orchestra 2001. It could be a lasting contribution to chamber concerto repertoire.”
–The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tuesday, April 17, 2007, David Patrick Stearns
“Rich and complex, the sound was delicious to behold.”
–Chicago Classical Music, Tuesday, January 11, 2011, Kathryn J Allwine Bacasmot
Concertino for Marimba and Strings (2004), 12 min.
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
Reminiscence (English Horn and strings – 1997), 7:19 min.
Commissioned by George Corbett
Solo Voice & Orchestra
The Rim of Love (sop. solo, 2 percussion, harp, string orchestra – 2005), 20 min.
Commissioned by Astral
Women of Valor (sop. and mezzo solos, narrator, symphony orchestra – 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
Leah’s Aria (from Women of Valor (mz. solo, harp, piano, strings, narrator – 2000), 6 min.
Rachel’s Aria (from Women of Valor (sop. solo, harp, piano, strings, – 2000), 5 min.
Miriam’s Dance (from Women of Valor (sop. and mz. solos, harp, piano, strings, narrator – 2000), 5:30 min.
Commissioned by The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony
Hannah’s Prayer (from Women of Valor (sop. solo, harp, strings, narrator – 2000), 7 min.
Chorus & Orchestra
Tse Go La (At the threshold of this life) (double chorus, chamber orchestra, electronics, 32 minutes – 2012).
Commissioned by Mendelssohn Club and Pennsylvania Girlchoir
Les Fenêtres (soprano, mezzo soloists, SATB chorus, chamber orchestra – 2011, 15 minutes).
Commissioned by Singing City
Kabo Omowale (SATB, narrator, orchestra – 2008), 19 min.
Commissioned by The Philadelphia Orchestra
““The music’s broadly drawn strokes touched emotional bases as only music can. It was bound to make the audience jump up and cheer at the end. And it did.”
–David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 29, 2008
““What an incredible experience this has been, for me and for the chorus! We have really enjoyed the process and are looking forward to a stellar premier tomorrow evening! I’m greatly looking forward to conducting this work, and the impact it will have on our St. Louis audience! Thank you for this tremendous work.”
–Kevin McBeth, Associate Conductor, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Fire and Ice (sop. and bar. solos, SATB, orchestra – 2007), 46 min.
Commissioned by the Handel Society of Dartmouth College
“Fire and Ice was commissioned by the Handel Society in celebration of their bicentennial anniversary. This moving cantata is the first major setting of poetry by Robert Frost since the 1955 setting of Frostiana by Randall Thompson. Andrea’s writing is sensitive, intuitive, and deeply personal. Her commitment to the poet’s intent and colorful, intriguing orchestrations combined with the meticulous care she took when writing for the human voice allowed for Fire and Ice to become a significantly rewarding experience for both the performers and audience alike.”
–Robert Duff, Conductor, Handel Society of Dartmouth College
The Golem Psalms (bar. solo, SATB, orchestra – 2006), 30 min.
Commissioned by The Mendelssohn Club
“Among the many large, choral/orchestra works commissioned by Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia in the past 20 years, Andrea Clearfield’s THE GOLEM PSALMS is one of the most compelling. Beautifully written for both choral and orchestral forces, it has a direct and powerful impact and it remains a favorite of our performers and our audience.
The solo role of the baritone, as the Golem, is brilliant. This is a perfectly balanced piece. Working with Andrea is a conductor’s dream!”
–Alan Harler, Music Director, The Mendelssohn Club
The Long Bright (sop. solo, SSAA women’s or children’s chorus, also suitable for intergenerational treble chorus, orchestra – 2004), 60 min.
Commissioned by David Wolman
“An hour-long cantata on a husband’s poetic response to the death of his wife from breast cancer might have been maudlin and depressing. Instead, this is a terrific piece, uplifting, optimistic, hopeful, featuring a wonderful part for children’s chorus, and a virtuosic role for solo soprano, sung beautifully at the work’s premiere with Orchestra 2001 – surely one of our most successful premieres ever – by the extraordinary Hila Plitmann.”
–James Freeman, Artistic Director, Orchestra 2001
Awake at Dawn (sop. solo, SATB, flute, percussion, harp, string orch. – 2000), 15 min.
Commissioned by The Music Group of Philadelphia
On the Pulse of Morning (sop. and bar. solos, SATB, orchestra – 1994), 30 min.