Unless preceded by concert credits, audio excerpts are MIDI realizations.

Piece for Fourteen Instruments

Piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, harp, quartet (1962) ca. 15’

A serial work in one movement, with sections defined by varying, and often very complex, textures.

Phos kai Iremos, ballet for ten instruments

Flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, 2 percussionists, harp, violin, viola, cello (1966), ca. 15’

A spatial work, surrounding the audience, composed for a dance performance in San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral.

Just Imagine

Twelve instruments and tape (based on John Lennon's "Imagine") (1988), ca. 12’

A single movement revolving around the repeated piano riff from “Imagine.” The ensemble briefly merges with Lennon’s recording, which it accompanies, then engages in a very extended exploration of the final cadence.

The Seasons

Suite concertante for strings (3, 3, 2, 2, 1) (2007), ca. 21’

Four movements that follow the cycle of the seasons, and feature, in turn, each of the four principal players as concerto soloists.

1) Introduction: The Cusp; Summer (violin II solo)

2) Fall (viola solo)

3) Winter (cello solo)

4) Spring (violin I solo)

Score

Concert recording by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Barbara Day Turner

Movements I and II, III and IV (combined)

 

Concerto for piano and ten instruments

Flute [piccolo], clarinet [bass clarinet], trumpet, trombone, percussion, 2 violins, viola, cello, string bass, piano solo) (2008), ca. 36’

In three movements.

Score

Excerpts from the studio recording by Brenda Tom, piano, Barbara Day
Turner, conductor

 

The complete studio recording will be available in 2013.

 

The sensitive and exciting music of Howard Hersh belongs in the American canon.

Pauline Oliveros