Works available for Ernst Bacon Performance Grant:
G. SCHIRMER RENTAL LIBRARY
Ford's Theatre - a picturesque and profound suite in 12 short movements, describing the scenes and events in the last week of LIncoln's life. Performed in 2008-09 by the Nashville, Orlando, New Philharmonia, and West Virginia Symphonies, as well as at LeMoyne College and Clemson University.
From These States - a colorful and charming musical train ride across the country, based mostly on American folk songs. Recent performances by Syracuse and LaPorte County Symphonies. Demo CD available.
Smoky Mountain Scherzo - the scherzo movement of Symphony #2, based on 2 Southern folk songs. Performed in 2005 by the Nashville Symphony. Demo CD available.
Symphony #2 - a 25 minute work full of vitality, including big band sounds, The Smoky Mountain Scherzo, and a full-fledged jazz fugue. Performed in 2006 and again in 2008 by the Mill Valley Philharmonic. Demo CD available.
Passacaglia and Air - Described as "stately, noble, and beautiful," this slow movement of Bacon's Pulizer-winning Symphony #1 can stand on its own.
Symphony #1 in D MInor - Winner of the Pulitzer Fellowship in 1932, the 4 movements include humorous and jazzy elements, along with the stately Passacaglia and Air. It has been called a "meaty" work.
The Enchanted Island - Commissioned for the Louisville First Editions series, this lively and cheerful suite describes scenes and characters from The Tempest. Demo CD available.
The Muffin Man - A short set of variations on the old English tune, featuring each instrument of the orchestra; enjoyable for both children and adults.
From Emily's Diary - settings of various short poems by Emily Dickinson for womens' chorus, alto solo, and orchestra. Demo CD of piano version available.
THE FLEISHER COLLECTION OF ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
Erie Waters - a short suite in 4 movements (about 14 minutes) commissioned and performed by the Utica Symphony in 1961. Based partly on folk songs, including the famous Erie Canal, this is an easy piece of Americana. Performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic in 2005. Newly engraved.
Nantucket Fling - a short, energetic piece that seems partly derived from the Scotch folk song, Charlie Is My Darlin'. Newly engraved.
Riolama - a series of tone-paintings of places, real and imagined, in the form of a piano concerto. This 33 minute geographical suite can be shortened if needed. Demo CD available.
Piano Concerto #2 - an exciting, Prokofiev-like piece, performed by the Berkeley symphony with Kent Nagano in 1983. Demo CD of that performance available.
Great River - a 42-minute symphony with narrator. Evocative and dramatic episodes in the course and history of the Rio Grande with text by Pulitzer winning historian and novelist, Paul Horgan. Demo CD available.
Elegy for Oboe and Strings - a lovely 9-minute meditation on an ancient Venetian melody, composed in memory of Gastone Usigli. Newly engraved. Demo CD available.
Remembering Ansel Adams - a 14-minute elegy for strings, clarinet, and percussion evoking the light and shadow of Adams' photographs, the fervor of his love of nature, and the sorrow of his passing. Adams and Bacon were lifelong friends, sharing a love of music and mountains. Performed by the Syracuse Symphony in 2001 and 2006. Newly engraved. CRI recording available with Richard Stoltzman and the Warsaw Philharmonic.
By Blue Ontario - a short oratorio (48 minutes) with texts by Walt Whitman. SATB chorus, alto and baritone soloists, and orchestra. This stirring and powerful piece should be widely performed for the Whitman bicentennial in 2019. Demo CD available with John Langstaff as baritone soloist.
The Lord Star - a 12-minute, uninterrupted cantata for SATB, brass, strings, and organ, text by Walt Whitman. Choral-piano score formerly published by Mercury-Presser.
The Last Invocation - a one-hour requiem dedicated to the memory of Bacon's third wife. Texts by Dickinson and Whitman, SATB chorus, soprano and baritone soloists. Demo CD available with William Parker as baritone soloist.
SUBITO MUSIC
Ecclesiastes - a short oratorio (45 min.) for SATB chorus, soprano and bass soloists, and orchestra. Text from the Old Testament books of Ecclesiastes and Proverbs. Demo CD available.