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MUSIC
SONGS
Cyclothymic (Love) Diaries (2011)
Cyclothymic (Love) Diaries (premiered on April 4th at the Estonian Cultural House, NYC) is dedicated to soprano Amanda Hick. All the poems that served as the textual source for this cycle were written by American women poet from the late 19th, early 20th century: Emily Dickinson, Phoebe Cary, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Elinor Wylie. They all portray an intense feeling, and are paired by opposites: anticipation is followed by sorrow, etc. This series of ups and downs gave this cycle its title: cyclothymia, also called cyclothymic disorder, is a mild form of bipolar disorder. Certain sources cite Schubert, a master of Lied, as a famous cyclothymiac…
- Wild Nights (Emily Dickinson)
- Sorrow (Edna St. Vincent Millay)
- Jacob (Phoebe Cary)
- Valentine (Elinor Wylie)
Outer Borougs Songs (2011)
Outer Boroughs Songs (2011) was commissioned by lyric coloratura soprano Lauren Alfano. Lauren gave me complete artistic freedom with regard to the texts and instrumentation, and it resulted in three songs based on poetry by D. Nurkse for soprano and electric guitar.
In free-verse, lyric poems, Nurkse explores subjects both intimate and political: children, families, love, and the effects of war. The three poems that I chose seem to use New York City’s outer boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island) both as frames for the narrative, as well as—in my opinion— characters. The musical idiom that I used for these songs is reminiscent of rock and French courtly airs in fashion under Louis XIII.
- A Night in Brooklyn
- The Rain-Streaked Avenues of Central Queens
- The Dead Remember Brooklyn
Outer Boroughs Songs was premiered at the CUNY New Music Festival on May 1st 2011.
Engraved on the Collar of a Dog (2009)
Egraved… is a short epigram by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) set to music for soprano and piano.
I am his Highness' dog at Kew; Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?
Amanda Hick, soprano - Scott Noriega, piano (recorded live, 4 Acts @ the Black Box, Sept. 26, 2009)
Kshama (2007)
Gretchen Poole, Voice - Vasudevan Panicker, Piano - Liz Arce, Trombone - Matt Giella, Trumpet
Kshama means forgiveness in Sanskrit, and the lyrics of this piece were taken from the Bhagavad Gîta. I wrote this piece bearing Nathuram Godse in mind (the Hindu extremist that assassinated M.K. Ghandi on January 30, 1948). If one has to love and forgive, then, as hard as it seems, he shall also be forgiven.
KEYBOARD
Phototactic (2010)
A taxis is an innate behavioral response by an organism to a directional stimulus or gradient of stimulus intensity. Phototaxis, is then the movement of an organism in response to light. If the taxis is positive, the organism moves towards the light, if it’s negative, away from it. Phototactic was inspired by this concept and features an ascent from darkness to a moment of light, and the following transformation. It is also intended as a personal meditation, the image of a potential spiritual path.
Ben Laude, piano
Rivages (2008)
Rivages was written in 2008 for the Sejong Society of Chicago's composition competition. Following the guidelines fo the competition, it is based on a traditional Taryeong (musical form) called Mong Gum Po. This tune is from the Hwang Hae Do region in North Korea, and tells the story of fishermen coming back to the port (of Mong Gum Po) while women on the shore are longing for their return.
Vasudevan Panicker, piano
Buy the score at Print it Play it.com, Alberti Publishing's internet store.
CHAMBER
Delicate Structures (2011, piano reduction)
David Pearson, soprano saxophone
Ryan Shapiro, piano
Recorded live at the Estonian Cultural House, NYC on April, 4th 2011.
Delicate Structures (2010, saxophone trio)
When David asked me to write a piece for his B. Mus. recital, the current instrumentation immediately came to mind. The geometry of a trio combined with the difference in timbres was very inspiring. Besides, the versatility of the soprano saxophone was also something that attracted me immensely: at a crossroad between flute, oboe, and clarinet, its rich timbre has haunted me for years.
Delicate Structures is based on a highly melodic/rhythmic theme and its counterpoint. The theme appears out of nowhere in a modified form and is then stated in its original form by the soprano saxophone, and the piano. An alternation of repetitive cells brings the piece to a climax before the theme disappears and the original thin texture fills the sonic space again. Stylistically, I would like to say that the aesthetic is quite “urban”: the angularity of the melodic lines, and the motion forward projected by the asymmetrical rhythms remind me of the architecture of Western cities. The music also owes a lot to composers such as Michael Nyman and Marc Mellits.
David Pearson, soprano saxophone
Britton Matthews, vibraphone
Ashley Bathgate, Cello
A Better Collapse (2010)
Miniature for Wind Quintet.
Tombeau sur le nom de Messiaen (2008)
A tombeau (plural tombeaux) is a musical composition (earlier, in early 16th century, a poem) commemorating the death of a notable individual. The term derives from the French word for "tomb" or "tombstone".
Kip Rosser, theremin - Scott Noriega, piano - Josh Wiejaczka, percussions
The sum of our mistakes (2008)
David Pearson, alto saxophone - Scott Noriega, Piano
The Doctrine of Signatures 2007)
Karent Trindle, Harp - Naomi Sinclair, Flute - Sarah Welcker & Tzipora Wecker, Violin - Liz Thomas, Triangle
Based on Paracelsus's doctrine of signatures ...
Espagnolade (2003)
Marc-Albéric Lestage, Flute - Thomas Deneuville, Piano
My first piece composed sitting at a desk, on various locations during a trip to Southern England. Inspired by the French vogue for Spanish music at the turn of the century.
CHORAL
Blessed is the Spot (2009) for SATB and piano
Blessed is the spot,
and the house,
and the place,
and the city,
and the heart,
and the mountain,
and the refuge,
and the cave,
and the valley,
and the land,
and the sea,
and the island,
and the meadow,
where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified.
Bahá'í prayer by Bahá'u'lláh - © US Bahá'í Publishing Trust
Conductor: Paul F. Mueller
Pianist: Brenna Sage
Sound engineer and graphic designer: Roy Vanegas
Hunter College Chamber Singers
SOPRANO ALTO Gebauer, Dianne
Martinez, Rebecca
Murano, Bethany
Olsen, Jessica
Penn, Liana
Strow, Karen NR
Suarez, Karen
Szenk, Mariola
Toussaint, Anne-Michelle
Veretto, Brandi
Weisler, MarianaCheah, Victoria
Curiel, Zahaira
Hecker, Lauren
McCraney, Mallory
Piepgrass, Lisa
Pignatelli, Nicole
Ramirez, Evelyn
Rock-Nazir, Seraphina
Sanchez, Mara
Siegal, Adele
TENOR BARITONE/BASS Bodnyk, Michael
Courtney, Thomas
Dambacher, Kenneth
Gross, Barrett
Helton, Steven
Lynch, James
Rivette, JasonDeneuville, Thomas
Gatto, Gwenael
Krosney, Ed
Moore, Warren
Reed, Matthew
Ryan, Chris
Whitley, George
Wisniewski, Marcin
Wu, Kevin
OPERA
Saturnalia (2010), a one-act opera
Saturnalia is my first attempt at opera. It was written as part of Hunter College's opera workshop but has not been premiered yet.
The libretto, that I wrote too, is inspired by crime literature, Aristotelian (or three) unities, Greek tragedy, and my aversion for oysters.
The action takes place in a wooden cabin, somewhere upstate New York, on Christmas Eve. No particular period past the 1960s is intended. Three characters share the stage: Helen, a crime writer (soprano), Judith, her sister (soprano), and Mark, Helen's husband, a doctor (baritone.) Helen is gravely ill, and probably living her last Christmas. Still, she is at peace and is not really afraid to go, as she sings in the first aria of the opera. Soon, we realize that Judith and Mark are having an affair and are planning Helen's assassination for financial reasons…
Here's an excerpt from Saturnalia, Helen's aria:
Amanda Hick, soprano - Rob Keiser, piano - Nathan Goheen, double bass.
ORCHESTRAL
Three Short Ostinatos (2009)
2.1.2.1/2.2.1/timp.4perc/7.6.3.4.2
Hunter Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Olivier Fluchaire
Lang Recital Hall, Hunter College, New York
Permiere December 11, 2008
1. Glorious and optmistic (2:07)
2. Solid and determined (2:02)
3. Marvelled (1:43)
Excerpt from the program notes:
An ostinato (derived from Italian "stubborn'') is a motif or phrase which is persistently repeated. The repeated idea may be a rhythmic pattern, part of a tune, a complete melody or a harmonic progression. Three Short Ostinatos for Orchestra were written rapidly –within a week– at the invitation of conductor Olivier Fluchaire for this evening's performance. They reflect three different moods and employ a variety of repetitive patterns. The first, “glorious and optimistic” is based on a theme that I had originally written for a marimba sonata. It is stated once at the beginning of the piece by the trumpet and glockenspiel. Two “counter subjects" recall the first theme, but it only reappears in full after a festive intervention of the brass section.
The second ostinato, “solid and determined” opens with a martial feeling, mainly due to the combination of snare drums and timpani. The strings and flutes keep the piece moving as the texture thickens and a counterpoint subject is transferred from one instrumental family to another. Soon, all martial tensions resolve and we are left hanging by a riff on the flutes.
The final movement, “marveled" is a sound tapestry woven with rather unique contrapuntal material. The piece unravels as instruments make their solo entrances and leave the sound mass the same way, on a descending modal scale.
THEATER
Iphigeneia (2008)
A capella chorus for a theater production at Hunter College. No recording available.
TV/FILM
Rarely Found in Pairs (2008)
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"Rarely found in pairs" (2008) Written/Directed and Edited by Patrick James Carey Produced by Rommel Genciana and Daniel Lam |
I worked with Rommel and Patrick on a short movie directed by Caterina Colombo, in April 2007, and I was really happy to be able to collaborate again with such talented people on another project. I recorded a few demos with the help of my friend Elizabeth Thomas (on cello). The music didn't make it to the final cut but I figured I should share the demos anyway ... :)
Opening theme
Elizabeth Thomas, cello / Thomas Deneuville, guitar and glockenspiel
Secondary theme
Elizabeth Thomas, cello / Thomas Deneuville, guitar and glockenspiel
Gloves spiral
Elizabeth Thomas, cello / Thomas Deneuville, glockenspiel
Confused
Elizabeth Thomas, cello / Thomas Deneuville, sound montage
Closing theme
Elizabeth Thomas, cello / Thomas Deneuville, guitar and glockenspiel
Travailler pour 110 Euro par mois (2006)
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"Travailler pour €110 par mois" (2006) Dir. Stephane Luçon/Nora Agapi Prod. Seppia Films/Arte |
A friend of mine asked me to write the soundtrack for a documentary he was shooting. It took place in Romania and dealt with a social issue: globalization.
We worked hand in hand for many weeks before and during the editing proces. Lots of styles were approached and it was a wonderful professional experience: to compose in the morning, and to edit in the afternoon.
The documentary was broadcasted on Arte (France/Germany) and TVR Romania. It was also featured in a number of festivals in Europe: Camera Obscura Festival (Poland), Astra Film Festival Sibiu (Romania), Regards sur le travail (Belgium), Ciné ATTAC (France), Belgrade Documentary and Short Film Festival (Croatia), Le Paris du cinéma roumain (Moldavia), Festival Off Vittel 2008 (France), Transylvania International Film Festival Off 2007 (Romania). The soundtrack was scored for solo piano, jazz trio, and cymbalum.
Note: the opening scene of the trailer features music by Noir Desir ("L'Europe" / Des Visages des Figures / Barclay 2001).
Here are some of the demos:
Transition #2
Iurie Morar, cymbalum
Les Comptes de Marcel
Thomas Deneuville, piano
Virgule
Yoram Rosilio, double bass / Tiphaine Boulc'h, Bb clarinet / Thomas Deneuville, piano
End credits (part I)
Thomas Deneuville, piano
