Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
the rest between two notes (after Rilke) for alto flute solo (2024). Commissioned by Arcana Music Ensemble.
Tides of Breath (2018) for low flute choir. Commissioned by Sue Blessing Foundation for the International Low Flute Festival. 11 minutes.
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
“This Dolce Suono Ensemble-commissioned piece by Andrea Clearfield explodes with vibrant colors, textures, and singing lines.”
–Mimi Stillman, Artistic Director, Dolce Suono Ensemble, August 26, 2020
love is a place (2016) for flute and piano. Commissioned by Toby Rotman, Lisa Giannone and Lucille Seeley in memory of Sara Jane and Hendrik Drake. 4 minutes.
Tse Go La (2012, arr. 2017), alto flute and piano. Commissioned by Mendelssohn Club and Pennsylvania Girlchoir. Arrangement created by the composer.
…and low to the lake falls home (a memoriam for Margaret and Joseph Wincenc, 2009) for flute and piano, 20 min. Commissioned by Carol Wincenc.
Earth Door/Sky Door (2018) for flute, piano, percussion and string quintet. Commissioned by Music from Angelfire, Ida Kavafian, Artistic Director
Avalokiteshvara (Compassion) (2012, arr. 2016) for flute, percussion and string quartet. Commissioned by Taos Chamber Music Group
…and low to the lake falls home (a memoriam for Margaret and Joseph Wincenc, 2009) for flute, viola and harp, 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
Losing Everyone for alto flute and guitar
Premiered by Duo Sequenza, May 4, 2016, 7 minutes
Sagitta for flute and guitar Premiered by Mimi Stillman, flute and Gideon Whitehead, guitar at the Curtis Institute of Music, 5/2016, 9 min. 15 sec.
AfterBach (2014) for two flutes for Mimi Stillman and the 10 Year Anniversary of her Dolce Suono Ensemble. Premiered with Mimi Stillman and Jeffrey Khaner, Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Flute, 1/18/2015 in Philadelphia, a playful tour de force. 4 min.
Spirit Island (flute, cello, piano – 1996), 16 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
Unimagined Bridges for Flute and Native American Flutes is influenced by the Four Directions of the Native American Medicine Wheel. It has been performed both as a concert piece and in alternative settings paired with visual art.
“…Unimagined Bridges is a unique 4 movement duet melding the earthy, spiritual sounds of the Native American Flute and the versatile dexterity of the orchestral flute into an evocative, contemplative sound world. ”
–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
Daughter of the Sea (oboe and English Horn – 2014), 20 min.
Commissioned by the Women Composers Festival of Hartford for Duo Agosto
“…The Festival organizers have long been interested in the possibility of commissioning new works and we were very excited to see that dream realized in a work that blends haunting lyricism, wit and drama.Daughter of the Sea consists of seven movements inspired by the poetry of Pablo Neruda. Fragments of Neruda’s work are spoken and sung by performers. Extended techniques are used for effects both moving and humorous. Daughter of the Sea is a theatrical experience whose like is not commonly found, and the Festival is thrilled to have helped bring this new work into the world.”
–Daniel Morel, Director, The Women Composers Festival of Hartford
Tokitae (oboe and piano – 2022), for Ariana Kramer
Unremembered Wings (oboe and piano – 2001), 11:12 min. Arr. for soprano saxophone and piano.
Commissioned by Andrea Gullickson
“…a true chamber ensemble piece, with intricate interplay between the two instruments. A substantive and substantial work.”
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!…”
Timecycle (sop., clarinet – 2000), 15 min.
Commissioned by the Pennsylvania and Delaware Music Teachers National Association
“The colors you get from the clarinet and voice are breathtaking and hauntingly beautiful! I think the work is a masterpiece, brava! The 10 anniversary season of the chamber music festival I am part of was a few years back, and the audience was given a list of every composition that had been performed in those 10 years, and asked to vote for their favorites, which would then be programmed over the next few years. Timecycle received the 2nd highest number of votes, after the Quartet for the End of Time!”
–Bill King, Ann Arbor Clarinet Connection
Strings
a space between for marimba solo, string quartet and spoken word (2018), commissioned by Global Premiere Consortium. 14 minutes.
A reminiscence sing (soprano or tenor, solo woodwind: English Horn, oboe or clarinet 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, viola or soprano saxophone available with piano. Commissioned by Orchestra 2001. Viola arrangement created for Matthew Cohen.
“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
Aria for violin and piano (2023 – 5 min.)
Standing at the Beam (2022) for chorus and string quintet, commissioned by Edward D. Anderson Choral Scholars Fund in Honor of The Michigan State University Chorale, David Rayl, conductor
Here I Am: I Am Here (2022) for Soprano and Tenor Soloists, 2 narrators, SATB chorus, string quartet and piano, commissioned by Boston’s Coro Allegro Chorus, David Hodgkins, Artistic Director
Earth Door/Sky Door (2018) for flute, piano, percussion and string quintet. Commissioned by Music from Angelfire, Ida Kavafian, Artistic Director
Avalokiteshvara (Compassion) (2012, arr. 2016) for flute, percussion and string quartet. Commissioned by Taos Chamber Music Group
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), also available for Violin and Cello, or Violin and Bassoon. 7 min.
For Edgar Meyer
A Dream of Trees for Violin and Bass (after poems by Mary Oliver, Rumi, Pablo Neruda and Melissa Harris), commissioned by Martha Walvoord and Jack Unzicker, 15 min.
a space between (2018) for marimba/spoken word and string quartet, commissioned for Lee Hinkle by Global Premiere Commissioning Consortium. 15 minutes.
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 or treble chorus and piano – 2005), 7:30 min.
Commissioned by the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir
Women of Cyprus (string quintet – 2002), 7 min.
Commissioned by Group Motion Dance Company
Redstone Fantasy (string quintet – 2002), 6 min.
Commissioned by Group Motion Dance Company
Brass
Rise for horn and piano, commissioned by Katie Johnson-Webb and Kirstin Ihde (2023), 12 minutes
Ha-Galgal (The Wheel) for solo horn commissioned by Julie Landsman (2019), 8 minutes
Into the Falcon’s Eye (2 horns and piano – 2003, also for horn, trombone and piano), 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)”
River Melos (low horn and piano – 2014), 9:35 min.
Commissioned by Denise Tryon
River Melos (trombone and piano – arr. 2016), 9:35 min.
Commissioned by Denise Tryon, arrangement for Ava Ordman
HVATI for tuba and piano – 2016, also for euphonium and piano, 11:00 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre for Oystein Baadsvik
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
Percussion
Earth Door/Sky Door (2018) for Music from Angelfire 2018 Festival, Ida Kavafian, Artistic Director
Beyond the Binary (2022) for SATB chorus, soloists and percussion quartet, 40 minutes, commissioned and premiered by Mendelssohn Chorus, Dominick DiOrio, director. Libretto by Ellen Frankel, custom percussion instruments created by David Kontak, available for rent.
a space between (2018) for marimba solo, string quartet and spoken word, commissioned for Lee Hinkle by Global Premiere Commissioning Consortium. 14 minutes.
“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
Round for Three Muses (2017) for percussion solo, percussion ensemble and electronics commissioned by Yun Ju Pan and the MSU Percussion Ensemble
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."
Home in Me (treble chorus, 2 percussion, piano – 2022), 16 min.
Commissioned by National Concerts and a Consortium of Treble Choirso
Harp/Piano
Widening Circles for piano solo, commissioned by Network for New Music in honor of Linda Reichert (5 minutes)
Stephen’s Song for intermediate level piano solo, for Stephen Macbeth (3 1/2 minutes)
…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
Reflections on the Dranyen commissioned by William Kanengiser for solo classical guitar (2022). Required piece for the 2022 Guitar Foundation of America International Competition. Purchase the work here.
GLOW Electric guitar concerto commissioned by the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (2019)
Sagitta (flute and guitar duo)
Commissioned by The Diller-Quaile School of Music; premiered by Mimi Stillman, flute and Gideon Whitehead, guitar at the Curtis Institute of Music on May 17, 2016.
Chamber Ensemble
Earth Door/Sky Door (flute, piano, percussion, string quintet), 2018, 15:30
Commissioned by Music from Angelfire Festival, Ida Kavafian, Artistic Director
“The University of Arkansas McIlroy Professorship Endowment wished to commission a piece for the Arkansas New Music Ensemble. We approached Andrea to compose a piece for our new music ensemble. The resulting piece was a work that more than exceeded our expectations. Rabsong Shar is a piece of exquisite beauty, wistful melancholy, and deep reverence to an ancient culture. My students and I were elated to bring Andrea’s beautiful gift to life. The piece is a masterwork of orchestration and timbral color. Audiences everywhere will be engaged by this piece.”
–Jamal Duncan, Music Director, Arkansas New Music 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
Chamber Orchestra
Rabsong Shar (the Eastern Room of the Palace)Soprano, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Harp, Piano, Percussion (3), Violins (2), Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Digital Audio, (2016, rev. 2017), 13 mins.
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: Woodwind Quintet
Compass Kaleidoscope
Commissioned The Pennsylvania Quintet
Woodwinds: Flute
the rest between two notes (after Rilke) for alto flute solo (2024). Commissioned by Arcana Music Ensemble.
Tides of Breath (2018) for low flute choir. Commissioned by Sue Blessing Foundation for the International Low Flute Festival. 11 minutes.
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
“This Dolce Suono Ensemble-commissioned piece by Andrea Clearfield explodes with vibrant colors, textures, and singing lines.”
–Mimi Stillman, Artistic Director, Dolce Suono Ensemble, August 26, 2020
love is a place (2016) for flute and piano. Commissioned by Toby Rotman, Lisa Giannone and Lucille Seeley in memory of Sara Jane and Hendrik Drake. 4 minutes.
Tse Go La (2012, arr. 2017), alto flute and piano. Commissioned by Mendelssohn Club and Pennsylvania Girlchoir. Arrangement created by the composer.
Farlorn Alemen Alto flute and guitar, for Duo Sequenza
…and low to the lake falls home (a memoriam for Margaret and Joseph Wincenc, 2009) for flute and piano, 20 min. Commissioned by Carol Wincenc.
Earth Door/Sky Door (2018) for flute, piano, percussion and string quintet. Commissioned by Music from Angelfire, Ida Kavafian, Artistic Director
Avalokiteshvara (Compassion) (2012, arr. 2016) for flute, percussion and string quartet. Commissioned by Taos Chamber Music Group
…and low to the lake falls home (a memoriam for Margaret and Joseph Wincenc, 2009) for flute, viola and harp, 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
Losing Everyone for alto flute and guitar
Premiered by Duo Sequenza, May 4, 2016, 7 minutes
Sagitta for flute and guitar Premiered by Mimi Stillman, flute and Gideon Whitehead, guitar at the Curtis Institute of Music, 5/2016, 9 min. 15 sec.
AfterBach (2014) for two flutes for Mimi Stillman and the 10 Year Anniversary of her Dolce Suono Ensemble. Premiered with Mimi Stillman and Jeffrey Khaner, Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Flute, 1/18/2015 in Philadelphia, a playful tour de force. 4 min.
Spirit Island (flute, cello, piano – 1996), 16 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
Unimagined Bridges for Flute and Native American Flutes is influenced by the Four Directions of the Native American Medicine Wheel. It has been performed both as a concert piece and in alternative settings paired with visual art.
“…Unimagined Bridges is a unique 4 movement duet melding the earthy, spiritual sounds of the Native American Flute and the versatile dexterity of the orchestral flute into an evocative, contemplative sound world. ”
–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
Daughter of the Sea (oboe and English Horn – 2014), 20 min.
Commissioned by the Women Composers Festival of Hartford for Duo Agosto
“…The Festival organizers have long been interested in the possibility of commissioning new works and we were very excited to see that dream realized in a work that blends haunting lyricism, wit and drama.Daughter of the Sea consists of seven movements inspired by the poetry of Pablo Neruda. Fragments of Neruda’s work are spoken and sung by performers. Extended techniques are used for effects both moving and humorous. Daughter of the Sea is a theatrical experience whose like is not commonly found, and the Festival is thrilled to have helped bring this new work into the world.”
–Daniel Morel, Director, The Women Composers Festival of Hartford
Tokitae (oboe and piano – 2022), for Ariana Kramer
Unremembered Wings (oboe and piano – 2001), 11:12 min. Arr. for soprano saxophone and piano.
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 violin and cello, bassoon or 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
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
This Arc Towards Justice for soprano, alto saxophone and piano (2014), 12 min.
Commissioned by Susquehanna University
SAX TRAX (saxophone quartet – 1997), 5:12 min.
Romanza for soprano saxophone and chamber orchestra, or soprano saxophone and piano, 2008, arr. 2013, 19 min.
Three Songs for Soprano Sax and Double Bass after poems by Neruda (1997), 7 min.
Timecycle (sop., clarinet – 2000), 15 min.
Commissioned by the Pennsylvania and Delaware Music Teachers National Association
“The colors you get from the clarinet and voice are breathtaking and hauntingly beautiful! I think the work is a masterpiece, brava! The 10 anniversary season of the chamber music festival I am part of was a few years back, and the audience was given a list of every composition that had been performed in those 10 years, and asked to vote for their favorites, which would then be programmed over the next few years. Timecycle received the 2nd highest number of votes, after the Quartet for the End of Time!”
–Bill King, Ann Arbor Clarinet Connection
Strings
a space between for marimba solo, string quartet and spoken word (2018), commissioned by Global Premiere Consortium. 14 minutes.
A reminiscence sing (soprano or tenor, solo woodwind: English Horn, oboe or clarinet 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, viola or soprano saxophone available with piano. Commissioned by Orchestra 2001. Viola arrangement created for Matthew Cohen.
“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
Aria for violin and piano (2023 – 5 min.)
Standing at the Beam (2022) for chorus and string quintet, commissioned by Edward D. Anderson Choral Scholars Fund in Honor of The Michigan State University Chorale, David Rayl, conductor
Here I Am: I Am Here (2022) for Soprano and Tenor Soloists, 2 narrators, SATB chorus, string quartet and piano, commissioned by Boston’s Coro Allegro Chorus, David Hodgkins, Artistic Director
Earth Door/Sky Door (2018) for flute, piano, percussion and string quintet. Commissioned by Music from Angelfire, Ida Kavafian, Artistic Director
Avalokiteshvara (Compassion) (2012, arr. 2016) for flute, percussion and string quartet. Commissioned by Taos Chamber Music Group
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), also available for Violin and Cello, or Violin and Bassoon. 7 min.
For Edgar Meyer
A Dream of Trees for Violin and Bass (after poems by Mary Oliver, Rumi, Pablo Neruda and Melissa Harris), commissioned by Martha Walvoord and Jack Unzicker, 15 min.
a space between (2018) for marimba/spoken word and string quartet, commissioned for Lee Hinkle by Global Premiere Commissioning Consortium. 15 minutes.
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 or treble chorus and piano – 2005), 7:30 min.
Commissioned by the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir
Women of Cyprus (string quintet – 2002), 7 min.
Commissioned by Group Motion Dance Company
Redstone Fantasy (string quintet – 2002), 6 min.
Commissioned by Group Motion Dance Company
Brass
Rise for horn and piano, commissioned by Katie Johnson-Webb and Kirstin Ihde (2023), 12 minutes
Ha-Galgal (The Wheel) for solo horn commissioned by Julie Landsman (2019), 8 minutes
Into the Falcon’s Eye (2 horns and piano – 2003, also for horn, trombone and piano), 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
River Melos (low horn and piano – 2014), 9:35 min.
Commissioned by Denise Tryon
River Melos (trombone and piano – arr. 2016), 9:35 min.
Commissioned by Denise Tryon, arrangement for Ava Ordman
HVATI for tuba and piano – 2016, also for euphonium and piano, 11:00 min.
Commissioned by Froydis Ree Wekre for Oystein Baadsvik
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
Percussion
Earth Door/Sky Door (2018) for Music from Angelfire 2018 Festival, Ida Kavafian, Artistic Director
Beyond the Binary (2022) for SATB chorus, soloists and percussion quartet, 40 minutes, commissioned and premiered by Mendelssohn Chorus, Dominick DiOrio, director. Libretto by Ellen Frankel, custom percussion instruments created by David Kontak, available for rent.
a space between (2018) for marimba solo, string quartet and spoken word, commissioned for Lee Hinkle by Global Premiere Commissioning Consortium. 14 minutes.
Concertino for Marimba and String Orchestra (2004), 12 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
Round for Three Muses (2017) for percussion solo, percussion ensemble and electronics commissioned by Yun Ju Pan and the MSU Percussion Ensemble
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 for Marimba Quartet (2000), 6:22 min.
For Battery 4 Percussion Group
Home in Me (treble chorus, 2 percussion, piano – 2022), 16 min.
Commissioned by National Concerts and a Consortium of Treble Choirso
Harp/Piano
Widening Circles for piano solo, commissioned by Network for New Music in honor of Linda Reichert (5 minutes)
Stephen’s Song for intermediate level piano solo, for Stephen Macbeth (3 1/2 minutes)
…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
Guitar
Reflections on the Dranyen commissioned by William Kanengiser for solo classical guitar (2022). Required piece for the 2022 Guitar Foundation of America International Competition. Purchase the work here.
Farlorn Alemen Alto Flute and Guitar, for Duo Sequenza
GLOW Electric guitar concerto commissioned by the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (2019)
Sagitta (flute and guitar duo)
Commissioned by The Diller-Quaile School of Music; premiered by Mimi Stillman, flute and Gideon Whitehead, guitar at the Curtis Institute of Music on May 17, 2016.
Chamber Ensemble
Earth Door/Sky Door (flute, piano, percussion, string quintet), 2018, 15:30
Commissioned by Music from Angelfire Festival, Ida Kavafian, Artistic Director
Rabsong Shar (The Eastern Room of the Palace)
Commissioned by the University of Arkansas New Music Ensemble
“The University of Arkansas McIlroy Professorship Endowment wished to commission a piece for the Arkansas New Music Ensemble. We approached Andrea to compose a piece for our new music ensemble. The resulting piece was a work that more than exceeded our expectations. Rabsong Shar is a piece of exquisite beauty, wistful melancholy, and deep reverence to an ancient culture. My students and I were elated to bring Andrea’s beautiful gift to life. The piece is a masterwork of orchestration and timbral color. Audiences everywhere will be engaged by this piece.”
–Jamal Duncan, Music Director, Arkansas New Music 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
Chamber Orchestra
Rabsong Shar (the Eastern Room of the Palace)Soprano, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Harp, Piano, Percussion (3), Violins (2), Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Digital Audio, (2016, rev. 2017), 13 mins.
Tse Go La (At the threshold of this life)SATB and SSAA choruses, chamber orchestra, 2012, 32 mins.
Romanza violin and chamber orchestra, 2008, 19 mins.
The Rim of Love soprano, harp, percussion, strings, 2006, 20 mins.
Concertino for Marimba and Strings marimba and string orchestra, 2005, 12 minutes