Musical Works
This is a sample of Ned Rorem's music. For a complete list refer to his music publishers: Publisher information, duration, and reviews for each work may be had by left-clicking on the title of the work.
ORCHESTRAL WORKS
  • AIR MUSIC (1974)
    Ten Variations for Orchestra
    3(=picc).2.corA.3(III=Ebcl).3(III=dbn)-4.3.3.1- perc(1):SD/TD/BD/cyms/susp.cym/gong/large gong(tam-t)/tgl/anvil/cowbell/metal plate/glsp/xyl/chimes/vib-harp-cel-pft-strings
  • ASSEMBLY and FALL (1975)
    One movement for orchestra with solo roles for oboe, trumpet, timpani and viola
    3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3.3-4.2.3.1-timp.perc(1):glsp/gong/vib/xyl/congo dr/ tom-t/anvil/cyms/metalsheet/tgl/cast/BD/SD/TD-harp-strings
  • DESIGN (1953)
    2(II=picc).2.2.2-4.2.2.0-timp. Perc(1):gong/xyl/cyms/tgl/BD/SD-harp-cel-pft- strings
  • EAGLES (1958)
    2.picc.2.corA.2.Ebcl.bcl.2.dbn-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(1):gong(large tam-t)xyl/cyms/tgl/cast/2wdbl/slap-stick(whip)/BD/SD/tamb/TD/ratchet-harp-cel(pft)-strings
  • FANTASY and POLKA (1988)
    Fantasy
    2.picc.2.corA.3.2-4.3.0.0-strings
    Polka
    2.picc.2.corA.3.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(1):SD/TD/BD/ bongos/tgl/cast/cyms/tamb/police whistle/xyl/glsp-pft-strings
    May be performed together or seperately
  • FROLIC (1986)
    Fanfare for Orchestra
    3.3.3.2-4.4.3.1-timp.perc(2or3):SD/tamb/BD/xyl/TD/cast/wdbl-pft-strings
  • IDEAS (1961)
    for orchestra
    1.1.1.1-2.1.1.0-timp.perc(1):gong/cyms/tgl/SD/tamp-harp-pft-strings
  • LIONS (A DREAM) (1963)
    3(III=picc).2.corA.2.Ebcl.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(6):tgl/cast/tamb/large gong(tam-t)/SD/xyl/vib/glsp/cyms/TD/wdbl/5tpl.bl/2 bongos/chimes (C# and G) - strings - Band:asax-perc(1):susp.cym/BD/SD-pft-db
  • ORGAN CONCERTO (1985)
    0.0.0.0-2.1.1.0-timp-strings
  • PIANO CONCERTO in SIX MOVEMENTS (1969)
    3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3(III=Ebcl,asax).2.dbn-4.3.3.1- timp.perc(5or6):glsp/t.bells/vib/xyl/2bongos/2 conga dr/anvil/cyms/susp.cym/tam- t/tgl/5tpl.bl/whip/BD/SD/TD-harp-cel-strings
  • PILGRIMS (1958)
    for strings
  • A QUAKER READER (orch. 1988)
    Eight Movements for Orchestra
    2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2.2-2.1.1.0-strings
    NB: Orchestrations of movements from A Quaker Reader, Eleven Pieces for Organ (1975)
  • REMEMBERING TOMMY (1979)
    Suite in ten movements for cello & piano with orchestra
    2(I,II=picc).2(II=corA).2.2-2.2.2.0- timp.perc(6):SD/TD/BD/bongos/susp.cym/tgl/glsp/xyl/vib-harp-strings
    NB: Originally titled Double Concerto
  • STRING SYMPHONY (1985)
    for string orchestra
  • SUNDAY MORNING (1977)
    Poem in eight parts for orchestra
    3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3.3-6.3.3.1- timp.perc(4):SD/TD/BD/bongos/cyms/tgl/chime/gong(large tam-t)/metal plate/mandolin (opt)/glsp/vib/xyl-pft(=cel)-harp-strings
  • SYMPHONY No. 2 (1956)
    2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2.2-2.1.1.0-timp.perc(1):SD/tgl/cyms/large gong/xyl/tamb- harp-pft-strings
  • SYMPHONY No. 3 (1958)
    2.picc.2.corA.2.bcl.2.dbn-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(6):gong/t.bells/xyl/ tom-t/cyms/tgl/cast/wdbl/whip/BD/SD/tamb/TD-harp-cel-pft-strings
  • VIOLIN CONCERTO (1985)
    for violin and orchestra
    1(=picc).1.2.1-0.1.0.0-timp-strings
  • WATER MUSIC (1966)
    for clarinet, violin & orchestra
    1(=picc).1(corA).0.1-1.0.0.0-perc(1):glsp/gong/vib/bongos(2)/cyms/tgl/BD/SD/TD- harp-pft(=cel)-strings

ORCHESTRA WITH VOICE(S)
  • AFTER LONG SILENCE (1982)
    Ten poems for voice, oboe and strings
    Text: William Butler Yeats, George Herbert, Thomas Carew, Robert Burns, Queen Elizabeth I, Thomas Hardy, William Blake, Ernest Dowson, Emily Dickinson (E)
  • POEMES POUR LA PAIX (1953; orchestrated 1956)
    for medium voice and strings
    Text: Jehan Regnier, Pierre de Ronsard, Olivier de Magny, Jean Daurat, Jean Antonie de Baif (F)
  • THE SCHUYLER SONGS (1987)
    Eight poems for voice and orchestra
    Text: James Schuyler (E)
    2(=picc).2.2.2-1.1.0.0-pft-strings
  • SUN (1966)
    Eight poems in one movement for voice and orchestra
    Text: King Ikhnaton, Lord Byron, Paul Goodman, William Blake, Robin Morgan, William Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, Theodore Roethke (E)
    2.picc.2.corA.2.asax.2.dbn-4.3.2.1-timp.perc:SD/BD/bongos/chimes/gong(tam-t)/anvil/metal sheet/cyms/cast/wdbl/glsp/xyl/vib-harp-cel-pft-strings
  • SWORDS and PLOWSHARES (1990)
    for four solo voices and orchestra
    Text: Arthur Rimbaud, Lord Byron, W.H. Auden, W.B. Yeats, Archibald MacLeish, E.A. Robinson, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Denise Levertov, Psalm 133
    3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(4):SD/TD/BD/cyms/large tam-t/metal plate/anvil/glsp/large gong/vib/slapstick/tgl/susp.cym/cast/chimes-harp-pft(=cel)-strings

WORKS for CHORUS and ORCHESTRA
  • AN AMERICAN ORATORIO (1984)
    Texts by nine 19thh Century American authors for mixed chorus, tenor solo and orchestra
    Text: Emma Lazarus, Edgar Allen Poe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Mark Twain, Sidney Lanier, Stephen Crane, Walt Whitman, Herman Melville (E)
    3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(2 or 3):TD/BD/tgl/xyl/glsp/anvil/gong/SD- harp-pft(=cel)-strings
  • GOODBYE MY FANCY (1988)
    an oratorio for mixed chorus and orchestra with alto and baritone soloists
    Text: Walt Whitman (E)
    3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(3):vib/glsp/xyl/cym/susp.cym/large susp.cym/ large gong/tgl/tamb/wdbl/metal plate/tom-t/BD/SD/TD-harp-pft(=cel)-strings
  • HOMER (1986)
    Three scenes from The Iliad for four-part mixed chorus and eight instruments
    Text: Based on Homer's The Iliad (E)
    1.1.0.1-0.1.0.0-pft-strings (1.0.1.1.0)
  • LAUDEMUS TEMPUS ACTUM (1964)
    for mixed chorus and orchestra
    Text: By the composer (L)
    2.2.2.2-2.2.2.0-timp-harp-strings
  • LETTERS from PARIS (1966)
    for mixed chorus and small orchestra
    Text: Janet Flanner (E)
    1(=picc).1(=corA).1(-asax).1-1.1.1.0-timp.perc(1):glsp/chimes/vib/xyl/bongos/anvil/cyms/ large gong/tgl/cast/ratchet/BD/SD/TD/police whistle-harp-cel-pft-harmonium-strings
  • LIFT UP YOUR HEADS The Ascension (1963)
    for mixed chorus, wind ensemble and timpani
    Text: John Beaumont (E)
    2.2.2.2-2.3.3.1-timp
    NB: Also arranged for 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, timpani and organ
  • LITTLE PRAYERS (1973)
    for soprano and baritone solos, mixed chorus and orchestra
    Text: Paul Goodman (E)
    2.2.2.2-4.2.2.0-timp.perc(2):large gong/BD/xyl/tgl/SD/TD/cyms/glsp-harp-pft-strings
  • The POET's REQUIEM (1955)
    for soprano solo, mixed chorus and orchestra
    Text: Franz Kafka, Rainer Maria Rilke, Jean Cocteau, Stephane Mallarme, Sigmund Freud, Paul Goodman and Andre Gide (E)
    2.2.2.2-2.1.1.0-timp.perc(1):SD/large gong/cyms/tgl-harp-pft-strings
  • A SERMON on MIRACLES (1947)
    for unison chorus, solo voice and strings
    Text: Paul Goodman (E)
  • The SEVENTIETH PSALM (1943)
    Anthem for mixed chorus and wind ensemble
    Text: Psalm 70 (E)
    1.1.1.1-2.0.0.1
    (NB: This was the first public performance of Ned Rorem's work)
  • TE DEUM (1987)
    for mixed chorus, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones and organ
    Text: Book of Common Prayer (E)
  • WHITMAN CANTATA (1983)
    for men's chorus, twelve brass and timpani
    Text: Walt Whitman (E)
    0.0.0.0-4.4.3.1-timp

CHAMBER WORKS with VOICE(S)

CHAMBER WORKS

KEYBOARD WORKS

OPERAS
  • BERTHA (1968)
    an opera in one act
    Libretto: from the play by Kenneth Koch (E)
    Mez; H, Med-hi, Med, Med-low, Low; small chorus (opt.)
    Setting: In and around the royal residence at Oslo, Norway
  • CHILDHOOD MIRACLE, A (1956)
    a children's fable
    Libretto: Elliot Stein (E)
    Publisher: Peermusic Classical
  • FABLES (1970)
    five very short operas
    Libretto: from poems of Jean de la Fontaine, translated by Marianne Moore (E)
    The Lion in Love, The Sun and the Frogs, The Bird Wounded by an Arrow, The Fox and the Grapes, The Animals Sick of the Plague
    At least 3 singers; chorus and mimes ad libitum

  • HEARING (1966, arranged 1976)
    five scenes for four singers and seven instrumentalists
    Libretto: a dramatization by James Holmes of poems by Kenneth Koch, adapted from the song cycle
    cl(=asax)-tpt-perc(1):SD/BD/tgl/cyms/xyl/glsp/gong/mandolin (or guitar or ukelele) -pft(=harmonium)-strings(1.0.1.0.1)
  • MISS JULIE (1965, rev. 1978)
    opera in one act
    Libretto: by Kenward Elmslie, based on the play by August Strindberg
    2S, S or Boy S, Mez, 2T, BBar
    Setting: The servant's quarters of a country estate in Sweden on a midsummer eve in the 1880's
  • The ROBBERS (1956)
    melodrama in one scene
    Libretto: by the composer after Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Pardoner's Tale" (E)
    T, Lyric Bar, BBar
    Setting: Early evening in the sordid second story room of a 14th Century inn
  • THREE SISTERS WHO ARE NOT SISTERS (1968)
    opera in three scenes for five solo singers
    Libretto: based on the melodrama by Gertrude Stein
    2S, Mez, T, Bar with piano accompaniment
  • OUR TOWN (2005)
    Libretto: by J.D. McClatchey, based on the Thornton Wilder play Our Town

CHORAL WORKS
  • ARISE, SHINE
    see Surge, Illuminare
  • BREATHE ON ME (1989)
    for mixed chorus a cappella
    Text: Edwin Hatch (E)
  • CANTICLE of the LAMB (1971)
    for mixed chorus a cappella
    Text: The Revelation of St. John (E)
  • CANTICLES, SET I (1971)
    Text: English settings of liturgical songs
    Confiteor tibi: unison or solo voice
    Magnificat anima mea: SA or TB
    Nunc dimittis: SAT
  • CANTICLES, SET II (1972)
    Text: English settings of liturgical songs
    Benedictus es Domina: SATB
    Phos Hilarion: SATB
    Ecce Deus: SATBarB
  • The DEATH of MOSES (1987)
    for mixed chorus and organ
    Text: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 (E)
  • FIVE ARMENIAN LOVE SONGS (1987)
    for mixed chorus
    Text: Nahapet Kuckak (Armenian)
  • FOUR HYMNS (1973)
    for mixed chorus and keyboard
    Come, Pure Hearts
    for unison voices and keyboard
    Text: Traditional (12th Century) (L)
    I Hear a Sound of Voices
    for mixed chorus
    Text: Godfrey Thring (1886) (E)
    In Christ There is No East or West
    for unison voices and keyboard
    Text: John Oxenham (1908) (E)
    Jerusalem, My Happy Home
    for mixed chorus
    Text: 16th Century (E)
  • GIVE ALL to LOVE (1981)
    for two-part mixed chorus and piano
    Text: Ralph Waldo Emerson (E)
  • HE SHALL RULE FROM SEA TO SEA (1967)
    for mixed chorus and organ
    Text: Psalm 71, Daniel 7
  • I FEEL DEATH... (1953)
    for three-part men's chorus a cappella
    Text: John Dryden (E)
  • In TIME of PESTILENCE (1973)
    for mixed chorus a cappella
    Text: Thomas Nashe (E)
  • LAUDEMUS TEMPUS ACTUM
    see listing under Works for chorus and orchestra
  • LEAD KINDLY LIGHT (1988)
    for mixed chorus
    Text: Traditional
  • LIFT UP YOUR HEADS (1953)
    for chorus and organ
    see listing under Works for chorus and orchestra
  • LITTLE LAMB, WHO MADE THEE? (1982)
    for mixed chorus and organ
    Text: William Blake (E)
  • LOVE ALONE (1989)
    for men's chorus and piano four-hands
    Text: Paul Monette (E)
  • LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING (1966)
    for mixed chorus a cappella
    Text: Charles Wesley (E)
  • MERCY and TRUTH are MET (1983)
    for mixed chorus and organ
    Text: Psalm 85:10-13 (E)
  • MIRACLES of CHRISTMAS (1959)
    for mixed chorus and organ (or piano)
    Text: Ruth Apprich Jacob (E)
  • MISSA BREVIS (1973)
    for four solo voices (SATB) and mixed chorus a cappella
    Text: Liturgical (L)
  • PILGRIM STRANGERS (1984)
    for six male voices
    Text: Walt Whitman (E)
    2A,T,2Bar,B
  • PRAISES for the NATIVITY (1970)
    for four solo voices (SATB), mixed chorus and organ
    Text: from the Book of Common Prayer (E,L)
  • PRAISE the LORD, O MY SOUL (1982)
    for mixed chorus and organ
    Text: Psalm 146 (E)
  • PRAYERS and RESPOINSES (1960)
    for mixed chorus a cappella
    Text: Liturgical (E)
  • PRAYER to JESUS (1973)
    for mixed chorus
    Text: Gerard Manley Hopkins (E)
  • PROPER for the VOTIVE MASS of the HOLY SPIRIT (1966)
    for unison chorus and organ
    Text: Liturgical (E)
  • A SERMON on MIRACLES (1947)
    for unison chorus, solo voice and keyboard
    Text: Paul Goodman (E)
    Also arranged for unison chorus, solo voices and strings
  • SEVEN MOTETS for the CHURCH YEAR (19)
    for mixed chorus
    Texts: From the Liber Usualis (E)
    While All Things Were in Quiet Silence: (Christmas)
    Before the Morning Star Begotten: (Epiphany)
    Ly up for Yourselves: (Ash Wednesday)
    Praise Him Who Was Crucified: (Easter)
    God is Gone Up: (Ascension)
    Today the Holy Spirit Appeared: (Pentecost)
    Rejoice We All in the Lord: (All Saints)
  • The SEVENTIETH PSALM (1943)
  • SURGE, ILLUMINARE (ARISE, SHINE) (1977)
    for mixed chorus and organ
    Text: Liturgical (L)
  • THREE CHORUS for CHRISTMAS (1978)
    for mixed chorus a cappella
    The Oxen
    Text: Thomas Hardy (E)
    O Magnum misterium
    Text: Traditional (L)
    Shout the Glad Tidings
    Text: Muhlenberg - 1826 (from the Hymnal) (E)
  • THREE INCANTATIONS from a MARIONETTE TALE (1948)
    for unison chorus or solo voice and piano
    Text: Charles Boultenhouse (E)
    Cloudless Blue Claw
    Now I Make a Circle
    Boy Into Animal

  • THREE MOTETS (1973)
    for mixed chorus and organ
    Text: Gerard Manley Hopkins (E)
    O, Deus, ego amo Te
    Oratio Patris Condren: O Jesu Vivens in Maria
    Thee, God...

  • THREE POEMS of BAUDELAIRE (1987)
    for mixed chorus
    Text: Pierre Charles Baudelaire (Translated into English by Richard Howard)
    Invitation to the Voyage
    Cat
    Satan's Litanys

  • THREE PRAYERS (1973)
    for mixed chorus a cappella
    Text: Paul Goodman
    Creator Spirit, Who Dost Lightly Hover
    Father, Guide and Lead Me
    Creator Spirit, Please

  • TRUTH in the NIGHT SEASON (1966)
    for mixed chorus and organ
    Text: Psalm 92:1-5a (E)
  • VIRELAI (1961)
    Part-song for mixed chorus a cappella
    Text: Geoffrey Chaucer (E)
  • WHAT is PINK? (1987)
    Six songs for treble chorus with piano
    Text: Christina Rosetti, Vachel Lindsay, William Jay Smith, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Edwin Arlington Robinson (E)

    PUBLISHERS
    Boosey and Hawkes
    (Exclusive publisher of Rorem's music.)
    229 West 28 Street, Floor 11
    NY, NY 10001

    Associated Music Publishers
    24 East 22nd Street
    New York, New York 10010

    Belwin Mills
    15800 NW 48 Avenue
    Miami, Florida 33014

    Harold Branch Music
    87 Eads Street
    West Babylon, New York 11704

    Peermusic/ Southern Music publishing Co.
    250 West 57 Street; Suite 820
    NY NY 10107

    Henmar Press/C.F. Peters Corporation
    70-30 80th Street
    Glendale NY 11385

    Theodore Presser Company
    Presser Place
    Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010

    E.C. Schirmer Company
    138 Ipswich Street
    Boston, Massachusetts 02215


    ABBREVIATIONS

    Standard order of instrumentation:
    fl.ob.cl.bn-hn.tp.trbn.tuba-perc-other-vln I.vln II.vla,vlc,db

    Language abbreviations:
    (E)=english text, (G)=german, (Gr)=greek, (I)=italian, (L)=latin, (N)=norwegian


    Instrumental abbreviations:
    picc = piccolo | fl = flute | ob = oboe | corA = cor Anglais (english horn) | cl =clarinet in Bb |
    Ebcl = clarinet in Eb | Acl = clarinet in A | bcl = bass clarinet in Bb | ssax = soprano saxophone | asax = alto saxophone | tsax = tenor saxophone | bsax = baritone saxophone | bn = bassoon | dbn = contrabassoon | hn = horn |tp = trumpet | flug =flugelhorn | euph=euphonium | cor = cornet | trbn = trombone | tba = tuba | vln = violin | vla = viola | vlc = violoncello | db = contrabass | pft = piano | synth = synthesizer | susp.cym = suspended cymbal | tamb = tambourine |tam-t = tam-tam (gong) | TD = tenor drum | tgl = triangle | timp = timpani | tom-t = tom-toms | tpl.bl = temple blocks | vib = vibraphone | wdbl = woodblock | xyl = xylophone | BD = bass drum | SnD = snare drum | cast = castinets | cyms = crash cymbals | glsp = glockenspiel | FD = field drum | RotoT = roto-toms | slap = slap sticks | t.bells = tubular bells | crot = crotales |


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