Jack Van Zandt
Composer
Concert and Electronic Works
Selected Works
Scores and parts are available from Composers Edition
Or contact composer
Collaborative Multimedia Streaming Projects
Two Arias from On the Shores of Eternity (2021) PLAY YOU TUBE
From the Multimedia Dramatic Madrigal, Text by Tagore
for Computer Processed Soprano Soloist,
Flute, harp, cello and electric bass,
Synthesizers and Digital Sounds, Video
17 minutes
Two Character Songs from The New Frontier: An Atomic Age Jazz Opera (2021) PLAY YOU TUBE
Monodramedy for soprano and ensemble
Libretto by Jill Freeman, Vocal stylings by Stacey Fraser
Arranged for soprano with piano, vibraphone, bass, and with optional Video
17 minutes
Score and parts available from Composers Edition
A E T H E R (2020) PLAY YOU TUBE
Jack Van Zandt, composer and electronics
Carmen Flores, viola
Tim Bassford, video
8 minutes
Siúil a rún (2020) PLAY YOU TUBE
Co-created with Jane Rigler
Jack Van Zandt and Jane Rigler: Composers
Vocal: Máire Ní Chéileachair
Flutes, electronics and multitrack voices: Jane Rigler
Synthesizers, samplers, sound design and computer processing and video: Jack Van Zandt
16 minutes
Opera and Music Theater
The New Frontier: An Atomic Age Jazz Opera (In Progress for 2021) PLAY YOU TUBE
Multimedia monodramedy for soprano and ensemble
Part one of the American Trilogy
Libretto by Jill Freeman, Vocal stylings by Stacey Fraser
Soprano, tenor/soprano sax, trumpet/flugelhorn, piano, bass, vibraphone/marimba,
drum kit, hand percussion.
Videotaping for streaming 2021-2
(There are trio versions of some songs for soprano with piano, vibes and bass)
90 minutes
The Bright Shining Lie: A Vietnam War Rock Opera (In Progress for 2023)
Multimedia dramedy for vocal soloists and rock ensemble
Part two of the American Trilogy
Libretto by Jill Freeman,
2 electric guitars, electric bass, 2 electric keyboards, 2 drum kits, percussion.
Videotaping for streaming 2024-5
90 minutes
A Thousand Ships: A Vision of Helen of Troy (Projected for 2025)
A multimedia opera
for 2 Sopranos, vocal ensemble, speakers, electronics and chamber orchestra
1111/2110/Piano/Harp/Percussion/2 Vln, Vla, Vc, Db
Libretto by Jill Freeman and Jack Van Zandt
Additional texts by Homer, Sara Teasdale, Rupert Brooke, WB Yeats, HD, Shakespeare, Chaucer, Sappho, Euripides, and others.
45 minutes
Musical Drama/Dance
On the Shores of Eternity (2003, revised 2020-21) PLAY YOU TUBE
A Multimedia Dramatic Madrigal, Text by Tagore
for Computer Processed Soprano Soloist, 5-part vocal ensemble,
Flute, harp, electric cello, electric guitar and electric bass,
Synthesizers and Digital Sounds,
Computer Processed Digital Projections;
Videotaping for streaming 2022
2 Solo Dancers and Corps de Ballet.
2 hours
Orchestra
Apples and Time Crack in October (2015, orchestra version, 2021)
Four songs for soprano and orchestra
Poems by Jill Freeman
3333/4331/2harps/5 percussion/strings
14 Minutes
Piano score available from Composers Edition
Tangled Hierarchy: A Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (In progress for 2022)
For Nadia Shpachenko
Piano solo, 3333/4331/Harp/Perc/Strings and electronics
A second version for piano with electronics
30 minutes
Nosferatu (2018) PLAY YOU TUBE
Score for a 10 minute segment from the silent film Nosferatu of 1922 directed by F. W. Murnau, to be performed live with the film.
For the Vineyard Touring Opera Company
2222/2110/Harp/Percussion/Strings
10 minutes
From th' Ethereal Skie (2004, Revised 2015) PLAY YOU TUBE
An Imaginary Ballet after Milton’s Paradise Lost
Eve and the Serpent dance in Paradise
3333/4331/Harp/Perc/Strings
13 minutes
Cinque Canti for Clarinet and Orchestra (2005)
Solo Clarinet playing Bb, Bb Bass and Eb Clarinets
1111/1110/Harp/Perc/Stings
18 minutes
La Nuit Étoilée (The Starry Night) (2003)
Nocturne après van Gogh for Piano, Harp and String Orchestra
14 minutes
Time's Ocean (2002-3) PLAY SOUNDCLOUD
For Large Wind, Brass and Percussion Orchestra and Recorded Digital Sounds
12 minutes
… my way is in the sand flowing …
Requiem in Memory of my Mother
For Chorus and Orchestra (1995-2016)
Text is a poem by Samuel Beckett and selected portions of the Latin mass.
28 minutes
8-Part Mixed Chorus with soloists;
Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, Cor Anglais, 2 Clarinets in Bb, Bass Clarinet in Bb, 2 Bassoons, Contrabassoon, 4 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets in Bb (3 dbls. Piccolo Trumpet), 3 Trombones, Tuba, 6 Percussionists, 2 Harps, Piano/Celeste/Organ, Strings
High School Band and Orchestra
Vanishing Point (2019)
Combined wind ensemble and string orchestra
Commissioned for Pasadena High School by Copland House under the auspices of their What's the Score? education program, with funds provided by Elaine and Michael Diamond.
5 1/2 minutes
Choral
Three Choruses from On the Shores of Eternity (2004)
Three Poems for 5-part Chorus (SATBarB)
I: Mandakini; II. The Secret Journey; III. The Stream of Life
Text by R. Tagore,
From the dramatic madrigal, On the Shores of Eternity
24 minutes
Vocal
A Chaos of Light and Motion (2019) PLAY YOU TUBE
Four dramatic songs for soprano (or tenor) and ensemble, with poems by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Flute, viola, harp, piano, celeste, vibraphone, marimba, chimes, percussion.
1. A Chaos of Light and Motion; 2. The Painted Veil; 3. Weave the Dance on the Floor of the Breeze;
4. The Atmosphere of Human Thought.
24 minutes
Score and parts available from Composers Edition
The Painted Veil (2018) PLAY YOU TUBE
For bass baritone and electronics
Text by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Commissioned by Nicholas Isherwood
8 minutes
Score and stereo electronic track wave file available from Composers Edition
Apples and Time Crack in October (2015)
Four songs for soprano and piano
Poems by Jill Freeman
14 Minutes
Score available from Composers Edition
CD available from AMAZON
A Rain of Tears: Songs from the Age of Melancholy (2014)
For high voice and guitar, lute or harp
I. My Galley (Thomas Wyatt) ; II. Leave me, O love (Philip Sydney)
12 minutes
El Oro de los Tigres (1982, revised 2005) PLAY YOU TUBE
Six songs for Soprano, Clarinet, Harp and Cello
Text by Jorge Luis Borges
9 minutes
Score and parts available from Composers Edition
Canonic Studies on Japanese Haiku (1989, revised 2011)
Soprano and Three Clarinets
8 minutes
A Dance Beyond Death (2003 rev. 2021)
Soprano with:
Version A: flute, harp, electric bass and computer processed digital sounds PLAY YOU TUBE
Version B: 2 Pianos, Harp, Celeste, Tuned Percussion (4 Players: Xylorimba, 2 Vibraphones, 2 Glockenspiels, Crotales), Double bass (pizz only)
Text by Tagore
12 minutes
Living the Infinite (2003)
Soprano and Computer Processed Digital Sounds
Text by Tagore
13 Minutes
Understanding (2003, rev. 2021) PLAY YOU TUBE
Soprano, alto flute, harp, electronic cello and Computer Processed Digital Sounds
Text by Tagore
8 minutes
The Stars Look On (2003)
Aria for Soprano with:
Version A: Computer Processed Sounds. Version B: Chamber Orchestra
Text by Tagore
8 minutes
The Messenger (2003)
Computer Processed Soprano and Digital Sounds
Text by Tagore
13 minutes
Chamber Ensemble
Lessness (New version 2020)
String Quartet, Double Bass, Piano,
With live electronics and pre-recorded digital sounds
For the Villiers Quartet and Nadia Shpachenko
Videotaping for Streaming 2021
35 minutes
Ceól na hÉireann (2018-19) PLAY YOU TUBE
ForTamaki Higashi and Carmen Flores
Violin and Viola
I. Ceomhar Reel; II. The Ballad of Béal na Bláth; III. St. Brendan's Hornpipe; IV. Immigrant's (Appalachian) Hymn; V. Poitín Jug Jig.
18 minutes
Score and parts available from Composers Edition
Ceól na hÉireann (2018-19)
For Cynthia Fogg and Tom Flaherty
Viola and cello
I. Foggy's Reel; II. The Ballad of Béal na Bláth; III. St. Brendan's Hornpipe; IV. Immigrant's (Appalachian) Hymn; V. Tomás Ó Flaithbheartaigh's Jig.
18 minutes
Arebati (2017)
For the Cal Poly Pomona Keyboard Ensemble
2 Toy Pianos, Celeste, 2 Pianos, Marimba/Vibraphone and Electronics
9 minutes
Immigrant's (Appalachian) Hymn (2017) PLAY YOU TUBE
For Cynthia Fogg and Tom Flaherty
Viola and Cello
Versions for 2 violas, 2 violins, violin and viola, 2 cellos
4 minutes
Trans (2016) PLAY SOUNDCLOUD
Piano Trio
8 minutes
Stirrings Still (2006-2016) PLAY YOU TUBE
In memory of Peter Maxwell Davies
Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Vibraphone, Piano, Violin/Viola, Cello
18 minutes
Score and parts available from Composers Edition
Regular Division of the Plane (2013) PLAY YOU TUBE
Six geometric designs for two pianos after Escher
27 Minutes
Score available from Composers Edition
Knotwork: a 12-Tone Chaconne (2007, revised 2020) PLAY YOU TUBE
Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone and Double Bass
14 minutes
Score and parts available from Composers Edition
Dioskouroi (1979, revised 2005)
For String Duo
Versions for 2 Cellos, 2 Violins, 2 Violas,
Viola and Cello, Violin and Viola, Violin and Cello
10 minutes
Fractal for String Trio (1977, revised 2005)
Violin, Viola, Cello
17 minutes
Score and parts available from Composers Edition
Strange Loops for String Quartet (2004-5) PLAY YOU TUBE
I. Semezen; II. The Hollow Men; III. Chant
28 minutes
The Floating World (2004) PLAY YOU TUBE
Flute, Harp and Viola
I. Dance; II. Ritual; III. Meditation; IV. Trance
25 minutes
Jam Session (2001)
A Concerto for Jazz Ensemble
Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxes, 2 Trumpets in Bb, Trombone, Tuba, Piano, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Marimba, Drum Kit, Double Bass (Pizz.)
15 minutes
Solo Instruments
Become Motion: Five Etudes for Solo Clarinet (2021)
I. Bird; II. Taking a Line for a Walk; III. Chaconne; IV. Togaku; V. Train.
Playable on any Eb or Bb clarinet by choice of the performer.
21 minutes
Score available from Composers Edition
Tōgaku: a sleeping tiger dreams in the light of the moon (2021) PLAY YOU TUBE
Bass clarinet
5 minutes
Score available from Composers Edition
A E T H E R (2020)
Solo viola and electronics
8 minutes
Invenzione Meccanica and Coda (2020) PLAY YOU TUBE
Piano
For Lorenzo Marasso
4 minutes
Stile Antico for solo violin (2020)
I. Prelude; II. Canon; III. Fugue; IV. Chaconne.
15 minutes
Become Motion: Five Etudes for Solo Oboe (2018)
For Nick Daniel
I. Bird; II. Taking a Line for a Walk; III. Chaconne; IV. Togaku; V. Train.
21 minutes
Ukiyo-e: Four pictures from Japan (2018)
For solo cello
I. Carp leap in a waterfall; II. A sleeping tiger dreams in the light of the moon; III. Butterflies ride the summer breeze; IV. A bird soars over distant mountains.
Commissioned by Maksim Velichkin
14 minutes
Score available from Composers Edition
Chromantic Preludes for Piano 4-Hands (2018) PLAY YOU TUBE
1. A Major; 2. F Minor; 3. Db Major; 4. Ab Minor; 5. B Major
12 minutes
Score available from Composers Edition
Painted Night: Three Nocturnes for Piano (2017) PLAY SOUNDCLOUD
After paintings by Hopper, Whistler and Van Gogh
12 Minutes
Score available from Composers Edition
Sí an Bhrú (2016) PLAY SOUNDCLOUD
For solo piano, pre-recorded sounds and projected images
Commissioned by Nadia Shpachenko for her "Poetry of Places" CD
Recorded at Skywalker Sound for Reference Recordings and available from AMAZON
11 minutes
Score and electronic and click tracks available from Composers Edition
Become Motion: Five Etudes for Solo Flute (2015) PLAY SOUNDCLOUD
I. Bird; II. Taking a Line for a Walk; III. Chaconne; IV. Togaku; V. Train.
21 minutes
Score available from Composers Edition
. . . the rest is silence. . . (2015) PLAY SOUNDCLOUD
For solo piano
Microtuned electronic and equal temperament acoustic piano versions
8 minutes
Stoicheia: Five Etudes for Solo Viola (2012-13) PLAY YOU TUBE
For Alma Fernandez
18 Minutes
Score available from Composers Edition
Painted Night: Three Nocturnes for Harp (2012) PLAY YOU TUBE
After paintings by Hopper, Whistler and Van Gogh
12 Minutes
Eight Pieces for Harp (2011)
35 Minutes
Become Motion: Five Etudes for Solo Alto Saxophone (2010-11)
I. Bird II. Taking a Line for a Walk III. Chaconne IV. Togaku V. Trane
21 Minutes
Ballade for Piano (1982, rev 2002) PLAY YOU TUBE
8 Minutes
The Labyrinth of Solitude for Solo Cello (2000) PLAY YOU TUBE
19 minutes
Toccata for Piano (2000) PLAY YOU TUBE
5 minutes
Electroacoustic and Digital
The Blue Rider (2010-13) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer processed synthesizers, percussion, voices and digital video projections
Texts by Trakl, George, Kandinsky, Schoenberg, Klee and others.
40 Minutes
Kosmos Ekpyrosis (2009) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
66 Minutes
Aurora (2009) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
180 Minutes
One Small Step (2009) PLAY YOU TUBE
Commemorating the 40th anniversary of first moonwalk, July 20, 1969
Computer processed speeches, TV broadcasts and Capcom between the Earth and Moon
7 ½ minutes
The Cloud of Unknowing (2006-8) PLAY YOU TUBE
In Memory of Ligeti
Computer Processed Acoustic and Electronic Instruments
12 Minutes
Tir Na nOg (2004-5) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
In Memory of My Father
11 minutes
First Light (2003) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
17 minutes
On the Shores of Eternity (2003) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
13 minutes
Time's Ocean (2002-3) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
12 minutes
Event Horizon (2002) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
4 1/2 minutes
Starfield (2002) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
5 1/2 minutes
Vortices (2002) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
6 minutes
Alien Atmospheres (2002) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed Digital Sounds
4 1/2 minutes
Heliakos Elleipsis (2002) PLAY YOU TUBE
In Memory of Xenakis
Computer Processed Synthesizer
5 minutes
Bean sí (The Banshee) (2002) PLAY YOU TUBE
Computer Processed electronic sounds
2 minutes
The Lost Ones (2001) PLAY YOU TUBE
After the prose work by Samuel Beckett
Computer Processed Yamaha EX5 Synthesizer
17 minutes
The Kepler Series
Mysterium Cosmographicum (2004) PLAY YOU TUBE
Kepler Series Part 1
Computer Processed Digital Aural Projection
60 minutes
Somnium (2007-8) PLAY YOU TUBE
Kepler Series Part 2
Computer Processed Digital Aural Projection
60 Minutes
Harmonice Mundi (2006) PLAY YOU TUBE
Kepler Series Part 3
Computer Processed Digital Aural Projection
60 Minutes
Photo by Elisa Ferrari