Orchestra

AMERICAN PRIZE for Orchestral Composition 2012, Special Judges’ Citation for Unique Artistic Achievement and Distinctive Merit (Trotzky’s Train III)
Finalist, American Prize 2015 for Orchestral Composition (Pangs of Love)
Finalist, American Prize 2013 for Orchestral Composition (Elegy for strings)

Contemporary works for Orchestra – a collection of 20th and 21st century orchestral music by David Avshalomov, including orchestrations and song cycles, with recordings and scores.

CONDUCTORS: You are welcome to print a complimentary perusal score for study from a posted .pdf. If you decide to perform the piece, just purchase the score .pdf when you order the parts. If you would like to read a piece through with your group first before deciding whether to perform it, please request a loaner .pdf set via the “Order This” link.

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ListenScoreTitleScoringDur.Year
view scoreConcertino for Oboesolo oboe, strings, harp15'2002/2009
Order This»Charming orchestration of the Sonata Breve; lyrical, light/dark, short concerto. Commissioned by Aaron and Amelia Neustadt.
Notes»
I. Shifting Masks6'15
Developmental, varied sonata form with strongly contrasting themes and moods, now sunny, now dramatic and gloomy, now lyrical, now rhythmic and restless
II. Lament5'40
Elegiac slow movement. Song form with lyrical folk-like melodies. Central sharp, passionate outburst of grief in a short, wild oboe cadenza; gentle varied reprise with short coda
III. Hushabye4'40
Simple, playful, childlike rondo in lyrical American folk vein; finally fades away to a safe, reassuring mood, like a lullaby on a child's music box--and sleep.
view scoreConcerto con Timpani (Battaglia)timpani soli (6-7), strings, harpsichord continuo14'1992
Order This»Concerto, early 18th-century concertato style. May use hand-tuned drums. Fun to play and hear. Score is style-edited, with Baroque performance guidelines. (Written under the nom de plume G. F. Salomon.)Notes»
I. Intrada, Grave/ allegro3'40
Ouverture (slow/fast/slow). Regal fanfare start/end. Rhythmic passages alternating between showy, busy soloist and ripieno, flashy drumming near the end.
II. Largo sostenuto5'35
Slow, elegant, affect of mourning
III. Presto3'40
Rattling fast movement with longer solo passages, flashy wrap-up, echo ending
view scoreDiamond Variationsstrings, harp13'2005
Order This»Tonal romantic variations on an original octahedral melody, contrasting the beauty, symbolism and romance of diamonds with the historic greed, smuggling, theft, and violence of the trade. Choice of brutal or serene ending. Co-commissioned by Emily Ray, Mission Chamber Orchestra, San Jose CA; Tracey Rush, Dubuque Community String Orchestra, Iowa.Notes»
I. The Diamond (Theme)1'20
Vigorous, romantic, sweet
II. The Cutter0'40
Whimsical
III. Best Friends1'30
Pretty girl waltz
IV. Temptation0'30
Furtive quick jumping motive
V. Yearning1'40
Slow double canons and pungent harmonies
VI. Smugglers0'30
Continued furtive jumping, brash, sharp end
VII. Forever3'15
Aching slow-buildup Mahler-tribute adagio with heart-deep peak and prayerlike peaceful ending.
VIII. Blood Diamonds2'
Fast powerful piece; furtive jumping start, buildup to full-blown vicious violence.
IX. The Perfect Gem3'30
Saccharine recap of the theme, high, angelic all-happy-and-beautiful cadence
view scoreElegystrings8'1990
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Finalist, American Prize for Orchestral Composition 2013. Slow, exquisite, sad, dignified elegy growing out of a soulful melody; unexpected slow blues-y "stomp" middle (Mahler meets Cab Callaway), bitter reprise, "death" chord, "farewell" cadence. Dedicated to the memory of Leonard Bernstein.
Sound sample: PYP Alumni Orchestra conducted by the composer. CD: Naxos/Marco Polo, "Aaron Avshalomoff, Orchestral Works, vol. 3" (Moscow Symphony Orchestra/David Avshalomov)
Notes»
(NotePerformer)
view scoreEndgamefull orchestra15'2018
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Finalist, The American Prize for Orchestral Composition 2021, professional division. Commissioned by the Portland, OR Jewish Community Orchestra, Dr. Donald L. Appert, Music Director
An evocative, sometimes disturbing tone poem expressing my own waning hopes and growing fears about the possible imminent end of the world of humans and that of nature, sparked by recent spiking global increases in horrifying events and trends due to human societal errors and actions. It evokes a world in cumulative, possibly terminal, global stress. There are stretches of slow aching nostalgic beauty, and compassion. The ending is like a tocsin, a last warning, a cry to mobilize for the good, for tikkun olam (the healing of the World).
Notes
view scoreGems Album No. 1small to large orchestra, several with few winds, few or no brass.13' total1990/2005
Order Set»Set of very short, strong-character, colorful preludes for everyday use with general audiences, community outreach concerts, children's and school concerts. May be performed singly or in small sets, mix and match. Accessible for competent community orchestras, advanced high school/ college orchestras.
1. Brilliantlarge orchestra1'
Brisk rhythmic fanfare, winds/trpt lead
2. Starry Nightlarge orchestra1'45
Slow quiet start with a soaring tune, slow-build processional, high canonic tapestry, blazing awe-filled starry dome of night, big brassy cadence and stardust twinkle ending.
3. Whirlwindstandard orchestra0'35
Suddenly swirling adventure theme in a single vibrant arch and dying spinaway
4. Galaxylarge orchestra2'30
Illuminates the impulse to soar to the stars. Slow, high, expansive, floating opening, speed-up to space adventure march theme, launch peak, softer romantic interlude, wild jump to warp speed, triumphant tonal close.
5. ForeverStrings4'30
Aching slow-buildup Mahler-tribute adagio with heart-deep peak and prayerlike peaceful ending. Strings only.
6. March of the Giant Robotsstandard orchestra2'20
Heavy, vigorous, pounding, heedlessly driving, mechanical 5/4 theme with grinder middle shift and quizzical timing-chain-spindown ending
7. Sweet Melody (Pas de Deux)strings, woodwinds, horns, harp1'15
High, gentle, devotedly loving theme in violins, background punctuations from solo woodwinds. So sweet.
view score8. First to Servelarge orchestra1'
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A short, vigorous, rhythmic, non-modern fanfare-march--a salute to First Responders, those who jump up and rush to help when disaster or misfortune strikes. The music is heroic, the harmonies in the middle section hint at danger. The ending is an exuberant burst of pride. (The band version won a VoxNovus Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame: A Celebration of Service award)
view scoreGems Album No. 212' total1990/2009
Order Set»Second set of very short, strong-character, colorful preludes for everyday use
1. Our Leaderlarge orchestra0'30
Short fanfare starting in quiet brass, building in three phrases to a huge cadence
2. Ariettaflute, horns, strings, opt. 2nd flute1'30
Simple sentimental melody with soft sweet harmonization, warmly scored
3. Intrada: Le Grand CondéBaroque orchestra (strings, 2 oboes, bassoon, 3 trumpets, timpani, opt. harpsichord)1'15
Bright, Louis XIV-style fanfare/intrada with military tattoo rhythms, spotlighting high trumpets. Also available for brass ensemble.
4. The Mountainbrass, timpani, strings1'
Gloomy dark clouds on the mountain
5. Aegean Cruisestandard orchestra0'45
Snapshot of a slow cruise liner on shining sea under blue sky, swirling winds, shimmering strings
6. Prime of Lifestandard orchestra2'30
Cheerfully chugging Excursion Train, moderate speed, three variants of a broad tune with busy accompaniment
7. Teutonic Fanfarestandard orchestra1'10
Heavy moderate speed fanfare start with long-arch melody and strong end
8. Blood Diamondsstrings2'
Fast, powerful, bitter piece for strings. Furtive jumping motives, buildup to full-blown vicious violence
9. Big Screen Romancestandard orchestra1'15
Big romantic melody over lush harmonic background, full film-titles ending
view scoreLast Run to the Mountainsstrings2'2016
Order This»A short rhythmic piece excerpted from my first opera, where it is played as a quick scene change while a young couple makes their last desperate run to the mountains to escape their persecutors. A frantic syncopated accompaniment drives a choppy, showy melody in first violins to a sharp finish.
view scoreLet's Grow an Orchestraoperatic soprano, full orchestra45'1989/1990
Order This»(final song)Schoolchild's interactive rug-concert introduction to the orchestra with soprano/narrator. Original script, original Orchestra Song with variations, arrangements of short excerpts from standard repertoire. Commissioned and performed by the Long Beach Symphony for Kinderkonzerts 1989/1990, the composer conducting. (Score is of the Finale. Sound sample: sung by Gwendolyn Lytle.)
view scoreOne-Two-Three for David, by JACOB AVSHALOMOV (orchestration)Chamber orchestra4'1957/2020
Order This»JACOB AVSHALOMOV CENTENNIAL EDITION. Three delightful piano miniatures written by my father for my 11th birthday. A game of Hide and Seek, a sad boy on time out, and a fun play dance in 5/4. My orchestration. A charming, fun encore piece.view score
(Original piano manuscript)
Ouverture: Augustus the StrongBaroque orchestra (strings, 2 oboes, bassoon, harpsichord)2'1990
Order This»Authentic French Baroque ouverture, slow/fast with fugal middle. Composed under the nom de plume "G. F. Salomon"
view scorePangs of Lovestrings32'2002-3
Order This»Finalist, American Prize for Orchestral Composition 2015
VI Encontro International de Cordes, Libreira, Brazil 2019, Honorable Mention
Modern romantic, lyrical, passionate, dynamically varied work projecting the quick buildup, consummation and breakup of an intense romantic affair in 47 short, progressive, interlocking variations on the "love" theme from Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony. Several variations in older popular dance styles. Serious workout for the string ensemble.
Commissioned by Barbara Day Turner for San Jose Chamber Orchestra.
Notes»
I. Coming Together17'
Encounter through consummation and sleep
II. Falling Apart15'
From sleep/dream through fight, breakup, and release
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Passacaglia Para el Niño Muerto
chamber orchestra3'152016
Order This»A hypertragic, dramatic short passacaglia. It is an anguished extended solo for violins and violas, expressing distraught but controlled fury–like Flamenco cante grande, with a grim introduction, a middle folk-like melody, a high climax, and a long descent, all over a plodding, falling, cross-woven double-ostinato accompaniment. The effect is overwrought and inexorable. (Excerpted from my first opera, where it follows the late climax, when a young couple’s baby is killed under tragic and ironic circumstances; it provides a cathartic transition to the final scene.)
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NEW Pearl Suitechamber orchestra12' total2019
Order This»A suite of short transitions and scene-setters written for my first (uncompleted) tragic opera: Dawn, Beach Scene, Celebration of the Pearl, Wind Walk/Stars, First Run to Mountains, Sunset, Last Run to Mountains, and the shattering, hypertragic Passacaglia for the Dead Baby [this can be ordered separately].
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Prelude and Rondo by AARON AVSHALOMOFF (orchestration)chamber orchestra6' total1958/1982
Order This»My orchestration in my grandfather's manner of 2 Chinese-style pieces for piano 4-hands that he wrote for my 12th birthday. Premiered in Beijing with the LA Drs. Symphony on tour. (Sound samples: PYP Alumni Orchestra conducted by David Avshalomov)Notes»
I. Prelude3'
Slow, melodic, dreamy, "in a Chinese Garden" type piece, thoughtful suspended ending.
II. Rondo3'
Lively, droll "black keys" quick-step rondo with a lyrical-then-mysterious middle, and a fun big-splash ending (originally arm-cluster chords).

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Siegelarge orchestra7'1967/99
Order This»Lyrical, dark, moody, dramatic tone poem, modern-tonal, two themes, using the full resources of the orchestra. Episodes suggesting the night siege of a medieval fortress–today this would be videogame battle music! Runs from slow rising contrapuntal tension in full orchestra through energetic challenge in the brass, night watch, stealthy undermining and breach, sudden attack with glorious victory, and tragic quiet lament with a slow bitter ending. Also for concert bandNotes»
view scoreSinfonietta (Parting)chamber orchestra24'2018
Order This»An intense 3-movement short symphony for chamber orchestra. Three meditations on possible ways our World and that of nature could end. Commissioned by Music Director Emily Ray for the Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose, CA.Notes»
I. Is There Hope? (Business as Usual)8'
An arch, vigorous, neo-classicizing formal symphonic-scale movement in a tightly-organized modified sonata form, using a brusque, bitter modern Romantic style. This is the world of the City, Commerce, Government, Politics, War--and noble desperation.
II. Forests, Farewell (Adagio)8:45
Written for strings only, a sentiment-drenched, hyper-Romantic slow song-chain movement, singing a long farewell to the great forests.
III. Expiration (the Air Departs)7'
A quick, quirky anti-scherzo reflecting the air of our world going bad and finally running out of oxygen. A slow upwelling lyrical middle section evokes a final gorgeous, loving clear-night look at the Milky Way. The scherzo returns, fizzles out, and finally everything that breathes–expires.
view scoreSongs of Life / Songs of Death
(Emily Dickinson)
solo bass-baritone voice, orchestra (variable)23' total2004
Order This»Colorfully-orchestrated, highly melodic double set of nine short songs on common Emily Dickinson themes and motifs: snakes, nature, the sea, horses, trains, bells, love, sex, sublimation, hope, fear, insanity, pain, God, fear of death--and its acceptance. Ranging from hopeful contagious enthusiasm to morbid melodrama. The two sets can be performed separately. (Sound samples: sung by the composer with Musica Bella Orchestra of NY conducted by Phillip Gaskill)Notes»
All Lyrics»
A Narrow Fellow in the Grasslight orchestra1'45
Nimble, ironic expression of instinctual fear of snakes--"zero at the bone"...
The Railway Trainlarge orchestra2'30
Fast, evocative depiction of the power and fascination of this huge rolling machine. Full scoring.
Wild Nightslarge orchestra1'30
Fast, splashy outburst, dreams of abandon to wild open-hearted lovemaking, borne by sea metaphors--almost X-rated. Impressionist.
Hope is the Thing with Feathersstrings, flute, harp2'20
Irish-sounding ballad, simple, lyrical, touching slow melody, in C. Also for high voice in Eb. Both keys can be performed with chamber group (flute, piano or harp, string quintet)
It Was Not Deathlarge orchestra3'30
Frozen, helpless expression of paralyzing fear of death arriving with no evident cause--in broad daylight, over descending bell tones. Long slow arch with despairing end.
The Heart Asks Pleasure Firststrings, woodwinds, harp2'
Consoling, sweet hospice lyric suggesting a loved one slowly dying in hospital, in great pain, and the blessed "liberty/privilege to die". Slow, long intensifying arch to the top and low ending.
I Felt a Funeral in My Brainlarge orchestra3'30
The horror of witnessing her own funeral--or losing her mind? Grimmest slow march with quotes from Chopin, Tchaikowsky, Mahler.
Tie the Strings to my Lifelarge orchestra1'45
Brave song asking God for just a last glance and kiss of the hills, then she is "ready to go." Gallant English-sounding melody over a cheerful lively galloping motif, inner moment of wistfulness, triumphant end.
Because I Could Not Stop for Death (Tango/Encore)medium orchestra3'
Taut tango in ersatz ballroom-dance-of-doom style to match the arch, artificial politesse of the poem. Mock-solemn mood, melody and harmony traditionally sentimental. Short bass trombone solo.
view scoreTrotzky's Trainstring orchestra, solo piano39'2010
Order This»Tragic, bittersweet neo-romantic work reflecting on the 1917 Russian Revolution and the resulting tragedy of Stalinist oppression. Runs the gamut from foreboding to loss, sad memory, sweet farewell and acceptance, to an increasingly grim dialectic between the truth of Stalinism (not real Socialism) and the sweet tragic Russian soul, with a deadly and inevitable end. Some solistic role for the piano. (Fuller scoring of original chamber version for piano sextet) Notes»
I. Romanovs' Last Ball10'30
In a tragic, relentless series of melody-driven waltz episodes, the end of the Tsar. Full of sudden jolts and fierce drive, creeping Bolsheviks, between passages of sweeping, aching nostalgic lyricism. Brutal end.

II. Memento Mori (Adagio)11
Slow memorial to the millions of victims of the Stalinist purges, their fear, their suffering, their disappearing, the waste of souls. Bitter start, sweet mourning circle dance, grim reprise, restful sweet ending.
III. Trotzky's Train17'30
AMERICAN PRIZE for Orchestral Composition 2012 - Special Judges’ Citation for Unique Artistic Achievement and Distinctive Merit. Join us as Commissar Trotsky and his staff roll around the Russian countryside in his customized train-headquarters, rallying the troops and rebuilding the demoralized army for the dual war against the Axis and the Mensheviks. Vigorous, ethnic flavors, train energy, and a grim relentless Stalinist end.
view scoreTwo Apocalyptic Songssolo bass-baritone voice, full orchestra16'2000
Order This»Ozymandias (Shelley), The Ceremony of Innocence (Yeats). Sound samples are with piano, sung by the composer.Notes»
Ozymandias6'
Dramatic, ironic narrative about the remnants of proud empire. Big brass announcement in middle. Desert ending.Lyrics»
The Ceremony of Innocence7'45
Dramatic solo mini-oratorio about the mystical cycles of the millennia. Haunting ending.Lyrics»

ORCHESTRA TRANSCRIPTIONS

BARTOK, "FOR CHILDREN" SET A, STRINGSTranscribed for advanced middle school, junior high, or early high school string ensemble
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FULL SCORE

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TitleDuration
1. A Hawk Flew on the Branch50"
2. At Doboz Inn35"
3. Dance35"
4. Farewell1'45
5. Forbidden Is my Sweetheart's Name45"
6. Game of Tag30"
7. Near the Borders of Bisztro1'15
8. Romance I1'20
9. The Dark Pine Forest1'
10. Scherzando45"
11. Sun, Come Out45"
12.The Girls of Kis-Szele
35"
13. The Lamb Has Been Brought In1'40
14. The Orphan2'
15. Under Pozson the Banks of the Danube are Green50"
16. They Killed the Lad for Gold1'
17. They Say That I Cannot Have You1'20
18. Where My Sweetheart Is Mowing50"
19. Oh, Oh, What's for Supper?45"
BARTOK, "FOR CHILDREN" SET B, STRINGS / LIGHT WINDSTranscribed for advanced middle school, junior high, or intermediate high school orchestra
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FULL SCORE

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TitleDurationInstrs
1. Do Not Come to My Garden40"Fl / Str
2. The White Lily1:00Ob (Cl) / Str
3. Song of a Flute1:00Fl / Str
4. Funeral Dirge1:00Ob / Str
5. Twelve Bandits Hid in the Churchtowers1:00(Fl) Ob Cl (Bsn) / Str
6. A Sad Bird Sits on a Sad Tree55"Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / Hn 1. 2. / Str
7. I Stole Six Young Steers from Debrecen45"Fl Ob Cl / Str
8. Lament1:00Fl Cl / Str
9. Look for the Needle1:00Fl Ob Cl Bsn / Str
10. I Tramped Around a Lot at Night1:00(Fl) Ob Cl (Bsn) / Str
11. Slovak Lad's Dance50"Fl Ob Cl Bsn / Str
12. Dirge
1:45Str
13. Steven Street, Very Short and Narrow30"Fl Cl / Str
14. Above the Tree, Below the Tree, Two Roses Bloomed35'Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / Str
15. My Little Rosebud is Dressed in White45"Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / Str
16. Dearie, Dearie, Do You Have a Daughter?1:10'Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / Str
17. (Bad Lyrics 2)1:00Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / (Hn 1. 2.) / Str
18. My Sweetheart's Mother (Curses the Road Wherever I Go)45"Fl Ob Cl Bsn / Str
19. Love Song1:35(Fl) Ob (Cl Bsn) / Str
20. My Daughter Lidi II45"Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / Str
21. Shine Brightly, Stars!1:15Fl (Ob) Cl (Bsn) / Str
22. My Daughter Lidi I35"Fl Ob (Cl 1. 2. Bsn) / Hn 1. 2. / Str
23. On Godollo Market the Snow Fell1:15(Cl 1. 2. Bsn) / Hn 1. 2. / (Timp) / Str
24. Song of the Vagabond50"Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / Hn 1. 2. / Str
25. Song of the Bagpipe45"Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / (Hn 1. 2.) / (Timp) / Str
26. Old Maid's Song50"Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / Str
27. Annie the Miller's Daughter40"Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / Timp / Str
28. A Joke1:20Fl Ob Cl 1. 2. Bsn / Hn 1. 2. / Timp / Str
BARTOK, "FOR CHILDREN" SET C, Chamber Orch.
1121 211 Timp Perc Str.
Transcribed for advanced middle school, junior high, or intermediate high school ensembles
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FULL SCORE

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TitleDuration
1. The Lads from Csanad35"
2. Robin Hood50"
3. Bad Lyrics40"
4. Grasshoppers Wedding I50"
5. Mockery I55"
6. Ballad2:00
7. Canon55"
8. Sounds of the Bagpipe1:05
9. The Soldier's Longing for Liberty1:10
10. String String Turn the String1:35
11. The Sun Pours Into the Church50"
12. Drinking Song
55"
13. Mockery II45"
14. Czardas 55'
15. Mother I've Ripped My Boots1:00
16. Lonely People Can't Be Happy50"
17. Magic Play Song II1:50
18. Song of the Feast 1:00
19. A Toast to the Host1:25
20. A Jest1:00
21. Romance II2:10
22. Funeral Song2:30
23. Grasshopper's Wedding II2:00
24. The Old Shepherd2:35
25. Bear Dance2:05
26. Dawn 1:20
27. Rhapsody 3:25
28. You Go Away 1:55