Thomas L. Read, Composer

T. L. Read

Composer, Violinist, Teacher

Works

Compositions are listed by medium. All scores and/or parts are available from the composer or from a publisher where indicated. Downloadable score pages and music samples are shown. Pieces marked (*) have a detailed description or a review of a work in Commentary and Reviews.

Orchestra

Adventura, 3,2,2,2 4,3,2,1 timp., perc.(3), str. (about 16 min.).
For the Vermont Symphony Orchestra; premiere 1987.
American Composers Edition Score Sample
Concerto for Oboe and Strings,, violins, violas, violoncellos, contrabasses. Duration: 12 minutes.
for Katie Oprea; premiere by Oprea and Burlington Chamber Orchestra, 2019.
American Composers Edition
Bronze Equinox, String Symphony, for string orchestra in two movements (14 minutes).
I. The Vast Autumnal
II. Handmills of Night
American Composers Edition.Audio Sample Score Sample
Lightning Galop, Fanfare For Symphony Orchestra (Picc. 2,2,2,2, 4,3,3,tuba, timp., 3 perc. Hp, str. Duration: 80 seconds.
Commissioned by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra in celebration of its 80th season (2014-15).
American Composers Edition
"...the Galop was a great experience at the Holiday Pops last night; the whole family took note of it. Congratulations!" Jim Lockridge, Exec.Dir. Big Heavy World Foundation, Inc.
On October Ground, 2ob. 2hn, str, optional flute and bassoon (9 min.).
For the Vermont Symphony Orchestra; premiere 1998. Audio Sample
CD by Philharmonica Bulgarica, ERM Media release.
Commissioned by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra; taken on tour and also performed repeatedly on children's concerts in the 1999 season.
American Composers Edition
Resound!, picc, 2fl, 2ob, Eng hn, 2cl, a.sax, 2bns, 4hns, 2tps, 3tbns, timp., 3perc, str. (4'15").
For First Night Burlington and the Vermont Youth Orchestra; premiere 2002.
CD: Between Hills Briefly Green, The Vermont Youth Orchestra Association. Score Sample
American Composers Edition
Sunrise Fable, (A Musical Bedtime Story for All Ages), text by Carolyn Long from a Native American Legend. Two narrators,3,2,2,2 4,2,3,tba timp., 2perc, pno, str. (about 18 min.), rental from C.F. Peters Corp, P67311.
For Ben & Jerry and the Burlington Friends of Music; premiere 1989. Audio Sample
...accessible program music suggesting the qualities of pre-historic animals, the threatened destruction of the earth through fire (the sun is trapped by giant spiders), the rescue (by the mice) and the rejoicing (by all the animals). "As the librettist, I can say that working with Dr. Read was a joy. His sensitivity to mood, his inventiveness of musical themes, his infinite patience produced a work that C.F. Peters was happy to publish. It is hoped that eventually it will be published as a children's illustrated book with accompanying cassette."
Symphonic Episodes, 3,2,2,2, 4, 3,3, tba timp., 3perc, str (about 9 minutes).
The Vermont Council on the Arts, the Burlington Friends of Music, and the Vermont Youth Orchestra; premiere 1985).
American Composers Edition.
Symphony No. 2 (2016), picc, 2, 2,EHn, 2, BCl, 2, CBn, 4, 3, 3, Tba, Timp, Perc, Pno, Strings.
Two movements:
I. Allegro energico (15'34")
II. Molto allegro (6'15")
American Composers Edition.
Symphony No. 1, 2,2,2,2, 4,3,3, timp, perc, pno, str. (about 18 min.; with indeterminate coda, ca. 20 min.)
For the Sage City Symphony; premiere 1986.
American Composers Edition.
Warm-Up to a Fanfare, for chamber orchestra (2 oboes, 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 cellos, 2 bassoons, 2 trombones, 6 percussion). (9 minutes).
For Bill Lipke and the Fleming Museum; premiere 1978.
A "spatial" piece.
American Composers Edition.

Voices and Large Ensemble

Alcyone, Melodrama for narrator(s), speaking chorus, SATB chorus, with solos, accordion, two marimbas, steel drums, synthesizer, electronic amplification and lights in two parts (about 60 minutes).
For, and with text by, Franklin Reeve; premiere 1998 in London in a version for two Synthesizers and chorus of eight (!); 1st performance with full instrumentation, 2001 at Wesleyan University.
American Composers Edition.
Celebration for mixed chorus and orchestra, 3,2,2,2 4,2,3,tba timp., 3 perc, pno, str, text (Slow Song for Mark Rothko) by John Taggart (about 14 min.).
For the UVM Department of Music 75th anniversary; premiere 2002.
Te Deum for choir with soloists, brass (3tp, 3tbn, tba), and organ (18 min.).
For dedication of St. Paul's Cathedral, Burlington; premiere 1974.
The Maid of Judah, a musical; book and text by Maureen Peters (22 numbers, about 90 min.).
For the Royall Tyler Theatre; premiere 1983.
"I was deeply impressed by Read's ability to transform the words on the page to glorious music which captured the essence of the script. The playwright/lyricist shared my awe and appreciation for his understanding of her work and its transformation into the musical idiom" --Edward Feidner, Director Royall Tyler Theatre

Voice and Small Ensemble, A Cappella Chorus

A Parable, SATB chorus; text: Herman Melville (about 4 min).
For The Social Band
American Composers Edition Score Sample
A Treadmill of My Own, SATB chorus; text: O.W. Holmes (about 6'31").
For The Social Band
American Composers Edition. Score Sample
Carving the Circle, twelve zodiac choruses, SATB with solos, a cappella, text by F.D. Reeve (22~ minutes).
Premiere 2013.
American Composers Edition. Audio Sample Score Sample
Carving the Circle, version for SATB chorus with solo cello obbligato. Score Sample
Eight Choral Responses, In quietude the Spirit Grows (SATB, organ), In the Spirit of St. Francis, (unison choir, organ), Be Lamps Unto Yourselves (SATB, organ), Let Us Worship, (SATB, solo sop., organ), The Travail of Man (SATB, organ), God is Love (SATB), The Sky Will Weep (SATB). Score Sample
For the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1985.
American Composers Edition
Four Whitman Songs, A Farm Picture, A Clear Midnight, As if a Phantom, On the Beach At Night, mezzo soprano and piano (about 16 min).
For Jill Levis and Elizabeth Metcalfe; premiere 2004.
American Composers Edition. Audio Sample
Late And Soon: Six Climate Choruses,, for SATB a cappella; 18 minutes; commissioned by the Social Band. Premiere 2015.
American Composers Edition.
Texts by Vermont based poets; general subject: Climate change.
1. Twilight (F.D.Reeve)
2. Resistance (S. Webster)
3. Bike Politic (D. Cavanagh)
4. Savor (V. Porche)
5. Winter Green (Cavanagh)
6. One Hundred Years to Come (H.L. Spencer)
Music for Two Plays by W.B. Yeats: The Herne's Egg and Death of Cuchulain, voice, alto flute, piccolo, bass drum, snare drum, cymbal and strings.
For the Billings Center Players, 1973.
Naming the Changes, soprano, oboe, flute, cello, piano, two percussion (26 min). *
Text by T. Alan Broughton; premiere 1976.
C.F. Peters.
No Vermonters in Heaven, SATB a cappella chorus, text by Fred Johnstone (1915).
For the Social Band; premiere 2011. American Composers Edition.
Psalm 90, Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Dwelling Place, mixed chorus and piano (5 min).
Through the White Door, Six Lyric Reflections, sop, cl, vln, vc (13'45").
Text by Wm. Blake and Gerhard Dorn.
For Jill Levis and the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; premiere1992.
American Composers Edition Audio Sample Score Sample
Two Songs for Male Chorus: Changed, and Serenade; text: Longfellow (6 min).
For the Social Band; premiere 2005.
American Composers Edition. Complete Audio of Serenade Score Sample
Winter Fields, Woods and Air, five short winter solstice choruses, SATB a cappella (5 minutes).
Text by Herbert Elliott.
For the Social Band, premiere 2009.
CD: “Deep Midwinter” 2009 at CD Baby.
American Composers Edition

Small Ensemble:
Winds, solo and with piano

Beneficent Shadow, sextet for winds (flute/piccolo, flute/bass flute, clarinet Bb, clarinet Bb/bass clarinet, two bassoons), two movements (17 minutes).
Commissioned by VCME. American Composers Edition.
CD: USA-American Composers Alliance Recording 2018. Score Sample Audio Sample
Caprice En Trio for flute, clarinet and bassoon
For the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble, premiere 2006
Tunbridge Music Co. Audio Sample
Concatenation, flute and piano (10')
For Marge and Richard Veleta, premiere 1967.
American Composers Edition
Corrente, oboe, clarinet, bassoon (11'12") *
For Neil Boyer; premier 1985.
C.F. Peters ed. 66967 Audio Sample Score Sample
CD Zimbel Records #ZR118
Duo, flute and piano (6 min).
For Jane Ambrose; premiere 1976.
If Winter Comes, flute and piano (9 minutes).
Commissioned by Vermont Virtuosi; premiere, 2014.
CD: USA-American Composers Alliance Recording 2018.
American Composers Edition
Isochronisms No.1, solo clarinet (4'38")
Premiere 1978.
American Composers Edition Audio Sample Score Sample
Neighbors, impromptu for clarinet and piano (8 minutes)
for Karen Luttik.
American Composers Edition
Night Pageantry, for bassoon and piano (10').
For Rachael Elliott, premiere 2007.
American Composers Edition. Score Sample
CD Zimbel Records #ZR118
Par Devers La Mer, for solo flute (7 minutes)
Premiere 1977.
American Composers Edition. Audio Sample Score Sample
Solo Music For Clarinet, three movements (16')
For Steve Klimowski; premiere 1984.
C.F. Peters ed. 67286 Audio Sample Score Sample
The Voice of the Moon, fantasy for oboe and piano (8'12")
A Watch In The Night, clarinet, bass clarinet, piano (5').
For the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble and 9/11; premiere 2002.
CD: USA-American Composers Alliance Recording 2018.
Tunbridge Music Co.
What Story Awaits Its End? trio for flute, clarinets (Bb and bass) and piano (14 min).
For Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; premiere 2010.
CD: USA-American Composers Alliance Recording 2018.
American Composers Edition

Brass, solo and with piano

Alternative Energy, impromptu for trumpet and piano (5'35")
For Ray Vega
American Composers Edition
Brass Quintet No. 2, Closing Distances, for two trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba, (9~ minutes)
American Composers Edition.
...inspired by accounts of the Native American vision quests in which the element of distance is gradually closed between the spirit and the novice. Includes a setting of a "Jumpin Dance" of the Salishan Indians.
Score Sample
Brass Quintet No. 3 for two trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba, three movements (14 minutes).
For Ian Campbell. American Composers Edition.
Enchorial Landscape for tuba and piano (about 6 min). *
For Mark Nelson; premiere 2003.
Tuba Euphonium Press. Audio Sample Score Sample Review
Meet These People, four tubas (2 euphoniums, 2 bass tubas (7').
American Composers Edition
Solo Music for Trumpet (4'20")
For David Brubaker.
An arrangement of Vela Y Danza for solo cello- see below.
Variations for Brass Quintet, tpts, hn, tbn, tba, (14')
For the VSO Quintet.

Strings, solo and with piano

Brahms Fantasy, violin and piano (4'50")
Premiere 1987.
Tunbridge Music Co. Audio Sample Score Sample
Brian's Birthday Salute, string quartet (1'37")
For Brian Lloyd. (House music for amateur players.) Complete Audio Complete Score
Capricci, quintet for guitar, two violins, viola, cello (9 minutes).
For Aaron Larget-Caplan. American Composers Edition.
Combination 23/20, vln, pno (about 8 min).
Premiere, 1965.
American Composers Edition.
Concert Champetre, guitar and violoncello (8'30" minutes).
For Aaron Larget-Caplan; premiere, 2014.
CD: USA-American Composers Alliance Recording 2018.
American Composers Edition. Score Sample
Eclogues Among the Ruins, second suite for solo violin, five movements (20 min).
Premiere 2004. Audio Sample Score Sample
American Composers Edition.
"Eclogues brings together Bach's music for solo violin with bluegrass and Appalachian fiddling, seasons it with some contemporary harmonic language for an attractive and rewarding suite". -- Jim Lowe, Times Argus
Isochronisms No.2 for string quintet (vlns, vla, vc, cb ) or string orchestra (10 min).
Premiere 1976.
American Composers Edition. Score publ. by American Society of Composers Journal of Scores.
"Isoch 2 is a very special piece," -- Jonathan Kramer
Jubilant Exchanges, violin and piano (7'30").
Premiere 1985.
American Composers Edition. Audio Sample Score Sample
The Moon Through The Window Shines Down, lullaby for solo guitar (4'40")
For Aaron Larget-Caplan
American Composers Edition
Music for Solo Contrabass, three movements (18'33"). *
For Bertram Turetzky; premiere 1974.
American Composers Edition.
The composer's autograph score was exhibited in the Earworks Traveling Exhibition presented by the new Wilderness Foundation. The music was singled out by Elliott Schwartz, in Musical America, for its fascinating concern for melodic contour and registral placement.
Octet for Double String Quartet, two movements (22 minutes)
For Marian Tanau and the American Romanian Festival; premiere Detroit and Ann Arbor, 2009.
American Composers Edition Score Sample Audio Sample (First Movement, Complete)
Offertorium, two violins and piano (2'55").
American Composers Edition.
"..haunting and easy to play" -- performer's comment.
Piano Quartet, vln,vla,vc, pno. 3 movements (16 minutes)
For the Scott Chamber Players.
American Composers Edition.
Rondo Fantasy for viola and piano (5 min).
For Ernst and Lori Wallfisch; premiere 1977.
American Composers Edition.
Something Old, Something New..., vln, vc (6 min).
For Rebecca and Jonathan; premiere 1993. Score Sample
Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, two movements (10 min).
Premiere 1963.
American Composers Edition.
Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano, two movements (12'35")
Premiere 1988.
American Composers Edition
Sonata No. 2 for violin and piano, two movements (12'35").
Premiere 1989.
American Composers Edition
Sonata No. 3 for violin and piano, Dance of the Winter Spirit, two movements (13 minutes).
Premiere 1988.
American Composers Edition.
Suite for Solo Violin, five movements (16'38").
Premiere 1985.
C.F. Petersed. 67258
String Quartet No. 1, one movement (12 minutes)
Composed 1957, rev.1988.
"...it is a strong piece full of drama and lyricism, despite its dodecaphonic underpinnings." Boston Musical Intelligencer
American Composers Edition
String Quartet No. 2, three movements (about 20 min).
Composed 1960, rev.1969.
American Composers Edition
String Quartet No. 3, three movements (about 26 min).
For Brian Lloyd.
Premiere 2008 by the Ukrainian String Quartet, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Each movement (Lament, Games, Hymn) introduces a different African American folk tune.
American Composers Edition Audio Sample Score Sample
String Quartet No. 4, three movements (24 min).
For the Champlain String Quartet; premiere 1999).
American Composers Edition
String Quartet No. 5, in three movements (17 minutes).
I. Andante, Allegro subito;
II. Adagio, Molto allegro;
III. Molto adagio.
American Composers Edition Audio Sample Score Sample
String Trio, vln, vla, vc (5'27").
Premiere 1968.
American Composers Edition.
Variations for Piano Trio, vln, vc, pno (about 16 min).
For the Raphael Trio; premiere 1982.
American Composers Edition
3.Trio, vln, vc, pno , one movement (14'16").
Premiere 1994.
American Composers Edition
4.Trio, vln, vc, pno, one movement (10min).
Premiere 1994.
American Composers Edition Audio Sample Score Sample
21 Variations in A for Two Violins, (11min).
Variations Classiques for vla, vc , a resetting of 21 Variations.
For Kathy Reilley and Susanne Polk; premiere 2000.
Vela Y Danza, solo cello (5').
For David Cowley; premiere 1990.
American Composers Edition Audio Sample
Welcome Intrusion, sonata for violoncello unaccompanied, four movements (18 minutes).
American Composers Edition
Piano Quintet (Woven Shadows), 2vlns,vla, vc, pno, two movements 15 min).
Parts in preparation.
American Composers Edition Score Sample

String Music for Young Players

A Visit to the Park, two vlns, vc -or string orch. (5'30").
For the Monteverdi Music School; premiere 1997. Score Sample
Summer Holiday, two vlns vc -or string orch. (about 3 min).
For the Monteverdi Music School. Score Sample
Ten Violin Duets, from easy to intermediate level.
1.Monday Morning March, 2.On the Up Escalator, 3.Autumn Festival, 4. A New Day March, 5.Double Vision, 6.Wizard, 7.Everlasting Voices, 8.Cabin Fever, 9.Follow the Way of the Wind, 10.Rainbow Parity
For the Monteverdi Music School. Score Sample

Chamber Ensemble, Mixed Instrumentation

Boundaries for flute, harp and percussion (wood block, castanets, roto toms).
Three Movements: Crossing Point, River of Voices, Transport. (14 minutes)
For the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; premiere 2013.
CD: VCME Records 2013
American Composers Edition.
Brillenbass for tuba, celeste, and cymbals (17 min). *
For Mark Nelson; premiere 1994.
Tuba Euphonium Press. Audio Sample Score Sample Review
Cartography for violin and guitar, two movements (15'36")
For the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; premiere 2005.
American Composers Edition Score Sample
Chamber Concerto for clarinet in A, 'cello, piano, percussion (17 minutes).
American Composers Edition
Christmas Variations, for clarinet and cello (6'15).
For Bonnie Thurber and Steve Klimowski; premiere 1983. Audio Sample Score Sample
CD Zimbel Records #ZR118
"...continuous variations on a beguiling melody." Vermont Public Radio Bulletin.
American Composers Edition
Corridors, ob, tp, hn, tbn, vln, vc (6'46").
For University of Vermont and Pittsburgh New Music; premiere 1978.
American Composers Edition.
Differences Of Condition, quartet for clarinet, violin, viola and cello (7'26").
Commissioned by the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble, premiere 2018.
American Composers Edition.
Divertimento Poco Serioso, cl, bn, vln, cb, three movements (11 min).
Fantasy Concertante, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano (10').
Premiere 1977.
American Composers Edition. Audio Sample Score Sample
Five Sketches, flute, clarinet, viola (3'50").
For Evelyn Read; premiere 1961.
American Composers Edition.
Going On, for violin, clarinet (A), piano (30'25").
For the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; premiere 2008.
American Composers Edition. Audio Sample
Isochronisms No.3 for brass and percussion, 6,4,4,2, 4 perc. (8'25").
For the UVM Brass Ensemble; premiere 1973.
American Composers Edition.
Light After Light, cl, vln, vc, pno, two movements (29 min).
For the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; premiere 1990.
Tunbridge Music Co. Audio Sample Score Sample
Meridian, septet for flute, clarinet, bassoon, percussion (vibe, cymbals, drum) guitar, harp, 'cello (8:16 minutes).* Commissioned by the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; premiere 2004.
CD: VCME Records 2012
American Composers Edition.
October Light for flute, viola and piano. (7 minutes)
For Heidi Baxter. Premiere, Dartmouth College, 2018.
American Composers Edition.
Pastorale, solo viola, 4flts, 2tbns, 3 perc (7'40").
For Evelyn Read; premiere 1968.
Pastorale A Quattro, ob, hn, vln, cb, two movements (17'25").
Premiere 1990.
American Composers Edition
Quintet 1971 for trombone and string quartet (7 min).
For C.R. Wigness; premiere 1971.
The Then And The Now, Nocturne for Five Players, Bass Clarinet, Violoncello, Guitar, Harp, Percussion, (19 minutes).
Commissioned by the VCME, premiere 2016.
American Composers Edition
They That Will Times Past, cl, vln, bn, vc (about 8 min).
Premiere 2008.
To Reach! To Sing! for clarinet (Bb, Eb), violoncello, piano (18').
For the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; premiere 2009.
American Composers Edition. Audio Sample
Trio Concertante for violin, bass clarinet and piano. (10 minutes).
Commissioned by the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; premiere 2012.
American Composers Edition
Variations for Eight Instruments, cl, bn, tp, tbn, vln, vla, xy, pno (20 min).
Five movements. A "spatial" piece.
For the Con Brio Chamber Ensemble; premiere 1975.

Keyboard

Five Bagatelles for Piano (6'25").
For Ben Whitten.
American Composers Edition
Music for Piano, vol.I, six pieces, easy to intermediate.
1. Orenda, 2. Gwion's Lament, 3. Melodrama, 4. Canonic invention #1, 5. Canonic invention#2, 6. Les Jardins Misterieuses.
American Composers Edition
Music for Piano, vol. II, seven pieces, difficult (28'30").
1.Prelude, 2.Soundings, 3.Vivace, 4.Nocturne, 5.Vivace, vars.1, 6.Procession, 7.Caprice (Vivace var.2).
Complete recording, Donna Amato, Zimbel Records #ZR118
Vivace, Nocturne, Caprice recorded by Michael Arnowitt in "Alive and Well", Ursa Minor Records 512994.
American Composers Edition Audio Sample Score Sample
Piano Music, vol. III, seven pieces, easy to difficult (17'10").
For Sylvia Parker; premiere 1993.
1.Prelude in G, 2.Intermezzo, 3.Ballad, 4.Rondo, 5.Promenade, 6.Prelude in f, 7.Fugue a3 in Ab.
American Composers Edition
Piano Partita, six movements, difficult (38 min). Audio Sample Score Sample
For Paul Orgel, premiere 2006.*
1.Toccata, 2.Fugue a 4, 3.Fugue a 3, 4.Fantasy, 5. Intermezzo, 6. Caprice, 7. Ricercar.
American Composers Edition
Piano Sonata No. 1, in three movements (15 minutes).
I. Allegro energico;
II. Sotto voce, tempo molto giusto;
III. In tempo flessibile
Premiere 2011. American Composers Edition.
Piano Sonata No. 2, in three movements (23 minutes). Tempo giusto;
A tempo andante,
Molto giusto; Misterioso -allegro
American Composers Edition Audio Sample Score Sample
The Dancing Air for piano, advanced level (13'20"). Score Sample
CD Zimbel Records #ZR118
American Composers Edition
Three Keyboard Interludes, intermediate (12 min).
1. Borders of memory, 2. Divination, 3. We went by the river.
Toccata and Five Chorale Preludes for Organ
Toccata, Lead On O King Eternal
Preludes:
1. Spirit of God
2. This is My Father's World
3. Farewell Till We Meet Again
4. The Church's One Foundation
5. Crown Him With Many Crowns
These preludes were first performed during the season 2017-2018 by Dan Krymkowski, organist of the Waterbury Center Community Church, Waterbury Center, Vermont.
Prelude and Moto Perpetuo, for organ, difficult (6'30").
For Carson Cooman.
American Composers Edition

Handbell Choir

Contraries, difficult (7 min).
For Sherry Belisle and the Revere Handbell Choir;
premiere 1994.
Tunbridge Music Co.
The score of Contraries received the Music Publishers Association Award.
"Vt. Composer Thomas Read has created a unique modern work for this popular ensemble. Contraries is a tried and proven audience pleaser."