 |
Dr.
Lettie Beckon Alston Biography Works Discography Audio Examples Brochure (PDF format) |
Works List
Orchestra
Concert Band
Chorus
Voice
Religious Songs
Chamber Music
Keyboard
Tape
Popular Music
**Anxiety (1994) 12’
Orchestra: 2Fls., 2Obs., 2Cls.(B. Cl. doubles on 2nd Cl.), 2Bsns.,
4Hns., 2Tpts., 2Tbns., Tuba, 3Perc. Harp, Str.(6,4,4,3,2)**Biblical Women (1997) 17’
Soloists: Soprano, Bass, Narrator Orchestra: Picc., 2Fls., 2Obs., 2Cls.,
B. CL., 2Bsn.s, C.Bsn., 2Hns., Bb Tpt., 3 Perc., Harp, Str. (9,8,6,6,5)
Commission/dedication: To Glenda Kirkland and John-Paul White, my good friends and colleagues. The piano version was orchestrated especially for the Pontiac- Oakland Symphony’s Season Finale, April 13, 1997.+The Eleventh Hour (1992) 10’
Orchestra: Pic., 2Fls., 2Obs., E.H., 3Cls., B.Cl.., 2Bsns., 4Hns., 2Tpts.,
2Tbns., Tuba, 3Perc.,Harp, Cel., Pf., Str. (9,8,6,6,5) MMB
Performances: Professionally recorded by Detroit Symphony Orchestra at the Unisys African-American Composer’s Symposium Competition Concert, Detroit, Michigan (Leslie Dunner, conductor).“A dynamic new composition... a talent from whom we shall hear more, I predict”.
--The Birmingham-Bloomfield Eccentric“Storm music...a decibel strength that will make you want to batten down the hatches”.
--The Detroit News**Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra (1983) 20’
Soloist: Piano
Orchestra: Pic., 2Fls., 2Obs., E.H., 2Cls., B.Cl.,
4Hns., 2Tpts., Tuba, 4Perc.,**The Integrated Concerto (1987) 8’
Soloist: Piano
Orchestra: 2Fls., 2Obs.,2Cls.,2Bsns.,4Hns.,2Tbns., 2Perc.,Str.
Dedication: In memory of Mischa Kottler.
Performance: The piece was written in 1978 and revised in 1987 for premiere on October 4, 1987 by the Pontiac-Oakland Symphony.**Spiritual Awakening (1999) 15’
Orchestra: 4Fls. (2Pics. Double on Fls. 3 and 4), 3Obs. (B. Ob. doubles on Ob. 3), E.H., 3Cls., B.Cl., 3Bsns., C. Bsn., 6Hns., 4Tpts.(2 Flugelhrns. double Tpts. 3 and 4), 3Tbns., Tuba, 4Perc., Cel., Harp, Str.(9,8,6,6,5)
Dedication: To my Mom and Dad with love.
**Portrait in Black (1992) 7’
Wind Ensemble: 2Fls., 2Obs., 3Cls., B. Cl., 2Bsns., 4Hns., 2Tpts., 2Tbns., Tuba, 3Perc., Pf.
Commission: The Oakland University Wind Ensemble, Premiered February 14, 1992 at Oakland University, Varner Recital Hall.For Little Kids (1981) 8’
Wind Ensemble: Fl., Ob., Cl., E.H., Bsn.,Ten. Tbn., 2Perc. Narrator, Cel., Pf.
**Conquest of Jericho (1990) 15’
For SATB, Narrator, 2Vlns., Vla., Vc., D.B., and Piano
Commission/Dedication: To my husband Cedric and The Lyric Chamber Ensemble’s Tenth Anniversary concert at Orchestra Hall, Detroit, Michigan. Premiered on May 13, 1990 by the Brazeal Dennard Chorale and LCE.
Rhapsody Music Publications 2006Help (1975) 5’
For SATB, E.H., Vla., Bsn., and Vc. (Piano reduction available)
Dedication: To my parents for their love and support.**The Lord God Will Come (1995) 10’
For SATB, Narrator, Tpt., 2Hns., Tbn., Timp., and Organ (Reduction score available: SATB, Narrator and 2Pf.)
Commission/Dedication: To John Dovaras for the Oakland University Community Chorus’ 33rd year of performances.
Rhapsody Music Publications 2006**Three Spiritual Settings (1993) 10’
For Male Chorus and Piano
Commission: Great Lakes Men’s Chorus, Center for Creative Studies Concert in Detroit, Michigan. Premiered on December 4, 1993.
*Cantata for Soprano, Bass, and Piano (Biblical Women) (1996) 17’
For Soprano, Bass, Narrator and Piano
Dedication: In memory of Frank Murch, my piano teacher (inspired through the spiritual teachings of Rev. Larry Smith). Premiered by Glenda Kirkland and John-Paul White on the Lettie Alston and Friends Concert, February 11, 1996; Oakland University’s Varner Recital Hall, Rochester, Michigan.*Cantata for Soprano and Piano (2002) 15’
Air (City Called Heaven), Recitative (E-li, My God), Interlude, Aria (Blessed are They…), March (This Little Light). Performance: World premiere performance by Dr. Charsie Randolph Sawyer at the Symposium and Festival featuring Compositions of African and its Diaspora. University of Cambridge, Church College, England. August 3, 2003. Written for Dr. Charsie Randolph Sawyer**Four Short Pieces (1979) 10’
For Soprano (uses 3 Tubular Chimes) and Piano
Performance: World premiere performance by Charsie Randolph Sawyer at the University of Michigan
Poems by Mattsuo Basho*A New Heaven and A New Earth (1997) 5’
For Bass and Piano (also available for soprano)
Dedicated: To Flavio Varani and John-Paul White, my good friends and colleagues for their talents and support on the Lettie Alston and Friends Professional Artists Series. Premiered on April 19, 1998 at Oakland University’s Varner Recital Hall.+*Done Made My Vow (2001) 7’
Spiritual arrangement for Soprano and Piano
Commissioned by Glenda Kirkland.
Dedication: In memory of the composer’s grandmother, Maggie Beckon
Performance: World premiere performance by Glenda Kirkland at the Museum of African American History, October 27, 2001.+**Anthology of Religious Music (2005)
with a CD containing 13 tracks of music. The Anthology contains music written for Voice and Piano, 1997-2005. Included in this collectioin are two Cantata for voice and piano, Ten Spiritual Settings, and an Aria for bass and piano
(A Recitative and two Arias).+**Anchored in the Lord (2003) 4’
Spiritual arrangement for soprano and piano
Performance: World premiere performance by Charsie Sawyer at the University of Cambridge, Churchill College, England. August 3, 2003.+**Calling Jesus (2003) 4’
Performance: World premiere performance by John-Paul White at the Lettie Alston and Friends Concert, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, February 7, 2004.+**The Whole World (2003) 2’
Performance: World premiere performance by Glenda Kirkland at the Lettie Alston and Friends Concert, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, February 7, 2003.**Ten Spiritual Settings (2003-05) 25’
Anchored in the Lord, Calling Jesus, The Whole World, Done Made My Vow, Roun’ About the Mountain, There Is A Balm, Here’s One, I Stood on de Ribber ob Jerdon, Is There Anybody Here? and Nobody Knows but Jesus..
Dedication: The writing of these settings were a collaborative project encouraged by and written especially for Glenda Kirkland, my friend and colleague.
Praise the Lord (1992) 5’
For two voice children’s choir and piano
Composition 1 (1976) 5'
For 3Cl. A.Cl. B.Cl., Cb.Cl.**Duel (1992) 8’
For Vln, Vc, and Pf.**Memories (1981, rev. 1993) 12’
For Vln., Vc., and Pf.
+HP-Energico: Published in 'Black Women Composers (Twentieth Century Music for Piano and Strings), Hildegard Publishing Company 2003).
Dedication: In memory of Pearl Roberts McCullom, my beloved godmother and first piano teacher.
Performance: Premiered in Schlob Leopoldskron-Salzburg, Austria on A Schloss Concert, entitled Women Composers from the U.S.A., April 23, 1996.*Pulsations (1993) 10’
For Solo Violin
Composed in 1974, revised 1993 for CD recording project.**Quintet for Brass and Piano (1986) 10’
For Tpt., Flug.Hn., Tbn., Tuba and Pf.**Three Implied Jesters (1976) 5’
For Solo Clarinet
Dedication: The piece was written for teacher James Hartway.**Visions (1979, rev. 1993) 7’
For Marimba and Piano
**Anthology of Keyboard Music (2005) The Anthology contains complete keyboard works written from 1995-2000. Included in this collectioin is the Journey, Four Moods for Piano, Four Rhapsodies, Sonata of the Day, Piano Variations, Spiritual Awakening, Sweet Memories, Prelude and Fugue, Diverse Imagery, Echoes from the Spirit, Daylight, Storm Chaser and The End Times.
*Daylight (2000) 7’
For 2 electronic keyboards and synthesizer (Dedicated to Cedric and Darnell Alston)*Diverse Imagery (1995) 10’
For 2 Electronic keyboards and sound modules. Collaboration with Gregory Patterson, dancer and choreographer.*Four Moods for Piano (1993) 12’
forth Mood published by HP.*Echoes from the Spirit (2000) 8’
For 4 electronic keyboards and Synthesizer (Dedicated to Mary Harris)*The End Times (1998) 15’
For 2 Electronic keyboards, synthesizer and sound modules.
(Dedicated to my loving husband Cedric)*The Journey: The Longest Mile (2000) 5’
For Solo Piano (Dedicated to Effie Gardner)
Audio Sample (MP3)*Moods for Piano (1975) 5’
For Solo Piano (4th mood, pub. HP)*Piano Variations on “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” (2000) 7’
For Solo Piano (Dedicated to Donna Cox)+*Rhapsody No. 4 (Keyboard Maniac) (1997) 4’
For Solo Piano (VP)
Audio Sample (MP3)**Spiritual Awakening (1997) 15’
For 2 Electronic keyboards, synthesizer and sound modules
(Dedicated to my parents, Lucy and J.C. Beckon)+*Three Rhapsodies for Piano (1994) 9’
For Solo Piano (VP)+*Sonata of the Day 10’
The Morning’s Glory, Afternoon Circles and Rumble in the Night
(Dedicated to Stanley Hollingsworth in his 75th birthday year))Storm Chaser - Adapted from the Eleventh Hour (1999) MMB 10’
For two pianos (arranged for piano and synthesizers)**Sweet Memories 10’
For two pianos (arranged for piano and electronic keyboards)
Prelude to the Urban City and Fugue-Ghetto (Dedicated to James Hartway)
Audio Sample (MP3)
**Love in any Language (1987) 10’
For Electronic Tape
Commission: The Meadow Estate Holiday Concert on December 3, 1987, Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan**Mandate 1981 (1982) 7’
For Electronic Tape
**Secrets (1988, rev. 2000) 10’
For Electronic keyboard, electronic tenor and bass guitars, and drums.
*recorded
+published
Abbreviations used to
indicate publishers
MMB MMB Music, Inc.
*Djones@mmbmusic.com
HP Hildegard Publishing Co.
VP Vivace Press*
LAF Lettie Alston and Friends**
**Published Music—Exclusively distributed by:
Lettie Alston
and Friends
Department of Music, Theatre and Dance
319 Varner Hall
Rochester, Michigan
(248) 370-2047
E-Mail:
lbafriends@wowway.com Home phone: (248) 267-1287
E-Mail:
alston@oakland.eduOffice phone: 2493702047
All rights of public performance, including broadcasting and television rights are controlled by ASCAP 4/ 03
