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
- Orchestra with Voice(s)
- Works for Chorus and Orchestra
- Chamber Works with Voice(s)
- Chamber Works
- Keyboard Works
- Operas
- Choral Works
- Publishers
- Abbreviations
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)
- ARIEL (1971)
Five poems of Sylvia Plath for soprano, clarinet and piano
Text: Sylvia Plath (E)
- The AUDEN POEMS (1989)
for voice, violin, cello and piano
Text: W. H. Auden (E)
- BACK to LIFE (1980)
for counter-tenor and double bass
Text: Thomas Gunn (E)
- FOUR DIALOGUES (1954)
for two voices and two pianos
Text: Frank O'hara (E)
- GLORIA (1970)
for two solo voices and piano
Text: from the Roman Mass (L)
- LAST POEMS of WALLACE STEVENS (1972)
for voice, cello and piano
Text: Wallace Stevenes (E)
- The SANTA FE SONGS (1980)
Twelve poems of Witter Bynner for medium voice, violin, viola, cello and piano
Text: Witter Bynner (E)
- SERENADE on FIVE ENGLISH POEMS (1975)
for voice, violin, viola and piano
Text: John Fletcher; William Shakespeare; Alfred, Lord Tennysono; Gerard Manley Hopkins and Thomas Campion
- SOME TREES (1968)
Three poems for three voices for soprano, mezzo soprano, bass-baritone and piano
Text: John Ashbery (E)
CHAMBER WORKS
- AFTER READING SHAKESPEARE (1980)
Nine movements for cello alone
- BOOK of HOURS (1975)
Eight pieces for flute and harp
- BRIGHT MUSIC (1987)
for flute, two violins, cello and piano
- DANCES (1983)
for cello and piano
- DAY MUSIC (1971)
for violin and piano
- DIVERSIONS (1989)
for brass quintet
- ELEVEN STUDIES for ELEVEN PLAYERS (1960)
1(=picc).1(=corA).1.0-0.1.0.0-perc(2):xyl/gong/tgl/cym/SD/BD/cast/glsp/TD/ tom-t/bongos(high & low)/tamb/2wdbl(high & low)/slap stick-harp-pft-1.0.1.1.0
- The END of SUMMER (1985))
for clarinet, viol;in and piano
- FANFARE and FLOURISH (1988)
for brass and organ
2tpt.2trbn.organ- LOVERS (1964)
A Narrative in Ten Scenes for harpsichord, oboe, cello and percussion
- NIGHT MUSIC (1972)
for violin and piano
- PICNIC on the MARNE (1984)
Seven Waltzes for alto saxophone and piano
- ROMEO and JULIET (1977)
Nine Pieces for Flute and Guitar
- SEPTET "SCENES FROM CHILDHOOD" (1985)
for oboe, horn, piano and string quartet
- SKY MUSIC (1976)
Ten pieces for solo harp
- SOLEMN PRELUDE (1973)
Fanfare for brass
0.0.0.0-4.3.3.1- SPRING MUSIC (1990)
for violin, cello and piano
- STRING QUARTET No. 3 (1991)
- SUITE for GUITAR (1980)
- THREE SLOW PIECES (1978)
for cello and piano
- WATER MUSIC
See listing under Works for orchestra- WINTER PAGES (1981)
Quintet in twelve movements for clarinet, bassoon, violin, cello and piano
KEYBOARD WORKS
- EIGHT ETUDES (1975)
for piano
- FANTASY and TOCCATA (1946)
for organ
- For SHIRLEY (1989)
for piano four-hands
- ORGANBOOK I (1989)
Fantasy, Episode, Song, Serenade, Reveille
- ORGANBOOK II (1989)
Rex Tremendae, Magnificat, Pie Jesu, Stabat Mater, Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?, In Nomine Domini
- ORGANBOOK III (1989)
Rondo, Impromptu, Passacaglia, Fanfare, Fugue
- PIANO CONCERTO in SIX MOVEMENTS
See listing under Works for orchestra
- A QUAKER READER (1976)
Eleven pieces for organ
NB: Eight movements arranged for chamber orchestra in 1988 (see Works for orchestra)- SONG and DANCE (1986)
for piano
- SPIDERS (1968)
for harpsichord
- VIEWS FROM the OLDEST HOUSE (1981)
Suite in six movements for organ
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 10001Associated 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,dbLanguage 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 |
