DAVID EDGAR WALTHER IMPRESSIONIST: PASSIONATE DARK; DEEP NIGHT DREAMS
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​Volume III.

​Orchestra

​                  Book I: Works for Medium and Large Orchestra:
​
Ia.  Tone Poems for Medium-sized Orchestra: 
1.   The Masque of The Red Death: 2/2/2/2  2/2/2/1  3 & str.
​6-7 minute tone poem after Edgar Allan Poe (photo to the right); written when I was age 21 & that was recorded by The Juilliard Concert String Orchestra under Thomas Ludwig (picture below).
​Revised numerous times; finished on 3/7/25. Dedicated
​to Mr. Ludwig. 
Please use the PDF, below to the right to see
the reconstructed 2025 score: 
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Edgar Allan Poe, Storyteller

1a. The Masque of The Red Death: with one oboe & English horn (as in the recording);
and one bassoon & contrabassoon.
 
1a. The Masque of The Red Death: above with two oboe & two bassoons. 
1c. The Masque of The Red Death: a 6 minute version that conforms to the recording by The Juilliard Concert String Orchestra under Thomas Ludwig, and leaves out one minute of music as in the score to the right. Please listen to the original recording below: 
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DavidEdgarWalther · Masque of the Red Death
2.     Island of The Sirens: 4 &  a half to 6 minute tone poem: after a scene
​from "The Odyssey" by Homer. Orchestral version completed on 10/14/24. 

2a.  The Island of the Sirens: 2/2/2/2  2/2/2/1  1+timp, & strings. Completed on 9/6/21. 

2b.  Gdo: for two harps; original version, dedicated to, & premiered by Mr. Rafferty & Virginia Crumb; See I/II/6. Please listen to the performance for two harps, and read the orchestral score below:
DavidEdgarWalther · Island Of The Sirens
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                                   artwork by Drew Hubbard
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​
3.    The Wood Sprite: 11 & a half minutes; ballet; 2/2/2/2  2/2/1/1  2 percussion, timpani
​& strings. Based on a withheld song to an Emily Dickinson poem. A little girl is lost in the forest until The Wood Sprite shows her the way home.  Unperformed; See IV/I/5. 
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Ib. Symphonies for medium or large Orchestra or Concert Band: 
​1.   Symphony # 1. Scaramouche et Pulcinella: 

30 minutes & 35 seconds: ballet: 7 movements; after the poem "Fantoches" by Paul Verlaine (photo below, left). A magician makes puppets come alive: they love, have wars, are wounded and die. Then they wish for things to be as they were. The idea that this poem should be used as an orchestral work was first suggested to me by Dr. Anna Balakian, the chairwoman of the comparaitve ​literature department at New York University (photo below, right). Unperformed; See IV/I/3.
1a. Scaramouche et Pulcinella:  2/2/2/2  2/2/2/1 percussion, timpani and strings; woodwind/string octet is prominent. See III/I/6. 
1b.  Scaramouche et Pulcinella:  Synthesized realization by Michael Rafferty; cablecast on BNN-TV with the futuristic play: "Now and Then" featuring actors, TJ Norris (photo below, center) and the composer. Temporarily lost. See II/IIId/2.
1c.  Scaramouche et Pulcinella: flute, clarinet, violin, 'cello and piano. In preparation for performance, with clarinetist, Romualdo Barone, at The Aichi University of The Arts, Nagakute, Japan. See I/III/3.
1d.  Scaramouce et Pulcinella: original version for octet of woodwinds and strings:  1/1/1/1  1/1/1/1: I/VIII/2. Unapproved doctoral thesis at Boston Univeristy. Unperformed.
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     Paul Verlaine, poet                                     Tj Norris, artist & actor                                        Dr. Anna Balakian, writer

​2.  Symphony # 2: Clover Ceres:  19 minutes; ballet;  6 movements; 2/2/2/2  2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani & strings. Illicit love is prosecuted; a jail break brings freedom. Unperformed; see IV/I/2. Finished in 2023. ​

3.   Symphony # 3: The Great Liberator: 44 minute ballet; 7 movements; A woman frees the enslaved, is caught by the evil collector, and eventually is saved by love. Loosely based on an Islandic tale, and a dream by JS. Finished in 2023. Unperformed. Please see IV/I/3. Finished in 2023.
3a. The Great Liberator: 2/2/2/2  2/2/1/1  perc/timp.
harp & strings. Please tap on Drew's artwork to the right to see the full score to "The Great Liborator,"
3b. The Great Liberator: original version for w. w. &
string octet (withheld); I/VIII/3.

3c. The Great Liberator:  piano. II/IIId/4.
​
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    Tap on "Wall004" by Drew Hubbard
   to see the Score to The Great Liberator   
4.  Symphony # 4:  Scrooge: A ballet for New Year's Day according to Deborah Cash, of the Boston Globe. Scrooge sees ghosts & becomes a better person.
Based on "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
​(photo to the right.) 
Please see I/V/3, II/IIId/4, & IV/I/4.
4a.  Scrooge: medium orchestra 2/2/2/2  2/2/1/1  4-9
perc., pno., hrp., & strings. 67 minutes. 6 scenes, completed, January of 2024. Unperformed in this version. 

4b.  Scrooge: chamber version for: piano, harpsichord, harp, percussion, & solo viola. 41 minutes (slightly cut; faster tempi; last scene is shorter than 4a. revised version). Comissioned & performed by The Copley Square Ballet at The Strand Theaterin Dorchester, MA. Choreographed by David Drummond (photo below, left). 
Drummond was also Scrooge; Nancy Angelini, was The Spirit of The Future (photo bleow, center). The Dance Mistress was Zabelle Margosian (photo below, right). Musicians included Angelo Mammano, piano; & Michael Rafferty, harp. Dedicated to Mr. Drummond, the musicians, and the dancers of  The Copley Square Ballet. see also 1/V/3.
​
To watch the ballet Scrooge in its chamber ensemble version, 47 minutes, 6 scenes, with the orchestral score please click on Marley or Dickens' photo to the right:
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                 Charles Dickens, novelist
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                 Scrooge: The Ballet
4c. Scrooge: orchestral score. 41 minutes, 6 scenes. Created in December of 3023 to accompany the dance video. Unperformed in this version. Please see II/IIId/4.
4d. Scrooge: piano version of original chamber version. Unperformed in this version; withheld. Please see II/IIId/4.
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David Dru mmon, Scrooge/choreographer    Nancy Angelini, Ghost of the Future;   Zabelle Margosian, Dance Mistress      

​5   Symphony # 5: Homage to Rolv Yttrehus: 
​21 minutes; 4 movements.The last movement uses the last 12-tone row composed by Mr. Yttrehus. Revised, with RY quotes, completed by 4/18/23, See also II/III/3. Dedicated to Mr; Yttrehus. Both versions unperformed.
5a. Homage to Rolv Yttrehus: for orchestra: 2/2/2/2  2/2/2/1  perc/hrp & strings.
5b. Homage to Rolv Yttrehus: piano sonata #3. The score to the piano sonata can be seen at II/IIIb/3

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                     Rolv Yttrehus, composer

6.   Symphony # 6. for Large Orchestra: Water Death: 11 minutes and 40 seconds,
2 movements; 3/3/3/3  4/3/3/1   2p (1. gong, cymbal, snare drum; 2. timp.) hrp,
& strings; finished on 8/27/24: orchestration of Piano Sonata II (II/IIIb/2)
performed by pianist, Carmen Rodriguez-Peralta with "Music Now." The score to the piano sonata can be seen at II/IIIb/2. 
 Please clickon the red button, below, to hear Ms. Rodriguez-Peralta's performance; and use the PDF to the right to see the orchestral score to the right, below. To see the orchestral parts please click on the boat below. ​
​
DavidEdgarWalther · Sonata #2: Water-Death: Carmen Rodriguez Peralta, piano
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        The photograph that supposedly inspired Bram Stoker's "Dracula"                                  Score to Symphony VI: Water Death
7.    Symphony #7. for Large Orchestra or Concert Band: Last Judgement: 20 minutes:
2a.  Symphony #7 for Large Orchestra: 3/3/3/3  4/3/3/1  one or two percussion, timpani, soprano solo (mov. II), & strings. Unperformed in this version. 
7b.  Symphony #7 for Concert Band: 3/3/3/3  4/3/3/1  4 saxophones (SATB) one or two percussion, timpani, soprano solo (mov. II) & strings. The 3 movements are listed below: 
       1.    Trumpets of the Apocalypse: 9 minutes. Unperformed.
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​     #21: Last Judgement: Rider-Waite Deck                 Score to Symphony #VII: Last Judgement (Concert Band Version)

       2.   Tethys: 4 minutes. 1/0/3/3,  1/0/0/0  1 perc. soprano solo, no sax. or str..
poem: Orphic Hymn translated by Thomas Taylor.  
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                   ​Thomas Taylor, poet/translator                                        ​John Corely, conductor of The M. I. T. Concert Band

      3.   Pale Horse, Pale Rider:  3 & a quarter minutes; (6 & a half with repeat); I originally wrote this double fugue for organ when I was 17. It was premiered by Dr. Sam Walter at Vorhees Chapel, Douglass College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Later orchestrated  for concert band, & later still, for large orchestra. The concert band version was performed by John Corely & The M. I. T. Concert Band. The recording was used for "Light" was cablecast on BNN-TV as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs Deducated to Dr. Walter, Mr. Corely, & The M. I. T. Concert Band. Please click on one of the dinosaurs to hear the concert band version of movement 3 (without repeat):

David Walther: CRAZY DINOSAURS: 2. Light from David Walther on Vimeo.

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Symphony #8:  Odysseus: 14 minutes, based on scenes from The Odyssey by Homer. For 2/2/2/2  3/2/2/1  perc, harp and strings. Tiresius (bass) prophesizes the events of the story. Based on music from III/la/1 and 2 above. Written in Novemeber of 2024. Last movement restored & slightly revised in January of 2025. 
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                              Sirens                                                             Homer, storyteller                                                      Polyphemus

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                                                       Book II: Concertos

​IIa. Concertos for Two or More Soloists and Orchestra:
​1.    Concerto for Oboe and Trumpet: Six Chorale Preludes: 16 minutes & 40 seconds; originally "5 Chorale Preludes for Organ" dedicated to, & premiered by Harvey Burgett, See II/IIIc/5. "Concerto for Oboe and Trumpet" was completed on 8/12/21. Please click on the square in the bottom right of this PDF  to see the score; and the red buttons below to listen to Mr. Burgett's  performance of #s 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6. # 3 has not been recorded.
                                                                                                                                                                       
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  Harvey Burgett, organist
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DavidEdgarWalther · 6 Chorale Preludes: 1. Down Ampney: Burgett
DavidEdgarWalther · 6 Chorale Preludes 2. St. Columba: Burgett
DavidEdgarWalther · 6 Chorale Preludes: 4. Leoni: Burgett
DavidEdgarWalther · 6 Chorale Preludes: 5. In Dulci Jubilo: Burgett
DavidEdgarWalther · 6. Chorale Preludes: 6. Homage to Robert Schumann: Burgett

​2.     Love and Death: for clarinet, violin and orchestra: 
​
6 & a half minutes;
  Please seeI/IIIb/2. Unperformed.  


3.     Concerto for Violin, Viola and Orchestra:
​Streetcar Named Desire:
 
15 minutes;with percussion, timpani, harp and strings. Inspired by Bronia Stephan's performace of Blanche in the play by Tennessee Williams.   ​​
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        Tenessee Williams, playwright
​4.     Billy Goats Gruff:  for Three Double Reeds and Orchestra: ​3 & a quarter minutes; based on a Norwegian fairy tale collected by Peter Christen Asbjørrnsen and Jørgen Moe in their "Norske Folkeeventyr." Completed on 12/10/21; See IV/III/2.
4a.   Billy Goats Gruff: for orchestra and three double reeds: oboe, English horn, and bassoon: 2/2+/2/2+  2/2/2/1 per/timp. harp & strings.
   
4b.   Billy Goats Gruff:  for string orchestra with percussion (cymbals, gong, bass drum and timpani). Unperformed in this version.
See III/III/2 below for score 
below for score,
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                       Asbjørrnsen and Moe, folk tales
4c.   Billy Goats Gruff:  for string quintet: 2/1/1/1. See I/V/6.
4d.   Billy Goats Gruff: Original piano version was dedicated to, & performed by Carmen Rodriguez-Peralta. See II/IIIc/2.  The recording was used as the sound track for "The Train" which appeared on BNN-TV as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs." Please see the video, with the Ms. Peralto's recording, below: III/III/4.
IIb.   Concertos for one Soloist and Orchestra:  
1.      Lunar Eclipse: 
Concerto for Tenor Saxophone, or Bass Clarinet: 8 minutes.
1a.    Concerto for Tenor Saxophone, or Bass Clarinet: Lunar Eclipse:
with harp or piano, percussion, & strings. 
1b.    Concerto for Tenor Saxophone, or Bass Clarinet: Lunar Eclipse: 

with harp or piano and string quintet:  2/1/1/1. See I/VII/2.
1c.    Concerto for Tenor Saxophone, or Bass Clarinet: Lunar Eclipse: with piano; see I/II/8 & 1/VII/4. Performed by Christian Contreras, tenor saxophone, (below, left) and Yelena Beriyeva, piano,on 1/27/12 with Boston Metro Opera. Dedicated to the performers. 
To hear "Lunar Eclipse" please click on the red button below to the left below the picture to listen to "Lunar Eclipse" & use the PDF to the right to see the score:
​
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              Crammed Full  by Drew Hubbard
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                                                                                                                  Score for tenor Saxophone or Bass Clarinet Comcerto
​
DavidEdgarWalther · Lunar Eclipse: Contreras/Birayeva

​2.     The
 Hermit in The Crystal Forest: For Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra: 
​
17 minutes and 40 seconds; for Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra: 

2a.  The Hermit in The Crystal Forest:  tenor saxophone & 2/2/2/2  2/2/2/1 perc/timp, harp & strings. Unperformed in this version.
2b.  The Hermit in The Crystal Forest: for piano solo. See II/IIId/1b.
2c.  The Hermit in The Crystal Forest:
 5 minute piano solo version used for "Medusa Seduca" which was cablecast on BNN-TV: a gay man on a bad hair day (the composer) has many suitors (JT Norris) before finding the perfect kiss. See II/IIId/1c.

​3.     Piano Concerto: 17 minutes and 20 seconds, 3 movments; unperformed.
3a.   Piano Concerto: with percussion and string orchestra.
3b.   Piano Quintet: piano & string quartet: 2/1/1. See I/V/4;
3c.   Piano Sextet: piano & string quintet: 2/1/1: see I/VI/2.


4.     Harp Concerto: 10 minutes; 6 movements. Work in progress. Please see
Septet (I/VII/1) and Piano Sonata I (II/IIIa/I). Unperformed.
5.     Violin Concerto I: 9 minutes; 3 movements; Unperformed.  
5a.   Violin Concerto I: with glockenspiel, optional additional percussion, & string orchestra: viola, 'cello and double bass: 0/2/2/2. Unperformed.
5b.   Violin Concerto I: octet: solo violin, with glockenspiel & string sextet: 0/2/2/2.
See I/VIII/4. 
5c.    Violin Concerto I: 
violin and piano. Movement I quotes Part III #1 of The St. Mark Passion: VI/II/8. Movement III is based on "The Lord' Prayer" from "That I Did Always Love" VI/II/5/IV. Unperformed in this version. See I/II/4.   
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6.     Violin Concerto II: 25 minutes; 4 movements. Movement I uses material from VI/II/3 & VI/III/4/6. Movements II & IV use material from the second movement of The Sonatina: II/III/1. Below this movement is played by pianist Eileen Feldman. The artwork is Drew Hubbard's Self-Image.
6a.   Violin Concerto II:  with medium size orchestra: 2/2/2/2  2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, harp and strings. (Marimba featured in first movement).
6b.   Violin Concerto II:  with percussion, piano & strings. 
6c.   Violin Concerto II:  with piano septet: piano & string quintet:  1/1/1/1/1. See I/VIII/3.
6d.   Violin Concerto II:  with piano. See I/II/10.
DavidEdgarWalther · The Werewolf's Run

​7.    Elegy: 6 minutes; 6a. and 6b. were completed in early August, 2021 as a re-orchestration of "Invocation" for organ (6c. below and II/I/1). 
7a.  Elegy:  viola solo & string orchestra; unperformed in this version; 
7b.  Elegy: 'cello solo & string orchestra; unperformed in this version; 
​7c.  Elegy:  string orchestra: unperformed in this version; see III/III/3, below;
7d.  Elegy:  double bass string quartet; unperformed in this version; I/IV/6;
7e.  Elegy:  viola solo & piano; unperformed in this version; I/IIb/6a;
7f.   Elegy: 'cello solo & piano; unperformed in this version; I/IIb/6b;
7g.  Invocation: for organ; premiered by Lenora McCroskey at First Baptist in Newton, MA
commissioned by The American Guild of Organists. Dedicated to Eileen Hunt, & Ms. McCroskey. Published and Copyright held for all countries by E. C. Schirmer; See: II/I/1.

IIc. Concerto Ballets: 
The Lovers:
 17 & a half minutes; 6 movements; based on the myth of Orpheus & Eurydice, with a happy ending. Inspired by "The Lovers" by Marc Chagall. See I/II/ 7-11 & III/II/1-5.
1a. Flute Concerto: with percussion, timpani and strings 9/1-2/23; Alto Flute Concerto, withheld.
1b. Flute Concerto: with piano. 
2a. Oboe Concerto: with percussion, timpani and strings; 
2b. Oboe Concerto: with piano; in Spanish.
3a. Clarinet Concerto: with percussion, timpani and strings; 
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The Lovers by Marc Chagall
3b. Clarinet Concerto: with piano; written for Christian Contreras.
4a. Viola Concerto: with percussion, timpani and strings; 
4b. Viola Concerto: with piano; the viola concerto is the original version.  It is a whole step lower than the other 3 concerto ballets; written for my husband, Drew Hubbard.
                              
​                         Book III: Music for String Orchestra


​
1.     The Star (Passacaglia): 5 minutes: written for Drew's birthday. II/IIIc/3. The card to the right, from the 1909 Rider Waite deck.
1a.   The Star (Passacaglia): string orchestra.

1b.   The Star (Passacaglia): string quintet: 2/1/1/1. See I/V/5.
1c.   The Star (Passacaglia): piano. See II/IIIc/3.
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Star Rider Waite Deck 
2. Billy Goats Gruff: 3 minutes and 14 seconds at the original tempo (2d. below); 6 minutes at the rethought tempo.
Based on a Norwegian fairy tale collected by Peter Christen Asbjørrnsen and Jørgen Moe in their "Norske Folkeeventyr."
​May be used for dance.
2a.  Billy Goats Gruff: for orchestra: 2/2+/2/2+  2/2/2/1 Per/timp. harp & strings. Please see III/IIa/4 above.
   
2b.  Billy Goats Gruff: for percussion, (cymbals, gong, bass drum & timpani) & strings. Unperformed in this version. Please use the PDF to the right to see the score:
2c.  Billy Goats Gruff:  for string quintet: 2/1/1/1.  See I/V/6.
2d.  Billy Goats Gruff: Original piano version, as performed by, & dedicated to Carmen Rodriguez-Peralta. See II/IIIc/2.  The recording was used as the sound track for "The Train" which appeared on BNN-TV as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs."Please on the train or a dinosaur below to see the video with Ms. Rodriguez-Peralta's performance:


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Christen Asbjørrnsen & Jørgen Moe,
folk tale collectors
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      "Billy Goat's Grufff" for piano, harp and percussion, score

David Walther: CRAZY DINOSAURS: 1. The Train from David Walther on Vimeo.

3.    Elegy: 6 minutes; for string orchestra; completed in early August, 2021. Re-orchestration of "Invocation" for organ; II/I/1. commissioned by The American Guild of Organists. Copyright held for all countries by E. C. Schirmer. Unperformed in this version.
See III/IIb/7c above.

​
4.    Cloud Blue:
5 & three quarters minutes for string orchestra; written when I was 19; and read by the Juilliard Concert String Orchestra under Thomas Ludwig (photo below).  To see the score, please visit above: "Listen; Orchestral Music." To hear the original recording of "Cloud Blue" please click the red button below:
DavidEdgarWalther · Cloud Blue: Juilliard String Orchestra/Ludwig
                       Book IV: String and Chamber Symphonies:
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​1A.   String Symphony I: Song of War: 3 movements. Unperformed. 
1Aa. String Symphony I: Song of War:  9 minutes and 40 seconds.
 
1Ab. String Symphony I: Song of War:  14 minutes and 45 seconds.

1B.   Chamber Symphony I: Song of War:  3 movements. 1/1/1/1  1/1/1  one percussion, timpani, and strings (2/1/1/1) may be done with a minimum of 14 players. Unperformed. 
1Bb. Chamber Symphony I: Song of War: 9 minutes and 40 seconds. 
1Ba. Chamber Symphony I: Song of War: 14 minutes and 45 seconds.​
1Bb. Chamber Symphony I: Song of War: 9 minutes and 40 seconds. 
See String Quintet version: I/V/7.  The first and last movements were written first. The middle movement is from my withheld organ sonata, "12-tone Under Glass" written at age 13 and perfomed numerous times throughout the Northeastern USA, by Dr. Sam Walter. Dedicated to Dr. Walter.
2.    String Symphony II: Paradise Regained:  
3 movements; 14 minutes. 
2a.  String Symphony II: Paradise  Regained: unperformed in this version.
2b.  First Movement: Time: for piano solo; 
see II/IIIc/3. 3 minutes and 7 seconds at the original tempo (by Eileen Feldman); 4 minutes at the 2020s rethought tempo;  Written when I was 17. P
erformed at The University of Vermont Summer Session for High School Students. ​Later it was choreographed by Nancy Angelini, and performed by her and Joe Pocaro with "Music Now & Now Dance" at ​The Villa Victoria in South Boston, MA, USA.  See IV/III/1. The music was premiered by,Eileen Feldman with "Music Now" at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge, MA.. Dedicated to Ms. Feldman, & also to Ms. Angelini, & Mr. Pocaro. Ms. Feldman's recording was used in the clay animated video "Dinos in Space" as cablecast on BNN-TV.  Please use the PDF to the right to see the score of the string orchestra version; & the button below (with Ms. Feldman's
​picture) to hear her recording:


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  Score to String Symphony II; first movement 
DavidEdgarWalther · Time: Feldman
Eileen Feldman, pianist; first movement: Time.
2c.  Second Movement: Sorrow: commissioned by & dedicated to Donald Maher. 
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2d.  Third Movement: Hope: Original version for unaccompanied chorus: "Prayer of St. Chrysostom" commissioned by St. John Chrysostom Church, West Roxbury, MA.  Unperformed and permanently withheld.
                                 Book V: Five Finger Symphonies:
​

​1. Five Finger Symphonies: for 7 performers, or 6 instrumentalists with tutti violoncelli; 
1. flute/piccolo/alto flute; 2. English horn; 3. clarinet/bass clarinet;
4. bassoon/contrabassoon; 5. trumpet, 6. harp & 7. cello solo & tutti violoncelli. Completed on 9/21/21. The Five Finger Symphonies may be performed as a cycle,
or individually. Upon the suggestions of Jaz Thomasian, revised on 2/28/25. Originally written as "Five Finger Exercises" for piano: each hand is assigned five pitches that remain constant for the whole movement. There are 20 movements & the entire cycle is 20 minutes in duration. See II/IIIc/6. Used as the sound track for the animated soap-opera "Dynosaur" as seen on BNN-TV. 

1a.   Finger Symphony #1: Littlebabysaurus: for flute, English horn, bassoon, trumpet & cello solo or tutti; in five movements: 3 mintues & 48 seconds.
1b.   Finger Symphony #2: Taxes: for alto flute, bass clarinet, & harp; in three movements: 1 mintues & 48 seconds
1c.   Finger Symphony #3: Bugs: for English horn, clarinet, bassoon, harp, & cello solo or tutti; in four movements: 3 mintues & 53 seconds.
1d.   Finger Symphony #4: Rocks: for flute/piccolo, English horn, clarinet, bassoon/contrabassoon, trumpet, harp, & cello solo or tutti; in three movements:
3 mintutes & 40 seconds.

1e.   Finger Symphony #5: The Wedding: for flute, English horn, clarinet, bassoon,
trumpet & cello solo or tutti; in five movements: 6 mintues & 24 seconds.


​Please click on one of the dinosaurs
in one of the jars to the right to see
​the scores and videos: 
​
Picture
                                                                                                                  Score to Five Finger Symphonies
         
​  
​                           
Book VI: Parody Chamber Symphonies 


1.   Parody Symphony I for Chamber Orchestra: Gothic Noel: 14 minutes, 5 movements;  flute, oboe, clarinet doubling bass clarinet, contrabassoon, horn, trumpet, bass trombone, tuba, one percussion, timpani, piano (& optional celesta) harp and strings (2/1/1/1 or more) may be done with a minimum of 17 players. Parodies famous Christmas carols; uses material from the withheld musical "Scrooge" that was produced by Prime Time, at Massasoit College, Brockton, MA, USA. A synthesized version was cablecast on BNN-TV as 'Nostrodamus 23' about a criminal held captive on a deserted planet; please see II/IIId/5. ​

2.  Parody Symphony II for Chamber Orchestra: This Old Man: 24 minutes,
6 movements; flute, oboe doubling English horn, trumpet in C; two percussionists, timpani, harp and strings (1/1/1/1 or more). 
May be performed by a minimum of 13
​players. Parodies traditional songs & carols. Movements II. "Esettee" (or "The Silent Knight") & V. "Lace" were played Michael Rafferty, harp at Oasis, Boston, MA, USA (see I/Ib/1); and 
at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge, MA (II/IIIa/1) by Pianist Eileen Feldman. MA. Please see I/Ib/1. The artworks below are "Spring" & "Tuesdaynight" by Drew Hubbard. Please click on the PDF to the right for the score, and below to hear Ms. Feldman's performances.​
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
DavidEdgarWalther · Esettee
DavidEdgarWalther · Lace
Please below to hear Mr. Rafferty's performance; the artwork is Drew Hubard's "pencilform":
DavidEdgarWalther · 2 Pieces For Harp: Rafferty
 Book VII.  Solo Voice with Orchestra (See V/I)

​
​
1.    Cascando:  12 minutes and 40 seconds:
set of 4 songs for low voice to poems (under copyright (uc)) by Samuel Beckett. Unperformed.

1a.  Cascando: with percussion, timpani, harp, viola solo & string orchestra.  
1b.  Cascando: with harp and string quartet.  

1c.  Cascando:  with piano.

Picture
                               Samuel Beckett, poet
​2.   Orpheus in The Underworld: 14 and a half minute cycle of  
7 songs for low voice; The text, in Latin, is by 6th century poet, Boethius (right). 
This version has an unhappy ending. (See IV/III for dance options)
2a. Orpheus in The Underworld: with percussion, timpani & strings.
2b. Orpheus in The Underworld: 
with orchestra: 2+/2+/2+/2+  2/2/2/1  percussion, timpani, celesta, harp & strings. 
​
2c. Orpheus in The Underworld: with piano; cablecast as "Eurydice" as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs" on BNN-TV with DEW performing the music. Clay animation, with dollhouses by Jean Riseman (lower left) . To watch all of "Eurydice" & to see scores to some of the songs ​please click one of the dinosaurs to the right below.
Picture
       Boetheius, poet ​
Picture
Picture
                        Doll's house by Jean Riseman                                                  Terry-Anne Tessaurus Rex in "Eurydice"
3.   Rain has Fallen:  14 minute set of 5 songs for low voice; poems by James Joyce: 
3a. Rain has Fallen:  with orchestra:  2/2/2+/2+ 2/2/0/2/1  percussion, harp & strings;
3b. Rain has Fallen:  with piano: to be premiered on March 10 by baritone, Hartmut Shultz, at Academia Arte, Alser Str. 28, 1090,
Vienna. Dedicated to Mr. Shultz.
Picture
                                   James Joyce, poet 
Picture
                        Hartmut Shultz, lyric baritone ​

​4.   Deep River; 5. When The Stars Begin to Fall; & V/IIIb/4. The Unbroken Circle:
minute set of 8 In total there are  18 spirituals. The first two of these groups are orchestrated. Any of the spirituals, may be performed in whatever key and order is desired. Most of these spirituals have been performed. Dedicated to the performers:
Leo Abbott; Dorothy Yanish, Merton Brown, Barbara Roth Donaldson, Christopher
​Aaron Smith, Yelena Birayeva, Annalise Scovman and Sonante. 

4. Deep River:  18 minute & 10 second set of 8 spirituals: This set omits 2 songs: "I got a robe" and "Swing Low" which are better for high voice.   In 2024 "Trouble" from "The Unbroken Circle" (V/IIIa/4) was added with an alternate instrumentation..
4a. Deep River: low voice & orchestra: 2/2+/2+/2+  2/2/1/1 perc;, timp., harp & str. 
4b. Deep River: low voice and piano; 9 spirituals were first performed by the composer with pianist, Barbara Roth at The First Unitarian Society of Newton, MA.. "Wayfaring Stranger" was first performed by the composer with Leo Abbott, pianist at 1st & 2nd U. U. in Boston & heard on WBZ radio. 
DavidEdgarWalther · Wayfaring Stranger
5.   When The Stars Begin To Fall: 13 minute set of 8 spirituals; "Swing Low" was first performed by soprano, Dorothy Yanish, with pianist, Merton Brown at F.U.S.N.. "When The Stars Begin To Fall" & "Peter go ring dem Bells" are unique to this group.
5a. When The Stars Begin To Fall: high voice & orchestra: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 perc., timp., hrp. & str.
;
5b. When The Stars Begin To Fall: high voice & piano. "Swing Low" was first performed
​by soprano, Dorothy Yanish, & pianist, Merton 
Brown at F.U.S.N.. Please click on the button below to hear this performance:
DavidEdgarWalther · Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: Yanish/Brown
Dorothy Yanish, soprano
4b. Deep River & 5b. When The Stars Begin To Fall:
​9 spirituals with piano in the high key, were p
erformed by tenor, Christopher Aaron Smith, with pianist, Yelena Birayeva with Boston Metro Opera on 1/27/12. This performance was first posted to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, 2021. You can hear this performance by clicking on Christopher Aaran Smith (right):
4c. Deep River & 5c. When The Stars Begin to Fall: Fall: Selections performed at 1st & 2nd U. U. in Boston by Sonante (soprano Annalise Skovman with 'cello and guitar) version withheld; 
Picture
Christopher Aaron Smith, tenor

​5.   2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce:  19 minutes; two songs for low voice, separated by interludes. Taken from "The Journey."  See IV/IV/2 and VII/III/2. May be performed with "Three songs to Poems by James Joyce" by Merton Brown.  Please click on James Joyce, to the right, to see all settings of this poet by this composer.
5a. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: mallets, percussion, piano, optional harp, and D. B. string quartet or string orchestra. 
5b. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: with piano.
5c. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: with synthesizer. Drawing, below,  by Drew Hubbard. Please click the picture of Jessica Mink to read the poems to this piece and other excerts from The Journey; or click on the black button below to hear the recording by DEW: bass-baritone, countertenor, & synthesist:
Picture
James Joyce, poet 
Picture
Title with Jessica Mink, astrophsycist
DavidEdgarWalther · The Journey (Joyce): Walther
Exerpts from The Journey, performed and realized by the composer
5c. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: with piano.


​6.   Remembrance of Love's Death: 13 minute cycle of 12 songs;
Emily Dickinson (uc); Please see IV/III/2 & V/Ia/2.
6a. Remembrance of Love's Death: Low voice with orchestra:  2/2/2  2/2/1/1   harp, percussion & strings. See the same selections in 
Volume V, Book I. ​
6b. Remembrance of Love's Death: Low voice with harp & double bass string quartet or string orchestra. See the same selections in Volume V, Book I. ​
6c. Remembrance of Love's Death: for low voice with piano.
10 of the 12 songs were performed by the composer with pianist, Eileen Feldman at 1st and 2nd Unitarian Society, Boston. Dedicated to Ms. Feldman. Please click on Eileen Feldman to the right to hear the premiere; and on Emily Dickinson to see
​a list settings by this composer of her work.
Picture
     Eileen Feldman, pianist
Picture
Emily Dickinson, poet
Copyright © David Edgar Walther 2025
©
​
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