Violin, cello, and piano. 12 ½ mins.
A piano trio commissioned by Santa Fe’s Montage Music Society, inspired by Andy Goldsworthy‘s four land art installations in the Presidio of San Francisco, CA.
Retrace (2018)
Flute, violin, and cello. 7 ½ mins.
Live recording of by Citywater (Cathie Apple, flute; Amy Lindsey, violin; Timothy Stanley, cello):
Live recording by Juventas New Music Ensemble (Nicholas Southwick, flute; Ryan Shannon, violin; and Matthew Smith, cello):
A work inspired by the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, explored through an independent artist residency following the trail from Los Angeles to San Francisco, CA. Retrace was written in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act of 1968, for World Premiere on the Landscape Music: Rivers & Trails concert series.
Continue reading “Retrace (2018)”
Dear Mrs. Carr (2015)
Tenor and piano. 5 mins.
Written for American Opera Projects Composers & the Voice fellowship. While working and living in Yosemite National Park during the late 19th century, the preservationist and naturalist John Muir (1838-1914) wrote many letters to his mentor, Jeanne Carr. These letters form the basis of this song’s text. Continue reading “Dear Mrs. Carr (2015)”
Dai-Shizen (Great Nature) (2014)
Flute and guitar. 10 1/2 mins.
Inspired by the woodblock prints and paintings of Japanese-American artist Chiura Obata. Commissioned by Alicia Mielke and Devin Ulibarri for the 9th Annual Boston GuitarFest 2014, “American Odyssey.” Continue reading “Dai-Shizen (Great Nature) (2014)”
Crescent Meadow (2014)
SATB choir. 4 ½ mins.
Recording courtesy of SACRA/PROFANA.
A choral setting of text adapted from an essay by John Muir about Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park.
Perusal Score
Performance score available for purchase. Please direct inquiries to Nell Shaw Cohen at nell@nellshawcohen.com.
NEW! Seeking repertoire for your choir or vocal ensemble? Check out my programming guide for choral directors.
TEXT
There lay the grassy, flowery lawn,
three fourths of a mile long,
smoothly outspread,
basking in mellow autumn light.
Then up spring the mighty walls of verdure
three hundred feet high,
the brown fluted pillars so thick and tall and strong
they seem fit to uphold the sky.
And as I gazed, every color seemed to deepen and glow
while every tree seemed religious
and conscious of the presence of God, of God.
A free man revels in a scene like this and time goes by unmeasured.
Adapted by Nell Shaw Cohen from “Our National Parks” (1901) by John Muir.
Performance History
- SACRA/PROFANA, Juan Carlos Acosta, conductor, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, San Diego, CA, 4/20/24.
- SACRA/PROFANA, Juan Carlos Acosta, conductor, Fallbrook Mission Theater, Fallbrook, CA, 3/27/22.
- New Mexico Highlands University Concert Choir, André García-Nuthmann, conductor, New Mexico Highlands University, Ilfeld Auditorium, Las Vegas, NM, 4/23/17.
Explore John Muir’s Yosemite (2014)
Multimedia installation for web browser & iPad app with photography, video, and digitally synthesized score.
This installation illustrates the writings of naturalist and conservationist John Muir through interactive photography and music, offering an engaging new interpretation of Muir’s vision of nature. Explore ten sites in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks with Muir as your guide. View it for free: muirsyosemite.com Continue reading “Explore John Muir’s Yosemite (2014)”