Compositions by
SUSAN J. CLEARMAN
ALPHABETICAL LISTING WITH DESCRIPTIONS
This is an incomplete list of the composer's works with some detail offered.
The task of cataloging the composer's complete works,
including incomplete manuscripts and older versions of works,
is underway. This is the most comprehensive list available
as of September 2008.
Susan J. Clearman's music is published by
Savory Press.
Performance rights administered by
ASCAP
(American Society of Composers,
Authors and Publishers)
Composed: 2005
Duration: 13' 54"
Movements:
1) The Familiar
2) Bereft and Desolate
3) Attempting to Start Over
4) Recovering Playfulness
5) Freilach Nouveau
Composer's comments: A journey from catastrophic loss of
everything familiar to recovery and a new way.
The five sections are based on Klezmer dance forms [Freilach,
Doina, Hora, Choisdl,and another Freilach]. Themes
are presented in traditional styles first, and then morph into
something new: is it Jazz? something Caribbean? a touch of
Funk, perhaps?
Composed: 1999
Duration: 2" 30"
Composer's comments: Set to a text by John Greenleaf Whittier,
Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness was composed
to help the congregation disengage from the frenetic
urban pace, calm down, and focus in preparation for
worship.
Composed: 1976
Duration: 4' 15"
Composer's comments: Text is taken from Isiah's "suffering servant"
passage, the Gospel of Matthew, and Philippians, juxtaposing
the humility and Lordship of Jesus. Chromaticism, counterpoint.
"The Lord's Prayer"
mixed chorus, flute, acoustic guitar,
organ, and bass guitar
unpublished
Composed: 1994
Duration: 2' 15"
Composer's comments: This setting mixes classical
and contemporary influences.
Composed: 1976
Duration: 5' 00"
Composer's comments: The violin begins alone,
wistfully, with the piano joining in canon. The
theme, built on an octatonic modal scale, develops
within thickening textures, building intensity to a climax
of triumph and vitality. The denouement sees the solo
violin return, ending the work with an echo of
the sense of longing with which it began.
Composed: 1979
Duration: 1' 30"
Composer's comments: Jaunty, mischievous and fun-loving,
The Pepperoni Rag
was written to be theme music for a children's
TV series set in a pizza parlor.
Composed: 1976
Duration: 9' 33"
Composer's comments: In Hebrew scripture, there is one word
respresenting spirit, wind and breath. This work is an
expression of four aspects of God, in the context of that
word in selected Biblical passages. All are interwoven
in the introduction, then individually expounded upon,
in sections featuring a particular instrument,
designated "Majesty and Power" (bassoon),
"Joy and Life" (flute),
"Peace and Comfort" (french horn),
and "Freedom" (clarinet).
Composed: 1995 Duration: 8' 30"
Composer's comments: A set of variations for solo organ based on two tunes:
the Gregorian chant Veni Creator Spiritus
and the Hebrew Maoz Tsur (familiar
as a setting of David Ben Judah's hymn,
"Rock of Ages, Let Our Song..."). The work reflects
Celtic, Eastern European Klezmer, Contemporary and Classical
influences. It was commissioned by St. Anne
Church, Rochester, New York for the the dedication service
of their new, tonally colorful Konzelman pipe organ
(3 manuals, 20 ranks). Organist Brink Bush of St. Anne
premiered Springs in the Desert
at that service in September of 1995.
The work was enthusiastically received by laypeople,
clergy and trained musicians alike. Dr. Robert Freeman,
then director of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester,
turned to the composer and exclaimed "Bravo!" immediately
after the conclusion of the performance.
Composed: 2000
Duration: 4' 00"
Composer's comments: A festive Celtic postlude based
on Personent Hodie and St. Patrick's Breastplate. Premiered
at the celebration of the Rev. Canon Gray and Jean Temple's 25
merry, courageous and generous years with St. Patrick's
Episcopal Church, Dunwoody, Georgia.
"Tender Compassion"
mixed chorus, alto (or tenor) saxophone or flute, and harp (or piano)
unpublished
Composed: 1999
Duration: 1' 55"
Text: "In the tender compassion of our God, the Dawn from on high
shall break upon us." [Luke 1:78]
Composer's comments: For use in Advent, Christmas and Epiphany services.