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Music by Laurence Bitensky Scores and parts for all works are available upon request. • • • • • • • • FANFARE (2005), six trumpets and timpani, ca. 3' Commissioned by Centre College for the dedication of the College Center; Premiered at Centre College by the CentreTrumpets, Vince DiMartino, director (10/05) • • • • • • • • HADRA (2004), wind ensemble, ca. 25' Commissioned by Dennis Johnson, President of World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles and Tim Reynish, Past President of WASBE; Premiered at the Murray State University'sProvost's Concert by the Murray State University Wind Ensemble, Dennis Johnson, conductor (4/05) • • • • • • • • SCENT OF THE WORLD WE GAVE UP (2003), Distinguished Finalist - Jabez Press 2005 Composition Invitational. • • • • • • • • THE OTHER SIDE (2003), solo trumpet, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion, ca. 10' Commissioned and premiered by the Duquesne University Contemporary Music Ensemble -- David Stock, artistic director (4/03) • • • • • • • • AWAKE, YOU SLEEPERS! (2002), concerto for trumpet and wind ensemble, ca. 15' For John Hagstrom of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Commissioned by the Fromm Foundation of Harvard University; Finalist of Distinctive Merit -- Big Ten Band Commission, Big Ten Band Directors Association; Finalist for Saint Mary's University Kaplan Commissioning Project (2003); Premiered at the International Trumpet Guild annual convention in Manchester, England: John Hagstrom, trumpet; the Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra -- Tim Reynish, conductor (7/02). Recorded by Robert Murray, trumpet and the Nanset Winds Orchestra -- Odd Terje Lysebo, conductor, Mark Recordings (4742-MCD) and by Mark Clodfelter, trumpet and the University of Kentucky Wind Ensemble -- Tim Reynish, conductor, Mark Recordings (5342-MCD) "One of the finest additions to the trumpet and wind ensemble repertoire to date." -- Vince DiMartino, President of the International Trumpet Guild • • • • • • • • AWAKE, YOU SLEEPERS! (2002), trumpet and piano, ca. 15' Arrangement of Awake, You Sleepers! Concerto for Trumpet and Wind Ensemble • • • • • • • • RAPTURE: EIGHT IMPROVISATIONS ON CHASIDIC FOLK TUNES (2001), solo piano, ca. 20' • • • • • • • • . . . A PERFECT REST (2000), orchestra, ca. 17', (2222 221 hp perc strings) Winning Entry -- Omaha Symphony New Music Compeition (2004); Special Distinction - 22nd ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Award (2002); Premiered by the Princeton Symphony Orchestra -- Mark Laycock, music director (3/03) "It was an extraordinarily sensitive and beautiful work. The unique points of this piece is it is a modern composition that speaks directly to the heart. It is very beautiful, powerful, and he uses the orchestra very well. From a music director's perspective, I was very impressed with its craftsmanship and artistry of the piece. It was beautiful and brought a significant message to the audience." -- Mark Laycock, Music Director, Princeton Symphony Orchestra "For such a short piece, about 15 minutes in length, it is quite moving, a meditative soliloquy based on a traditional melody for "El Male Rachamim," a Jewish memorial prayer for the dead, which principal cellist Jodi Beder intoned with profound tenderness. Bitensky's "rest" is full of sensuous, snaking melodies based on Jewish chant, melodies that float and wind their way throughout the orchestral texture, eventually erupting into moments of full brass declamation. The harp is used to add a silvery spray of color, while basses spend much of their time holding pianissimo sustained notes. Bitensky's grasp of how to use tension between high and low instruments and sustained and progressing pitch patterns worked well in articulating the mournful nature of his musical material." -- Willa J. Conrad, Newark Star-Ledger, 3/18/03 • • • • • • • • MISHB'REY YAM (1997-9), song cycle for high voice and piano on texts of Yehuda Halevi, ca. 20' Winning entry, 1999 Music Teachers National Association - Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year; Commissioned by the Kentucky Music Teachers Association "The rhythms of the music . . . give an evocative improvisatory effect -- and are deeply related to the rhythm and inflections of the Hebrew Language. The result is powerful. Lyrics and music combine to paint a profound portrait of a man facing both the depths of fear and loss and the heights of anticipation and faith as he sails the mighty seas on a pilgrimage, which he is compelled to make, but from which he well knows there might be no return. The listener is drawn to Halevi's experience in a personal way as his journey (both outward and inward) is depicted through Hebraic chant-like vocal lines woven closely together with compelling and intricate gestures in the piano to form a rich tapestry of sound." In Mishb'rey yam, the communication does not get lost. The music originates in a deep place and communicates to a deep place. . . In his song cycle Mishb'rey yam, Bitensky sings of some of the secrets of his quest--and 'his whole heart is in the singing.'" -- Patricia Plude, National Composer Commissioning Chair, MTNA, The American Music Teacher, June/July 2000 • • • • • • • • VAYASHAV HAMAL'ACH (1997), high voice and piano on text from Zechariah, ca. 4' • • • • • • • • VOCALISE (1998), solo piano one hand, ca. 8' Recorded by Denine Leblanc, piano, Sea Breeze Vista records (SEAB 4002) • • • • • • • • SHOUTS AND MURMURS, BOOK I (1996) AND BOOK II (1995) solo piano, Book I ca. 10', Book II, ca. 10' Winning Entry - 1997 Modern Chamber Players Competition; Winning Entry - 1997 Friends and Enemies of New Music Composition Competition; Premiered by L. Bitensky at Cornell University (9/96)
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