Enchanting Soundtrack to a Short Film “The Garden”

I recently completed a demo soundtrack to “The Garden” (2009) – a short film by Jason Stefaniak. Enclosed is only a short fragment of the film. My goal in writing for this scene was to create a sense of wonder and enchantment the little girl experiences in exploring the garden, having left the the noise [...]

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The Bubble Tree – Winner of the Skirball Film Scoring Competition

My score to The Bubble Tree, an animation by Ran Jing recently won the Skirball Film Scoring Competition and was premiered by the NYU Symphony Orchestra in a live concert synchronized to film on March 7, 2011 in New York. This black and white film, deceptively simple, was a challenge to score. With its shifting [...]

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New Soundtrack to a Scene from Ivan’s Childhood

Here is a scene from Ivan’s Childhood (1962) by Andrei Tarkovsky I scored recently. I recorded the soundtrack at the new Dolan Studio at New York University. Ivan’s Childhood is a Russian film depicting a story of an orphaned boy in the context of the horrifying realities of war. In this scene Ivan falls asleep [...]

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Christmas Archangel

Small talk potluck smiles Clench my jaws tight Just like stage fright An hour of social delight In a less-traveled corner My weathered friend I finally gird myself With long laces Of furry boots Where are you going? You ask with sorrow A three-year-old Wingless Christmas archangel With unclouded eyes I’m going home Is all [...]

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Seven Colors of Love

Love is green Like freshly-cut grass Raw earthy and sour The stiff sharp blades Pierce your bare feet Without apology Love is blue Like mother’s blouse Soft ruffles brush Against your bruised face Her bony hands comb Through sweaty tangled hair Love is red Like blood of the martyrs Unbent until the end Beyond yourself [...]

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Two Moods – New Music for Clarinet and Piano

1. Haunted 2. Wind Chimes (Samples from a live performance by Jeffrey St. John Sherwood, clarinet and Melony Maness, piano, March 29, 2009.) I am happy to unveil Two Moods – my latest composition for clarinet and piano, written for clarinetist Jeffrey St John Sherwood. Jeffrey and I discussed collaboration on a piece as early [...]

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Twenty Years of Dust

Twenty years of dust Mama never was big on Perfect moments Daddy heard No swelling soundtracks When he looked at her Only raw and earthy Belonging When she held his face He was home Twenty years of dust And a bunch of pesky words Even when they fought He was happy She was there to [...]

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Daddy’s Gal

Don’t you worry child You will never starve Your bubble gum smile Will break daddy’s heart You can order him around He will get you the red car Cause you’re Daddy’s little gal Don’t you worry babe Daddy will be there To keep you warm and safe All your debts will be paid You just [...]

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If My Brother Were In Town

If my brother were in town We would waste no time Discussing the weather I would parade him on the waterfront And with a paralyzing gaze I would let the young girls know They would need my consent If it rained He would open up a parachute And his strong tall arm would guide me [...]

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Colargol – Music Influences, Polar Bears, and First Loves

It would be very sophisticated and high-brow to list Scriabin or Schoenberg as my musical influences. Brahms might be classy, and Bach perhaps too predictable. But in all truth and honesty I must admit (and I only realized it this week) that it is, in fact, Colargol. My mother sent me a birthday card picturing [...]

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