Justine F. Chen Orchestral and Chamber Works 1982-2005

201 W. 72nd Street, #5B   New York, NY  10023

T. 212-875-8025 F. 212-595-1528 E-mail: Justine@chen.net

 

 

 

2005       The Maiden Tower, chamber opera for actress, soprano, tenor, and bass, chamber orchestra, and MAX/MSP computer. Music and Libretto by Justine F. Chen.  Book by Liam O’Rourke, Gabriel Leif Bellman, and Justine F. Chen (ca. 45 min.)

               Commissioned by The Juilliard School.

               Premiere: Semi-staged- Matt Boehler, Abraham; Elizabeth Raetz, I.A.G.A; Jennifer Zetlan, Miranda; Douglas McCormick, Mason; conducted by Ryan McAdams; produced by Juilliard; September 16 2005, Bruno Walter Auditorium, The Juilliard School New York.

               In excerpts at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts at NYU, presented in the New York City Opera VOX: American Composers Showcase, May 6-7, 2006.

               deconstruction, for string trio (ca. 1 min)

               Commissioned by the New York Miniaturist Ensemble

               World Premiere: New York Miniaturist Ensemble. Chez Bushwick, February 28, 2005.

               New York Premiere: Justine F. Chen, violin; Glenda Goodman, viola; Chris Gross, cello; Paul Hall, The Juilliard School; April 11, 2005

 

2004       Inside-Out, for drum set and piano (ca. 7 min.)

               Commissioned by Primary Duo: Aaron Trant and Sara Bob

               World Premiere: Aaron Trant, drum set and Sarah Bob, piano; December 13, 2004, Winchester, MA

               New York Premiere: Daniel Mallon, drum set; Steven Beck, piano; at The Cornelia Street Café January 10, 2005.

                

               scorrevole-ville, for violin, bassoon, cello, and percussion (20 sec.)

               Commissioned by the New York Miniaturist Ensemble

               Premiere: December 17, 2004, Erik Carlson, violin; Corinne Camillo, bassoon; Chris Gross, cello; Michael Caterisano, percussion; Bruno Walter Auditorium, The Juilliard School, New York.

               Also scorrevole-ville.1, for violin, viola, cello, and percussion

               Premiere: April 11, 2005

              

               Addiction Speaks: Welcome Back, Mister Cabico, for high voice and piano trio. Text by Regie Cabico (ca. 10 min.)

               Commissioned by ComposersCollaborative for the Non Sequitur 2004 Festival, August 24-26, 2004 at The Flea Theater

               Premiere: August 24 at The Flea Theater.  Kamala Sankaram, soprano; Marija Ilic, piano, Rubin Kodheli, cello; Justine F. Chen, violin.

 

               Melodramandadaries, for string quartet (ca. 8 min.)

               Commissioned by the New York Choreographic Institute (affiliated with NYCB) and The Juilliard School.  Collaboration with Adam Hougland.

               Premiere: (private viewing) March 12, 2004, the New York City Ballet Studios. Miranda Cuckson, vln; Cyrus Beroukhim, vln; Miranda Sielaff, vla; Tomoko Fujita, vc.

 

2003       Ancient Airs and Dances, for string quartet (ca. 6 minutes)

               Commissioned by the Elements String Quartet for the Snapshots project.

               Premiere: November 18, 2003, Merkin Concert Hall, New York.

 

2002       Six, for string sextet. (ca. 12 min.)

Commissioned by Concertante, a young virtuoso New York based string group.

Premiere: February 1-5, 2003, Maryland, Boston, Pittsburgh, New York

 

         Testing 1-2-3, scored for violin and piano (ca. 8 min)

World Premiere: Justine F. Chen, violin, Eduard Laurel, piano; The Taiwan Center, New York May 24, 2002

Subsequent performances: 5/25/02, Henry Street Settlement, Justine F. Chen, violin, Eduard Laurel, piano

   10/07/02, New York, Paul Hall, “Juilliard Composers Concert”, Justine F. Chen, violin, Eduard Laurel, piano

Radio Premiere: WNYC, with David Garland.  November 12, 2005.

   European Premiere: David Sonton-Caflisch, violin; Jed Distler, piano. Zurich November 19, 2005

 

2001     Trilemma, (animation score) for scored for violin, viola, cello, double bass, and djembe. (ca. 3 min.)

Commissioned by digital artist Ye Won Cho, The School of Visual Arts, NY.

Premiere: Justine F. Chen, violin, Kenji Bunch, viola, Ariel de Wolf, cello, Kathryn Kovanen, double bass, Kenji Bunch, djembe (all pre-recorded); 02/25/02 New York: Paul Hall, The Juilliard School “Juilliard Composers Concert”.

Subsequent performances: 04/03/02: Clark Studio Theater, “Beyond the Machine 1.1,” [a festival organized by the Music Technology Department of The Juilliard School]

Asian Premiere: Hiroshima Animation Festival 2002

South American Premiere: Anima Mundi Festival, Brazil, Sau Paolo Summer 2002

 

Aria Ex Machina, for 5-string electric violin and interactive computer (ca. 8 min.)

   Commissioned by Kenji Bunch, faculty, The Juilliard School.

Premiere: Kenji Bunch, 5-string electric violin, Justine F. Chen, computer; 12/15/01, Paul Hall, The Juilliard School.

Subsequent performances: Kenji Bunch, 5-string electric violin, Justine F. Chen, computer; 02/25/02, “Juilliard Composers Concert” Paul Hall, The Juilliard School.

Kenji Bunch, 5-string electric violin, Justine F. Chen, computer; 04/03/02: Clark Studio Theater, “Beyond the Machine 1.1,” [a festival organized by the Music Technology Department of The Juilliard School].

 

Industrial Landscape Study, No. 1, tape piece, electronics. (ca. 11 min.)

Commissioned by Iyun Harrison, Alvin Ailey Dance Company.

Premiere: May 2002, Interdisciplinery Show organized by Louis Schwadron, Elisabeth Motley, and Justine F. Chen, The Juilliard School, rm. 305.

 

The Special Prisoner (Incidental music), a reading and staged production. Jim Lehrer’s novel adapted and directed by James Glossman. [scored for erhu, percussion and electronics/sound design] (ca. 2 hrs.)

      Commissioned by the Playwright’s Theater of New Jersey.

Premiere: Justine F. Chen (erhu, drums, laptop, sound design); 5/19-20/2001 Madison, NJ (The Playwright’s Theater)

Subsequent performances: Justine F. Chen (erhu, drums, laptop, sound design); 2001-2002 season [Feb 8-24], Madison, NJ (The Playwright’s Theater)

Reviews: “… A distinct asset is the atmospheric original score, performed by composer Justine Chen, who uses a Japanese shamisen and traditional kabuki sound effects.”—Robert L. Daniels, Variety.com, posted 02.20.02

    “Justine F. Chen’s musical motifs and sound effects add the necessary tension and her presence on the stage provides a visual third dimension that suits the stark atmosphere.” – Liz Keill, Independent Press, 02.13.02

    “The production is enhanced by the Japanese music and sound effects composed and played by Justine Chen.  The effect is surreal and effectively evokes Watson’s memories.” – Ruth Ross, drama critic, Out and About, Recorder Community Newspapers, 02.14.02.

    “Justine Chen’s music and sound effects using traditional instruments punctuated with efficient lighting to create really effective theater support flashbacks and a trio of actors playing a myriad of roles.”—Pat Ferro, Entertainment section of Suburban News-East, 02.20.02

    “Justine Chen’s original shamisen score and sound cues, which she plays on stage, help to bridge the gap between the past and the present in this complicated story.”—Debra Scacciaferro, Theater section of the Daily Record, 02.15.02

 

Incidental music to Luigi Januzzi’s Night of the Foolish Moon, directed by James Glossman. [scored for violin solo]

      Commissioned by The Playwright’s Theater of New Jersey.

Premiere: Justine F. Chen (violin); 4/8/01 Madison, NJ (The Playwright’s Theater) Clearing, for large chamber ensemble (ca. 6 min.)  Adam, Madam, Damn, song cycle for tenor, soprano, and piano (ca. 10 min.)   Text, by Gabriel Leaf Bellman, commissioned by composerPremiere: Douglas McCormick (Adam), Shalanda Bond (Eve), Lydia Brown (piano); 10/6/01 Morse Hall, “Informal Gathering of Composers,” a concert of new music organized by Justine F. Chen (The Juilliard School) Subsequent performances: Douglas McCormick (Adam), Shalanda Bond (Eve), Justina Lee (piano); 12/19/01 New York: Steinway Hall “Classical Crossover”

     

Good Ol’ Smoke and Mirrors, for 5-string electric violin and interactive computer (ca. 14 min.)

      Premiere: Justine F. Chen (electric violin); 4/12/01: New York: Bruno Walter Auditorium (The Juilliard School), “Beyond the Machine” the Music Technology Concert organized by the Music Technology Department at The Juilliard School.

 

2000    Stand Nine, for 2 violins, viola, double bass, percussion, and 4 dancers. (ca. 20 min.)

Commissioned by The Juilliard School and An Appalachian Summer Festival for a performance by the Juilliard Dance Division and members of the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble

Premiere: Gil Morgenstern, violin, Justine F. Chen, violin, Carol Cook, viola, Rob Falvo, percussion, Pete Donovan, double bass; Elisa Clark, Tobin Delcuore, Brian Letendre, Hope Miller, dancers; 7/27/00 Boone, NC (Farthing Auditorium, Appalachian State University)

NY Premiere: Gil Morgenstern, violin, Justine F. Chen, violin, Carol Cook, viola, Rob Falvo, percussion, Dave Phillips, double bass; Elisa Clark, Tobin Delcuore, Brian Letendre, Hope Miller, dancers; 12/19/00 New York, NY (The Juilliard Theater, The Juilliard School)

            One, Two, Three, for midi violin and interactive computer  (ca. 7 min.)

               Premiere:  Justine Chen (violin/computer); 1/31/00 New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

               Subsequent performances: Justine Chen (violin/computer); 4/3/00 New York, NY: at a Presentation for the Ovation Society (Morse Hall, The Juilliard School)

                        Justine Chen (violin/computer); 4/5/00 New York, NY at the annual Music Technology Concert (Bruno Walter Auditorium, The Juilliard School)

 

1999    In the Company of Men, for full orchestra [2/2/2/2 4/3/3/1 Piano, harp, timpani, percussion (2), and strings] (ca. 18 min.)

               Commissioned by The Juilliard Dance Division for the 2000 Spring Dance Concerts.

               Premiere:  The Juilliard Orchestra; 2/17/00, [2/18, 2/19, 2/20] New York, NY (The Juilliard Theater)

Reviews: “Justine Fang Chen, a Juilliard student composer, blended popular dance rhythms into the kind of propulsive, emotionally resonant score that choreographers tend to dream of.” – Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times, 2.23.00.

            Duel, for strings, piano, guitar, and whistler.  Film score to Jennifer Fieber’s The Upper Hand (1998).  (ca. 3:40)

               Premiere: recorded performance 4/5/00 New York, NY at the annual Music Technology Concert (The Juilliard School)

               Subsequent performances: 4/3/00 New York, NY at a Presentation for the Ovation Society (The Juilliard School)

            The Stolen Breath of Angels, for woodwind quintet. (ca. 10 min.)

               Premiere:  The Ariel Woodwind Quintet, 4/8/00 New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

            Circean Circles, for chamber ensemble. (ca. 15 min.)

               Commissioned by Joel Sachs and the New Juilliard Ensemble.

               Premiere: New Juilliard Ensemble: 2/26/99 New York, NY (Alice Tully Hall)

 

1998    In the Company of Men, for piano quintet and percussion (1).  (ca. 18 min.)

            Commission/collaboration with Iyun Harrison (BFA ‘99), Choreographer, The Juilliard School Dance Department.  Written for the Senior Dance Production , “Taking Off” 4/1999.

               Premiere: Justine Chen, Aaron Boyd, Kelly Dylla, Clancy Newman (string quartet), David Shimoni (piano), and Haruka Fujii  (percussion); [recording: David Eggar (producer). 11/4/98,  The Juilliard School Recording Department]; 4/15/99 in New York, NY (the Clark Studio Theater)

               Subsequent performances:  Justine Chen, Aaron Boyd, Kelly Dylla, Clancy Newman (string quartet), David Shimoni (piano), and Haruka Fujii  (percussion);  [recording]; 4/16-18/99 in New York, NY (the Clark Studio Theater)

                        Justine Chen, Aaron Boyd, Kelly Dylla, Clancy Newman (string quartet), David Shimoni (piano), and Haruka Fujii  (percussion);  [recording] 5/15/99, in New York, NY (The Juilliard Theater)

                  [Orchestral version, 1999]

                        The Juilliard Orchestra, 2/00, programmed in The Juilliard School’s annual Spring Dance Concert

            Transient Dances, for string quartet.  (ca. 6 min.)

                  Collaboration with Jason Reed (BFA 2000), Choreographer.

               Premiere:  Dance: Circadian Rituals;  Aaron Boyd, Amy Kauffman, Anthony Devroye, and Clancy Newman;  1/20/99,  New York, NY (Alice Tully Hall). 

                  Music: Cornelius Dufallo, Amy Kauffman, Kenji Bunch, Alberto Parrini (string quartet); 4/5/99, New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School).

            Awakening, for high soprano and piano. (ca. 25 min.)

               Collaboration with Michael Winn, Playwright/Poet and Kenneithia Redden-Mitchell, Soprano.

            Reflections, for violin and piano. (ca. 6 min.)

               Premiere:  Justine Chen (violin), Benjamin Loeb (piano);  2/9/98,  New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

               Subsequent performances: Justine Chen  (violin), Michael Tan (piano);  2/16/98,  New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

 

1997    Perpetual Flux, for string quartet (ca. 6:30)

               Collaboration with Katarzyna Skarpatowska (BFA ‘99), Choreographer.

               Premiere:  The Flux Quartet [Tom Chiu, Cornelius Dufallo, Kenji Bunch, David Eggar];  1/21/98,  New York, NY (Alice Tully Hall)

               Taiwan Premiere: April, 2001.

               Subsequent performances:  The Flux Quartet [Tom Chiu, Cornelius Dufallo, Kenji Bunch, David Eggar] recording;  The Juilliard Theater  5/16/98

                        The Flux Quartet [Tom Chiu, Cornelius Dufallo, Kenji Bunch, David Eggar] recording; June 1998, on a Juilliard Dance Division Summer tour of New York City Public Schools.

                        The Flux Quartet [Tom Chiu, Cornelius Dufallo, Kenji Bunch, Darrett Adkins] 2/18/98 in New York, NY (CAMI Hall).

            lovesongs, for soprano and piano [texts by Paz, Graves, and Dryden] (ca. 7 min.)

            Premiere:  Shelly Watson (soprano), Stephen Gosling (piano);  9/13/97, New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

               Subsequent performances:  Shelly Watson (soprano), Stephen Gosling (piano); 11/14/96,  New York, NY (The Landon Gallery).

                        Lauren Skuce (Soprano) and David Shimoni (piano); 12/17/98. New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

            Sexton Songs, for soprano and piano [texts by Sexton] (ca. 9 min.)

               Premiere:  Shelly Watson (soprano), Michael Tan (piano); 10/20/96,  The (Clark Studio Theater).

               Subsequent performances: Shelly Watson (soprano), Stephen Gosling (piano); 11/14/96,  New York, NY (The Landon Gallery).

                        Shelly Watson (soprano), Stephen Gosling (piano); 5/8/98, New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

            Six Who Strayed from the S.S. Carnival, for double bass, piano, and optional narrator [Texts by Ogden Nash] (ca. 10 min.)

               Commissioned by Bret Simner (double bass)

               Premiere:  Bret Simner (double bass/narrator), Grace Kwon (piano/narrator);  5/10/97,  New York, NY (Morse Hall, The Juilliard School)

            More Strangers on a Train, for full orchestra (based on Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Strangers on a Train) (ca. 12 min.)

            (piano movement), for piano

            Premiere:  Claudia Rüegg (piano); 11/5/99, New York, NY (Here)

 

1996    Touch, for soprano and piano (later incorporated into lovesongs)

            Her Kind, for soprano and piano (later incorporated into Sexton Songs)

            Macbeth (Incidental music), for violin and viola (ca. 1 hour)

               Commissioned by the Luna Stage Company for a production directed by James Glossman.

               Premiere:  Carol Bartholomew (violin) and Sally Fillmore (viola) 10/31/96, Montclair, New Jersey. (Luna Stage Company)

               Subsequent performances: Carol Bartholomew (violin) and Sally Fillmore (viola); 11/1-24/96 in Montclair, New Jersey. (Luna Stage Company)

            Strunk and White, for violin and viola (ca. 5 min.)

            Premiere: May 1997, in a festival of new music in Taiwan at the National Concert Hall.

 

1995    Sonata for Unaccompanied Violin, for solo violin (ca. 12 min.)

               Premiere: Tobias Ringborg (violin); 4/11/96, New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

               Subsequent performances: Cornelius Dufallo (violin); 5/7/97, New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

                        Cornelius Dufallo (violin); 12/98, Brooklyn, NY (Galapagos)

            The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail (incidental music), for multiple violins and piano (ca. 20 min.)

               Commissioned by the Farbrook School in New Jersey for a production by James Glossman, September 1995

 

 

1994     Tarantella, for chamber orchestra (ca. 9 min.)

 

 

1992    Quartet No. 4 “The Ballad”, for string quartet (ca. 12:30)

               Selected by competitive process for a performance in the National Concert Hall in Taiwan.

            Premiere: Ming Shan Quartet, 2/93, Taipei, Taiwan (National Concert Hall)

            Second Wedding Present, for violin and violoncello (ca. 6 min.)

            Premiere: Andrea Oey (violin) and Mary Oey (Cello), 6/92 New York, NY.

            Medley, for solo violin

            A Short Piece for Solo Violin, for solo violin

            A Short Piece for Two Violins, for two violins

            Music for H.T., for solo violin

            Commissioned by H.T. Chen for a performance at the Fourteenth Anniversary of Chen and Dancers.

            Premiere:  Justine Chen (violin); 3/27/92, New York, NY

            Young Persons’ Day” Present, for solo violin

 

1991    Christmas Present, for violin and piano

            In G Major, for string quartet

               Premiere:  Justine Chen (violin), Eugene Park (violin), Kelly Tseng (viola), Grace Lin (Cello); 4/11/92 New York, NY (Paul Hall,The Juilliard School).

            Three Skits, for full orchestra

               Selected by competitive process for a performance by the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra Graduation concert.

               Won Honorable Mention at the Westminster Choir College High School Composition Competition, 1992.

               Premiere:  The Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra, at the Graduation Concert; 5/24/92, New York, NY (The Juilliard Theater)

            Wedding Present, for solo violin

            Trio, for violin, flute, and marimba

            The Crucible (incidental music), for flute and string trio

               Written for the Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights, NY for a production directed by James Glossman, Spring 1991.

               Premiere:  Justine Chen (violin), Sarah Anderson (violin), Emily Sinclair (Cello), and Meghan O’Rourke (flute) 5/7/91 Brooklyn Heights, New York (The Saint Ann’s Theater)

               Subsequent performances: Justine Chen (violin), Sarah Anderson (violin), Emily Sinclair (Cello), and Meghan O’Rourke (flute) 5/8-10/91 Brooklyn Heights, New York (The Saint Ann’s Theater)

 

1990    A Short Piece, for violin and piano

            Aurora Borealis, for full orchestra

 

1989    The Bridge Game, for string quartet

            Monologue, for solo violin (ca. 6 min.)

            Premiere: Justine Chen (violin); 7/28/89 in Princeton, NJ (Westminster Choir College)

 

1988    A Day at the Circus, for string quartet (ca. 9 min.)

               Won First Prize of the First International Competition for Young Composers sponsored by Interlochen Arts Academy, 1989.

               Won Second Prize of the Westminster Choir College High School Composition Competition, 1989.

               Premiere:  Amy Mattson (violin), Kirstin Greenlaw (violin), Roy Rasera (viola), Alicja Dutkiewicz (cello); 4/21/89 in Interlochen, Michigan (Dendrinos Chapel Recital Hall, Interlochen Arts Academy Center)

               Subsequent performances:  Justine Chen (violin), Lyris Hung (violin), Peter Kim (viola), Catherine Stephan (cello)  Spring 1989 in New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

                        Justine Chen (violin), Lyris Hung (violin), Peter Kim (viola), Catherine Stephan (cello) for the Tenth Anniversary concert of the Aaron Copland Composition Competition for Young Composers; 11/5/89 in Rye, NY (The Wainwright House)

                        Justine Chen (violin), Lyris Hung (violin), Peter Kim (viola), Catherine Stephan (cello) for the Si-Yo Music Society’s Fundraising Party; 1/90 in New York, NY

            Butterfly’s Air, for solo violin

               Premiere: Justine Chen (violin)  Spring 1989 in New York, NY (The Juilliard School)

            Haiku, for orchestra

 

1987    An Afternoon in Mexico, for violin and piano

               Premiere: Justine Chen (violin)  Spring 1988 in New York, NY (The Juilliard School)

            Calliope,  for solo violin and orchestra

            Won an ASCAP Grant to Young Composers, 1987.

 

1986     Pink Pierrot, for piano trio

               Won First Prize in the New York Federation of Music Clubs’ Composition Competition, 1986.

               Premiere:  Justine Chen (violin), Noah Hoffeld (cello), Wendy Chen (piano), February 1987, in New York, NY (The Juilliard School)

               Subsequent performances: the Brooklyn Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble; 3/28/87, in Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Academy of Music)

            Fireflies at Night, for solo violin

               Premiere: Justine Chen (violin), April 1987, in New York, NY (The Juilliard School)

            Mid-Winter Blues, for violin and piano

               Premiere:  Justine Chen (violin) and Wendy Chen (piano), January 1987, in New York, NY (The Juilliard School)

 

1985    Aubade de l’Ocean, for orchestra

            Won an ASCAP Grant to Young Composers, 1986.

            Fatigueness Strikes the Fools, for violin and piano

               Premiere: Justine Chen (violin) and Wendy Chen (piano) 5/85 in New York, NY (Paul Hall, The Juilliard School)

 

1984    Postcard Collection, suite for multiple violins and piano

               Won Honorable Mention from the BMI Awards to Student Composers, 1984.

               Won First Prize of the National Federation of Music Clubs’ Composition Competition, 1985.

               Won First Prize of the New York Federation of Music Clubs’ Composition Competition, 1985.

            River in Winter, for solo violin

               Won the Junior IMPS Competition of the National Federation of Music Clubs, 1986.

               Premiere:  Justine Chen (violin), January 1984 Cable TV in SUNY, Purchase.

               Other performances: Justine Chen (violin), January 1984 Concert Hall at SUNY, Purchase.

 

1983     Two-Teeth Prelude, for violin and piano

               Won the Fourth International Aaron Copland Composition Competition

               Premiere:  Justine Chen (violin) and Andrew Thomas (piano); 4/84 New York, NY (The Juilliard School)

 

1982          The Slowest Wagon in the West, for solo piano