updated 7/7/08
GARRY EISTER- Works
All rights reserved. All works © Garry Eister. Please enjoy the music here,
and, if you want your friends to hear it, by all means send them here for a visit.
Any unauthorized commercial dissemination of these works is against the law.
Works index by genre:
Opera......
Orchestral......
Chamber
Glass......
Songs......
Choral......
Guitar
Voice & Electronics......
Other
OPERA and MUSIC THEATER
- THE GLASS ARMONICA
an Opera in Two Acts
--for two Soprani, Tenor, Baritone, and actor
--string quartet, piano, glass instrument (verrophone, armonica, table glasses; electronic samples may be substituted for a real glass instrument.)
--commissioned and premiered by the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, 8/1/97; Revised 2008 for the Sinfonia di Vetro.
John Duykers as Franklin; Hector Vasquez as Mesmer
--more info at The Glass Armonica (opera page)
MESMER, FRANKLIN, CONSTANZE: Argument Trio (excerpt from the full orchestra version.) mp3 (3mb)
ORCHESTRAL: Constanze's Waltz mp3 (1.2mb)
- LIKE WRITING ON WATER
a one-act monodrama for mezzo soprano
-- accompanied by cello and piano
--composed for Jacalyn Kreitzer
--premiered by the Kreitzer, Davies, Nagano Trio
--at the Weill Recital Hall
--Carnegie Hall, NY; 4/14/01
Nancy Nagano, GE, Jacalyn Kreitzer, Susan Davies
- MOBY DICK
an Opera in Two Acts
--principal singing roles for two tenors, baritone, and bass; four actors, two of the acting roles require minimal singing; chorus; horn, 2 trpts., piano, synthesizer, 2 perc. and double bass
--commissioned and premiered by The Cuesta Master Chorale, Thomas Davies, conductor, 1995
--Principal singers included Hector Vasquez as AHAB, Coke Morgan as ISHMAEL, Paul Linnes as FATHER MAPPLE and Paul Hondorp as STARBUCK
Neal Lavine as Fedallah; Hector Vasquez as Ahab
AHAB: We Are Boldly Launched mp3 (3.1mb)
- THE FATHER OF LIES
a piece of Music Theater in Two Acts
--for Soprano, seven (or so) dancing Devilettes, Actor and Videosculpture
--part 1, THE FATHER OF LIES, was commissioned and premiered by The Coastal Access Musicians Alliance, Andrew Harp and Jennifer Sayers, co-directors, 1994
--Kathy Barata- an angel; Garry Eister- the Devil
--videosculpture by Mark Bryan
--part 2, THE LANDSCAPE OF HELL, was first performed with part 1 at Cuesta College Interact Theater, Anet Carlin, producer; Richard Jackson, designer; Kate Mc Hugh, choreograper
Kate Mc Hugh rehearsing The Landscape of Hell
order THE FATHER OF LIES CD by credit card or PayPal here:
US ORDERS ONLY, PLEASE.
--more info at IKONS from the Temple of the Hee Hee
back to Works index by genre
ORCHESTRAL
- REGARDING EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066
Words and Music
about the internment
of 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry,
many of them American citizens,
by the United States Government during WWII,
for Mezzo Soprano, Narrator and Orchestra.
--premiered 6/18/05 by the San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony
--at the San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center
--conducted by Kent Nagano
--Jackie Kreitzer, mezzo soprano
--Andy Harp, narrator
Kent Nagano and GE backstage before the premier.
I. Introduction
II. Smoke Rises
III. I Saw a Home Movie
IV. What We Could Not Carry
V.i What Do You Do When Your World is Taken Away
V.ii What Do Children Do in Jail?
VI. Beautiful Dreamer
VII. Lullaby from the Chugoku Region mp3 (2.4 mb)
VII. Afterword
- AGAIN, LAST NIGHT, I DREAMT OF THE OCEAN
for Strings and Amplified Whistler
--premiered by the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Edwin London, conductor, 1984
Edwin London
back to Works index by genre
CHAMBER MUSIC
- MUSIC FOR STEEL DRUMS AND RESONATOR GUITAR
-premiered by GE and Patty Dee
-8/31/07
GE and Patty Dee
- THREE MINIATURES FOR PAN AND CHARANGO
-premiered by GE and Patty Dee
-8/31/07
- SONATINA
-for Flute and Electronic Soundtrack
--premiered by flautist, Fred Lau, 1992
Fred Lau
Sonatina for Flute (complete) mp3 (4.3 mb)
- SONATINA
for Marimba, Electronic Reverb, and Soundtrack
--premiered by percussionist, Doug Ovens, 1995
Doug Ovens
- AVILA
--for guitar, harp, percussion and electronics
-- for John Schneider and Just Strings
--premiered at Microfest 2000, LA
Just Strings
- AFTERNOON MUSIC
for cello and piano
-- for Nancy Nagano and Kiyomi Kato
--performed by them in LA, Kyoto, Japan and Atherton, CA
--Summer and Fall, '01.
Kyomi Kato and Nancy Nagano
Afternoon Music (excerpt) mp3 (3.6 mb)
- THREE OBJECTS AND AN ANIMATION
-for Piano Solo
-1978
-for pianist Arlene Dunlap
Joann Christiansen, GE, Daniel Lentz, Arlene Dunlap
Berlin, 1978
back to Works index by genre
MUSIC FOR GLASS INSTRUMENTS
- QUINTET FOR GLASS AND STRINGS
for Glass Armonica and String Quartet
-- for Dennis James
--commissioned by the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival
--first performance- Summer of '98 at the SLO Moz. Fest.
--recorded in Fall of '99 by Dennis James and the Emerson String Quartet for Sony Classical
Dennis James; Emerson String Quartet Session
seated in front: David Finckel, cello; Dennis James, glass armonica
standing Garry Eister; Lawrence Dutton, viola;
Eugene Drucker, violin; John Boylan, co-producer; Philip Setzer, violin
You can visit the Emerson String Quartet at The Emerson String Quartet
for sound samples of the quintet for Glass and Strings
visit Cristal at Amazon.com
- VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY BEETHOVEN
-- for glass armonica solo
-- for Dennis James
-- first performed at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
-- 3/7/99
- PAVANE- Chamber version of Gabriel Faure's PAVANE
--arranged by GE
--for Soprano, Baschet Cristal, Female Chamber Chorus
-- fl., ob., cl. in A, 2 vln., vla., vlc., CB
--for the Dennis James/Linda Ronstadt Glass Album
--recorded at Capitol Records Studio A on 1/27/00
- FOR SERAPHIM ALONE
--for solo glass instrument (verrophone, armonica, glass harp, seraphim or table glasses)
--completed 2000
- DER LEIERMANN/WHAT THE LEIERMANN PLAYED
--an arrangement of Franz Schubert's "Der Leiermann" paired with
--GE's fantasia on what the Leiermann might have played
--for glass (verrophone, armonica, glass harp, seraphim or table glasses)
--and steel-string guitar, preferably a resonator.
--composed for Philipp Marguerre, 6/1/08
Philipp Marguerre- verrophone
Der Leiermann/What the Leiermann Played (complete) mp3 (5.3 mb)
back to Works index by genre
GUITAR MUSIC
- EN LA TARDE
for solo guitar
--for Pat Lander
--completed 11/22/03
--premiered 3/14/05 by Jesus Saiz Huedo
-- at El Centro Asturiano de Madrid
Jesus Saiz Huedo
To purchase "En la tarde" sheet music, U.S. customers can easily do so using a credit card or a PayPal account. In either case, click on the "PayPal Add To Cart" button below.
price: $6.00 (I will ship via USPS; no extra charge for shipping and handling); CA customers add 7.25% tax.
In all other parts of the world, please order "En la tarde" from
Printed Music on Demand
- IN DECEMBER, WE WAIT, DISTRACTED, ANXIOUS FOR THE SUN, FOR LIGHT AND LONGER DAYS
for solo resonator guitar
--for Larry Delinger
--completed, January, '04
- FANTASIA ON A TRADITIONAL PERSIAN SONG (Morgh-eh-Sahar: Bird of Dawn)
for solo guitar
--for Lily Afshar
-- completed 7/18/04
--premiered by Ms. Afshar on 3/18/05
--at Wigmore Hall, London
Click here to visit Lily Afshar's website.
On 7/25/06, Lily was interviewed on NPR's
All Things Considered.
Click here to hear Lily's interview
and to hear her recording of GE's "Fantasia."
On 5/17/05, Lily played GE's "Fantasia" on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center.
Click here to see and hear Lily's performance. (GE's "Fantasia" starts at about the 34 minute mark. )
To Purchase sheet music for the Fantasia, use your credit card or your PayPal account.
The price is $17 plus shipping and handling. California residents need also pay state sales tax.
(I will also accept money orders or personal checks, although this will slow down the delivery process. To arrange to pay by personal check, or for orders outside the US, e-mail me at geister@fix.net.)
FOR US ORDERS OF "FANTASIA" SHEET MUSIC ONLY, PLEASE:
- ARIRANG AND SANJO
I. Arirang and Refrain
II. Small Sanjo in Songform
III. Arirang Dance
for solo resonator guitar, re-fretted to play in just intonation
--for John Schneider
--completed 8/6/04
--first movement, Arirang and Refrain,
--premiered by John Schneider on 9/24/05
--at La Guitarra California, classical guitar festival
--in San Luis Obispo, CA
--Movements II. and III. premiered by GE
--at the Steynberg Gallery; 8/31/07
John Schneider
- I'LL NEVER PLAY LIKE MUNIR BASHIR
for solo mariachi-style vihuela
--completed 10/27/04
--premiered by GE
--7/15/06
--Steynberg Gallery; San Luis Obispo, CA
- DOS CANCIONES SIN PALABRAS
for solo guitar
--for Fidel and Laura Bravo
--completed 11/22/04
--premiered 3/14/05 by Jesus Saiz Huedo
-- at El Centro Asturiano de Madrid
To purchase "Dos canciones sin palabras" sheet music, U.S. customers can easily do so using a credit card or a PayPal account. In either case, click on the "PayPal Add To Cart" button below.
price: $6.00 (I will ship via USPS; no extra charge for shipping and handling); CA customers add 7.25% tax.
In all other parts of the world, please order "Dos canciones sin palabras" from
Printed Music on Demand
- MORNING MUSIC
for solo requinto
--completed 4/16/05
--premiered by James Edwards on 9/23/05
--at La Guitarra California, classical guitar festival
--in San Luis Obispo, CA
- FROM A SMALL ROOM, IN FADING SUNLIGHT
for solo requinto
--completed May, '05
--premiered by GE
--7/15/06
--Steynberg Gallery; San Luis Obispo, CA
Guitarerro, Fidel Bravo and GE, holding the requinto
that Bravo made for him.
For fine handmade guitars,
call luthier Fidel Bravo at (805) 474-1638
- CHASING LIGHT
for classical guitar quartet
--from The California Dreambook
--composed for and premiered by the San Francisco Guitar Quartet
--5/27/07 at the Old First Church, SF, CA
The San Francisco Guitar Quartet
- CORBETTA NON
I. Whose Brighter Sun
II. Penser de Jean baptiSte
III. Galloping from Versailles
for Baroque Guitar and Literary Accretions
--three scenes, not from the life of Francesco Corbetta
--nor having much of anything to do with his music
--completed 12/10/05
--first movement, Whose Brighter Sun
--premiered by James Edwards on 9/23/05
--at La Guitarra California, classical guitar festival
--in San Luis Obispo, CA
James Edwards
- EL TIGRE
--for solo guitar
--for Peter Yates
--premiered by Mr. Yates
--2/16/07 at Cal Poly Pomona
Peter Yates
- TOCCATA
--for solo electric guitar
--premiered 6/24/07
--Union Church of Cupertino
--at A Musical Tribute to Roger Letson
note: "Roger's influence on my choice to write music is inestimable.
His early guidance, encouragement and support set me on the road
to my career. TOCCATA is a small token of appreciation for Roger's
great gifts to me, when I was young." GE
Roger Letson and GE at Roger's retirement party 6/24/07
back to Works index by genre
SONGS
- FOLK PEOPLE
--four songs for male voice and resonator guitar in just intonation
1. The Lark in the Morning (arranged)
2. The Railroad Man
3. The Hearty Bounty
4. The Prisoner
--premiered by GE on 1/19/08
--at the Steynberg Gallery, San Luis Obispo
back to Works index by genre
CHORAL
- OMNES POPULI
Cantata for Soloists (SATB) Chorus, Female Chorus, Orchestra (minus winds)
--commissioned and premiered by The Cuesta Master Chorale, Tom Davies, conductor, 1996
--soloists: Mary Rawcliffe, soprano; Susan Davies, alto; Jonathon Mack, tenor; Kenneth Knight, bass
The Cuesta Master Chorale rehearses Omnes Populi
-Thomas Davies, conducts; soloist Susan Azaret Davies stands and sings-
-seated (to the right of Susan) soloists Jonathon Mack and Kenneth Knight-
I. Omnes Populi- Processional mp3 (3.1 mb)
II. Cantate Domino
III. I Hear Singing
IV. Aria and Hymn
- MISSA BREVIS
Mass for unaccompanied chorus
--composed for the PolyPhonics of California State Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo, Tom Davies, conductor, for their Spring Tour, 1998.
Tom Davies rehearses The PolyPhonics
Missa Brevis (complete)
Kyrie mp3 (2.8 mb)
Gloria mp3 (4.1 mb)
Sanctus mp3 (2.6 mb)
Agnus Dei mp3 (4.3 mb)
back to Works index by genre
MUSIC FOR VOICES and ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS
- MESA/PACIFIC
for Soprano, Alto, Bass, Percussion, Electric Piano and Electronics
--commissioned by Kit Tremaine and performed by Daniel Lentz's ensemble, European Tour, 1976
- THE SHORT MAN
a Cycle of Songs for Tenor and Magnetic Tape
--performed by Garry Eister at the Electric Mountain Music Festival in Riverton, WY, Linnea's Coffee Shop in San Luis Obispo, CA and broadcast on KCBX-SLO, KPFK-LA, KPFA-Berkeley
- THREE SACRED SONGS
a studio song for Baritone and electronic instruments
--first recorded by Hector Vasquez for"The Pictures In My Head Radio Theater"
I. Quem Ad Modum mp3 (3 mb)
II. From Above, He has Sent a Fire
III. My Heart and my Flesh Waste Away
- LULLABY
a studio song for Soprano and electronic instruments
--first recorded by Kathy Barata for "The Pictures In My Head Radio Theater"
- ...AND UPON HER HEAD A CROWN OF TWELVE STARS
four studio songs for Soprano and electronic instruments
-- recorded by Kathy Barata
I. Ave
II. Vidi Civitatem (excerpt) mp3
(2.9 mb)
III. Stabat Sancta Maria
IV. Signum Magnum
back to Works index by genre
DRAMATIC WORKS
(non-musical)
- THE GOD GUY SPEAKS
a Dramatic Monologue
--performed by Bruce Jones in the secured waiting area of the San Luis Obispo County Airport
--performed by Robert Moore at the now defunct Theater of Many Windows in Seattle
--performed by Charles Legget at the Willows Theater, Concord, CA and the Lincoln Theater in Stockton, CA
--performed by Garry Eister at the Art Works Gallery in Los Osos, CA and Linnea's Cafe in San Luis Obispo, CA and on The Pictures In My Head Radio Theater
- SANTA OVER AUSCHWITZ
a Dramatic Monologue
-- performed by Robert Moore at the Seattle Public Theater
--performed by Garry Eister on The Pictures In My Head Radio Theater
- THE INSOMNIAC
Radio Theater
--performed by Garry Eister and Mary Lockwood on The Pictures In My Head Radio Theater
- The INSOMNIAC II; Love Song, Baby
-- a "live" performance piece for videosculpture, and pre-recorded tapes based on the radio theater character, "The Insomniac."
- THE SCREAMING BUNNY
a Performance Piece for Actor and Videosculpture
--part one performed by Garry Eister at Linnea's Cafe in San Luis Obispo, CA, Ed Claudio's Actor's Workshop in Sacramento, CA, and August Editions Gallery in
SLO, CA.- Halloween, '99; part 2 premiered on Halloween, '00, part 3 premiered on June 23rd, '01 at the now defunct August Editions Gallery in SLO.
-- see IKONS from the Temple of the Hee Hee
- ANONYMOUS X
Radio Theater
--with Garry Eister, Mary Lockwood, Laurie Foster, Mark Bryan, Sarah Weill, Myra Eister, Dave Cunnigham, Nancy Lockwood, Greg Barata, Bernie Doerman and Larry Delinger on The Pictures In My Head Radio Theater
POETIC
- text for SLOW MOTION MIRROR
music by Daniel Lentz
-- recorded by The Daniel Lentz Group on AFTER IMAGES, Cold Blue Records
--re-released on CD as b.e.comings, Rhizome Sketch, RFZ 1008
- text for VOX IN RAMA
for Double Chorus and Chamber Orchestra.
--Music by Donald Crockett. Serenissima Music. Freehold, New Jersey. 1983.
--Premier performance by the Pasadena Chamber Orchestra and Singers. Robert Duerr, Conductor. 10/23/83.
INCIDENTAL MUSIC
for theatrical productions of:
- Waiting for Godot
--for the Drama Department of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- My Children, My Africa
- Double Act
- The Glass Managerie
- The Eye of the Beholder
- The Habitual Acceptance of the Near Enough
--for The Central Coast Repertory Theater
- The Good Woman of Setzuan and The Voice of the Prairie
--for the Drama Department of Cuesta College
- The Merchant of Venice
--for the Northwest Shakespeare Ensemble (Seattle)
back to Works index by genre
Back to the SITE INDEX
-or-
| recordings |
| Eister Sheet Music Store |
| upcoming performances |
| works (no pics, no mp3s) |
| hee hee |
| press |
| radio theater |
| glass armonica (opera) |
| bio |
send e-mail to geister@fix.net