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Orchestra
(Study scores available from the composer)
Reviews appear at the end of the page, or by clicking here.
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ELENI: A GREEK TRAGEDY, Op. 36 (1986) Full Orch(15') [3333 4331 Timp, Perc, Guit, Alto,
Str]. A tone poem, based on Nicholas Gage's moving book Eleni; combining Greek folk themes and contemporary writing.
Performed by 13 orchestras, including Harrisburg, Ft. Worth, St. Joseph, Camellia and Ventura County Symphonies.
THEODORE PRESSER, on rental. Program
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NIGHT SKIES, Op. 46 (1992) Full Orch. (25'). [4333 6440 Hp Timp Perc Str] Tone poem; premiered January 1994
Harrisbutrg Symphony, L Newland, Music Dir.; Hoover conducting Excellent review; orchestra and
audience enthusiastic. PAPAGENA PRESS, on rental. Program
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TWO SKETCHES, Op. 42 (1989) Med. Orch. (12'). [2223(2) 2210 Pno, Hp, Cel,
Timp, Perc, Str]. Two varied movements: "Winter Sands", a sea study, & "Turnabout", a swiftly moving
musical palindrome. Comm. by the Womens Philharmonic, prem. 4/20/90 under Joann
Falletta. THEODORE PRESSER, on rental. Program
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STITCH-TE NAKU, Op. 47 (1994) (18') VC & Sm. Orch.; Prem. Sharon Robinson
& Rohnert Park Orch. CA, N. Washburn, Cond., November 1996. [Solo VC, 2222, 4210,
Pn+cel, Tp, 2 Perc, Str] VC Concerto based on Pueblo tale of Grandmother Spider who wove the world.
PAPAGENA PRESS, parts on rental. Program
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BOUNCE, Op. 52 (1996) Full Orch; Prem. by New Philharmonic of NJ, K.
Pinoci, Cond., May 1997 8' Program
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CLARINET CONCERTO Op. 38 (1987) (22') [2212 1 Sax, 2330, 2 Perc, Str] Three movements, with a debt to big bands
and jazz. Written for & premiered by Eddie Daniels with the Santa Fe Symphony 9/87
THEODORE PRESSER, engraved with piano red.; parts on rental. Program
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MEDIEVAL SUITE, Op. 18a (1984) Fl. & Sm. Orch) (18') [Solo Fl, 1121, 2020, Hp, Timp, Perc
Str]. Orchestration of popular Fl/Pno work; 5 movements; dramatic and virtuosic. Prem. by C.
Smith with Reno Phil., Nov. 1989. THEODORE PRESSER, engraved with piano; orch. parts on rental.
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DOUBLE CONCERTO, Op. 40 (1989) (14') [2 Solo Vn, Str] Light work, for soloists to
enjoy. Numerous performances. Comm. &
Prem. by SE Kansas Orch., C. Martin, Cond.; Sept. 1989. PAPAGENA PRESS, engraved with pno red; parts for sale. Program
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SUMMER NIGHT, Op. 34 (1985) (8') [Fl, Hn, Str] 1 movement, combining a slow and
fast dance. Many performances. Recorded Leonarda CD 327. THEODORE PRESSER, engraved with
piano red.; parts on rental. Program
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| PSALM 23, Op. 21a (1981) SATB Chorus & Sm. Orch.; Comm. by
Episcopal Diocese of NY; Prem. at Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Oct. 1981
4' Program note |
Reviews...
NIGHT SKIES
"Inspired by the painting "Landscape with Stars" by Henri Edmond
Cross, Hoover's piece opens with a vibrant smattering of distinctive sounds against a deep, slow and moody background. An array of intriguing
percussion sounds and shining brass blends into the compositions's mystery-laden second section, heralded by the evocative sounds of a
Japanese flute. Hoover also includes a lovely flute solo... The final part grows tumultuous, with whirling winds and rolling thunder. It's
significant that Hoover chose not to end her piece in the midst of her magnificent storm. Instead she brings it back around to end calmly and
beautifully with the ethereal Japanese flute. Hoover's music mixes elements of old and new, in a masterful blending of a variety of sounds
into a cohesive whole." The Harrisburg Patriot-News
TWO SKETCHES
"Hoover's TWO SKETCHES scored with immediate accessibility and an impressive combination of depth, maturity, and power...its title
notwithstanding the pieces emerged as substantial and engrossing, and striongly contrasted compositions. The atmospheric nature depiction in
"Winter Sands" was painted in highly specific and deeply saturated orchestral colors. "Turnabout", a palindromic exercise, is so deftly
scored that its intellectual challenge is softened by its sensuality." San
Francisco Examiner
"Katherine Hoover is far to skilled an orchestrator to be creating mere sketches; I've heard major prizewinners who have lacked her expressive
flair. " San Jose Mercury
News
Eleni: A Greek Tragedy
"Eleni: A Greek Tragedy evokes clearly and powerfully the heroiic story of
a Greek mother who was murdered by the Communists during the civil war for smuggling her son out to join his father in America...It's a well-wrought,
affecting work." The Sacramento Bee
"A powerful and brooding piece...Hoover contrasted the deceptive charm of
folk music with her own contemporary harmonies. Her terse and often harsh sonorities drove the terror and tragedy of the heroine deep into the
heart." Sacramento Union
"The evening improved with the recent work ELENI: A GREEK TRAGEDY. This
15-minute tone poem manages to be mournful but never dark, drawing on folk elements in various gradations... Ambiguous pitches, meandering melodies,
and hand-clappping as a musical element contributed to the effect of ELENI." Fort Worth Star-Telegram
"First standing ovation for a contemporary work in our orchestra's history."
Carolann Martin, Conductor, S. E. Kansas Symphony
DOUBLE CONCERTO
"Katherine Hoover has captured the best qualities of the classical double
concerto and infused it with genuine freshness. Her DOUBLE CONCERTO is teeming with rhythmic vitality, lyricism, and inventive musical ideas.
Quite simply it delighted our soloists, orchestra and audience alike." Paul Mori,
Conductor; Baltimore Bach Ensemble
"This is a wonderful addition to the repertoire. At last we have a new work to join our familiar Vivaldi and Bach. Playing the DOUBLE CONCERTO is
a rewarding performance experience." Vartan Manoogian, Director; Philomusica
STITCH-TE NAKU
"The highlight of the program was the world premiere of Katherine Hoover's
evocative and narrative-driven Stitch-te Naku...Throughout the piece, Native American elements are woven in with unusual percussion, droning
strings, and pitches that slide...Hoover has captured the indigenous spirit without trivializing it. And she has created a work as silky and ethereal
as a spider web itself." Rohnert Park Press-Democrat
MEDIEVAL SUITE
"A fine new work...The MEDIEVAL SUITE realizes (its) inspiration in the language of Katherine Hoover, a language not to be confused with that of
Aaron Copland, Walter Piston, or George Crumb, but equally as American as these. This is a short, uncompromising, sympathetic contemporary work."
Reno Gazette-Journal
SUMMER NIGHT
"This is a really good American piece, and its sound is open and pleasing."
American Record Guide
"'SUMMER NIGHT' is an apt description of what Katherine Hoover evokes in
her lyrical, bucolic work that spotlights the horn and flute. It is engaging and thoroughly accessible."
Audio
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