Unofficial Leo Kottke Web Site. Stephen Paulus (Bio and Works)
The following information is from the European American Music Distributors Corporation, P.O. Box 850, Valley Forge, PA 19482 (phone: 610-648-0506); (fax: 610-889-0242); (e-mail: eamdc@eamdc.com)
Stephen Paulus was born in 1949 in New Jersey and was raised in Minnesota. He began studying piano formally at the age of 10 and came from a musical family where both parents and two younger brothers all played a variety of instruments - from piano and organ to trumpet. His first compositions were written at about age 13 or 14.
Paulus attended Macalester College in St. Paul for two years and completed a B.A. in Music at the University of Minnesota in 1971. He completed an M.A. in Music Theory and Composition in 1974, and a Ph.D. in Composition in 1978, receiving both degrees from the University of Minnesota. His principal composition teacher was Dr. Paul Fetler.
While pursuing his graduate studies Paulus co-founded the Minnesota Composers Forum in 1973. He served as Fund Raiser and Managing Composer of that organization for eleven years and in 1983 became a Composer in Residence with the Minnesota Orchestra under Sir Neville Marriner. After four years in that post he went on in 1988 to become Composer in Residence with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra working with Music Director, Yoel Levi and Conductor Laureate, Robert Shaw. He has also served as Composer in Residence with the Dale Warland Singers.
Paulus has been featured as a resident composer at numerous festivals where his works have been performed incluing the Tanglewood Festival, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival; and in the U.K. - the Aldeburgh and Edinburgh Festivals. His Violin Concerto, written for William Preucil and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra won Third Prize in the 1988 Kennedy Center Friedheim Awards; Paulus has also received both Guggenheim and NEA composer Fellowships.
Several works have been commissioned for a wide array of soloists, including Doc Severinsen, Evelyn Lear, Thomas Hampson, Robert MacDuffie, Paul Sperry, Hakan Hagegard, Janet Bookspan, William Preucil and Leo Kottke. His operas have received performances from the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Washington Opera, Greater Miami Opera Association, Minnesota Opera and numerous others. His second opera, The Postman Always Rings Twice, was the first American opera production ever to be presented at the Edinburgh Festival. Orchestras that have commissioned or premiered Paulus works include those of New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Atlanta, St. Louis, Minnesota, St. Paul, the BBC and many others.
Stephen Paulus is currently a Board Member of ASCAP and is active in the support of music by his colleagues. He is married to Patty Paulus, an artist, and has two sons, Gregory and Andrew.
Works by Stephen Paulus
- Opera
- Harmoonia
One-Act Children's Opera (1991)
Commissioned by Des Moines MetroOpera
Libretto by Michael Dennis Browne Principals: Betty and Sally, Sopranos/ Sofiria, Mezzo Soprano/ Sam, Tenor/ Bob, Baritone/ The Oharmo, Bass-Baritone
Scored for: Piano and synthesizer (Ensoniq VFX SD - one player) (Synthesized sounds also available on cassette)
45 minutes - The Postman Always Rings Twice
Opera in Two Acts (1982) Commissioned by Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Libretto by Colin Graham, based on the novel by James M. Cain. Frank Chambers, Baritone/Nick Papadakis, Tenor/Cora, his wife, Soprano/Sackett, D.A., Bass/Katz, lawyer, Tenor/Kennedy, Actor/Cop, Baritone
Orchestra: 2(2.pic)-1-1-al sax-1; 1-2-1-1(b tbn); gtr, hp, pf; perc(2) (incl. 2 timp); str 6-6-4-3-2
120 minutes
EA 602 Vocal Score - The Village Singer
Opera in One Act (1979) Commissioned by Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Libretto by Michael Dennis Browne, after a story by Mary Wilkins Freeman. Candace Whitcomb, Soprano/Alma Way, Soprano/Minnie Lansing, Soprano/Jenny Carr, Mezzo/Nancy Ford, Mezzo/Wilson Ford,Tenor/The Rev. Pollard, Tenor/Todd Wilkins, Tenor/William Emmons, Baritone/Brent Freeman, Bass
Orchestra: 2-1-2-1; 1-0-0-0; timp, hp, pf/harm; perc(2); str 3-3-2-2-1
60 minutes
EA 454 Vocal Score - The Woodlanders
Romantic Tragedy in Three Acts (1985) Commissioned by Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Libretto by Colin Graham after the novel by Thomas Hardy. Grace Melbury, Soprano/Felice Charmond, Soprano/Marty South, Mezzo/Suke Damson, Mezzo/Grammer Oliver, Contralto/Edred Fitzpiers, doctor, Tenor/John South, Tenor/Barber Percomb, Baritone (South and Percomb double as Woodlanders)/Giles Winterbourne, arborealist, Baritone/George Melbury, Bass-baritone. Chorus of The Woodlanders (8), Old Tim Tangs, Robert Creedle, The "Boy", Tenors/Young Tim Tangs, Tincott, Farmer Cawtree, Baritones/ John Upjohn, Rob Slatters, Basses.
Orchestra: 2(2.pic)-2-2-2; 2-1-1-0; timp, hp; perc(2);str 8-6-4-4-2
- Harmoonia
- Orchestra
- Concertante (1989)
Commissioned and premiered by the Atlanta Symphony Orch.
3(3.pic)-3-3-3;4-3-2-b tbn-1;timp;perc(3);pf;str
11 minutes - Concerto for Orchestra (1983)
Commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestral Association
3(3.pic)-3(3.E hn)-3-3(3.cbsn); 4-4-2-b tbn-1; timp, hp, pf/cel; perc (3); str
27 minutes
Score: EA 512 - Divertimento for Harp and Chamber Orchestra (1983)
Commissioned by Betty and David Price; Premiered by Betty Price and the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra
1-1-1-1; timp; perc(1); solo harp; str 6-6-4-4-2 (Youth Orch.)
12 minutes - Double Concerto for Violin, 'Cello and Orchestra
Commissioned and premiered by Christopher and Charles Rex and the New York Philharmonic (jointly with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra). Premiere 1993
3(3.pic)-3(3. E hn)-3(3. bcl)-3; 4-3-2-b tbn-1; timp, perc (3); hp, pf/cel; solo vn & solo vc; str
25 minutes - Ground Breaker (1987)
An Overture for Construction Instruments and Orchestra
Commissioned by the St. Louis Centre Partners. Premiered by the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra
2(2.pic)-2-2-2;4-3-2-b tbn--1;timp(& perc. 2); perc; construction ensemble (4 workers with power tools); str
7 minutes- Ice Fields for Guitar and Orchestra (1990)
Commissioned by Leo Kottke. Premiered by Leo Kottke and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic
2-2-2-2;4-2-2-1; timp; perc (2); solo guitar; str
20 minutes - Ice Fields for Guitar and Orchestra (1990)
- Night Speech for Baritone and Orchestra (1989)
Commissioned and premiered by Thomas Hampson and the Spokane Symphony
3(3.pic)-3-3-3; 4-3-2-b tbn-1; timp, perc (3); hp pf; solo bar;str
20 minutes - Ordway Overture (1985)
Commissioned and premiered by the Minnesota Orchestra
3(3.pic)-3-3-3; 4-3-3-1; timp, perc (2); str
5 minutes
Score: EA 669X - Organ Concerto (1992)
Commissioned and premiered by Norman Mackenzie and Trinity Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
timp, perc; solo org; str
21 minutes - Reflections: Four Movements on a Theme of Wallace Stevens (1985)
Commissioned and premiered by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
1-2-1-2; 2-1; timp, perc, pf; str
22 minutes - Seven Short Pieces for Orchestra (1984)
Premiered by The Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis
3(3.pic)-3-3(3.b cl)-3(3.cbsn); 4-3-2-b tbn-1; timp, hp, pf/cel; perc (3); str
13 minutes - Sinfonietta (1991)
Commissioned and premiered by the Atlanta Symphony Orch.
3-3-3(3.b cl)-3; 4-3-2-b tbn-1; timp, perc (3); hp;str 15 minutes - Spectra for Small Orchestra (1980)
Commissioned and premiered by the Houston Symphony
1-1-2-1; 2-1-1-0; timp, perc (2); str
15 minutes - Street Music (1990)
Commissioned and premiered by the Atlanta Symphony Orch.
2-2-2-2;4-3-3-1;timp;perc(2);str
3 minutes - Suite from "Harmoonia" For Narrator & Orchestra (1991)
Commissioned and premiered by the Atlanta Symphony Orch. Text by Michael Dennis Browne.
2-2-2-2;4-3-2-1;timp; perc(3); hp; pf; str
5 minutes - Suite from "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (1986)
Commissioned and premiered by the Minnesota Orchestra
3(3.pic)-3-3-3-a sax; 4-3-2-b tnb-1; timp, perc (3), hp, pf; str
22 minutes - Symphony for Strings (1989)
Commissioned and premiered by the Oregon Bach Festival
22 minutes - Symphony in Three Movements (Soliloquy) (1986)
Commissioned and premiered by the Minnesota Orchestra
3(3.pic)-3-3-3; 4-3-2-b tbn-1; timp, hp, pf/cel; perc (3); str
30 minutes - Translucent Landscapes (1982)
Commissioned and premiered by the Peninsula Music Festival, WI
2-1-2-1; 2-1-1-0; hp, pf; timp, perc; str 8-6-5-4-2
18 minutes - Trumpet Concerto (1991)
Commissioned and premiered by Doc Severinsen and the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra
3-3-3-3;4-3-2-b tbn-1;timp;perc(3);hp;pf/cel;solo tpt; str
25 minutes - Violin Concerto (1987)
Commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
3-3-3-3; 4-3-2-1; timp, perc (3), hp, pf; str
25 minutes - Violin Concerto No. 2 (1992)
Commissioned and premiered by Robert MacDuffie and the Aspen Music Festival
2-2-2-2; 2-2-1-0; timp, perc (2); hp, pf; solo vn; str
21 minutes - Voices from the Gallery (1991)
Commissioned and premiered by Janet Bookspan and the Atlantic Sinfonietta
1-1-1-1;1-1-0-0; timp, perc; narrator; str
30 minutes
- Concertante (1989)
- Chorus and Orchestra
- Canticles: Songs and Rituals for the Easter and the May (1977)
Commissioned and premiered by Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church. Text by Michael Dennis Browne.
S, Mezzo S soli; narrator; SATB Chorus; 1-1-1-1; 2-2-1-0; timp; perc. (1)
35 minutes - Christmas Tidings: Five Carols (1989)
Mixed Chorus and Strings. Commissioned and premiered by the Cantari Singers of Columbus, OH. Text: Trad. carols.
15 minutes - Letters for the Times (1980)
Texts from 17th and 18th century New England newspapers. Commissioned by the Fromm Music Foundation at Harvard and premiered by the Tanglewood Festival.
STBar soli, SATB chorus; 1-1-0-1; 0-0-0-0; perc (3), pf; str 1-1-1 -1-0
15 minutes - Lately Arrived from London
Text from advertisements in the Boston News Letter, 1707. From Letters for the Times
SATB and Accompaniment
EA 467 - North Shore (1977)
Commissioned by the Minnesota State Arts Board and premiered by the Bach Society Chorus of Minnesota. Text by Michael Dennis Browne.
Mezzo S, Bar soli; SATB chorus; 2-0-2-1; 2-2-1-0; timp, perc (2); hp; pf/cel; str: 1-0-0-1-1
35 minutes - So Hallow'd is the Time (A Christmas Cantata) (1980)
Commissioned and premiered by the Greenwich Choral Society of Connecticut. Text: Shakespeare, Smart, Donne, Herrick, Dunbar and others.
Boy S, STB soli, SATB chorus; 1-1-1-1; 1-3-1-0; hp, org, perc (2) (2.timp); str
40 minutes
EA 479 Vocal Score
EA 488 Chorus Part.
Choral Excerpts:- This is the Month (SSA) EA 480 - 1 minute
- Run, Shepherds, Run EA 481 - 1 minute
- A Child My Choice EA 482 - 4 minutes
- Sing, Hevin Imperial EA 483 - 2 minutes
- Voices (1988)
Poems by Rainer Maria Rilke. Commissioned by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education; Premiered by the Dale Warland Symphonic Chorus and the Minnesota Orchestra.
ST soli, SATB chorus; 3 (3. pic)-3-3-3; 4-3-3-1; timp; perc (3); hp; pf; str
40 minutes
- Canticles: Songs and Rituals for the Easter and the May (1977)