For flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano.

This dramatic new work from one of our most important contemporary composers was premiered at the 1996 annual conference of the American Guild of Organists. The title is a description of the upward-moving scales in this piece, which form the central thematic action. Duration ca. 10 minutes.

This piece was inspired by the composer's childhood memory of riding her horse through a deep valley in the Andes range in Bolivia. First performed by Chee-Yun, violin, David Finckel, cello, and Wu Han, piano on August 6, 2000, Big Sky was commissioned for the La Jolla Chamber Music Society Summerfest 2000. 7 minutes.

Challenge your chamber group with this fascinating work by one of our most important contemporary composers. The title refers to the way in which other instruments expand upon and transform the colors of the solo piano. Scored for piano with flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone and 2 percussion. Duration ca. 13 minutes.

For clarinet solo and flute (piccolo), violin, cello, piano, marimba, vibes and percussion.

Arranged for Concert Band by Jack Stamp.

Reduction for clarinet (or basset clarinet) and piano. The basset clarinet (with an extended range to low C) has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Many modern composers have been answering this trend by writing new music for the instrument. Joan Tower's Clarinet Concerto, while performable on the standard A clarinet, takes advantage of the basset clarinet's extended range with a few melodic excursions to notes beneath E. This 19-minute work was recorded on Summit Records pianist Eckhart Selheim.

For violin and orchestra (piano reduction).

This piece was written for and premiered by the New England Conservatory Percussion Ensemble, conducted by Frank Epstein, in April 2003.

Scored for four trumpets, Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, No. 5 was commission by the Aspen Music Festival for the opening of the Joan and Irving Harris Concert Hall in 1993. Duration ca. 3 minutes.

Four works from a popular series of brass & percussion pieces that celebrate the achievements of extraordinary American women. Includes Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and Celebration Fanfare, arranged by Daniel Forlano. Instrumental parts available on rental. Total duration ca. 16 minutes.

G. Schirmer Concert Band - Grade 3-5 Joan Tower's first major work for winds is characterized by an energetic style that is colorful, rhythmic, and muscular. The title refers to the many contours of motives shaped in curved ribbon patterns. Commissioned by the College Band Directors National Association and premiered at the national conference in 2001, this is an important addition to the contemporary repertoire for band. (Grade 5) (11:00)

For flute and orchestra (piano reduction).

First performed by The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio on March 2, 2004 at the Tucson Winter Festival, For Daniel was commissioned by the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music. The work was written in memory of Daniel MacArthur, nephew of the composer, who passed away in 2003 after a long illness. 17 minutes.

Tower's third string quartet contains a white heat from which ideas unfold, develop, interact, and gradually change their temperatures. 18 minutes.

The Tokyo String Quartet commissioned this string quartet composition in 2001. This one-movement piece about death and loss was written in memory of one of Tower's friends, and later, of those who died in the September 11th terrorist attacks.

For Oboe and Wind Quartet (Flute, Clarinet, French Horn and Bassoon).

Composer Note: Ivory and Ebony was written for the 2009 San Antonio International Piano Competition. The themes in the work are based on the black and white notes of the piano, often played separately but occasionally together at climactic points. This composition was designed as a virtuoso piece for the outstanding piano competitors of the competition. -Joan Tower

This is Joan Tower's first string quartet. First performed in 1994 by the Muir String Quartet.

The titles of the pieces in this four-movement suite were taken from lines of a poem by John Ashbery, No Longer Very Clear. Holding a Daisy was commissioned and premiered by Sarah Rothenberg. Or Like a...an Engine was premiered by Ursula Oppens. Vast Antique Cubes and Throbbing Still were premiered by John Browning. The four pieces may be played individually, as well as in the suite. Advanced. 17 minutes.

For flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion and piano.

For flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion and piano.

For flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano.

For flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano.

Orchestral reduction and solo part arranged by Tower for Two Pianos, Four Hands. 2 Copies needed to perform.

For unaccompanied violin.

Viola and piano reduction of Tower's one-movement concerto for viola and orchestra. 19 minutes.

Tower's Rain Waves, which musically explores the motion of a wave form, was written in 1997 as a commission by Michigan State University for the Verdehr Trio. A recording is available on compact disc: Verdehr Trio, The Making of a Medium, Vol. 13 Crystal Records CD 943.

Parts available on rental.

Two Pianos, Four Hands. 2 Copies needed to perform.

Composer Note: String Force (2010) was commissioned by the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis for the 2010 competition and underwritten by the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation in honor of the children and families of Christel House. It is dedicated with great affection and admiration to the violinst Jaime Laredo. The 7-minute work was an attempt at writing a challenging piece for violin. Between the high speed of notes within a visceral energy context and the high delicate registral writing, there are many technical as well as musical challenges within this work. After hearing the sixteen semi-finalists at the Indianapolis Violin Competition perform String Force, I realized there is also much range for interpretation.

For Clarinet and String Quartet. This fascinating one-movement work was premiered and recorded by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Duration ca. 16 minutes.

Joan Tower gives the viola plenty to say with Wild Purple, her first solo work written for violist Paul Neubauer. The work gives violists an opportunity to show the expressive and technical capabilities of their instrument, as well as explore its range of color.

Originally written for unaccompanied clarinet, here composer Joan Tower has transcribed Wings for unaccompanied alto saxophone.

Composed for clarinetist Laura Flax, who premiered the piece at Merkin Hall (New York City) on December 14, 1981.