Compositions by David A. Jaffe

MahaDeviBot Variations (2007) for Radio Drum-controlled robotic percussionist (co-composed by A. Schloss)---10'

Underground Economy (2006) for Cuban improvising pianist, violinist and Radio Drum---10'

La Brea ("the tar") (2005) for string quartet---5'

Cluck Old Hen Variations (2004) for solo violin---8'

Impossible Animals 2004 (2004) version for trombone and synthetic voices for Abbie Conant---10'

Maravillas (Marvels) (2003) for nine remote controlled toy pianos (by Timpin), controlled by Mathews-Boie Radio Drum (co-composed with Andrew Schloss)---10'

Racing Against Time (2001) for two violins, two saxophones, piano and Mathews Radio Drum-controlled sound (physical models of car engines, jet planes and more), generated by the SynthCore synthesis engine---15'

Who's on First? (2001) for five double basses---6'

Bull's Eye (1999) for violin, cello, and African percussion---10'

Other Worlds--an homage to Carl Sagan (1998) a concerto for Zeta electronic/MIDI violin and symphonic band---15'

Havana Dreams (1997) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and percussion---17'

Quiet Places (1996) for string quartet---20'

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (1995) a concerto for Radio Drum-controlled Disklavier, harpsichord, harp, mandolin, guitar,bass, harmonium and two percussionists---70'

Terra Non Firma (1992) for four cellos and Radio Drum-conducted electronic orchestra---14'

No Trumpets, No Drums (1992) for organ, trombone and percussion---15'

American Miniatures (1992) for computer-processed drums, voices and strings---12'

Schumann Variations (with Christopher Penrose) (1992) for computer-processed tape---5'

Songs of California (based on the words of Juniperro Serra, Collis P. Huntington, Ishi, Joe Hill, Cesar Chavez, and John Muir) (1991), an acapella cantata for twelve singers ---15'

Wildlife (co-composed by Andrew Schloss) (1991) an interactive computer piece for two players, playing Mathews/Boie Radio Drum and Zeta electronic/MIDI violin ---25-40'

Man Meets Dog (how it all began) (1991) for small male chorus and large chorus (SATB) ---8'

Beacons of the Sky (1990) for chorus (SATB) and 1 percussionist ---6'

Number Man (for the ghost of J.S. Bach) (based on the poem by Carl Sandburg) (1990) a cantata for oboe/E.H. and solo voices (SATB), with optional chorus (SATB) ---30'

The Grass Valley Fire, 1988 (1988)for two mandolins, mandola and mando-cello ---10'
Also, version for string quartet (1989).

Kangaroos (1988) for mandolin orchestra ---3'

Heartland Horizon (1988) for violin, viola, and cello ---12'

Grass (based on the poem by Carl Sandburg) (1987) for female chorus (SSA) or three soloists and computer-generated tape---7.5'

Whoop for Your Life! (1987) for orchestra (3333,4331 + baritone horn,pno.,hp.,timp.,3 perc.,str.)---15'

The Fishing Trip (1986) for 12-voice male chorus and computer-generated and processed tape---8'

Impossible Animals (1986) for chorus (SATB) and computer-generated quadraphonic tape ---8'
Version for SATB soloists and tape (1989).
Version for violin and tape (1989) and version for oboe and tape (1990).
Version for five winds and tape (1994). Version for trombone and tape (2003).

Ellis Island Sonata (1985) for solo mandolin ---22'

Telegram to the President (1985) for string quartet and computer-generated tape ---5'

Bristlecone Concerto No. 2 (1984)a double concerto for violin, mandolin, chamber orch. (1111, 1110, hp., pno. perc.) and computer-generated and computer-processed tape ---18'

Wanting the Impossible (echoes of Ives' Unanswered Question) (1984,revised 1990) for baritone and small orchestra (2121,2100, 2 perc., pno., strings) ---12'

Bird Seasons (1984) for solo voices or chamber chorus (SATB) ---10'

Bristlecone Concerto No. 1 (1983) a concerto for violin and chamber orch. (1111, 1110, hp., pno. perc.) ---11'

Would You Just As Soon Sing As Make That Noise?! (1983)a double concerto for violin, mandolin and orchestra (1112, 1110,tenor banjo, 2 perc., hrp., pno., str.) ---18'

String Quartet for Two Instruments (1982)for violin and viola ---12'

Silicon Valley Breakdown (1982)for four-channel computer-generated tape. ---20'
Aso, available in compact disc format.

Three Musicians (after the Picasso paintings) (1981)for viola and guitar ---11'

Damp Nights in Drafty Motels (1981) for bassoon and string bass ---15'

May All Your Children Be Acrobats (based on The People, Yes by Carl Sandburg) (1980) for mezzo-soprano, eight guitars, and computer-generated tape ---16'

Dybbuk (1980) for A clarinet, two violins, viola, piano and optional offstage mandolin.---7'

Generation Upon Generation (1980) for woodwind quintet.---16'

A Little Kid Sees a SkyScraper (1980) for two quarter-tone tuned guitars.---10'

Descent Into Flatland (1979) for brass quintet (2 Bb trpts. hn., trb., tuba).---9'

City Life (1979) for mandolin, guitar, 5-string banjo, and harpsichord.---6'

Music For an Imaginary Wedding (1979) for mandolin, concertina, and cello.---6'

Celebration and Remembrance (1978) for ten flutes (3 picc., 4 flutes, 2 alto flutes, 1 bass flute).---6'

Cryptogram (1978) for small orchestra (1111, 1110, perc. hrp., pno., strings).---12'

Sunday at Bean Blossom (1978) for violin, harpsichord, mandolin, cello, percussion, and guitar---11'.

NOT LISTED: STUDENT COMPOSITIONS (1973-1978)

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Scores of this music are also available on loan from the American Music Center Library.

These works are licensed through BMI.


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