
Gregory Spears
Upcoming Performances
About Gregory Spears
"What sets [Spears's operas] apart is the intimate power of Spears’s musical voice, which is unlike that of any composer now working—a kind of shivery, fraught simplicity…In giving us glimpses of hidden selves, his music becomes universal in reach." (The New Yorker)Gregory Spears writes music for modern and period instruments that blends aspects of romanticism, minimalism, and early music. His work has been called "astonishingly beautiful" (The New York Times), "coolly entrancing" (The New Yorker), and "some of the most beautifully unsettling music to appear in recent memory." (The Boston Globe) In recent seasons he has been commissioned by The Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Cincinnati Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Seraphic Fire, and the JACK Quartet, among others.
Spears has won prizes from BMI and ASCAP as well as awards and fellowships from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Vagn Holmboe Competition. He holds degrees in composition from the Eastman School of Music (BM), Yale School of Music (MM), and Princeton University (PhD) and traveled to Denmark on a Fulbright Fellowship to study composition with Hans Abrahamsen. He has been an artist-in-residence at Yaddo, the MacDowell Colony, the Aaron Copland House, the Rauschenberg Residency at Captiva Island, and was a participant in American Opera Projects' Composers and the Voice 2007-2008 season.
Gregory Spears won a Jerome Composers Commissioning Award to support the composition of his string quartet Buttonwood for the JACK Quartet. The piece was inspired by his experience as composer-in-residence at the Buttonwood Psychiatric Unit in the winter of 2010. At the time, Spears was teaching a course at the Princeton Writing Program called Music and Madness, which explored the connection between mental illness and creativity. Spears has also collaborated with musicologist Simon Morrison at Princeton to realize the original score for Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet, which was premiered by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Bard Festival in 2008.
Other recent commissions have come from OPERA America, poet Tracy K. Smith, Christopher Williams Dances, the Dalton School Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera (for the Persian-themed one-act opera The Bricklayer), pianist Marika Bournaki, the Present Music Ensemble, and the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra. In 1999 Spears was awarded a First Music Commission to write a piece for the New York Youth Symphony, which was given its premiere at Carnegie Hall. His music has also been performed by the American Composers Orchestra, Inscape Chamber Orchestra, the NOW Ensemble (the MATA Festival), So Percussion, and Eighth Blackbird.
Much of Spears’ work involves period instruments. Recently, he was commissioned by Seraphic Fire to write a New Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei to replace Franz Xaver Süßmayr's contribution to the Mozart Requiem. The new movements were premiered in Miami by Seraphic Fire and the Firebird Chamber Orchestra and were performed with period instruments as part of Seraphic Fire's 2016 East Coast tour. His recent dramatic cantata Virginiana, commissioned by the period instrument ensemble New Vintage Baroque and the Damask vocal ensemble, was inspired by eighteenth-century music. New Amsterdam Records released his early music-inspired chamber Requiem to critical acclaim in 2011. Requiem was commissioned by Christopher Williams Dances and underwritten by the O'Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation. He is also writing a dance-opera, Wolf-in-Skins, in collaboration with choreographer Christopher Williams. Excerpts were featured at the OPERA America New Works Forum, and Part One was produced by Philadelphia Dance Projects featuring performers from the Sebastian Chamber Players period ensemble. The Sebastian Players also gave the New York premiere of Our Lady, commissioned by countertenor Ryland Angel as part of the Twelfth Night Festival at Trinity Wall Street.
Spears' first opera, Paul’s Case, recently described as a "masterpiece" and a "gem" (New York Observer) with "ravishing music" (The New York Times), was developed by American Opera Projects, premiered by Urban Arias, restaged at the Prototype Festival in New York, and presented in a new production by Pittsburgh Opera. His opera oratorio O Columbia premiered in 2015 at Houston Grand Opera, and was hailed as “elegantly balanced” and “piercingly moving” (The Wall Street Journal). His children’s opera Jason and the Argonauts, with a libretto by Kathryn Walat, premiered with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2016. Spears' most recent opera, Fellow Travelers, was written in collaboration with librettist Greg Pierce and director Kevin Newbury and premiered at Cincinnati Opera in June 2016. The work was widely acclaimed and described as “an important work”, “ravishing” (Cincinnati Enquirer), “sharp-edged” and “assured of lasting appeal” (The New York Times). Upcoming projects include a double trumpet concerto commissioned by Concert Artists Guild and the BMI Foundation for trumpeter Brandon Ridenour.
Other recent projects include The Tower and the Garden for SATB choir and strings, a commission from The Crossing in Philadelphia, as well as a new song cycle, Walden, commissioned by Vocal Arts DC for baritone Brian Mulligan and pianist Timothy Long. Upcoming premieres include a double trumpet concerto commissioned by Concert Artists Guild and the BMI Foundation for trumpeter Brandon Ridenour, and a new work for harpsichordist Kathleen McIntosh and cellist Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick, commissioned by Eleanor Eisenmenger. Gregory Spears is currently working on a new opera with US Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, on commission from the Cincinnati Opera, scheduled for premiere in July 2020.
Gregory Spears’s music is published exclusively worldwide by Schott Helicon Music Corporation.
http://www.gregoryspears.com/Worklist
Chronology
Graduated (BM) Eastman School of Music
Norfolk Chamber Music Festival composition fellow
Awarded Naumberg Fellowship (Princeton University, 2002-2006), Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Woods Changler Memorial Prize (Yale School of Music)
Graduated (PhD) Princeton University
Composer-in-Residence at the Buttonwood Psychiatric Unit
"Requiem" released on New Amsterdam Records
Artist residency at the MacDowell Colony
Artist-in-Residence at the Aaron Copland House
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library Gilder-Lehrman Fellowship, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Awarded 2015 Carlos Surinach Commission from BMI Foundation
Rauschenberg Foundation Artist-in-Residence, in collaboration with choreographer Christopher Williams
Products
-
version for period instrument ensemble, mixed chorus (SATB) and soloists, organ, and stringsComposer: Gregory SpearsMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) and soloists, organ, strings, and period instrument ensembleLanguage: LatinHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
for mixed chorus (SATB) and soloists, and orchestraComposer: Gregory SpearsMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: mixed chorus (SATB) and soloists, and orchestraLanguage: LatinHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
Opera in two actsComposer: Gregory SpearsAuthor: Tracy SmithMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: EnglishHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
for two trumpets and string orchestraComposer: Gregory SpearsMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 2 trumpets and string orchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
Opera in two actsComposer: Gregory SpearsMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: EnglishHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
for soprano and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: ScoreInstrumentation: soprano and pianoProduct number: ED 30491Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
for mezzo-soprano (or soprano) and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: mezzo-soprano (or soprano) and pianoProduct number: ED 30492Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
from Fellow Travelers, an opera in two actsProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €14.99Incl. Tax
-
for soprano (or mezzo-soprano) and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: ScoreInstrumentation: soprano (or mezzo-soprano) and pianoProduct number: ED 30495Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
An opera for young peopleComposer: Gregory SpearsMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: harpsichord, violin, viola, and celloLanguage: EnglishHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
from Fellow Travelers, an opera in two actsProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €12.99Incl. Tax
-
for baritone and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: ScoreInstrumentation: baritone and pianoProduct number: ED 30489Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
for mezzo-soprano and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: mezzo-soprano and pianoProduct number: ED 30496Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
for countertenor and orchestraComposer: Gregory SpearsText writer: Tracy SmithMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: countertenor and orchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
for baritone and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: baritone and pianoProduct number: ED 30494Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
An opera-oratorio in three partsComposer: Gregory SpearsMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 2 oboes and stringsLanguage: EnglishHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
for baritone and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: baritone and pianoProduct number: ED 30479Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
from Fellow Travelers, an opera in two actsComposer: Gregory SpearsEdition: ScoreInstrumentation: baritone and pianoProduct number: ED 30298Product TypeIn stockAs low as €8.99Incl. Tax
-
Opera in 2 actsComposer: Gregory SpearsMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: EnglishHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
for solo pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsEdition: Separate editionInstrumentation: solo pianoProduct number: ED 30418Product TypeIn stockAs low as €115.99Incl. Tax
-
Composer: Gregory SpearsEdition: Score and partsInstrumentation: string quartetProduct number: ED 30444Product TypeIn stockAs low as €93.99Incl. Tax
-
for cello and harpsichordProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €20.99Incl. Tax
-
for SATB choir and 2 recorder playersComposer: Gregory SpearsText writer: Franz KafkaMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Choral scoreInstrumentation: SATB choir and 2 recorder playersProduct number: ED 30465Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€28.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
Opera in 2 actsComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: opera in 2 actsHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
for SATB choir and string quartetComposer: Gregory SpearsEdition: Vocal scoreInstrumentation: SATB choir and string quartetProduct number: ED 30292-01Product TypeIn stockAs low as €89.99Incl. Tax
-
for SATB choir and string quartetComposer: Gregory SpearsEdition: Score and partsInstrumentation: SATB choir and string quartetProduct number: ED 30292Product TypeIn stockAs low as €199.99Incl. Tax
-
for soprano and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: ScoreInstrumentation: soprano and pianoProduct number: ED 30484Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€28.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
for soprano and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: ScoreInstrumentation: for soprano and pianoProduct number: ED 30485Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
for solo pianoProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €27.99Incl. Tax
-
for solo pianoProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €27.99Incl. Tax
-
for solo voices (SMezTB) and early instrument ensembleComposer: Gregory SpearsMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: solo voices (SMezTB) and early instrument ensemble (or modern instruments)Language: EnglishHire/performance materialHire/performance material
-
a song cycle for baritone and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsEdition: ScoreInstrumentation: baritone and pianoProduct number: ED 30265Product TypeIn stockAs low as €38.99Incl. Tax
-
for mezzo-soprano and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: mezzo-soprano and pianoProduct number: ED 30481Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
for soprano and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: ScoreInstrumentation: soprano and pianoProduct number: ED 30493Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€28.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
for soprano and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: soprano and pianoProduct number: ED 30480Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€28.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
-
for countertenor and pianoComposer: Gregory SpearsLibrettist: Tracy K. SmithMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: ScoreInstrumentation: countertenor and pianoProduct number: ED 30490Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€23.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping