from Hungry (aka Hypnotic) ©2005 Charles Gran
Catalog of Main Works
Dance and Multimedia
Cancellation Hearts (2009, 70 minutes) webpage imdb filmscore This score is mostly made up of sung music, much of it processed electronically. Neitzche's Circus (2006, 15 minutes) webpage piano score for dance-theater Genesis (2005, 20 minutes) webpage electronic score for modern dance This is a mostly abstract work that mines the concepts of evolution (Darwinism) for the wealth of images and sound they suggest. Almost all of the music is vocal, though some of the singing has been altered by distortion. Echoes of Rom (2003, 10 minutes) video choral score for modern dance This was composed as a staged work for 6-10 singers. It has been performed as accompaniment to a dance solo. Jeffrey Dahmer Drinks a Cup of Coffee (2002, 4 minutes) a scene for 2 actors tenor, baitone, 2 pianos (also 1 piano version) Text by Bridget Carpenter This song was my first piece to have a warning label attached to it for the performance. Another one was 2002's Words and Deeds. Words and Deeds (2002, 20 minutes) webpage theater-dance, cello and pre-recorded A mediation on the tragic events of 1993 involving the Branch Davidians and Federal agents in Waco, Texas. Words and Deeds, actor version (2007, 20 minutes) theater, cello, 2 actors, sound designer This version has a greatly updated spoken component, and the pre-recoded material is now controlled through samples, and is much more flexible. Information, Knowlege, Wisdom, Truth, Beauty, Love, Music (2001, 16 minutes) webpage singers, dancers, piano, pre-recorded music Co-composed with Szu-Hsien Lee This is a multi-media piece, heavy on dance. The singing isn't songs, but it is attractive. It blends live performace using unconventional instruments played by the dancers-- horns out of pvc pipe, etc--with pre-recorded sound. Hungry (2000) opera in one act Candice's aggressive diet alters her perception of reality-- and now she's really hungry. Body by Gran (Baby) (1997, 5 minutes) SAT soloists, 2 percussionists This is a wacky theater kind of piece that uses the word "baby" as (almost) it's sole text source. It came out of a conversation about how none of my friends at the time used the word baby with their girls. With all the white hip hoppers maybe that has changed. The piece is funny and cool.
Music Theater
Jack vs. Giants (2010, 1 hour) A children's musical. Book and lyrics by Christina Biggs. 5 actors. The great-great-great grandson of Jack returns up the bean-tree and unleashes the giants on an unsuspecting metropolis. But, Penelope, a bookworm with an ear for history helps him heed his grandmother's advice and save the city. The Perfect Feet (2007, 35 minutes) A one-act musical. Book by Eric H. F. Law, lyrics by Christina Biggs. 4 Actors. The world's most famous foot model is guided through a homeric quest up an elevator to her most important gig by her assistant Cindy who's life will be changed forever. True Believers (2006, 2 hours) A rock musical Book and Music, Charles Gran. Lyrics, Nikos Tsakalakos Bridget gets a job at SuperQuick, gains ultimate power over the universe, then uses it to reunite her favorite rock-band. The four musicians find themselves playing for the fate of the world. The Pitch (2005, 15 minutes) A mini-musical. Book by Neville Johnson, Lyrics by Nikos Tsakalakos Includes: "This is It", "The Final Audit", "A Simple Home"
Electronic
Introducing (a remix of expectations) (2008, 6 minutes) webpage electroacoustic pre-recorded Musique concrete meets top-40 mash-up. So 2008... and 1608. Breathing India (2000) electroacoustic pre-recorded
Vocal
War is Kind (2007, 20 minutes) high baritone/tenor (to A) A setting of poems by Stephen Crane Three little birds, In the desert, I have a thousand tongues Comrade! Brother!, In the night, Ranged in Rows, War is Kind The Longing (2005, 6 minutes) soprano/high-mezzo (to g), piano Text by Nikos Tsakalakos The Dream of the Rood (2001, 4 minutes) high voice A setting of a famous anglo-saxon poem. Of Mountains (1992, 15 minutes) medium voice A setting of five poems by Peter Viereck
Choral
Ichiban (2002, 8 minutes) choral: SSAATTBB, 3 movements This piece presents an outsider's vision of Japan. i. Shinknsen, ii. Dekai, iii. Shinjiunrui I Love (1993, 20 minutes) Mixed chorus (SSATBB), soloists (ST), four percussionists, electric organ text by Anakreon, Archilochos, Sappho
Instrumental
Sensing Angels (2009, 18 minutes) webpage clarinet with computer manipulation This piece uses the free csound software with midi control to create an engaging solo work for the clarinet. She begins (2007, 8 minutes) 2 flutes, and sound design This is a a short suite of three dances. Spin Cycle (2007, 7 minutes) flute, cello, piano A piece built on various pop music styles (and a waltz). Heart's Express (2005, 11 minutes) orchestra fl.3, cl.2, bass cl, cbbsn, sax.4 (s, 2a, t), 4 horn, 3 c tpt, 2 tbn, tuba, synth, sequencer, e guitar, 2 perc, hrp, pno, strings (1/2 cb w/ c extension) Hidden Places(2002, 14 minutes) webpage sonata for pianoforte in three movements the_chill room (2001, 7 minutes) chamber: clarinet, flute, piano, vibraphone Rough Riders (2001, 10 minutes) piano 1 - "Tango de las navajitas" A biting little tango in a dissonant, Stravinskian style. 2 - "Stride Machine" Based on saloon piano styles. Fantastic Symmetry (2000) 3 percussionists, drum machine One of my works that uses pop gestures and textures through the filters of my compositional processes. West of Center (1996, 6 minutes) violin and piano Meant to be a breezy little number that is still challenging. Brahms is Dead (1994, 12 minutes) harpsichord sonata in three movements i. Fast, ii. Walking or less, iii. Quickly, Dancing