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Gregory Short

Gregory Short (August 14, 1938-April 1, 1998), American pianist and composer, was the first northwest pianist to extensively feature music by American and northwest composers, and very possibly was the most frequently performed northwest composer in the American northwest.

Biography

Gregory Short was born in Toppenish, Washington (Yakima County), where he joined in traditional dances of the Yakima Nation whose beautiful teachings influenced his later composing (see Music). He attended the Julliard School where he discovered the eclectic music of Charles Ives, University of Washington, and University of Oregon where he earned the Doctor Musical Arts in Composition and Theory.

In 1968 he created the American Composers Series on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) performing works by American and regional composers. In 1989 his performance was included in the Time Capsule as the Washington State Centennial Artist.

His large output includes over 300 works with melodies that sing in fresh gumbo.

Music Based on Native American Songs and Dances

"George Catlin" Sonata for Viola and Piano (see Sonatas in Tribute) I. Paddling Song (Lummi) II. Dance Song (Sioux) Quail Song (Cherokee) III. Hunting Song (Navajo) Buffalo Dance (Kiowa) Song of the Horse (Navajo) Antelope (Kiowa) Blue Bird (Pima) Song of the Hare (Winnebago) Viola cadenza: Geronimo's Song (Apache) IV. Ribbon Dance (Cayuga) "Ghost Dance" Sonata No. 7 for Piano (see Piano Sonata) I. Medicine Song (Apache) II. Song of the Fox (Cheyenne) Bird (Seminole) Song of the Fox Society (Dakota) III. Ghost Dance (Pawnee) Ghost Dance (Arapaho) Song of the Earth Maker IV. Love Song (Dakota) Love Song (Wabanaki) Love Song (Winnebago) "Northwest" Sonatina No. 5 (see American Series) I. Totem Pole (Haida) II. Hat Game (Tlinget) III. Love Song (Tlinget) IV. Lullaby (Quinault) V. Grandmother Rock and the Little Crabs (Lummi) VI. Totem Pole (Kwakiutl) “The Raven Speaks” Suite for Orchestra (also see Northwest Images) I. Coastal Forest and Raven Cradle Song (Kwakiutl) Totem Pole (Kwakiutl) II. Totem Pole (Haida) III. Hat game (Tlingit) IV. Love Song (Tlingit) V. Grandmother Rock and the Little Crabs (Lummi) VI. Northern Lights and Raven Lullaby for a Boy (Tsimshian) She Will Gather Roses (Tsimshian) "Sequoia" Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Wind Ensemble (also see Concerto) I. Song of the Rain (Navajo) Mocking Bird (Yuma) Steal-Each-Other Dance (Creek) II. Oh Great Forest (Seneca) III. Rain Song (Hopi) Crow dance Song (Arapaho) Song of Rejoicing and Thanksgiving (Pawnee) “Summer Dawn” Cycle for Soprano and Piano - Based on Native American Poetry I. Neither Spirit nor Bird (Shoshone: trans. Mary Astin) II. Calling One's Own (Ojibwa: trans. Charles Fenno Hoffman) III. The Wild Woman's Lullaby (trans. Constance Lindsay Skinner) IV. Summer Dawn (trans. Constance Lindsay Skinner)

Original Music Based on Native American Personalities

“Chief Seattle” Orator and Orchestra with Folk Instruments (see Northwest Images) - Setting of Chief Seattle's 1854 oration

Original Music Based on Native American Stories

"Fog Woman" for Orchestra - Tlingit Story (see Northwest Images) Raven Is Fishing Mist and Fog Woman's Song Becoming As One Dance of the Sparkling Salmon Relationship Sours Raven's Fit of Rage / Fog Woman's Resolve Native American Music Final Song Dissolves "The Man Who Married the Eagle" for Piano - Haida story Pahto's Call Wyeast's Challenge Newit's Warning Combat Pahto's Death Newit's Lament Mountain Transfiguration Spirits Within (See Northwest Tetrology) "Northwest" Sonatina No. 5 for Piano I. Totem Pole (Haida) II. Hat Game (Tlinget) III. Love Song (Tlinget) IV. Lullaby (Quinault) V. Grandmother Rock and the Little Crabs (Lummi) VI. Totem Pole (Kwakiutl) "Washington Centennial" Sonata No. 9 for Piano - Based on Songs about Washington State, Commissioned by the Washington State Music Teachers Association for the Washington State Centennial Celebration of 1989: Western Washington-Welcome Song (Sammish), Traveling Canoe Song (Sammish), Song of Namu the Killer Whale: Short, The Old Settler, My Home In Cathlamet, Go Way Back and Sit Down, The Climb quote: Symphony No. 2 "Mysterious Mountain" by Seattle resident Alan Hovhaness, Scherzo-Blackball Ferry Line Up In Seattle, San Juan Pig, Gooey Duck Song. III. Eastern Washington-Our State of Washington “Fog Woman” for Orchestra (Tlingit story) Instrumentation and Program Notes Raven Is Fishing Mist and Fog Woman's Song Raven and Fog Woman Become As One Dance of Sparkling Salmon The Relationship Sours Raven's Fit of Rage and Fog Woman's Resolve Final Song Fog Woman Dissolves

Northwest Tetrology for Orchestra

I. Mount Takhoma II. The Raven Speaks - Based on Northwest Coastal Indian Songs and Dances III. Pahto, The Warrior Who Became A Mountain IV. Chief Seattle

Chamber Music

"Blue Dawn" for Violin, Clarinet and Piano - Original music imitating three American musical personalities: Violin is Appalachian (Tennessee) fiddle music Clarinet is Southeastern (Louisiana) "Blues" Piano is classical (New York) avant-garde "Dialogue" for Violin and Mallet Percussion (Vibraphone/Marimba) I. Dialogue (Violin/Vibraphone) II. Dumpin' It In (Marimba solo) III. Intermezzo (Violin solo) IV. Perpetual Motion (Violin/Xylophone) "Duo" Sonata for Flute and Piano l Intertwined II. For Old Times’ Sake III. Voices Form Within IV. Resolution "In Praise of Darkness" for Tuba and Piano I. Frightening II. Of Dreams III. Night Life "Metaphors" for String Quartet No. 1 I. Portrait II. Soaring III. Declamation IV. Waltz V. Epilogue

I. Allegro energico II. Grave III. Allegretto IV. Allegro brilliante (For more chamber music, see Sonatas In Tribute)

Choral

“A Cradle Hymn” Multiple Division Chorus and Organ, “Welcome Carol” Women’s Voices, “Mass” Large Chorus and Percussion including hand bells Kyrie eleison Gloria Credo (with congregation/audience participation) Sanctus Hosana Agnus Dei (with electronic tape delay and congregation/audience participation)

Concerti

"American" Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra (see American Series) I In Tribute to George Gershwin II. In tribute to Henry Cowell IV. In Tribute to Charles Ives Approximately 30 minutes “Chief Seattle” for Orator and Orchestra (see Northwest Images) - Chief Seattle's 1854 speech recited while the orchestra presents its ideas and images in sound. “Concerto” Symphonic Wind Ensemble I. March (tutti) II. Lament for Wood Winds III. Toccata for Brass IV. Sounding for Percussion V. Serenade for Saxophones VI. Finale (tutti) “Pahto” Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra - The Nisqually Story of Pahto, The Warrior Who Became A Mountain (see Northwest Images) Pahto's Call Yeast's Challenge Newit's Warning Combat Pahto's Death Newit's Lament Mountain Transfiguration Spirits Within "Sequoia" Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Wind Ensemble - Based on Native American Songs and Dances Song of the Rain (Navajo) Mocking Bird (Yuma) Steal-Each-Other Dance (Creek) Oh Great Forest (Seneca) Rain Song (Hopi) Crow dance Song (Arapaho) Song of Rejoicing and Thanksgiving (Pawnee)

Instrumental Solo

"A Passing of the Sun" Solo Viola, "Apotheosis of Saint Paul" Toccata for Organ, "Dragon Child" Harp, "I Heard the Owl" Solo Flute, “Rhapsody” Solo Cello, “Soliloquy” Solo Contrabass, "Tears of Heaven" Organ, "Vistas" for Low Brass Instruments (4 euphonium, 4 trombone, 4 tuba)

Piano Solos

Early Piano Music 1954 to 1959 Pagoda, Poem, Fountain, Nocturne, Polonaise, Lament, March ala Shostakovich, Fugue in Eb Minor, Invention, Nocturne for the Left Hand, Midhaven, Prelude and Fugue in F#, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: On A White Horse, On A Red Horse, On A Black Horse, On A Pale Horse (for amplified piano), The Man Who Married The Eagle (A Haida Story) for Piano, Twenty-Four Tonal Preludes (in all the keys)
Solos Dozen Student Etudes Book 1 Tetra chords, For the Right Hand, For the Left Hand, Clouds, Oriental Dragon, Clusters of Bells Book 2 Tornado, The Peacock, Toccata in Thirds, Viennese Waltz (atonal), Sparks (avant-garde picture piece), Noisy Rag Excursions for Students, Series I (60 pieces) Twenty-Four Interval Studies, Excursions for Students Series II Twelve Dances, Excursions for Students Series III Twenty-Four Student Preludes In All the Key s Transcriptions for Students Carnival of the Animals suite (Camille Saint-Saens), Overture to the Flying Dutchman (Richard Wagner), Chorus of Dervishes from The Ruins of Athens (Beethoven), Classics for Piano (Volume I, early), Classics for Piano (Volume II, intermediate), Classics for Piano (Volume III, advanced)

Sonatas

Piano Sonatas "Fantasy" Sonata No. 1 (1956-58) in one movement "Ballad" Sonata No. 2 (1960) I. Kemberly II. Shiobhan "Etude" Sonata No. 3 1972 (from sketches of 1966-68) I. Allegro dramatico II. Adagio cantabile III. Con brio; "American Bicentennial" Sonata No. 4 (1976) I. When Johnny Comes Marching Home Chester (William Billings) II. The Sow Took The Measles and She Died In the Spring My Sweetheart's A Mule In the Mine Froggie Went A Courtin' III. Holy Song (Dakota) Song of Healing (Navajo) Death, Ain't You Got Not Shame Everybody Loves the Spring (China) Lullaby (Mexico) IV. The Ballad of John Henry; "Spirituals" Sonata No.5 (1980) In One movement Swing Low Sweet Chariot The Gospel Trains a Comin' Ezekiel Saw the Wheel Heav'n Heav'n Give Me That Old Time Religion I Couldn't hear Nobody Pray; "Women Out West" Sonata No.6(1986) I. Darlin' Cory Hang Town Gals Women's Song of Rejoicing (Pawnee) II. Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair The Riddle Song (I gave My Love a Cherry) Single Girl III. Sweet Betsy from Pike Sally Goodin' Sally Ann; "Ghost Dance" Sonata No.7 (1987) (also see Native American) I. Medicine Song (Apache) II. Song of the Fox (Cheyenne) Bird (Seminole) Song of the Fox Society (Dakota) III. Ghost Dance (Pawnee) Ghost Dance (Arapaho) Song of the Earth Maker IV. Love Song (Dakota) Love Song (Wabanaki) Love Song (Winnebago); "Mountain" Sonata No.8 (1988-in progress) (also see American Series) "Washington Centennial" Sonata No. 9(1989) (also see Northwest Images) Based on Songs about Washington State Performance time: 45 minutes Commissioned by Washington State Music Teachers Association for Washington State Centennial Celebration of 1989 I. Western Washington Welcome Song (Sammish) Traveling Canoe Song (Sammish) Song of Namu the Killer Whale: Short The Old Settler My Home in Cathlamet Go Way Back and Sit Down The Climb quote: Symphony No. 2 "Mysterious Mountain" by Seattle resident Alan Hovhaness II. Scherzo Blackball Ferry Line Up In Seattle San Juan Pig Gooey Duck Song III. Eastern Washington Our State of Washington Walla Walla Is My Home Town When Its Blossom Time in the Yakima Valley Apple Picker's Reel Roll On Columbia (River) Quote: "Secrets" from Mountain Symphony No. 1 by Spokane resident Michael E. Young IV. Finale The year1889 represented in a rhythmic pattern Welcome Song - reprise (Sammish) Hail Washington Shalom Aleichem (fugue) My Dreydl Zero Dacus Godzilla Ate Tukwilla Washington My Home
Sonatas in Tribute "Anwar Sadat" Sonata for Cello and Piano - Based on Egyptian Songs I. Pretty Little Dove Village Song II. Camp David: What Wants This Lad (Egyptian) Let Us Be Friends Again (Israeli) Going to Georgia (American) III. Return What Wants this Lad (reprise) IV. Riesa Sadat's Lament A Love Song Wedding Processional; "George Catlin" Sonata for Viola and Piano - Based on Native American Songs I. Paddling Song (Lummi) II. Dance Song (Sioux) Quail Song (Cherokee) III. Hunting Song (Navajo) Buffalo Dance (Kiowa) Song of the Horse (Navajo) Antelope (Kiowa) Blue Bird (Pima) Song of the Hare (Winnebago) Viola cadenza: Geronimo's Song (Apache) IV. Ribbon Dance (Cayuga); "John F. Kennedy" Sonata for Violin and Piano I. Camelot II. Elegy: The Riderless Horse III. Eternal Flame; "KAL 007" for Flute, Viola and Harp - Based on Korean Songs Jinando Arirang Song of the Broad Bell Flower Song of the Birds; "Martin Luther King Jr." Sonata for Piano Four Hands - Based on Spirituals I. In Bright Mansions Above We Shall Overcome II. Wayfaring Stranger Wondrous Love O' Freedom We Shall Overcome III. Great Day Sit down Servant We Shall Overcome; "Robert F. Kennedy" Sonata for Trumpet and Piano I. Slowly and majestically Fast and rhythmic - quotes the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts" Slowly II. Dirge III. Hymn: Confess Jehovah IV. Finale ("Simple Gifts" reprise)

Song (Songs and Song Cycles)

"Earth's Miracles" A Cycle for Soprano and Piano I. A Spider's Web in the Sun (Azlyn Stanfield) II. Cricket (Raymond Jarvi) III. Night Crow (Theodore Roethke) IV. The Cow - with a double udder (Theodore Roethke) V. The Eagle and the Mole (Eleanor Wylie) VI. Earth's Miracles (Gwen Trastic) Lines for Winter, Song for Soprano, French Horn and Piano Poetry by Mark Strand; “The Pilgrim” Cycle for Tenor, Piano and Percussion Poetry by Kim Si-sup (fifteenth-century Korean monk), translated by David Mesler Part I. The Pilgrim's Way Climbing the Mount of Saints Wandering to Madness Part II. When One Gazes Into the Distance Growing Old To Whom Shall I Make Known? Self Portrait; “Silver Moon” Cycle of Seven Songs for Tenor and Piano I. Silent Moon (Walter De la Mare) II. The Donkey (G. K. Chesterton) III. Milk for the Cat (Harold Monro) IV. The Wild Duck (John Mansfield) V. The Snare (James Stephens) VI. The Birds (Hillarie Belloc) VII. Silver Wind (Amy Lowell) “Summer Dawn” Cycle for Soprano and Piano - Based on Native American Poetry I. Neither Spirit nor Bird (Shoshone: trans. Mary Astin) II. Calling One's Own (Ojibwa: trans. Charles Fenno Hoffman) III. The Wild Woman's Lullaby (trans. Constance Lindsay Skinner) IV. Summer Dawn (trans. Constance Lindsay Skinner)

Symphonies

Symphony No. 1 for Large Orchestra (including 2 Harps, Piano/Celesta, Alto Saxophone and Trap Drum Set) Four movements played without pause Parts not available; Symphony No. 2 for Brass and Percussion Performance duration: approximately 30 minutes I. Allegro drammattico II. Scherzo: Vivace III. Andante cantabile IV. Allegro moderato - Allegro - Presto Four movements played without pause; Symphony No. 3 for Symphonic Wind Ensemble I. Allegro energico II. Scherzo for jazz ensemble III. Molto adagio IV. Finale: Variations Approximately 60 minutes

Symphonic Poems (Orchestral and Symphonic Works)

“Chief Seattle” Orator and Orchestra with Folk Instruments (see Northwest Images - Tetrology); "Concerto” Symphonic Wind Ensemble; “Farewell Duet” Orchestra, Based on Broken Wings by Kahlil Gibran (from a projected opera); “Fog Woman” Orchestra (Tlingit Story) (see Northwest Images); "From Dust We Came...." Wind Ensemble, Rock - Folk - Jazz Ensembles, Reader, Audience Participation and Electronic Tape Delay; “Germany” Large Orchestra with Organ - Based on German classical, folk and popular melodies Rhine River Oktoberfest Cathedrals Schwartzwald; “Hobbit Preludes” Large Orchestra - Based on The Hobbit and Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien [Book 1] I. Middle Earth and Bilbo's Long Expected Party II. Dwarves March III. Spiders of Mirkwood IV. Crossing the Misty Mountains V. Mines of Moria VI. Lothloraine; “Mount Takhoma” Orchestra (see Northwest Images - Tetrology); “Pahto - The Warrior Who Became A Mountain” (Nisqually Story), (see Northwest Images - Tetrology); “The Raven Speaks” - Based on Northwest Native American Songs (see Northwest Images - Tetrology); “Salute: To the Men and Women of the American Armed Forces” Band Arranged from the first movement of the "American Bicentennial" Sonata No. 4 for Piano; ”Tehame” Suite for Band (suitable for high school and college band) - Based on Native American Songs and Dances I. Round Dance (Kiowa) II. Duck Dance (Seminole) III. Riding Song (Navajo) IV. Night Is Here (Cherokee) V. Totem Pole (Haida)' Writings More About Music Book 1 24 Essays on the musical experience concentrating on abstract forms; More About Music Book 2 24 essays on the musical experience concentrating on descriptive forms A Composer's Book of Musical Lists Color and Keys Compositional Techniques Descriptive Subjects Forms Orchestration Religion