Constructing Thought, One Note at a Time
The Angel (from Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience)
My score for Evolve Puppet’s They Were Called Trees (2023)
Sweet Stillness
Dream – words & music by Joel Phillip Friedman (featuring Alex Gallows/vocals, Scott Thureen/video)
Uncle Hokum’s Fiddle for TWO violins (2022)
The Horizon Beyond
“Right In Front Of Our Nose!”
Inferno: Double Concerto for Viola, Cello, and Chamber Orchestra
Home – a hybrid puppetry theater play
One Into One – for soprano & piano
Johansen
From: All Things Are Set Ablaze (2017)
Continuance
Uncle Hokum’s Fiddle for solo violin (2013)
Arias with Dance Glitch (2016)
When the World Disintegrates Before Your Eyes for solo viola (2013)
Movable Home (for string orchestra) (2015)
Wine Ring App Launch Video Score
Triptych for solo cello (2013)
Tomorrow Never Knows
Fallings (Workshop Excerpts)
Gamestop
Gravity of Honey
Concerto (In the Form of Variations) for Viola and Orchestra
The Emily Songs
Elastic Band
What the Living Do
Pas de Deux for cello and piano
Red Ice
Personals – I Think You Should Know
Latest News
Musically, I am a “synthesist” - someone who is fascinated by all types of music regardless of genre or style, or whether it is narrative or abstract in nature. When I was a kid, I loved jazz and rock and later discovered classical music. But, as a composition student, I was urged by several of my teachers to specialize among my musical activities – to choose between musical theater/rock or concert music. I resisted and instead resolved to synthesize, rather than compartmentalize my creative work. I have composed music for the concert hall (small and large ensembles), and for musical theater, opera, dance, film, jazz, and rock. My thinking is constantly refreshed through collaborations, teaching activities, and new creative projects.
2 Upcoming Local DC Performances Of My Music
1st April 2024 By Joel Friedman
The Angel for voice and chamber ensemble from William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience
Carol Shaffer, Mezzo-Soprano, and Balance Campaign
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 7:30 pm, Ward Hall Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, free
Sweet Stillness for soloists, mixed choir, and ensemble on texts by Barthold Heinrich Brockes and Joel Phillip Friedman
Catholic University Orchestra and Concert Choir, Noel Nascimento, conductor
Saturday, April 27 2024 at 7:30 pm, The Hartke Theatre 3801 Harewood Rd. NE, Washington, DC, free (reservations suggested)
New vocal setting of Blake’s “The Angel”
7th January 2024 By Joel Friedman
I’ll be our joining our composition students and other Catholic Univeristy faculty writing a joint song cycle setting of excerpts from William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience for talented CUA singers (in my case Carolyn Shaffer) and the awesome ensemble-in-residence Balance Campaign. My friend and colleague Stephen Gorbos and impresario thought up this wonderful project. What was I assigned? The Angel! Mmmm…The song is done and it’s fun. Let’s see where this goes. See you there on April 24, 2024!
New & Timely Song & Video: DREAM
28th September 2022 By Joel Friedman
And I have a request: please watch DREAM (it’s just 4 minutes long) and share it WIDELY. I would like it to make a constructive difference for our upcoming midterm elections on November 8th. Democracy and freedom – and all that follows – are on the ballot. We need to “sing that out” loud and clear, and art can help. Thank you. — Joel Phillip Friedman (composer/lyricist). Special thanks for the talents of Alex Gallows (voice) and Scott Thureen (video).
This project was supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.