Constructing Thought, One Note at a Time
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
T Tables
Hey Ho, the Wind and the Rain!
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.
Guest speaker for Stanford University’s Distinguished Careers Institute
6th August 2020 By Joel Friedman
I was very happy to be the guest speaker for Stanford University’s Distinguished Careers Institute (DCI) today. We had a great time doing a deep dive into the creation of the song Help! JL: “Stop it! Stop, stop… string gone” GH: “I’ll have to double-track singing it. I’ll have to do this bit singing, which is going to be even harder still.” Thank you DCI! 
Premiere of Inferno Postponed Until Fall 2020/Covid-19
9th March 2020 By Joel Friedman
Dear Friends: In an abundance of caution, and following suit with a number of other Bay Area organizations, the March 29, 2020 premiere of my Inferno, Double Concerto for Viola, Cello, and Chamber Orchestra with Jennifer Kloetzel, Jonathan Moerschel, Maestra Barbara Day Turner, and San José Chamber Orchestra has been postponed. However, Silver Lining: We are working on the reschedule! So: watch this space! Meanwhile, let’s keep those on the West Coast, and the Bay Area in particular, in our thoughts.
“Home” was a hit!
7th October 2019 By Joel Friedman
“Home” the evening-length puppetry theatre multimedia play I scored had a successful run at the Tank NYC in May. It was a real pleasure to work with an all-star creative team and cast on this moving and beautiful work. I can’t wait to see what happens next!