Michael Abels

Works List

Band Music

Falling Sky (2019)

Instrumentation: Concert Band [picc, 2fl, 2ob, eh, 3cl bcl 2bn, cbn; 2asx, tsx, bari; 3tpt, 4hn, 3tbn btbn, euph, tba; timp, 3perc, synth; cb]
Duration: 22'

Global Warming (band) (1991/2020)

Instrumentation: Concert Band [picc, 2fl, 2ob, eh, 3cl bcl 2bn, cbn; SATBar sax; 3tpt, 4hn, 3tbn btbn, euph, tba; timp, 3perc, synth; cb]
Duration: 8'

Choral Music

A World of Carols (1995)

medley of traditional European carols
Instrumentation: SSAA chorus, brass quintet, handbells (opt), harp
Duration: 20'

Angels We Have Heard on High (1994)

Instrumentation: Gospel soloist (mezzo or bar); SAT (opt B) chorus; 2,1 2,eh 2,bcl 2; 4331; timp, 3perc, hp, pno, bs, drs; str
Duration: 4'

Be the Change (2014)

Instrumentation: Gospel Soloist, Gospel Choir (SAT) & Piano
Duration: 4

Fairest Lord Jesus (2002)

Instrumentation: Gospel soloist (sop or tenor); SAT (opt B) chorus; 2,1 222; 4331; timp, 2perc, pno, bs, drs; str
Duration: 5'

Four Carols (complete) (1987-89)

Instrumentation: SATB chorus, a cappella
Duration: 10'

Goin' Home (1993)

Instrumentation: gosp. soloists; SAT opt B chorus, solo tpt; 2,1 222; 4331; timp, 3 perc, pno, hp; stgs
Duration: 5'

How Great Thou Art (1992)

Instrumentation: Gospel soloist (mezzo or bar); SAT chorus; 2,1 2,eh 2,bcl 2; 4331; timp, 2perc, pno, bs, drs; str
Duration: 4'

How Majestic (1992)

Instrumentation: SAT (opt B) chorus; 2,1 2,eh 2,bcl 2; 4331; timp, pno, bs, drs; str
Duration: 5'

I'm Determined (1991)

Instrumentation: Gospel soloist (alto or bar); SATchorus; 2,2,2,2; 4331; timp, pno, bs, drs; str
Duration: 5'

Limitless

from the Hip-Hopera Homies & Popz
Instrumentation: SATB Chorus & Piano
Duration: 2' 30"

Love Lifted Me (1993)

Instrumentation: solo trumpet in Bb; Gospel soloist (soprano or tenor); SAT choir; 2,1 2,2,2; 4331; timp, 3perc, pno, elec bs, drs; str
Duration: 8'

Mary Had A Baby (1994)

Instrumentation: Gospel soloist (alto or high tenor); SAT (opt B) chorus; 2,1 2,eh 2,bcl 2; 4331; timp, 3perc, hp, pno, bs, drs; str
Duration: 4'

Ode to Harmony (2004)

Instrumentation: SSATB chorus a cappella
Duration: 4'

Rise Up (2016)

Instrumentation: SATBar Chorus, a cappella
Duration: 2

Silent Night, Joyful Night (1994)

Instrumentation: Gospel soloist (mezzo or baritone); SAT (opt B) choir; 2,1 2,eh 2,bcl 2; 4331; timp 3perc, hp, pno; elec bs, drs; str
Duration: 6'

Walk With Me (1991-1992)

Instrumentation: Gospel soloist (mezzo or baritone); SAT chorus; 2(1)222; 4331; timp, 3perc, pno; opt gtr, elec bs, drs; str
Duration: 5'

What a Mighty God (2001)

Instrumentation: SATB chorus; 2,1 2,2,2; 4331; timp, 2 perc, pno, bs, drs; stgs
Duration: 8'

You're a Grand Old Flag (1995)

Instrumentation: SATB chorus; 2222; 4331; timp, 3perc; pno, elec bs, drs; str
Duration: 4'

Opera

Homies and Popz (2001)

Instrumentation: solo sop, ten, bar, bass-bar; chorus; pno, bs, drs
Duration: 42

Rhiannon Giddens/Michael Abels OMAR (2021)

Opera in 2 Acts
Instrumentation: Solosits, Chorus & Orchestra
Duration: 125'

Orchestral Music

Affectionate Objects (2004)

Instrumentation: 2,1 2,3(eb, bcl) 2; 4331; timp, perc(3); harp, stgs
Duration: 10'

American Variations on Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (1993)

for trumpet & orchestra
Instrumentation: solo tpt; 2,1 2,1 2,bcl 2; 4331; timp, 3 perc, pno, bs, drs, stgs
Duration: 9'

Dance for Martin's Dream (1997)

Instrumentation: 2,1 2(1) 2(eb) 2; 4331; timp, 2 perc, hp; stgs
Duration: 13'

Delights and Dances (2007)

Instrumentation: stg qrt, stgs
Duration: 12'

Emerge (2021)

Instrumentation: Orchestra
Duration: 9'

Frederick's Fables (1993-94)

Instrumentation: narrator; 2(1), 2(1), 2(1)2, 2220; timp, 2 perc, hp, cel stgs
Duration: 37'

Frederick's Fables #1: Frederick (1993-95)

Instrumentation: narrator; 2(1), 2(1), 2, 2220; timp, 2 perc, hp, cel; stgs
Duration: 7'

Frederick's Fables #2: Greentail Mouse, The (1993-94)

Instrumentation: narrator; 2(1) 2(1) 22; 2220; timp, 2 perc, hp, cel; stgs
Duration: 10'

Frederick's Fables #3: Alexander & the Wind-Up Mouse (1994)

Instrumentation: narrator; 2(1) 2(1) 2(1) 2; 2220; timp, 2 perc, hp, cel; stgs
Duration: 11'

Frederick's Fables #4: Theodore & the Talking Mushroom (1994)

Instrumentation: narrator; 2(1) 2(1) 2(1) 2; 2220; timp, 2 perc, hp, cel; stgs
Duration: 9'

Global Warming (1991)

Instrumentation: 2,1 2(1 opt) 22; 4331; timp, 2 perc, hp; stgs
Duration: 8'

How Majestic (1992)

Instrumentation: SAT (opt B) chorus; 2,1 2,eh 2,bcl 2; 4331; timp, pno, bs, drs; str
Duration: 5'

I'm Determined (1991)

Instrumentation: Gospel soloist (alto or bar); SATchorus; 2,2,2,2; 4331; timp, pno, bs, drs; str
Duration: 5'

Liquify (2017)

Instrumentation: 2(1) 222; 4211; timp, perc, hp; stgs
Duration: 9

More Seasons (1999)

Instrumentation: 2(1) 22; 2200; timp, hpschd; stgs
Duration: 12'

Outburst (2005)

Instrumentation: 2,1 2 2(eb) 2; 4331; timp, perc; sgts
Duration: 5

Tribute (2001)

Instrumentation: 2,1 222; 4231; timp, 3 perc; stgs
Duration: 3'

Urban Legends (2009)

Instrumentation: solo Str Qt; 2,1 222; 4331; timp, 4 perc, hp; stgs
Duration: 11

Victory Road (2016)

Instrumentation: 2,1 222; 4331; timp, perc, hp; stgs
Duration: 4

Winged Creatures (2018)

Instrumentation: Flute, Clarinet & Orchestra (2,1 222: 4231; timp, perc, hp; stgs)
Duration: 13

You're a Grand Old Flag (1995)

Instrumentation: SATB chorus; 2222; 4331; timp, 3perc; pno, elec bs, drs; str
Duration: 4'

Piano Music

Anguish (from Falling Sky) (2020)

Instrumentation: Piano
Duration: 4'30"

Gift of the Machine (2020)

Instrumentation: Piano
Duration: 3'

Iconoclasm (2017)

Instrumentation: Piano
Duration: 3

String Orchestra

Delights and Dances (2007)

Instrumentation: stg qrt, stgs
Duration: 12'