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Works List

A composer of opera, silent film, theatrical, orchestral, chamber, vocal and choral music, Andrew Earle Simpson describes his work as “humanistic music,” making multi-faceted connections between music, literature, visual art, theater, and film, reflecting his fundamental interest in contextualizing music in the wider world. His richly varied creative and performative work includes collaborations with filmmakers and digital animators, visual artists, photographers, dancers, actors, and choreographers.

Caesar and the Mannequin (2020-21)
Miniature opera inspired by Man Ray for 3 performers and chamber ensemble
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
Libretto by Susan Galbraith
Duration: 29 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Oresteia Project (2019)
Three contemporary operas on Aeschylus' ancient Greek tragic cycle
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
English libretti by Sarah B Ferrario (translated from the ancient Greek)
Duration: Each opera is a one-act work of about 70-100 minutes, and can be performed separately.
Program Note and Media
The Outcasts of Poker Flat (2009-10, rev. 2012)
Chamber opera in one act after Bret Harte's short story
Music and libretto by Andrew Earle Simpson
Duration: 70 minutes
Program Note and Media
Mozart and the Gray Steward (2008)
Miniature opera after Thornton Wilder's play
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
Duration: 11 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Furies (2005)
Opera in one act on Aeschylus’ Eumenides
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
Libretto by Sarah B. Ferrario (trans. from the ancient Greek)
Duration: 90 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Libation Bearers (2001-04)
Opera in one act on Aeschylus’ Choephoroi
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
Libretto by Sarah B. Ferrario (trans. from the ancient Greek)
Duration: 75 minutes
Program Note and Media
Agamemnon (1999-2001)
Opera in one act on Aeschylus’ Agamemnon
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
Libretto by Sarah B. Ferrario (trans. from the ancient Greek)
Duration: 100 minutes
Program Note and Media

Silent film music is a branch of dramatic music. The principles by which music responds to, reinforces, and amplifies drama on stage in opera or ballet apply equally to music which accompanies dramatic events on screen. At its finest, silent film music is a partner with the film, as sound and image work together to create dramatic expression. Composing and performing new music for silent film is an important area of my work. As Resident Film Accompanist at the National Gallery of Art and regularly-featured accompanist at the Library of Congress’ Mt. Pony Theater, I perform improvised piano and organ scores. I also create fully-notated scores for silent film for live performance and DVD release.

The Immigrant (2017)
Music to accompany the 1917 comedy starring Charles Chaplin
for Symphony Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2 ( II dbl pc) 2 (II dbl EH) 2 (II dbl bs cl) 2 4 3 3 1 timp 3 perc hp pno st
Duration: 25 minutes
Program Note and Media
One Week (2015)
Music to accompany the 1920 silent comedy starring Buster Keaton
for Orchestra
Instrumentation: 3 (3 dbl picc) 3 3 (3 dbl bs cl) 3/ 4 3 3 1/ timp 2 perc hp pno strings
Duration: 22 minutes
Program Note and Media
The General (2014)
Music to accompany the 1926 silent film starring Buster Keaton
for Orchestra
Instrumentation: 1(dbl pc) 01 (dbl bs cl) 1 0110 1 perc vn I vn I va vc cb
Duration: 78 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Wind (2011-12)
Music to accompany the 1928 silent film starring Lillian Gish
for SATB chorus, chamber orchestra, and theater organ
Instrumentation: 1010 0000 1 perc theater org vn I vn II va vc db SATB chorus
Duration: 73 minutes
Program Note and Media
Hard Knocks (2008)
This 1924 Charley Chase comedy shows the comedian in his classic, dapper-yet-somewhat-goofy persona, ever positive and winning.
for chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, percussion
DVD: Becoming Charley Chase, Allday Entertainment (distributed by VCI) (2009)
Duration: 11 minutes
Program Note and Media
Peanuts and Bullets (2008)
for chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, accordion, piano, percussion
DVD: Becoming Charley Chase, Allday Entertainment (distributed by VCI) (2009)
Duration: 12 minutes
Program Note and Media
Too Many Mammas (2008)
for chamber ensemble
My score for the 1924 silent comedy starring Charley Chase. Charley breaks a date with his girl to be his boss’ alibi (who is having an affair). At the speakeasy, the various snubbed partners converge!
DVD: Becoming Charley Chase, Allday Entertainment (distributed by VCI) (2009)
Duration: 9 minutes
Program Note and Media
His New Mamma (2007)
for jazz trio
Instrumentation: clarinet, piano, drums
DVD: Lost and Found: The Harry Langdon Collection, Allday Entertainment (distributed by Facets) (2007)
Duration: 15 minutes
Program Note and Media
Picking Peaches (2007)
for jazz trio
Instrumentation: clarinet, piano, drums
DVD: Lost and Found: The Harry Langdon Collection, Allday Entertainment (distributed by Facets) (2007)
Duration: 21 minutes 30 seconds
Program Note and Media
The Hansom Cabman (2007)
for chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: clarinets, saxophone, piano, accordion, percussion
DVD: Lost and Found: The Harry Langdon Collection, Allday Entertainment (distributed by Facets) (2007)
Duration: 20 minutes
Program Note and Media
Lucky Stars (2007)
for chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: clarinets, violin, piano, toy piano, mini-Korg synthesizer, percussion
DVD: The Harry Langdon Collection: Lost and Found, Allday Entertainment (distributed by Facets) (2007)
Duration: 21 minutes
Program Note and Media
Soldier Man (2007)
for chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: 2 clarinets, baritone saxophone, piano, electric bass/guitar, percussion
DVD: Lost and Found: The Harry Langdon Collection, Allday Entertainment (distributed by Facets) (2007)
Duration: 31 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Magic Lantern (Méliès Suite) (2006)
for piano solo
Instrumentation: piano
Seven short pieces originally written to accompany delightful early silent films by French film pioneer George Méliès.
Duration: 33 minutes
Program Note and Media
Liberty (2005)
for chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: 2 wood winds, piano, percussion
The score can be performed with the film, as well, and exists in three versions (for 3, 4, and 5 players).
Duration: 19 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Wind (2011-12)
Music to accompany the 1928 silent film starring Lillian Gish
Instrumentation: SATB chorus, chamber orchestra, and theater organ
Duration: 73 minutes
Program Note and Media
A Crown of Stars (2006)
Wedding oratorio for soprano, tenor, SATB and SSA chorus, and chamber orchestra
Instrumentation: soprano, tenor, SATB and SSA chorus, and 1111/0100/1 perc/hp/pno/1111 orchestra
Recording: A Crown of Stars/Albany Records, TROY1358 (2012)
Duration: 43 minutes
Program Note and Media
Aurora Christi (Christ’s Daybreak) (2005)
Fanfare for SATB chorus and symphony orchestra
Instrumentation: SATB chorus and 2222/4331/timp/2 perc/hp/opt org /vn solo/strings
Chorus and organ version also available
Duration: 3 minutes
Program Note and Media
Just One (2022)
for SATB chorus, piano, and drums
Instrumentation: SATB chorus, piano, and drums
Text by Roberto Ifill
Duration: 6 minutes 30 seconds
Program Note and Media
It is Time (2018-19)
for SATB double chorus and chamber instrumental ensemble
Instrumentation: fl cl bn hp perc 2 vn va cvc cb
Poetry by Roberto Ifill
Duration: 22 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Double Axe (2019)
for soloists, SATB chorus, and chamber instrumental ensemble
Suite from the Oresteia operatic trilogy (Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Furies)
Instrumentation: SATB Chorus, fl (dbl pc) cl vn vc pno perc
Supertitles available for concert performance
Duration: 54 minutes
Program Note and Media
Patterns and Lines (2016)
for baritone soloist, SATB chorus, string quartet and harp
Instrumentation: Baritone soloist, SATB chorus, 2 violins, Viola, Cello, Harp
Video projection available for performance
Poetry by Roberto Ifill. Photography and animation by Wayne and Judy Guenther. Video edited by Nick Ferrario.
Duration: 30 minutes
Program Note and Media
Mother’s Blood (2009)
Instrumentation: SSA chorus, soprano solo, and chamber ensemble
Also available for chorus and piano
Duration: 18 minutes
Program Note and Media
Wayfaring Stranger (2006)
Instrumentation: SATB chorus, soprano solo, and chamber ensemble
Also available for chorus and piano
Based on an American folk tune
Duration: 3 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Sparrow Song (2005)
Instrumentation: Children's chorus SS, piano, perc (triangle, drum)
The text of this piece sets an ancient Greek song, and is an ancient version of trick-or-treat.
Text translated by Sarah B. Ferrario
Duration: 5 minutes
Program Note and Media
Song to the Stars (1997)
Instrumentation: treble chorus SSA and piano
This three-part wedding oratorio tells a story: courtship, wedding, and wedding-night/shivaree. In celebrating the universality of marriage, texts are drawn from a wide variety of cultures and time periods.
Publication: Colla Voce
Duration: 6 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Immigrant (2017)
Music to accompany the 1917 comedy starring Charles Chaplin
for Symphony Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2 ( II dbl pc) 2 (II dbl EH) 2 (II dbl bs cl) 2 4 3 3 1 timp 3 perc hp pno st
Duration: 25 minutes
Program Note and Media
Jupiter Jane: A Cinematic Adventure (2017)
for Symphony Orchestra
Instrumentation: pc/2/2/2/bs cl/2 2/3/2/1 timp 2 perc hp strings
Duration: 8 minutes 30 seconds
Program Note and Media
Agamemnon Suite (2015)
for Symphony Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2 fl (2 dbl picc) 2 ob 2 cl 2 bn 2 hn 2 tpt 2 tbn tb 2 perc hp strings
Duration: 9 minutes 30 seconds
Program Note and Media
One Week (2014-15)
for Orchestra
Music to accompany the 1920 silent comedy starring Buster Keaton
Instrumentation: 3 (3 dbl picc) 3 3 (3 dbl bs cl) 3/ 4 3 3 1/ timp 2 perc hp pno strings
Duration: 22 minutes
Program Note and Media
The General (2014)
for Orchestra
Music to accompany the 1926 silent film starring Buster Keaton
Instrumentation: 1(dbl pc) 01 (dbl bs cl) 1 0110 1 perc vn I vn I va vc cb
Duration: 78 minutes
Program Note and Media
Where Four Roads Meet (2004)
Asian Folk Song Variations for Chamber Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2220/0000/2 perc/zheng or hp/solo vn/strings
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
in the gloaming: twilight music for chamber orchestra (2001)
Instrumentation: 2222/2200/hp/solo vn/strings
Duration: 12 minutes
Program Note and Media
Petruchio (1995)
Tone poem for Symphony Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2222/4331/hp/pno/3 perc/strings
Duration: 15 minutes
Program Note and Media
Double Concerto (2009-11)
for violin, guitar, and chamber orchestra
Instrumentation: vn gt solo 1111 1110 1 perc pno frets (mand, gt, banjo) vn va vc db
Duration: 27 minutes
Program Note and Media
Actualities: A Theater-Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra (2010)
for Piano and Chamber Orchestra
Program Note and Media
Candelas (1997-98)
for piano solo and wind ensemble
Instrumentation: picc2222 2221 2 pc db pno solo
Duration: 17 minutes
Program Note and Media
Just Outside Bluegrass (2024)
for violin, cello, banjo, piano, and percussion
Duration: 4 minutes 30 seconds
Program Note and Media
Chestnuts: Three Memories for Eight-Part Guitar Ensemble (2019-20)
for Guitar Ensemble
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Mountains in the Clouds (2019)
for Chamber Ensemble
Instrumentation: violin, cello, and percussion
Duration: 5 minutes
Program Note and Media
Birds of Love and Prey (2014)
Song cycle for soprano and piano
Texts by Aristophanes (trans. SB Ferrario), Tennyson, Keats, Jules Barbier, Anonymous English (trans. Bella Millett), Anonymous American
Instrumentation: soprano, piano
Recording: Birds of Love and Prey, Naxos Records (released 2020)
Duration: 24 minutes
Program Note and Media
War Scenes (2008-09)
for alto saxophone and piano
Instrumentation: alto saxophone, piano
Publication: Jeanne Publications, Minneapolis, MN
Duration: 13 minutes
Program Note and Media
Fireflies: A Folk Set for Flute and Guitar (2006-08)
for alto saxophone and piano
Instrumentation: flute, guitar
Recording: Fireflies: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson/Red Cedar Trio (Fleur de Son Classics, 2009)
Duration: 28 minutes
Program Note and Media
lotus and poppy (2007)
for mezzo-soprano, tenor, and chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano, tenor, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano
Duration: 11 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Dead are Dancing (2006)
for flute and piano
Instrumentation: flute, piano
Duration: 13 minutes
Program Note and Media
American Gothic Suite: Theme and Variations on Grant Wood’s Art (2005)
for flute, viola, and guitar
Instrumentation: flute, viola, guitar
Recording: Fireflies: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson/Red Cedar Trio (Fleur de Son Classics, 2009)
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
Seeds of Vengeance (2005)
Song cycle for soprano, tenor, and piano
Text: Aeschylus, Agamemnon: English trans. by Sarah B. Ferrario
Instrumentation: soprano, tenor, piano
This cycle is drawn from music from my opera The Libation Bearers, and features music from the roles of Elektra (soprano) and her brother Orestes (tenor).
Duration: 22 minutes
Program Note and Media
Four Views of Pompeii (2004)
for string quartet and harp
Instrumentation: string quartet (2 vn, va, vc), harp
Also in a piano version
Recording: A Fiery and Still Night, Capstone (2006)
Duration: 18 minutes
Program Note and Media
Tesserae: Six Mosaics of Ancient Rome (2003-04)
for flute, viola, and guitar
Instrumentation: flute, viola, guitar
Recording: Fireflies: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson/Red Cedar Trio (Fleur de Son Classics, 2009)
Duration: 15 minutes
Program Note and Media
phos (2001)
for piano and percussion
Instrumentation: piano, percussion
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
Klytemnestra Songs (2001)
Song cycle for mezzo-soprano and piano
Text: Aeschylus, Agamemnon: English trans. by Sarah B. Ferrario
Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano, piano
Also available for mzo sop, vn, vc, pno, perc
This cycle is drawn from music from my opera Agamemnon, and features prominent excerpts from the role of the protagonist, Klytemnestra (mezzo-soprano or dramatic soprano).
Duration: 19 minutes
Program Note and Media
luna (1999)
for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano
Instrumentation: clarinet, violin, cello, piano
Duration: 9 minutes
Program Note and Media
Applets (1998-99)
for double bass and piano
Instrumentation: double bass, piano
solo and non-solo tuning versions available
Recording: A Fiery and Still Night, Capstone (2006)
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
Winter-Night Canticles (1996)
Christmas suite in six movements for flute and guitar
Instrumentation: flute, guitar
Duration: 18 minutes
Program Note and Media
Summer-Night Songs (1994, rev. 1997)
for soprano saxophone and harp
Instrumentation: soprano saxophone, harp
Also oboe, piano and B-flat clarinet, piano
Recording: Exhortations (Athena Records), 1998
Duration: 8 minutes
Program Note and Media
Chamber Concerto (1992)
for chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, 1 percussion
Recording: Exhortations (Athena Records), 1998
Duration: 16 minutes
Program Note and Media
Exhortation II (2008)
for Soprano Saxophone Solo
Instrumentation: soprano saxophone solo
Version for oboe solo, 1996
Publication: Jeanne Publications, Minneapolis, MN
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
Exhortation I (1996)
for Soprano Saxophone Solo
Instrumentation: alto saxophone
Recording:
Exhortations: Virtuoso Solo Instrumental and Chamber Music (Athena 1998)
America's Millennium Tribute to Adolphe Sax Volume II (Arizona University Recordings 1999)
Duration: 8 minutes
Program Note and Media
Exhortation II (1996)
for oboe solo
Instrumentation: oboe
Version for soprano saxophone, 2008
Publication: Jeanne Publications, Minneapolis, MN
Recording: Nancy Ambrose King, for Exhortations, Athena Records (1998)
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
Exhortation III (1996)
for double bass solo
Instrumentation: double bass
Version for soprano saxophone, 2008
Publication: BassScores Editions
Recording: Michael Cameron, for Exhortations, Athena Records (1998)
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
Cloisters (1997)
for guitar solo
Instrumentation: guitar
Publication: BassScores Editions
Recording: A Fiery and Still Night, Capstone (2006)
Duration: 12 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Magic Lantern (Méliès Suite) (2006)
for piano solo
Seven short pieces originally written to accompany delightful early silent films by French film pioneer George Méliès.
Instrumentation: piano
Duration: 33 minutes
Program Note and Media
Flower-terrible Memories (1992-94)
for piano solo
Instrumentation: piano
Recording: A Fiery and Still Night, Capstone (2006), Brian Ganz, piano Duration: 15 minutes
Program Note and Media
Birds of Love and Prey (2014)
Song cycle for soprano and piano
Texts by Aristophanes (trans. SB Ferrario), Tennyson, Keats, Jules Barbier, Anonymous English (trans. Bella Millett), Anonymous American
Instrumentation: soprano, piano
Recording: Birds of Love and Prey, Naxos Records (released 2020)
Duration: 24 minutes
Program Note and Media
lotus and poppy (2007)
for mezzo-soprano, tenor, and chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano, tenor, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano
Duration: 11 minutes
Program Note and Media
Seeds of Vengeance (2005)
Song cycle for soprano, tenor, and piano
Text: Aeschylus, Agamemnon: English trans. by Sarah B. Ferrario
Instrumentation: soprano, tenor, piano
This cycle is drawn from music from my opera The Libation Bearers, and features music from the roles of Elektra (soprano) and her brother Orestes (tenor).
Duration: 22 minutes
Program Note and Media
Klytemnestra Songs (2001)
Song cycle for mezzo-soprano and piano
Text: Aeschylus, Agamemnon: English trans. by Sarah B. Ferrario
Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano, piano
Also available for mzo sop, vn, vc, pno, perc
This cycle is drawn from music from my opera Agamemnon, and features prominent excerpts from the role of the protagonist, Klytemnestra (mezzo-soprano or dramatic soprano).
Duration: 19 minutes
Program Note and Media
Caesar and the Mannequin (2020, rev. 2024)
for 3 performers and chamber ensemble
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
Libretto by Susan Galbraith
Duration: 80 minutes
Program Note and Media
Picking Peaches: a cabaret song (2009)
for soprano and piano
Music and lyrics by Andrew Earle Simpson
Cabaret song composed as part of a larger film-cabaret, The Comic Roach: A Roadhouse Picture Show
Duration: 3 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Comic Roach: A Roadhouse Picture Show (2009)
Instrumentation: singer-actor (soprano), 3 reeds, trumpet, percussion, piano
Music and lyrics by Andrew Earle Simpson
Cabaret song composed as part of a larger film-cabaret, The Comic Roach: A Roadhouse Picture Show
Duration: 56 minutes
Program Note and Media

I like to create multi-layered pieces that comment upon and reference literature and visual art.

The Oresteia Project (2019)
Three contemporary operas on Aeschylus' ancient Greek tragic cycle
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
English libretti by Sarah B Ferrario (translated from the ancient Greek)
Duration: Each opera is a one-act work of about 70-100 minutes, and can be performed separately.
Program Note and Media
A Crown of Stars (2006)
Wedding oratorio for soprano, tenor, SATB and SSA chorus, and chamber orchestra
Instrumentation: soprano, tenor, SATB and SSA chorus, and 1111/0100/1 perc/hp/pno/1111 orchestra
Recording: A Crown of Stars/Albany Records, TROY1358 (2012)
Duration: 43 minutes
Program Note and Media
Tesserae: Six Mosaics of Ancient Rome (2003-04)
for flute, viola, and guitar
Instrumentation: flute, viola, guitar
Recording: Fireflies: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson/Red Cedar Trio (Fleur de Son Classics, 2009)
Duration: 15 minutes
Program Note and Media
American Gothic Suite: Theme and Variations on Grant Wood’s Art (2005)
for flute, viola, and guitar
Instrumentation: flute, viola, guitar
Recording: Fireflies: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson/Red Cedar Trio (Fleur de Son Classics, 2009)
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
Summer-Night Songs (1994, rev. 1997)
for soprano saxophone and harp
Instrumentation: soprano saxophone, harp
Also oboe, piano and B-flat clarinet, piano
Recording: Exhortations (Athena Records), 1998
Duration: 8 minutes
Program Note and Media
War Scenes (2008-09)
for alto saxophone and piano
Instrumentation: alto saxophone, piano
Publication: Jeanne Publications, Minneapolis, MN
Duration: 13 minutes
Program Note and Media
Candelas (1997-98)
for piano solo and wind ensemble
Instrumentation: picc2222 2221 2 pc db pno solo
Duration: 17 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Magic Lantern (Méliès Suite) (2006)
for piano solo
Seven short pieces originally written to accompany delightful early silent films by French film pioneer George Méliès.
Instrumentation: piano
Duration: 33 minutes
Program Note and Media
Flower-terrible Memories (1992-94)
for piano solo
Instrumentation: piano
Recording: A Fiery and Still Night, Capstone (2006), Brian Ganz, piano Duration: 15 minutes
Program Note and Media
Cloisters (1997)
for guitar solo
Instrumentation: guitar
Publication: BassScores Editions
Recording: A Fiery and Still Night, Capstone (2006)
Duration: 12 minutes
Program Note and Media
Fireflies: A Folk Set for Flute and Guitar (2006-08)
for alto saxophone and piano
Instrumentation: flute, guitar
Recording: Fireflies: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson/Red Cedar Trio (Fleur de Son Classics, 2009)
Duration: 28 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Dead are Dancing (2006)
for flute and piano
Instrumentation: flute, piano
Duration: 13 minutes
Program Note and Media

Text-Mobiles
I love building “text-mobiles,” collections of texts that comment upon and dialogue with one another.

These are often texts from different cultures, time periods, or languages, organized around a central topic. The texts are juxtaposed, placed on equal footing, showing each text in a new light.

A Crown of Stars (2006)
Wedding oratorio for soprano, tenor, SATB and SSA chorus, and chamber orchestra
Instrumentation: soprano, tenor, SATB and SSA chorus, and 1111/0100/1 perc/hp/pno/1111 orchestra
Recording: A Crown of Stars/Albany Records, TROY1358 (2012)
Duration: 43 minutes
Program Note and Media
lotus and poppy (2007)
for mezzo-soprano, tenor, and chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano, tenor, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano
Duration: 11 minutes
Program Note and Media

Greco-Roman
Ancient Greece and Rome, as well as modern Greek culture, are particularly fascinating to me, and many of my pieces draw on this great tradition.

What the Oracle Said: Apollo's Priestess at Delphi (2020)
The Temple of Apollo at Delphi housed a priestess, also called the "Pythia," who communicated prophecies of Apollo to inquirers around the ancient world. Kings, merchants, and peasants all came to Delphi to ask the oracle for guidance on all matters of life, great and small. This video highlights ten prophecies reported by the oracle, spoken in Greek with English translationwith images of the Delphi site (temple, theater, stadium), accompanied by my original music
Watch
The Double Axe (2019)
for soloists, SATB chorus, and chamber instrumental ensemble
Suite from the Oresteia operatic trilogy (Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Furies)
Instrumentation: SATB Chorus, fl (dbl pc) cl vn vc pno perc
Supertitles available for concert performance
Duration: 54 minutes
Program Note and Media
Agamemnon (1999-2001)
Opera in one act on Aeschylus’ Agamemnon
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
Libretto by Sarah B. Ferrario (trans. from the ancient Greek)
Duration: 100 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Libation Bearers (2001-04)
Opera in one act on Aeschylus’ Choephoroi
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
Libretto by Sarah B. Ferrario (trans. from the ancient Greek)
Duration: 75 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Furies (2005)
Opera in one act on Aeschylus’ Eumenides
Music by Andrew Earle Simpson
Libretto by Sarah B. Ferrario (trans. from the ancient Greek)
Duration: 90 minutes
Program Note and Media
Four Views of Pompeii (2004)
for string quartet and harp
Instrumentation: string quartet (2 vn, va, vc), harp
Also in a piano version
Recording: A Fiery and Still Night, Capstone (2006)
Duration: 18 minutes
Program Note and Media
Tesserae: Six Mosaics of Ancient Rome (2003-04)
for flute, viola, and guitar
Instrumentation: flute, viola, guitar
Recording: Fireflies: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson/Red Cedar Trio (Fleur de Son Classics, 2009)
Duration: 15 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Dead are Dancing (2006)
for flute and piano
Instrumentation: flute, piano
Duration: 13 minutes
Program Note and Media
Mother’s Blood (2009)
Instrumentation: SSA chorus, soprano solo, and chamber ensemble
Also available for chorus and piano
Duration: 18 minutes
Program Note and Media
Klytemnestra Songs (2001)
Song cycle for mezzo-soprano and piano
Text: Aeschylus, Agamemnon: English trans. by Sarah B. Ferrario
Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano, piano
Also available for mzo sop, vn, vc, pno, perc
This cycle is drawn from music from my opera Agamemnon, and features prominent excerpts from the role of the protagonist, Klytemnestra (mezzo-soprano or dramatic soprano).
Duration: 19 minutes
Program Note and Media
The Sparrow Song (2005)
Instrumentation: Children's chorus SS, piano, perc (triangle, drum)
The text of this piece sets an ancient Greek song, and is an ancient version of trick-or-treat. Duration: 5 minutes
Program Note and Media
Seeds of Vengeance (2005)
Song cycle for soprano, tenor, and piano
Text: Aeschylus, Agamemnon: English trans. by Sarah B. Ferrario
Instrumentation: soprano, tenor, piano
This cycle is drawn from music from my opera The Libation Bearers, and features music from the roles of Elektra (soprano) and her brother Orestes (tenor).
Duration: 22 minutes
Program Note and Media

Visual Art
Many of my pieces interact intimately with painting and sculpture.

lotus and poppy (2007)
for mezzo-soprano, tenor, and chamber ensemble
Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano, tenor, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano
Duration: 11 minutes
Program Note and Media
Interactive piece: paintings by Micheline Klagsbrun
American Gothic Suite: Theme and Variations on Grant Wood’s Art (2005)
for flute, viola, and guitar
Instrumentation: flute, viola, guitar
Recording: Fireflies: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson/Red Cedar Trio (Fleur de Son Classics, 2009)
Duration: 14 minutes
Program Note and Media
Tesserae: Six Mosaics of Ancient Rome (2003-04)
for flute, viola, and guitar
Instrumentation: flute, viola, guitar
Recording: Fireflies: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson/Red Cedar Trio (Fleur de Son Classics, 2009)
Duration: 15 minutes
Program Note and Media
Four Views of Pompeii (2004)
for string quartet and harp
Instrumentation: string quartet (2 vn, va, vc), harp
Also in a piano version
Recording: A Fiery and Still Night, Capstone (2006)
Duration: 18 minutes
Program Note and Media