The Music of Elizabeth Alexander

Works about Play

Title

Poet/Lyricist

Voicing/Instrumentation

Level

A Garret of Old Playthings
Five Carl Sandburg songs full of wistfulness, gumption and glee
Poet/Lyricist: Carl Sandburg
  • High voice, piano
Level: MA
Allegro Mischevioso
A moderately easy scherzo full of impish delightful
  • Viola, piano
Level: ME
Handles
An uproarious affirmation of women’s bodies, minds and indomitable spirits
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SSAA, piano
Level: MA
My Aunt Gives Me a Clarinet Lesson
An over-the-top musical fantasy for all ages
Poet/Lyricist: Gregory Djanikian
  • High voice, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion
Level: A
Nature Creature (CD/mp3)
Songs on being alive in this beautiful, complex world
Poet/Lyricist: Lyon, Ignatow, Moore, Ammons, Erdrich, White, Hafiz / Ladinsky
  • Voice, cello, piano
Level: Various
Nature Creature (musical score)
A passionate, eclectic song cycle on the beauty and complexity of being alive
Poet/Lyricist: Lyon, Ignatow, Moore, Ammons, Erdrich, White, Hafiz / Ladinsky
  • Low voice, piano, opt. cello
Level: MA
Off the Page
Nine improvisations for string players and other adventurous people
  • All Instruments
Level: Various
On the Edge of the Water
An allegory on life’s beauty, transience, and everlasting nature
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • Low voice, piano
Level: M
Sketches in Gray
Whimsical portraits of the dusky, steely, foggy, shadowy, and furry
  • Piano solo
Level: ME
Sue Loves Butter
An exuberant toast to friendship, fun, and everybody’s favorite comfort food
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SSA, piano
Level: M
They Have Freckles Everywhere
Seven affectionate portraits of our bodies’ amazing parts
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SSAA, piano
Level: M
Why I Pity the Woman Who Never Spills
A gutsy, sensual song in praise of messy women
Poet/Lyricist: Joan Wolf Prefontaine
  • SSAA a cappella
Level: MA