Compositions
If I Were You (2019) is an opera in two acts with a libretto by Gene Scheer, loosely based on the 1947 novel Si j’étais vous… by Julien Green (courtesy of the Estate of Julien Green and Editions Fayard). The opera was commissioned by the Merola Opera Program, a first in its 62-year history of [more]
Meditation: The Slow Seconds (2018); set for two violins and piano. A three-minute work inspired by the poetry of Laura Morefield and the astonishing stained glass window at Noe Valley Ministry in San Francisco. Composed in celebration of Noe Valley Chamber Music’s 25th Anniversary Season and in honor of Karen Heather, founder and artistic director. [more]
Sheet Music, Scores, Parts and Performance Materials are available from billholabmusic.com.
Trois Chansons de Bilitis by Claude Debussy (1897); arranged for string quartet by Jake Heggie (2017). Debussy’s three iconic songs on the poetry of Pierre Louÿs arranged for Joyce DiDonato and the Brentano String Quartet for recitals at Wigmore Hall in December, 2017. 1) La flûte de Pan 2) La chevelure 3) Le tombeau des [more]
One or more recordings have been made. Sheet Music, Scores, Parts and Performance Materials are available from billholabmusic.com.
Inspired by the iconic photograph taken by astronaut William (“Bill”) Anders during the Apollo 8 mission on Christmas Eve 1968. Commissioned in his honor by the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival and generously underwritten by the Valerie & William Anders Foundation. Composed for Anita Orne and the Miró Quartet. (Duration approx. 7 minutes) First performance: [more]
A cycle of four songs for Soprano & Piano on texts by Emily Dickinson, Frederick Douglass, Martin Niemöller and Walt Whitman. (Duration approx. 10 minutes) Commissioned by the Music Academy of the West with the generous support of Dody and Eric Small. Composed for soprano Hannah Kidwell and pianist Christina Giuca, winners of the 2017 [more]
“It’s A Wonderful Life Soars“ Houston Chronicle “Stunningly new” Houston Arts+Culture “Heggie’s most delightful concoction” TheaterJones PUBLISHING & RIGHTS Bill Holab Music is agent for the sales and rentals of the score to Its A Wonderful Life. Published by Bent Pen Music, Inc. (BMI) For information on Grand Rights: Don Erik Franzen, Inc. dfranzen@lawff.com. [more]
Four songs for Mezzo-Soprano and Piano. Original texts by Gene Scheer, inspired by iconic objects in the Smithsonian with a particular connection to a former First Lady of the United States. Commissioned by Vocal Arts DC to celebrate its 25th Anniversary Season with generous support from the Shamos Family Foundation, Yolanda C Oertel, MD, and [more]
For SATBBB a cappella. Poetry from Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. Composed for The King’s Singers as The Raymond W. Brock Commission for the American Choral Directors Association. First Performance: Feb 25, 2015 at the ACDA National Convention in Salt Lake City, UT. Sheet Music, Scores, Parts and Performance Materials are available from billholabmusic.com.
Sheet Music, Scores, Parts and Performance Materials are available from billholabmusic.com.
For mezzo-soprano, cello and piano; also for mezzo-soprano, cello and orchestra (duration approximately 18 minutes). Three symphonic songs based on poetry by the late Laura Morefield (1961-2011), commissioned for mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and cellist Anne Martindale Williams by Carnegie Hall and the Pittsburgh Symphony. First performance: Feb 17, 2015 by Jamie Barton, Anne Martindale Williams [more]
“A HUGE SUCCESS WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE” TheaterJones “DEEPLY MOVING AND MUSICALLY BRILLIANT” WQXR Operavore “FUNNY, TOUCHING AND ENDLESSLY ENTERTAINING” D Magazine “GREAT SCOTT IS A GREAT NEW OPERA, HILARIOUS, ENDEARING, SOPHISTICATED, PROFOUND…” Opera Warhorses “A MAGNIFICENT AND GLORIOUS CREATION” The Dallas Voice PUBLISHING & RIGHTS Bill Holab Music is agent for the sales and [more]