Mother Tongues (Songs of Tsitsi Jaji) for high voice and piano (13′). i. Ritual Object (after Willie Cole); ii. Lingua Poems (Corral-Good Taste-Coral); iii. From the Book of VaNyemba; iv. My Wilderness.
Premiere: Louise Toppin, soprano and Stephen Jaffe, piano, Nelson Music Room, Duke University and The Music House, Greenville, NC, June 2023.
Who Cooks for You? (2009) mezzo-soprano, alto flute, guitar, viola (3’)
Premiere: Monadnock Music; Jana Batty, mezzo-soprano, Peterborough, New Hampshire. Video: Richard Wilbur recites his poem, and Jana Batty sings
Fort Juniper Songs (1989) soprano, mezzo-soprano and piano (18′) (Poems of Robert Francis). Published, Theodore Presser Company, 141-40032S
- O World of Toms 2. The Pope 3. Diver 4. Gloria 5. Blood Stains 6. Light Casualties 7. Waxwings
Premiere: Terry Rhodes, soprano; Ellen Williams, mezzo soprano; Michael Zenge, piano. Carnegie Recital Hall, New York, 1989. Albany Recording with Rhodes, Williams, S Jaffe, piano
Four Songs With Ensemble (1988) mezzo-sop., alto fl (& fl.), vla., vc., pno. 18′. Published Theodore Presser Co.
Premiere: Katherine Ciesinski, mezzo-soprano; An Appalachian Summer, Boone, North Carolina; Stephen Jaffe, conductor
NB for Spotify link: if you are trying to find Fort Juniper Songs, Four Songs with Ensemble, etc. they may be accessed by using See All in the RH corner.
The Reassurance (1995) high voice and piano (5′)
Commissioned by: AIDS Quilt Songbook
Premiere: Art Songs for AIDS: The Care Fund Project. Page Auditorium, Duke University. Terry Rhodes, soprano; Stephen Jaffe, piano
Homage to the Breath (2000-01) Instrumental and Vocal Meditations for mezzo-soprano and ten players, with a text by Thich Nhat Hanh (24′)
Premiere: 21st Century Consort/Christopher Kendall/Milagro Vargas, Hirrshhorn Museum, Washington, D.C. Bridge Records Recording
Published, Theodore Presser Co.
Pedal Point (1993) baritone, 3 vle., 4 vc., timpani (18′) Video ink to three excerpts featuring Tom Meglioranza, baritone
Premiere: P. Becker, baritone; Duke University Summer Festival; Tonu Kalam, conductor. Published, Theodore Presser Co.
