Selected Works
with audio and program notes
Chamber Music / Vocal Music / Large Ensemble / Chronological List
I - listen to mp3 II - listen to mp3 III - listen to mp3 (Total duration: ca. 18.5 mins) "I had nothing but to walk into nowhere and the wide sunset space with the star." - Georgia O'Keeffe I will be using the first movement as the score to a video-in-progress (see my blog for more info). |
Ridge Davis, Flute * first and second movements |
Composed February-April 2010
Premiered April 20, and May 4, 2010, at New England Conservatory in Boston, MA

(L-R: Wesley Chu, Ridge Davis, Chris Mothersole, Nell,
Joanna Wiebe, Samantha Bennett)

(Asher Severini and Nell)
I. Eucalyptus - listen to mp3 II. Redwood - listen to mp3 III. Curly Willow - listen to mp3 (Total duration: ca. 8.5 mins) This is an arrangement of a work for two oboes with harpsichord, originally scored for six-part flute choir (four C flutes with alto and bass). It was written last summer for the San Francisco State University Flute Choir, who premiered the first movement in August 2009 as part of a program of music by American composers. |
Heather Shelley, Paul Lueders, Oboe |
Composed July-August 2009, Arranged January-February 2010
Premiered February 22, 2010, at New England Conservatory in Boston, MA

(L-R: Heather Shelley, Paul Lueders, Nell, Sojourner Hodges)
I - listen to mp3 II - listen to mp3 III - listen to mp3 (Total duration: ca. 7.5 mins) A set of playful, virtuosic duets for flute and bassoon. |
Adam Eccleston III, Flute |
Composed October 2009, November-December 2010
First movement premiered October 27, 2009; second and third movements premiered January 26, 2010, at New England Conservatory in Boston, MA

(L-R: Nathan Landes, Nell, Adam Eccleston)
| For flute For harp For violin (Total duration: ca. 13.5 mins) Three sets of miniatures for solo instruments inspired by the Greek Muses. Read the program note. |
Anne Gregory, Flute |
Composed February 2009
Premiered March 10th, 2009 at New England Conservatory in Boston, MA


(L-R: Nell with Anne Gregory and Maria Rindello Parker; Audrey Wright not pictured)
| I. The Savage State - listen to mp3 II. The Pastoral State - listen to mp3 III. Consummation - listen to mp3 IV. Destruction - listen to mp3 V. Desolation - listen to mp3 (Total duration: ca. 15 mins) A string quartet inspired by Thomas Cole's cycle of paintings by the same name. Read the program note and see the paintings with the music. |
Tetrachord (2008-2009 Honors Ensemble at New England Conservatory.) |
Composed November-December 2008
Premiered February 24th, 2009 at New England Conservatory in Boston, MA

(L-R: Jennifer Wey, David Meyer, Nell, Quan Yuan, Matt Davies)
| (Duration: ca. 11 mins) I chose the combination of trumpet and string quartet for a lush semi-orchestral feeling, reminiscent of the string and brass-oriented textures in an early Baroque orchestra. The first section features call-and-answer echoes between the trumpet and the violins, one of which plays offstage (a reference to Monteverdi). Each of the instruments stay primarily within their low and middle ranges for a warm, centered timbre. The exact meaning of the piece is intended to be open-ended, but it is a general expression of hope and determination; a promise that one makes to others, and to oneself. |
Diana Wensley, Trumpet in Bb |
Composed Feburary-March 2008
Premiered November 25th, 2008 at New England Conservatory in Boston, MA

(L-R: Ginevra Ventre, Jennifer Wey, Nell, Sam Gold, Amy Galluzzo, Diana Wensley)
(Duration: 3:50) The concept of this work is essentially in the title: it's meant to give the sense of a length of time (hours, days or years) passing in a condensed period. |
Jacqueline Leclair, English Horn (Members of Alarm Will Sound, Fireworks Ensemble and Invert.) |
Composed October 2007
Recorded November 2007 at John Kilgore Sound & Recording in New York, NY
Engineered by John Kilgore

(L-R: Chris Jenkins, Nell, Jacqueline Leclair, Bill Kalinkos, Leigh Stuart)
Chamber Music / Vocal Music / Large Ensemble / Chronological List
© 2010 Nell Shaw Cohen
Please do not redistribute any of this content.
Send questions and comments to nell@nellshawcohen.com