Classical
Recordings
Other Works
Songs of Emily Dickinson for Soprano, Harp,
and String Orchestra
This work was commissioned by the Chamber Orchestra of New York to celebrate our ten years of partnership. It premiered at Carnegie Hall on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2019 with soprano Sarah Shafer. The song cycle is based on three romantic poems of Emily Dickinson. These texts were chosen for their exploration of the many contradictory emotions found within new love.
Chamber Orchestra of New York
Salvatore DiVittorio: Music Director
Sarah Shafer: Soprano
Music Composed by Shanan Estreicher
Poetry from Emily Dickinson
Recorded live at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music 2019
I Laughed So Hard I Cried (for Judee Sill)
I have always been deeply inspired by the great singer-songwriters like Judee Sill who were able to reveal their deepest emotional and spiritual needs in the simple structure of a folk song. “I Laughed So Hard I Cried” is the final verse lyric of her song “The Lamb Ran Away With the Crown.” In my musical thank-you letter to Judee Sill, I strove to maintain a simple and honest language that honored the poetic vulnerability her music so beautifully communicates.
Music Composed by Shanan Estreicher
Performed by The Overlook (String Quartet)
Commission by Access Contemporary Music and Relevant Tones
Consider the Olive
For Mezzo Soprano and Electric Guitar
Music Composed by Shanan Estreicher
Poetry by Philip Metres
Performed by The Bowers-Fader Duo as part of Composers Concordance presents “Generations XIII”
December 16th, 2023 at Kostabi World
Momenta for Brass Quintet
Music Composed by Shanan Estreicher
Performed by Manhattan Brass
Dance Improvisation by Chloe London
Performed as part of Composers Concordance & Project142 present Brass Motion with The Manhattan Brass Quintet & Curet Performance Project
Thursday, Janurary 31st, 2019 The DiMenna Center - Benzaquen Hall
Split Signal
I was inspired to compose “Split Signal” (2019) after researching the rich history of the We Energies-Public Service Building. Specifically, I was drawn to the image of the electric interurban trains which ran from the building’s depot to the suburbs of Milwaukee.
This naturally led me to meditate on the emotional experience of the commuters as well as the more abstract nature of the electrical current which powered those trains.
The title “Split Signal” refers to the splitting of emotional energies between the quiet and serene suburbs and the bustling city. The title also refers to the electrical current as represented by a single musical line which is divided between the flute and clarinet through most of the work.
In the beginning of the piece, the single musical line traces the shape of slowly changing chords utilizing the Medieval composing technique of hocket.
This is when pitches alternate in a back-and-forth motion. As the piece progresses, this single line divides into two distinct musical ideas giving each instrument an opportunity to display their independence. The conclusion presents a variation of the opening idea, but now the two lines merge seamlessly into one.
Music Composed by Shanan Estreicher
Heather Yarmel: Flute
Orlando Pimentel: Clarinet
Commissioned by Doors Open Milwaukee and Access Contemporary Music
From Ivory Palaces
For clarinet, violin, cello, and piano
Music Composed by Shanan Estreicher
Performed by Unheard-of//Ensemble
Performed as part of Composers Concordance “Generations X” concert at Goddard Riverside - Bernie Wohl Center October 16, 2021