Compositions

Unless otherwise stated, please contact the composer for more information at elstewart383@aol.com

This page is a work in progress.  Thank you for your patience.

Jazz Symphonies

Symphony in F Minor (Identity 36) (The Classical Symphony)

1994

Symphony in F Minor (The Classical Symphony), is a Jazz Symphony written in four movements using the traditional symphonic forms.

     Movement I:  Allegro alla Swing

     Movement II:  Jazz Ballad

     Movement III:  Jazz Waltz

     Movement IV:  Jazz Fugue Fantasia

Time:  

Instrumentation:  Symphony Orchestra

Symphony in E Minor (Identity 54)

1999

     Movement I:  Inner City Moment (Allegro alla Swing)

     Movement II:  Bossa alla Blue (Blues)

     Movement III:  Dark Romance (Jazz Ballad)

     Movement IV:  Jazzuet (Minuet/Swing)

     Movement V:  Jazz Fugue Fantasia (Finale)

Time:

Instrumentation:  Symphony Orchestra

Symphony in D Minor (Identity 63)

2000  Currently being Reorchestrated

Symphony in D Minor is a quasi-programatic composition reflecting the composer's philosophical view of the journey of African Americans.

     Movement I:  Dance of Live (Sonata in Jazz waltz style)

     Movement II:  View from a Precipice (Jazz Lament, dedicated to the memory of Milt Jckson)

     Movement III:  Our Legacy (alla Ragtime/Trio)

     Movement IV:  Jazz Fugue Fantasia (On With the Chase)

Time:

Instrumentation:  Symphony Orchestra

Juneteenth Symphony (Identity 34.1)

1992, Revised 2013

This work in four movements was written to commemorate the early 19th century Juneteenth celebrations, and was musically designed to reflect the format of those celebrations.  To this extent the work may be deemed programmatic.  The composition is written in the styles of the two most prominent folk forms of African American music in the last half of the 19th century, ragtime and spirituals.

     Movement I:  Allegro alla Rag (13:21)

     Movement II:  Adagio alla Spiritual (15:21)

     Movement III:  Sankofa (8:08)

     Movement IV:  Finale alla Introduction and Fugue (11:11)

Time:  48:01

Instrumentation:  Symphony Orchestra

                            Chorus

Homage to Swing (Identity 158) (Symphony in G Major)

2016

Homage to Swing represents the merging of swing with traditional symphonic designs.  It is the fifth Jazz Symphony of composer Earl Louis Stewart.  The symphony is in four movements:

     Movement I:  Classic Swing (Sonato Allegro Design) (7:39)

     Movement II:  Multi-Cultural Fugue (Fugue written in multiple vernacular styles) (6:17)

     Movement III:  Allegro alla Swing (Jazz Waltz preceded by a bebop opening theme, written. in Sonata Allegro Design) (7:27)

     Movement IV:  Sonato Rondo alla Swing (Contemplative Swing with Jazz Fugue, witten in seven-part Sonato Rondo Design) (7:56)

Time:  29:19

Instrumentation:  Symphony Orchestra

Note:  The premiere of Homage to Swing took place at UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music's Schoenberg Auditorium on February 5, 2017, as part of the "Swingong to a World of Strings" concert, Maestro Neal Stulberg, conducting.  The concert can be found on the following link:

https://vimeo.com/211702649/567a2e5535

Homage to Swing can be found at marker 1:34:30

Symphony Orchestra

Imprint of Jamaica (Identity 16)

1986

Two movement reggae essay for orchestra.

     Movement I:  "Imprint of Jamaica" (Identity 16a)

     Movement II:  "Undulations" (Identity 16b)

                            Reference the composer's Discography:  CD:  From the Heart, 2007

                            Time:  5:36

                            Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra

                            Featuring:  Flute Soloist

Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra

Swing for Violin and Orchestra (Identity 136)

2009

Time:  11:03

Instrumentation:  Symphony Orchestra

Featuring:  Violin

Cantata

Al-Inkishafi (Identity 14)

Publisher:  University Microfilms International, 1981.

1981

This beautiful and meditative oratorio is a choral/symphonic setting of an East African poem.  The premiere performance was on April 21, 1984, at the University of Texas Performing Arts Center Grande Concert Hall, featuring Ms. Barbara Conrad of the Metropolitan Opera (Mezzo-Soprano Soloist), actor Moses Gunn (English Narrator), John “Mtembezi” Inniss (Kiswahili Narrator), Chuck Davis of the New York based Chuck Davis Dance Company (Choreographer), the Southern University Chorus of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Maestro Sung Kwak and the Austin Symphony Orchestra.  Note:  This work is in the artist's manuscript.

Instrumentation:  Symphony Orchestra

                            Chorus

Featuring:  Mezzo-Soprano Soloist

                  English Narrator

                  Kiswahili Narrator

                  Ballet

Chamber Orchestra...

"Elegy for Mr. Alvin Batiste" (Identity 121)

2007

Reference the composer's Discography:  CD:  From the Heart, 2007

Time:  4:02

Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra

Featuring:  Flute Soloist

"Elton's Nocturne" (Identity 51.3)

1998, Revised 2007

Reference the composer's Discography:  CD:  From the Heart, 2007

Time:  4:56

Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra

Featuring:  Flute Soloist

"The Portal" (The Little Fugue in G Minor) (Identity 122)

2007

Time:  3:30

Instrumentation:  Violins 1 & 2

                            Viola

                            Violoncello

                            Double Bass

"Corsica" (Identity 45.2)

1997

Reference the composer's Discography:  CD:  From the Heart, 2007

Time:  4:51

Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra

Featuring:  Viola Soloist

Three Charts (Identity 19.2)

1989, Revised 1999 and 2000

Three vernacular melodies for chamber orchestra.

     (a)  "In Search of an Angel" (Identity 19.2a)  Jazz Adagio

     (b)  "Deceiver My Love"  (Identity 19.2b) Allegro alla Neo-Bebop

     (c)  "Nakupenda" (Identity 19.2c) Ballad

           Reference the composer's Discography:  CD:  From the Heart, 2007

           Time:  3:31

           Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra

           Featuring:  Flute Soloist

Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra

Featuring: Flute Soloist

"Asante Sana Sana" (Identity 18.2)

1989

Kiswahili for 'Thank You Very Much'.  The composer dedicated this work to Oprah Winfrey upon hearing of the work she did in Africa.

Reference the Composer's Discography:  CD:  From the Heart, 2007

Time:  3:19

Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra

Featuring:  Flute Soloist

Chamber Music...

"String Quartet in G Minor" (Identity 162)

2016

     Movement I:  "Allegro alla Swing"

     Movement II:  "Blues Fugue in A Minor"  (incorrectly identified as Identity 34.1)

                            Performed by the DaPonte String Quartet "Made in America Series" as part of their 7-city tour in Maine, 2014.

                            (Transcription available in G Minor)

                            Time:  3:25                      

     Movement III:  "The Portal" (Identity 122)

                             2007

     Movement IV:  "Spiritual alla Swing"

Instrumentation:  Violin 1 & 2

                            Viola

                            Violoncello

"The Portal" (Identity 122)

(formerly "The Little Fugue in G Minor")

2007

Instrumentation:  Violins 1 & 2

                            Viola

                            Violoncello

                            Double Bass   

Songs Softspoken (Identity 113)

2006

Seven Ballads

     (a)  "Appassionata"  (Identity 113a)

     (b)  "Katrina Lament " (Identity 113b)

            Reference the composer's Discography:  CD From the Heart, 2007

            Time:  5:10

            Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra

            Featuring:  Flute Soloist

     (c)  "From the Heart" (Identity 113c)

            Reference the composer's Discography:  DVD Bach in the Hood, 2008

            Instrumentation:  Chamber Music

     (d)  "Mr. Leaf" (Identity 113d)

            Reference the composer's Discography:  DVD Bach in the Hood, 2008

            Instrumentation:  Chamber Music 

     (e)  "Eternally Yours" (Identity 113e)

     (f)   "Obscure Vision" (Identity 113f)

     (g)  "Dark Beauty" [Identity 113g (formerly "Resolution")]

            Reference the composer's Discography:  DVD Bach in the Hood, 2008

            Instrumentation:  Chamber Music

Instrumentation:  Chamber Orchestra or Chamber Music

Jazz Orchestra...

"Don’t Get Around Much Anymore" (Identity 37d) 

Publisher:  Greeley, Colorado:  The University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press, 1996.

This arrangement of Duke Ellington's masterpiece is scored for jazz orchestra and tenor vocalist - though the arrangement is equally suitable for soprano vocalist. It is essentially true to Ellington's original harmonic and lyrical conception, but offers in addition new orchestrational and accompanimental features. Some reharmonization of the lyric is also featured. Key of C.

Instrumentation:  Jazz Orchestra (7 brass)

Featuring:  Tenor Vocalist (though the arrangement is equally suitable for Soprano Vocalist)

"Round Midnight" (Identity 37b)

Publisher:  Greeley, Colorado:  The University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press, 1999.

An arrangement of a Thelonius Monk composition is scored for Alto Flute, Harp and String Orchestra. The tempo and harmonic structure of the original is basically retained, but embellished and enriched by countermelodies, reharmonization and a softer and more symphonic orchestration. The tempo accelerates at the start of the improvisational section, providing an effective dramatic contrast to the opening and closing statements of the theme.  This work is ideal for both jazz and classical chamber groups that feature the appropriate instrumental resources. It can also be performed by contralto or mezzo-soprano soloist substituting for,or singing along with, the alto flute in all but the improvisation section.

Instrumentation:  Alto Flute

                            Harp

                            Strings

Jazz Chamber Ensemble...

"Maple Leaf Rag" (Identity 66:3a)

Publisher:  Greeley, Colorado:  The University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press

This is one of five Joplin arrangements written for small jazz chamber ensemble. It is an advanced arrangement. The trumpet line is occasionally high which should be ideal for advanced high school and college players. 

Instrumentation:  Alto Saxophone

                            Tenor Saxophone

                            Baritone Saxophone

                            Two Trumpets

                            Two Trombones

                            Double Bass 

"The Chrysanthemum" (Identity 66:3c)  

Publisher:  Greeley, Colorado:  The University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press

This is one of five Joplin arrangements written for small jazz chamber ensemble. It is an advanced arrangement. The trumpet line is occasionally high which should be ideal for advanced high school and college players.

Instrumentation:  Alto Saxophone

                            Tenor Saxophone

                            Baritone Saxophone

                            Two Trumpets

                            Two Trombones

                            Double Bass 

"The Strenuous Life" (Identity 66:3e)

Publisher:  Greeley, Colorado:  The University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press

This is one of five Joplin arrangements written for small jazz chamber ensemble. It is an advanced arrangement. The trumpet line is occasionally high which should be ideal for advanced high school and college players.

Instrumentation:  Alto Saxophone

                            Tenor Saxophone

                            Baritone Saxophone

                            Two Trumpets

                            Two Trombones

                             Double Bass 

Piano...

Afro-Inventions Book 1 (Identity 38.1)

1994

Twelve Inventions in African-derived styles.

     (a)  Swing

           Reference the composer's Discography:  DVD:  Eclectic Musings, 2006

     (b)  Rag

     (c)  Ngoma

     (d)  New Orleans

     (e)  Traditional Calypso

     (f)   Afro-Latin

     (g)  Neo-Salsa

           Reference the composer's Discography:  DVD:  Eclectic Musings, 2006

     (h)  Afro-Latin

     (i)   Neo-Funk

           Reference the composer's Discography:  DVD:  Eclectic Musings, 2006

     (j)   Swing

     (k)  Neo-New Orleans

     (l)  Neo-Bebop

"Song for Annell" (Identity 11)

1978

A classic blues fantasy.  This work has been performed in Boston, New York, and Santa Barbara.

Note:  This work is in the artist's manuscript.

Time:  10:05

Preludes for the Young Pianist  (Identity 5)

(formerly Etudes for the Young Pianist)

1973, Revised 1982, 1988 and 1990

Note:  This work is in the artist's manuscript.

Reference the composer's Discography:  DVD:  Eclectic Musings, 2006

     (a)  "Lullaby for Sonny"  won a National Endowment for the Arts Travel-Study Grant, 1975

     (b)  "Song of the Fourth"

     (c)  "Clouds"

Piano, Rags...

"Festive Rag" (Identity 147)

2010

Time:  5:42

"A Glimpse Into Another World Rag" (Identity 150)

2010

Time:  4:03

"Birthday Rag" (Identity 91.1)

2003

Time:  3:49

"A Night in Chicago Rag" (Identity 94)

2003

Time:  3:42

"In a Meeting Rag" (Identity 104)

2003, Revised 2011

Time:  3:06

"Joplin Lives" (Identity 108)

2003

Time:  3:17

"My Neah Rag" (Identity 89)

2003, Revised 2009

Time:  4:05

"The Budding Rose Rag" (Identity 1)

1969