John Mitchell (composer)

John Mitchell (born in Hollywood, California on April 26, 1941) is an American classical composer. He is the son of John Stewart Mitchell, pianist and cousin of Canadian novelist W. O. Mitchell and Hungarian-born singer Teresa Hideg Mitchell. He studied music composition at the University of California, Los Angeles with Dr. John Vincent, who succeeded Arnold Schoenberg as professor of composition there. In 1965 Mitchell left UCLA, but he and Dr. Vincent remained close friends until Vincent's death in 1977.

Since 1962 Mitchell has been a church music director, organist, and opera coach. Mitchell is a member of the American Guild of Organists, the American Music Center, and the Center for Promotion of Contemporary Composers. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, artist Vicky Brago-Mitchell, a dog named Chelsea, and five cats (Elizabeth, Adolf, Shelley, Isolde and Babalou).

Works

His compositions include works for solo piano and organ, choral music, chamber music , operas, and more than 400 art songs .

• Op. 1 Seven Songs from William Blake (1964,77) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 2 Seven Color Pieces for Piano (1966,80)
• Op. 3 Sonata for Clarinet and Piano (1968)
• Op. 4 Ballad Sonata for Violin and Piano (1970)
• Op. 5 Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano (1972)
• Op. 6 Sonata No.1 for Piano (1972)
• Op. 7 Lead Thou My Feet (1974) (Hymn) (Josephine Royle)
• Op. 7A Lead Thou My Feet (1974, arr. 1979) (Chorus and Piano) (Josephine Royle)
• Op. 8 Three Sacred Songs (1974,75,78) (Voice and Piano) (Josephine Royle)
• Op. 9A Song: Invocation of Unity (1974) (Voice and Piano) (Trad.)
• Op. 9B Song: Invocation of Unity (1985) (Voice and Piano) (Second Version)
• Op. 9C Anthem: Invocation of Unity (1974, arr.1979) (Chorus and Piano)
• Op. 9D Piece: Invocation (1974, arr. 1977) (Organ)
• Op. 10 Invocation of the Holy Trinity (1975) (12 Offertories for Organ)
• Op. 11 Episodes on the Spiritual Path (1975) (5 Preludes for Organ)
• Op. 12 The Seven-Fold Spirit of Christ (1975) (7 Offertories for Organ)
• Op. 13 Two Sacred Songs (1975) (Voice and Piano) (Lurrine Burgess)
• Op. l4 The Divine Plan of Creation (1975) (14 Preludes and Offertories for Organ)
• Op. 15 Jesus Christ Superstar (1972–75) (arr. Organ Solo) (Andrew Lloyd Webber)
• Op. 16 Song: Where Did We Meet Before? (1975) (Voice and Piano) (Teresa Mitchell)
• Op. 17 Visions From the Earth (1976) (10 Songs) (Voice and Piano) (Emily Brontë)
• Op. 18 12 Lyric Preludes for Piano (1976)
• Op. 19 Song: The Invocation of Peace (1976) (Voice and Piano) (trad.)
• Op.19A Anthem: The Invocation of Peace (1976, arr. 1976) (Chorus and Piano)
• Op. 20 Song: The Eagle and the Dove (1976) (Voice and Piano) (Joan Dwyer)
• Op. 21 Sonata for Cello and Piano (1976) (Bicentennial)
• Op. 22 Song: Listen, O Pilgrim (1976) (Voice and Piano) (Alice A. Bailey)
• Op. 23 Invocations (1976) (Cantata) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra) (trad.)
• Op. 23A Invocations (1974,76, arr. 1975–76) (Piano Solo) (Five Pieces)
• Op. 24 The Earth, the Wind and the Sky (1977) (15 songs) (Voice and Piano) (Emily Brontë)
• Op. 25 Visions from the Flame (1977) (10 Songs) (Voice and Piano) (William Blake)
• Op. 26 3 Festival Preludes for Piano (1976,77,80)
• Op. 27 Quartet for Violin, Viola, Cello and Piano (1977)
• Op. 28 Six Blessings (1977) (6 Pieces for Piano) (Joan Dwyer)
• Op. 28A Six Blessings (1977, arr. 1978) (Organ Solo) (Joan Dwyer)
• Op. 29 Sonata No. 2 for Piano (1977)
• Op. 30 Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello (1978)
• Op. 31 Two Songs (1978,81) (Voice and Piano) (Howard Carey)
• Op. 31A Anthem: The Voice of the Soul (1978, arr. 1980) (Chorus and Piano) (Howard Carey)
• Op. 32 Song: Be Loved, Be Joyous, Be Free (1978) (Voice and Piano or Guitar) (Evelyn Grasing)
• Op. 33 The Way of Love (1978) (Cantata) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 34 Four Songs from Sharon (1978) (Voice and Piano) (Sharon Olsen)
• Op. 35 The Call (1979) (Choral Prelude) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 36 Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (1979)
• Op. 37 Song: The Final Chord (1980) ( Voice and Piano) (Alice A. Bailey)
• Op. 38 The Pool of Spirit (1976,80) (7 songs) (Voice and Piano) (Cynthia Stuart)
• Op. 38A Song: Morning (1980, arr. 1983) ( Voice and Piano) (Cynthia Stuart)
• Op. 39 The Voice of the Soul (1980) (Cantata) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 40 Three Festival Pieces for Piano (1980)
• Op. 41 The Four Rays of Light (1980) (Cantata) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 42 Sixty Preludes for Piano (Sentinels of the Night) (1980)
• Op. 42A 28 Preludes for Piano (arr. 1986)
• Op. 43 Sonata for Flute and Piano (The Sentinel) (1980,86)
• Op. 44 The Planets (1982) (Cantata) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 45 Two Chants (1982,83) (unaccompanied)
• Op. 46 Sonata for Bassoon and Cello (1982)
• Op. 47 Seven Poems of John Kendall (1982) (Soprano, Clarinet and Piano)
• Op. 47A Seven Poems of John Kendall (1982, arr. 1992) (Soprano and Piano)
• Op. 48 Five Poems of Robert Frost (1982) (Mezzo, Cello and Piano)
• Op. 48A Five Poems of Robert Frost (1982, arr. 1992) (Baritone and Piano)
• Op. 49 The Universal Star (1982) (Cantata) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 50 Five Sonnets by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1983) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 51 Five Lyrics by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1983) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 52 The Gift To Be Simple (arr. 1983) (Soprano, Clarinet and Piano) (Shaker melody)
• Op. 53 Visions from the Earth (1983) (Cantata) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 54 Quintet for Winds (1984)
• Op. 55 Three Songs from the Mystic Trumpeter (1984) (Voice and Piano) (Walt Whitman)
• Op. 56 Quartet for Clarinet, Horn, Cello and Piano (1984)
• Op. 57 Four from Claudia and Cruz (4 songs) (arr. 1985) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 58 Arrangements of Songs of Peter Chapel: Part One (1985–86)
• Op. 58A Ballad of My True Love (Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano)
• Op. 58B Los Angeles, Queen of Angels (Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano)
• Op. 58C Three Songs by Peter Chapel (Voice, Bassoon and Piano or Voice and Piano)
• Op. 58D Song Suite for Piano
• Op. 58E Dance Suite for Piano
• Op. 58F Ten Dances for String Quartet
• Op. 59 Psalm Sixteen (1985) (Chorus and Organ)
• Op. 59A Psalm Sixteen (1985, arr.1990) (Piano Solo)
• Op. 60 Trio for Two Trumpets and Trombone (1986) (Memorial)
• Op. 61 Two Songs from Elizabeth (1986) (Voice and Piano) (Elizabeth Cotton)
• Op. 62 Three Sonnets of Keats (1986) (3 Songs) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 63 Golden Planet (1986) (Oratorio) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 63A O mundo hay paz por ti (1986) (arr. 1992) (Chorus and Piano)
• Op. 64 Science of the Soul (1988) (Oratorio) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 65 Suite for Oboe and Piano (1987–88) (Three Blessings)
• Op. 66 Seven Songs of Michelina Foster (arr. 1988) (Piano Solo)
• Op. 67 West Side Story (arr. 1988) (Chorus and Piano) (L. Bernstein)
• Op. 68 Four Sonnets of Michelangelo (1988) (4 Songs) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 69 Song for Kim- Sam (1988) (Two Pianos)
• Op. 70 Heart of the New Earth (1988) (Oratorio) (Chorus, Soloists, and Orchestra)
• Op. 71 Seven Journeys to Earth (1989) (35 Songs)( Voice and Piano) (Emily Brontë)
• Op. 72 Six Sonnets of Michelangelo (1989) (6 Songs) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 73 First Corinthians Thirteen (1989) (3 Songs) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 74A Song of the Universal (1989) (Cantata No. 1) (Vocal Quartet and Piano) (Walt Whitman)
• Op. 74B On the Beach at Night (1990) (Cantata No. 2) (Vocal Quartet and Piano) (Walt Whitman)
• Op. 75 Les Misérables (arr. 1989) (Chorus and Piano) (C.M. Schönberg)
• Op. 76A Two Psalms (1989) (Psalms 33, 37) (Two Sopranos and Piano)
• Op. 76B Three Songs (1976,78,80 arr. 1989) (Two Sopranos and Piano)
• Op. 77 The Harmony of the Universe (1990) (Oratorio) (Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 77A A Prayer for All Creation (1990, arr. 1993) (Chorus and Piano) (trad.)
• Op. 78 Always Mine (1990) (Light opera) (Soloists, Chorus, and Piano) (K.L. Anthony)
• Op. 78A Always Mine (1990, arr. 1993) (Chorus and Piano) (K.L. Anthony)
• Op. 78B Song: You Were Always Mine (1990, arr. 1991) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 78C You Were Always Mine (1990, arr. 1991) (Soprano, Baritone and Piano)
• Op. 79 Eight Arrangements for a cappella Vocal Quartet (arr. 1990)
• Op. 80 Psalm 105 (arr. 1990) (Piano Solo) (D.L. Haworth)
• Op. 81 Three Arrangements for Charlene (arr. 1991,92) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 82 Arrangements of Songs of Peter Chapel: Part Two (1991,92)
• Op. 82A Hester Canyon Suite (Piano and String Quartet)
• Op. 82B Laurel Canyon Medley (Violin and Piano)
• Op. 82C Five Variations on a Song of Peter Chapel (Clarinet and Piano)
• Op. 82D Twelve Songs (String Quartet)
• Op. 82E Eighteen Songs (Piano and String Quartet)
• Op. 82F Ballad of a Live Oak Tree (Vocal Quartet and Piano)
• Op. 82G Los Angeles, Queen of Angels (A cappella Vocal Quartet)
• Op. 83 Eight Poems of Mickey King (1991) (8 Songs) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 84 Song: The Master's Life (1992) (Voice and Piano) (Claudia Humphrey)
• Op. 85 Suite 75–90 for Piano (1975,86,90, arr. 1992)
• Op. 86 Meditation No. 1: The Breath of Life (1992) (Cantata) (Chorus, Soloists, Audience and Orchestra)
• Op. 87 Meditation No. 2: The Soul at Peace (1992) (Cantata) (Chorus,Soloists, Audience and Orchestra)
• Op. 88 Three Poems of César Vallejo (1993) (3 Songs) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 89 La Corona (1993) (7 Songs) (Voice and Piano) (John Donne)
• Op. 90 Three Songs For Vicky (1993) (Voice and Piano) (Marvin Bell, Lawrence Durrell, William Meredith)
• Op. 91 Meditation No. 3: Message of Radiance (1993) (Cantata) (Chorus, Soloists, Audience and Orchestra)
• Op. 92 Final Chant (1993) (unaccompanied)
• Op. 93 Formats for Nine Minor Full Moon Festivals (1994)
• Op. 94 Ode on a Grecian Urn (1993) (3 Songs) (Voice and Piano) (John Keats)
• Op. 95 Four Songs in Spanish (1993) (Voice and Piano) (Lorca, Parra, Vallejo, and Neruda)
• Op. 96 Four Sacred Songs (1994) (Voice and Piano) (Gerard Manley Hopkins)
• Op. 97 Two Songs (1994) (Voice and Piano) (Bill Rainwater)
• Op. 98 Three Sonnets (1994) (Voice and Piano) (William Shakespeare)
• Op. 99 Song: Mary Stood Weeping (1996) (Voice and Piano) (John 20: 11–16)
• Op. 100 Vanya (1997) (Opera) (Soloists and Small Orchestra) (Anton Chekov)
• Op. 101 Four Pieces for Organ (1998)
• Op. 102 Sonata No. 3 for Piano (2000) (Regulus)
• Op. 103 Three Songs in Spanish (2000) (Voice and Piano) (Ibarbourou, Sor Juana, Mistral)
• Op. 104 Four Poems by Sylvia Plath (2000) (4 Songs) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 105 Sonata No. 4 for Piano (2001) (Alcyone)
• Op. 106 Three Songs for a New Millenium (2001) (Rose, Tennyson, Arnold) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 107 The Twenty-Third Psalm (2001) (12 Pieces) (Organ)
• Op. 108 Sonata for Horn and Piano (2001) (Stanza IX of Dzyan)
• Op. 109 Four Passages (2001) (Cantata) (Soprano, Baritone and Piano) (T.S. Eliot)
• Op. 110 Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came (2001) (Cantata No. 3) (Vocal Quartet and Piano) (Robert Browning)
• Op. 111 Sonata No. 5 for Piano (Aldebaran) (2001)
• Op. 112 Dance Suite for Piano (2001)
• Op. 113 Requiem (2001) (Chorus, Four Soloists and Orchestra)
• Op. 114 Fourteen Poems by Anne Sexton (2002) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 115 Five Poems by Vicky (2002) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 116 Quartet for Flute, Viola, Bassoon and Piano (2002)
• Op. 117 Sonata No. 6 for Piano (Eltanin) (2002)
• Op. 118 Sonata for Guitar and Piano (2002)
• Op. 119 Quartet No.1 for Strings (Stanza of Dzyan No.10)(2002)
• Op. 120 Sonata No. 1 for Organ (God the Father) (2003)
• Op. 121 Visions from the Flame, Part Two (10 Songs) (2003) (Voice and Piano) (William Blake)
• Op. 122 Cantata No. 4: Auguries of Innocence (2003)(Vocal Quartet and Piano) (William Blake)
• Op. 123 Quartet for Oboe, Horn, Cello and Piano (2003)
• Op. 124 Cantata No. 5: From the Colossus (Sylvia Plath) (2003) (Vocal Quartet and Piano)
• Op. 125 Quartet for Strings No.2 (Stanza of Dzyan No.XI) (2003)
• Op. 126 Five Poems of Henry Vaughan (2003) (Tenor, Baritone & Piano)
• Op. 127 Sonata for Charlie (2003) (Viola and Piano) (Stanza of Dzyan No.XII)
• Op. 128 Cantata No. 6, El rosario de Eros (2003) (Vocal Quartet and Piano) (Delmira Agustini)
• Op. 129 Tres cuadrúpedos: Three Songs (2004)(Voice and Piano) (Jorge Luis Borges)
• Op. 130 Six Poems of Dylan Thomas (2004) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 131 Nine Poems of Delmira Agustini (2004) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 132 Diario espiritual: Six Poems (2004) (Voice and Piano) (Delmira Agustini)
• Op. 133 Twenty Poems and a Letter of Emily Dickinson (2004) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 134 Ten Poems of Federico García Lorca (2004) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 135 Five Poems of Nicanor Parra (2004) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 136 Quartet for Strings No.3 (Stanza of Dzyan No. XIII) (2004)
• Op. 137 Seven Songs on Poems of Federico García Lorca (2004) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 138 Quartet for Violin, Viola, Bass Clarinet and Piano (2004)
• Op. 139 The Lord's Prayer (Ten Pieces for Organ) (2004)
• Op. 140 Ten Poems of Kabir (2004) (Voice and Piano)
• Op. 141 A Hymn to God the Father (Three Songs) (2005) (Voice and Piano) (John Donne)
• Op. 142 Sonata No. 2 for Organ (God the Son) (2005)
• Op. 143 The Beatitudes (Eight Pieces for Organ) (2005)
• Op. 144 Sonata No. 3 for Organ (God the Holy Spirit) (2005)
• Op. 145 The Seven Last Words of Christ (Seven Pieces for Organ) (2005)
• Op. 146 Thou Art the God That Doest Wonders (Five Pieces for Organ) (2005)
• Op. 147 Three Poems by Robert Lowell (Voice and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 148 Sonata No. 7 for Piano (Megrez) (2005)
• Op. 149 Seven Poems by Theodore Roethke (Voice and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 150 Three Poems by James Stephens (Voice and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 151 Cantata No. 7, The Future (Vocal Quartet and Piano) (2005) (Matthew Arnold)
• Op. 152A Seven Songs on Poems of Wilfred Owen (Voice and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 152B Four Poems of Wilfred Owen (Voice and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 153 Trio for Chelsea (Stanza of Dzyan No.1)(Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon) (2005)
• Op. 154 Seis Poemas de César Vallejo (Voice and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 155 Quartet for Strings No. 4 (Stanza of Dzyan No. VI) (2005)
• Op. 156 Fourteen Poems of Emily Dickinson (Voice and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 157 Eight Poems from Ariel by Sylvia Plath (Voice and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 158 Fourteen Poems by Christina Rossetti (Voice and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 159 Cantata No. 8, Paradise (Christina Rossetti) (Vocal Quartet and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 160 Quartet for Strings No. 5 (Stanza of Dzyan No. VII) (2005)
• Op. 161 Cantata No. 9, The Four Seasons (William Blake) (Vocal Quartet and Piano) (2005)
• Op. 162 Sonata No. 8 for Piano (Arcturus) (2005)
• Op. 163 Sonata No. 9 for Piano (Andromeda) (2006)
• Op. 164 Wuthering Heights, Part One (Opera based on the novel by Emily Brontë) (Soloists and Orchestra) (2006)
• Op. 165 Fantasy for Piano (The Second Portal) (2007)
• Op. 166 Sonata No.10 for Piano (Spica C) (2007)
• Op. 167 Cat Quintet for Strings (2007)
• Op. 168 Song: (from)Ulysses (Voice and Piano) (Tennyson) (2007)
• Op. 169 Quintet for Brass (2007)
• Op. 170 Wuthering Heights, Part Two (Opera) (Soloists and Orchestra) (2007)
• Op. 171 Wuthering Heights, Part Three (Opera) (Soloists and Orchestra) (2007)
• Op. 172 Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (Stanza of Dzyan No.2) (2007)
• Op. 173 Sonata for Trombone and Piano (Stanza of Dzyan No.3) (2007)
• Op. 174 Eight Songs on Poems of Charles Bukowski (Voice and Piano) (2007)
• Op. 175 Song: Wuthering Heights (Voice and Piano) (Sylvia Plath) (2007)
• Op. 176 Sonata for Flute and Viola (Stanza of Dzyan No.8) (2007)
• Op. 177 Fantasy for Solo Oboe (Stanza of Dzyan No.4) (2007)
• Op. 178 Romance for Solo Clarinet (Stanza of Dzyan No.5) (2007)
• Op. 179 Sonata No.11 for Piano (Portals) (2007)
• Op. 180A Nirvana (Piece for Women's Chorus) (2007)
• Op. 180B Pralaya (Piece for Solo Flute) (1993, arr.2006)
• Op. 181 Three of the Final Poems of Sylvia Plath (voice and piano) (2009)
• Op. 182 Four Poems of Wordsworth (voice and piano) (2009)
• Op. 183 (from) Meditation 17 (song for solo voice) (John Donne) (2009)
• Op. 184 Mass (mixed chorus) (a cappella) (in Latin) (2009)
• Op. 185 Sonata for English Horn and Piano (2010)
• Op. 186 Sonata No. 2 for Clarinet and Piano (2010)
• Op. 187 Sonata for Violin and Oboe (2010)
• Op. 188 Magnificat (mixed chorus) (a cappella) (in Latin) (2010)
• Op. 189 Suite No. 1 for Orchestra (2010)
• Op. 190 Sonata for Tuba and Piano (2010)
• Op. 191 Sonata for Bass Clarinet and Piano (2010)
• Op. 192 Stabat Mater (mixed chorus) (a cappella) (in Latin) (2010)
• Op. 193 Suite No. 2 for Orchestra (2010)
• Op. 194 Sonata for Double Bass and Piano (2010)
• Op. 195 Sonata No. 2 for Viola and Piano (2010)
• Op. 196 Sonata for Clarinet and Cello (2010)
• Op. 197 Sonata for Viola and Bassoon (2010)
• Op. 198 Trio for English Horn, French Horn, and Cello (2010)
• Op. 199 Suite No. 3 for Orchestra
• Op. 200 Sonata No. 2 for Flute and Piano (2011)
• Op. 201 Quartet for Piano, Violin, Oboe and Viola (2011)
• Op. 202 Sonata for Violin and Flute (2011)
• Op. 203 Sonata for Oboe and Cello (2011)
• Op. 204 Trio for Piano, Violin and Bassoon (2011)
• Op. 205 Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Viola (2011)
• Op. 206 Song: I Bore with Thee (a cappella vocal quartet) (Christina Rossetti) (2011)
• Op. 207 Three Poems by Christina Rossetti) (a cappella vocal quartet (2011)
• Op. 208 Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano (2011)
• Op. 209 Sonata for Clarinet and Viola (2011)
• Op. 210 Sonata for Violin and Bassoon (2011)
• Op. 211 Sonata for Oboe and Piano (2011)
• Op. 212 Trio for Flute, Viola and Horn (2011)
• Op. 213 Cantata for Soprano and Tenor (Xanadu) (Coleridge-Taylor) (2012)
• Op. 214 Eight Lyrics by Ezra Pound (voice and piano) (2012)
• Op. 215 Ode to a Nightingale (Baritone, Mezzo, Flute and Piano) (Keats) (2012)
• Op. 216 Trio for Viola, Bassoon and Piano (2012)
• Op. 217 Sextet for Flute, Viola, English Horn, French Horn, Cello and Piano (2012)

Recordings

• Sheremetyev Ensemble – Mitchell In Moscow CD, 2002 (Label: ABM Enterprises)
• Music For Woodwind, Vol. 1 CD, 2005 (Label: MMC Recordings)

Publications

• Seven Color Pieces, Op. 2, 2011 (Publisher: Bisel Classics)
• 12 Offertories for Organ, Op. 10, 2012 (Publisher: Bisel Classics)

References

• Fanfare
• Lied and Art Song Texts
• Journal of Singing, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Vol. 63/No. 4, March/April 2007

External links

• Composer's website