The Music of Nathan Froebe
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     Chamber Music

Three Scenes for Wind and Hammer (2020) - Flute/Piccolo and Piano
    A suite depicting the various ways that the blowing of the wind and the striking of a hammer might intertwine.The first movement depicts the fine chiseling and chilly atmosphere needed for creating a sculpture from ice. The second movement find a miner toiling away in the dark, only to begin to hear whispers that drive the mind to madness. The final movement invokes metal-crafting and the brutal process of using searing flame to shape steel.
     I. Ice Sculptures
     II. Whispering Mines
     III. Forged in Flames
The Silver Raven (2017) - Flute Choir
    The mythical silver raven begins as a calm, cool egg. Surreptitiously, it begins to stir and gradually morph the shape of its shell into elegant wings before ascending to flight.                                                                           (Performed by the Kansas State University Flute Choir)
What Words Cannot Say (2017) - Trombone Quartet
    A lyric setting that is both poignant and unsettled, this work exemplifies the knotted anxiety we all feel just under the surface but cannot truly give a name to.
                                                                (Written for and performed by Tom Macaluso, Matt Bragstad, Kevin Schoeller, and Nick Lawrence)

​Vantages (2017) - Flute, Violin, and Piano
    This continuous, five-movement work explores various vantage points, from featuring each instrument in the inner movements, to depicting the four classical elements. Each movement examines one element, divided into three sections, with the final movement being a culmination of the previous four movements to create a new element, Spirit.
       I. Earth - The Deep, Plains, Mountain
       II. Air - Sky, Storm, Snow
       III. Water - Ice, Ocean, Rivers
       IV. Fire - Blaze, Embers, Burning
       V. Spirit - Pilgrims, Communion, Enlightened
                                                                (Written for and performed by the New Muse Ensemble: Danielle Breisach, flute; Peter Milickzy, violin; and Yana Avedyan, piano)

Zealotry (2016) - Percussion and Piano
    An intense and rollicking ride, where the material becomes obsessive in its intent and fanatically whirls and wheels.
                                                                (Written for and performed by Garrett Mendelow, perucssion, with Yana Avedyan, piano.)

Songs of... (2015) - Alto Saxophone, Cello, Piano, Percussion
    A series of continuous 'songs' based off a common index of material, this work explores a plethora of colors, techniques, and emotions with its unique combination of instruments. The description of a specific program for the songs is avoided, so the listener may freely impose their own interpretation.
                                                                (Written for and performed by Steve Carmichael, saxophone; with Kyle Price, cello; Kyle Johnson, piano; and Somali Wilson and James McKenzie, percussion.)

Enthralled, Enraptured, Emanciapted (2016) - Soprano Saxophone and Percussion
    Two lovers come together, letting their chemistry unfold as they orbit one another.
                                                                (Written for and performed by Steve Carmichael, saxophone; with Somali Wilson, percussion.)

Extemporanea: Prelude & Caprice (2015) - Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano
    Through-composed, this piece is a feature for the flute where the ensemble chases after it through a variety of scenes. 
                                                                (Performed by Danielle Breisach, flute; Peter Milickzy, violin; Joshua Dieranger, viola; Ben Bauer, cello; and Yana Avedyan, piano.)

Conversations (2016/2017) - Trumpet, Trombone, and Piano
    This works casts the trumpet and trombone as two people who meet and begin forging an intense and unique friendship. The first movement they are trading off lines, still getting to know one another. The second movement represents the more intimate and sometimes heart-wrenching moments a friendship can endure. The third movement shows the two friends coming into their own, having developed their own language and idiosyncrasies.
                                                                (Performed by Dan Cross, trumpet; Matt Bragstad, trombone; and Yana Avedyan, piano.)
                  ​I. Happy and Bright
                  I​I. Heartfelt
                 II​I. Energetically

Obnoxia (2015) - Tenor Saxophone solo
    A unique character piece that employs a variety of extended techniques to embody an
   array of off-beat moods, such as that of a cantankerous old man, a whiny middle school
​   girl, and a boisterous little child on a sugar rush.
                                                                (Written for and performed by Steve Carmichael.)

​I. Cantankerous

​II. Whiny

​III. Boisterous

My Shadow (2014) - Soprano, Bassoon (or Bass Clarinet), and Vibraphone
    Based on a child's poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, this song is light-hearted in nature
    and details a child's multi-faceted relationship to their permanent playmate, their shadow.


Glint (2015) - Trumpet and Vibraphone
    A foggy and hazy work utilizing the more lyric sides of these two instruments.
                                                                 (Performed by Eric Siereveld and Andrew Baldwin.)


Here The Frailest Leaves / This Moment Yearning and Thoughtful (2014) 
- Low Voice & Piano
    Two poems by Walt Whitman, performed attaca, excerpted from a larger song cycle.

Sawblade (2013) - Electric Cello and Piano
    Shred away! 

To A Stranger (2013) - High Voice, Low Voice, and Piano
    From Walt Whitman's
Calamus section of "Leaves of Grass," this song details the

   emotions and events that occur between two people when they first meet and wonder
   if they will then be able to meet again.

Rollick (2013) - Piano, Trumpet, and Euphonium or Tenor Sax 
    A fast and fun opener or closer. Borrowing from Mark Twain "“Persons attempting to find        a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it                will be 
banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be 
shot.”


Fantasia (2012)- Alto Saxophone or Bb Clarinet and Piano
    Described as 'darkly romantic', this work is based upon small fragments of motives that

    spin around to a dizzying climax before calmly coming to rest. (Recording: Sax version)

Five Sketches for Piano (2013) - Piano 
    Five short movements meant to represent a variety of musical selections, emulating the
    process of choosing repertoire for a concert.


I. Agitato Marcato


​
II. Tranquillo Notturno



III. Intermezzo Scherzando


IV. Adagio Drammatico
​


V. Presto Ritmico

My Puppy's Adventures (2013) - Percussion Ensemble (9 players)
    A character piece based on the habits and behaviors of my wonderful canine companion,

    Terra, the best black labrador retriever and friend a guy could ask for!


I. Inquisitive



II. Asleep?



III. Playtime!

For Him I Sing (2013) - High Voice and piano
    Based on a text by Walt Whitman, this song is both eerie and intense, describing a
    relationship that has endured many trials.

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