(b. 30 March 1935, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania – d. 2 December 2015, New York, New York).
American composer of mostly stage, orchestral, chamber, and vocal works that have been performed throughout the world.
Prof. Eaton studied composition with Milton Babbitt, Edward T. Cone, Earl Kim, and Roger Sessions at Princeton University from 1953–59, where he earned his BA and MFA and where he also studied musicology with Arthur Mendel and Oliver Strunk and piano with Erich Itor Kahn, Frank Sheridan, Eduard Steuermann, and Louise Strunsky.
Among his honours were ten annual awards from ASCAP (1957–66), the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship (1958), three Prix de Rome (1959–61), the Guggenheim Fellowship (1962, 1965), 32 annual awards from BMI (1967–98), and the George F. Peabody Award and Ohio State Award (1973, both for Myshkin). He has also received the Fulbright Travel Grant (1987), the National Music Theater Award (1988), the MacArthur Fellowship (1990), a grant from the Aaron Copland Foundation (1995), and numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, he served residencies at the American Academy in Rome (1974) and at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Study and Conference Center in Italy (1993).
He was also active in other positions. He performed as a jazz pianist from 1953–71 and as a pianist and synthesist in contemporary music from 1960–70, participating in premières by Larry Austin, Leslie Bassett, Niccolò Castiglioni, Joel Chadabe, Donald Martino, Robert Moevs, William O. Smith, and other composers. He has written numerous articles on new music, as well as the book Involvement with Music: New Music since 1950 (1976).
He gave concerts and lectures for the United States Information Agency throughout the Americas from 1959–77. He taught as Professor of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington from 1970–91, where he also served as artistic director of the Center for Electronic and Computer Music. He taught as the Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Princeton University in 1981. He taught as a visiting professor at the University of Chicago in 1990–91 and as Professor of Music there from 1991–2001, later emeritus. He gave lectures in various countries, including in China and South Korea in 2000.
His primary publisher is Music Sales Classical, but Schott Music and Shawnee Press, Inc. are the publishers of some works. All of his scores have been housed at the East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania since 2003.
COMPLETE LIST OF WORKS
STAGE:
Ma Barker (opera in 2 acts, libretto by Arthur Gold), lyric soprano, dramatic mezzo-soprano, tenor, small orchestra, 1957–58
Herakles (opera in 3 acts, libretto by Michael Fried, after Sophocles, Lucius Annæus Seneca), soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenore spinto, Heldentenor, baritone, 2 mixed choruses, large orchestra, 1961–64
Myshkin (opera in 1 act, libretto by Patrick Creagh, after Fyodor Dostoyevsky), coloratura soprano, soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, 2 synthesizers/fixed media, orchestra, 1966–71 (one section may be performed separately as a concert work: Prelude to 'Myshkin')
The Three Graces (theatre piece, text by David Anderson), 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, actor, synthesizers (2 players), 1972
The Lion and Androcles (opera for children in 1 act, libretto by Eugene Walter, David Anderson, after Aulus Gellius), children's voices, 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, 2 pianos (tuned a quarter-tone apart), synthesizers (1 or more players), drum kit ad libitum, 1973 (also version for children's voices, 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, orchestra, 1973)
Danton and Robespierre (opera in 3 acts, libretto by Patrick Creagh), coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, mezzo-soprano, lyric tenor, tenor, Heldentenor, baritone, bass, 18 mixed voices, mixed chorus, male chorus, on-stage ensemble (brass, snare drum/tenor drum), large orchestra, 1978
The Cry of Clytaemnestra (opera in 1 act, libretto by Patrick Creagh, after Æschylus), coloratura soprano, soprano spinto/dramatic soprano, mezzo-soprano, lyric tenor, tenore spinto, bass-baritone, off-stage Stierhorn, on-stage tenor drum, small orchestra (20 players), fixed media, live electronics, 1979–80
The Tempest (opera in 3 acts, libretto by Andrew Porter, after William Shakespeare), lyric soprano, coloratura mezzo-soprano, female jazz voice, countertenor, 3 tenors, 2 baritones, bass-baritone, bass, mixed chorus, on-stage ensemble of Renaissance instruments (recorders/flutes [1 player], shawm/oboe, lute/harpsichord), on-stage jazz ensemble (alto saxophone, electric guitar, bass guitar, drum kit), large orchestra, 1983–85
The Reverend Jim Jones (opera in 3 acts, libretto by James Reston, Jr.), soprano, female gospel voice, tenor, baritone, 12 children's voices, 16 mixed voices, mixed chorus, on-stage gospel piano, on-stage jazz ensemble (alto saxophone, electric guitar, double bass [+ bass guitar], drum kit), large orchestra, 1988
Peer Gynt (incidental music, play by Henrik Ibsen), flute (+ piccolo, alto flute, bass flute), clarinet (+ bass clarinet), violin, cello, piano, percussion (with conductor ad libitum), theatrical set ad libitum, live electronics, 1990
Let's Get This Show on the Road: an Alternative View of 'Genesis' (opera in 1 act, libretto by Eugene Walter), soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, 1 or more flutes, 1 or more clarinets, violin, cello, piano, Eaton–Moog Multiple-Touch-Sensitive Keyboard, percussion, 1993
Salome's Flea Circus (theatre piece), clarinet, piano, 1994
Don Quixote (theatre piece, text by Miguel de Cervantes), flute (+ piccolo, alto flute, bass flute), clarinet (+ bass clarinet), violin, cello, piano (+ synthesizer), percussion (with conductor ad libitum), theatrical set ad libitum, lights ad libitum, live electronics ad libitum, 1994
Golk (opera in 1 act, libretto by Richard G. Stern), soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, 1 or more flutes, 1 or more clarinets, violin, cello, piano, synthesizer, percussion, theatrical set ad libitum, lights ad libitum, live electronics ad libitum, 1995
Travelling with Gulliver (theatre piece, text by Estela Eaton, after Jonathan Swift), flute (+ piccolo, alto flute, bass flute), clarinet (+ bass clarinet), violin, cello, piano (+ synthesizer), percussion (with conductor), theatrical set ad libitum, lights ad libitum, live electronics ad libitum, 1997
El Divino Narciso (cantata, text by Nelda Nelson, after Juana Inés de la Cruz), coloratura soprano, mezzo-soprano, lyric tenor, dance troupe, mixed chorus, flute (+ piccolo, alto flute, bass flute), cello, 2 percussion (with conductor ad libitum), live electronics ad libitum, 1998 (stage version of vocal work)
Antigone (opera in 1 act, libretto by Nicholas Rudall, after Sophocles), soprano, mezzo-soprano, female jazz voice, tenor, baritone, 1 or more flutes, 1 or more clarinets, violin, cello, piano, percussion, live electronics, 1999
Youth (dramatic cantata–opera, libretto by Estela Eaton), soprano, mezzo-soprano, female jazz voice, tenor, baritone, 1 or more flutes, 1 or more clarinets, violin, cello, piano, percussion, live electronics, 2000
'...inasmuch' (opera in 1 act, libretto by Estela Eaton, after Eugene Walter), 3 coloratura sopranos, mezzo-soprano, female jazz voice, tenor, baritone, 1 or more flutes, 1 or more clarinets, violin, cello, piano, Eaton–Moog Multiple-Touch-Sensitive Keyboard, percussion, live electronics, 2002
King Lear (opera in 3 acts, libretto by Laura Bates, after William Shakespeare), 2003–04
ORCHESTRAL:
Tertullian Overture, 1958
Adagio and Allegro, flute, oboe, string orchestra, 1960
Concert Piece, synthesizers (1 player), large orchestra (minimum 89 players), 1968
Transformations, synthesizers (1 player), symphonic band, 1975
Symphony No. 2, large orchestra, 1981
Remembering Rome (symphony), 22 or more strings, 1986
Threnody for Paisan, 2003
CHAMBER MUSIC:
String Quartet No. 1, 1958
Sonata, trumpet, piano, 1959
Encore Piece, flute, piano, 1959
Three Epigrams, clarinet, piano, 1960
Concert Piece No. 1, clarinet, piano, 1960
Concert Music for Solo Clarinet, clarinet, 1961
Theme and Variations, flute, 1964
Prelude to 'Myshkin', synthesizer, 1966 (section of Myshkin; may be performed separately as a concert work)
Concert Piece No. 2, synthesizer, 1966
Soliloquy, synthesizer, 1967
Vibrations, flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 1967
Five Thoughts for Sunny, trumpet, 1967
Duet, synthesizers (1 player), 1968
Study for Viola and Two Tape Recorders, viola, fixed media, 1970
Sonority Movement: In the Cave of the Sybil, flute, 9/12 harps, 1971
Piano Trio: In Memoriam Mario Cristini, violin, cello, piano, 1971
Variants, double bass, 1975
Burlesca, tuba, piano, 1981
Duo for Julian and Estela, 1 or more violins, cello, 1984
Big Aerobics, violin, 1985
A Little Love Song, flute, piano, 1987
String Quartet No. 2, 1987
Four Miniatures, tenor saxophone, 1987
Fantasy Romance, cello, piano, 1989
Two Plaudits for Ralph (Shapey), flute, oboe, cello, 1991
Genesis..., Eaton–Moog Multiple-Touch-Sensitive Keyboard, 1992
Golk Sonatina, oboe, piano, 1995
Three Designs for Solo Clarinet, clarinet, 1996
Footnotes, 2 bass clarinets, 2000
String Quartet No. 3, 2003
CHORAL:
Duo (text from the Bible), soprano, mixed chorus, piano, 1977
Mass, soprano, 5 mixed voices, clarinet, piano, 2 percussion, live electronics, 1997 (version of vocal work)
VOCAL:
Song Cycle on Holy Sonnets of John Donne, female voice, large orchestra, 1956
Songs for R. P. B. (texts by Hart Crane, R. P. Blackmur), voice, piano (2 players), synthesizer, 1964
Thoughts on Rilke, soprano, synthesizers (2 players), sound technician (with reverberation plate), 1966
Blind Man's Cry (text by Tristan Corbière [translated by Patrick Creagh]), soprano, synthesizers (1 player), 1968
Mass, soprano, clarinet, synthesizers (4 players), live electronics, 1970 (also version for soprano, 5 mixed voices, clarinet, piano, 2 percussion, live electronics)
Ajax (text by Sophocles [translated by John Moore]), baritone, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, 3 harps (tuned a sixth-tone apart), 4 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, double bass, 2 pianos (tuned a quarter-tone apart), 1972
Guillén Songs (text by Jorge Guillén), mezzo-soprano, piano, 1974
Oro (text by Matthias Bomhard), voice, synthesizers (1 player), 1974
Land of Lampedusa (text by Marilyn Perry), soprano, mezzo-soprano, piano, synthesizers (1 player), 1974
Lullaby for Estela (text by Patrick Creagh), voice, piano/synthesizer, 1975
Emily Dickinson Song (text by Emily Dickinson), voice, piano, 1975
A Greek Vision (text by Angelos Sikelianos [translated by Edmund Keeley]), soprano, flute, 1981
Ars Poetica (song-cycle, text by William Butler Yeats), mezzo-soprano, flute, harp, cello (with conductor ad libitum), 1986
Songs of Despair (song-cycle, text by James Joyce), mezzo-soprano, small orchestra (17 players), 1987
El Divino Narciso (cantata, text by Nelda Nelson, after Juana Inés de la Cruz), coloratura soprano, mezzo-soprano, lyric tenor, flute (+ piccolo, alto flute, bass flute), cello, 2 percussion (with conductor ad libitum), live electronics ad libitum, 1989 (also version as a stage work)
Overture for the Dedication of a House (texts by Margarita Peña, Federico Campbell, Hernán Lavín Cerda, Héctor Valdés), boy soprano, mezzo-soprano, viola, synthesizer, 1990
A Packet for Emile and Bill (text by Emile Snyder), soprano/mezzo-soprano, clarinet, piano/live electronics, 1991
Notes on Moonlight (song-cycle, texts by Federico García Lorca, Wallace Stevens, Leopoldo Lugones, Charles Baudelaire, William Butler Yeats), soprano, mezzo-soprano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, harp, 2 violins, viola, cello, piano, percussion, 1991
Trumpet Voluntary (text by Geoffrey Chaucer), dramatic soprano, French horn, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba, 1991
Songs of Desperation and Comfort (texts by John Donne, Patrick Creagh, William Shakespeare, Tristan Corbière), mezzo-soprano, orchestra, 1993
Lettere (text by Michele Ranchetti), mezzo-soprano, flute, harp, string quartet, 1994
Ad Luciam Beatricem (text by Hugo Henricus Paoli), mezzo-soprano, clarinet, 1995
Sor Juana Songs (text by Juana Inés de la Cruz), mezzo-soprano, piano, 1998
Tocotín (text by Juana Inés de la Cruz), mezzo-soprano, guitar, 1998
Sor Juana's Dreams, mezzo-soprano, guitar, piano, live electronics, 1999
Elegy for Jane (text by Theodore Roethke), mezzo-soprano, harp, guitar, mandolin, 1999
Dirge without Music (text by Edna St. Vincent Millay), mezzo-soprano, piano, 2002
Vespers, 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, flute (+ piccolo, alto flute, bass flute), clarinet (+ bass clarinet), bassoon, viola, piano, 2 percussion, live electronics, 2002
PIANO:
Variations, 1957
Microtonal Fantasy, 2 pianos (tuned a quarter-tone apart) (1 player), 1965
DISCOGRAPHY
Mass (original version); Blind Man's Cry; Concert Music for Solo Clarinet. William O. Smith, clarinet (Composers Recordings, Inc.: CRI SD-296, 1971) (LP)
Danton and Robespierre. (Composers Recordings, Inc.: CRI 421, 1980) (LP)
Aria and Scena from The Cry of Clytaemnestra; Ajax; Fantasy Romance; Sonority Movement: In the Cave of the Sybil; A Greek Vision; Ars Poetica. (Indiana University Press, 1992)
Songs of Desperation and Comfort. (Albany Records: TROY 298, 1998)
Mass (second version). Carmen Helena Téllez/Aguavá New Music Studio (Aguavá New Music Studio: 2001-1, 2001)