| Title | Instrumentation | Duration | Listen & Watch |
| Airs and Dances (2016) | for double reed consort and percussion: 2 oboes, 1 English horn, 2 bassoons, 1 percussionist | ca. 12' | |
|
A Thousand Cranes (2015) I. Stars and Sonnets II. Wind Spirit III. Sadako |
for strings and harp | ca. 30' |
Watch - A Thousand Cranes (excerpts) East Coast Chamber Orchestra (ECCO) and Sivan Magen, harp. Performed at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas as part of Soundings: New Music at the Nasher, December 2015. |
| Allegory of the Cave (2012) |
for string quartet and piano Commissioned by the Wilhelm Schole International for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio de Janeiro, Brazil June 2012 |
ca. 12' | |
| All dreams begin with the horizon (2007) |
for solo piano Commissioned by Meet the Composer for Tanya Bannister |
ca. 10' |
|
| Aria (2016; adapted from Concerto for Marimba and Wind Sinfonietta 2013) |
for solo marimba Written for Sam Um |
ca. 7' |
Watch - Aria (2016) for solo marimba Sam Um, Marimba |
| Ariel Ascending (1995) |
for string quartet Commissioned by the Fromm Foundation and Tanglewood for the Henschel Quartet |
ca. 15' |
|
| Artemis (2024) | version for chamber orchestra | ca. 25' | |
| Artemis (2014) | for horn, string quintet, and keyboard | ca. 25' | |
| Artemis (2003) |
A ballet, with orchestra commissioned by The American Ballet Theatre, Lar Lubovitch, choreographer |
ca. 25' | |
| As Dancing is to Architecture (1996) |
for orchestra Commissioned by the California Symphony |
ca. 4' |
|
| At the Still Point (2013) | for piano quintet | ca. 35' | |
| Birichino (2013) | for solo piano | ca. 7' |
Watch - Birichino Jayson Gillham, piano, at the 2013 Cliburn Competition Semi-Finals, Bass Hall, Fort Worth, Texas. |
| Canyon (2024) |
concerto for string quartet and orchestra Commissioned by the Amarillo Symphony for its 100th anniversary, Harrington String Quartet, Amarillo Symphony, George Jackson, cond. |
ca. 32' |
Watch premiere April 19/20, 2024 at the Globe-news Center for the Performing Arts in Amarillo, Texas. |
| Chamber Symphony #1 in D Major after P. I. Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet, Op. 11 (2018), a transcription |
for 1 flute, 1 oboe, 1 B-flat clarinet, 1 bassoon, 2 horns, timpani, strings Commissioned by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra |
ca. 28' | |
| Concerto #2 (2018) | for solo piano, strings, harp, and percussion | ca. 20' | |
| Concerto for Marimba and Chamber Orchestra (2013/ rev 2024) |
version for marimba and chamber orchesta for Ji Su Jung, marimba / Colorado Springs Symphony |
ca. 20' | |
| Concerto (2013) | for marimba and wind sinfonietta | ca. 20' | |
| Concerto (2009) |
for cello and orchestra commissioned for the Dallas Symphony and Nina Kotova |
||
| Concerto (2008) |
for violin and orchestra Commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony for Sarah Chang |
ca. 23' |
Pittsburgh Symphony / Andris Nelsons, conducting |
| Concerto (2006) |
for piano and chamber orchestra Commissioned by Pro Musica Columbus for Donald Berman |
ca. 21' |
Pro Musica Columbus / Timothy Russell, conducting |
| Concerto (2003) |
for viola and chamber orchestra Commissioned by the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra for Kim Kashkashian |
ca. 27' | |
| Concerto (1997/2002) |
for bassoon and chamber orchestra Commissioned by the Absolute Ensemble for Martin Kuuskmann |
ca. 23' |
Yale Philharmonia / Shinik Hahm, conducting |
| Concerto (1994) |
for alto saxophone and orchestra Commissioned by Worldwide Concurrent Premieres and Commissioning Fund for a consortium of 10 saxophonists |
ca. 18' | |
|
The Conference of the Birds (2017) I. The Valley of Quest II. The Valley of Love III. The Valley of Unity IV. The Valley of Knowledge V. The Valley of Detachment VI. The Valley of Wonderment VII. The Valley of Poverty and Annihilation |
for string quartet Interstitial poems by Melissa Studdard |
ca. 15' | |
| Creation/Creator (2015) | for soloists, actors, chorus and orchestra | ca. 80' |
I. Elephant in the Dark II. God-Tapestry IV. Laboratories of the Universe V. In the Eternal VII. Two Girls XI. An Angel in the Marble XII. The Music it Makes IX. Between Green Thread and Broccoli XIII. All Things Bound in a Single Book Robert Spano, conductor Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra |
| Discipline and Transcendence (2020) |
for solo violin Written for the Elmar Oliveira Violin Competition |
ca. 4' |
Watch Zachary Brandon, violin |
| Door Out of the Fire (2021) |
for SSAATTBB chorus and guitar poems by Melissa Studdard Written for Nicolò Spera, guitar, and The University of Michigan Chamber Choir, Eugene Rogers, cond. |
Watch premiere University of Michigan Chamber Choir Eugene Rogers, conductor Aria Minasian, mezzo-soprano Nicolò Spera, guitar |
|
| Dreamtime Ancestors (2015) | for orchestra | ca. 20' | |
|
Drum Circles (2019) I. Rivers and Anthems II. Sparks and Chants III. How Can You Smile When You’re Deep in Thought? IV. Spirits and Drums V. Three Chords and the Truth (or, Learning to Breathe Again) |
for percussion quartet and orchestra | ca. 25' |
Watch The Percussion Collective with the Curtis Orchestra, Verizon Hall |
| Etenraku (1996) |
for winds, piano, and percussion
Commissioned by the National Symphony |
ca. 3' |
Listen |
| Fantasy (2009) |
for violin and piano
[This is the second movement of the Violin Concerto in a chamber version] |
ca. 8' | |
| Field of Infinite Forms (2008) |
for orchestra and digital playback Electronics realized by Mark Wingate Acoustic music realized by Christopher Theofanidis |
ca. 20' |
|
| Five (2014) | for string quartet | ca. 25' | |
| Flourishes (1998) |
for orchestra and antiphonal brass Commissioned by the Ft. Worth Symphony for the opening of Bass Hall |
ca. 4' | |
| Flow, my tears (1997) |
Version for solo violin, viola, ‘cello or guitar Written for Carol Rodland in memory of Jacob Druckman |
ca. 10' |
|
| Four Levertov Settings (2016) | for SSATTB chorus and solo violin | ||
| The Game (2017) |
for orchestra Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Inspired by The Wire; Based on Tom Waits’ song “Way down in the hole” |
ca. 3' | |
| The Gift (2013) |
for tenor, chorus, and orchestra Commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony |
ca. 20' | |
| Heart of a Soldier |
Libretto by Donna Di Novelli Francesca Zambello, director Thomas Hampson, William Burden- lead roles San Francisco Opera/ Patrick Summers, conducting |
Watch PBS NewsHour Rick Rescorla saved lives during the Vietnam War, and again on 9/11, but he lost his life as a result. His story, told in the book "Heart of a Soldier" by James Stewart, has been recast as an opera in San Francisco. Spencer Michels reports. Watch preview from San Francisco Opera Francesca Zambello, director; Thomas Hampson, William Burden - lead roles; San Francisco Opera/ Patrick Summers, conducting |
|
| The Here and Now (2005) |
for soloists, chorus, and orchestra Commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony and Chorus |
ca. 35' |
|
| I wander the world in a dream of my own making (2005) |
for wind ensemble
Commissioned by a consortium of 11 wind ensembles |
ca. 8' |
Listen |
| If Falling is a Leaf (2020/2021) | for strings and harpsichord, with recited poem by Melissa Studdard | ca. 8' | |
| Indigo Heaven (2025) |
concerto for clarinet and orchestra for Stephen Williamson, clarinet / Chicago Symphony, Gustavo Gimeno |
ca. 27' | |
| Kaoru (1994) |
for two flutes Written for Kaoru Hinata and Christopher Vaneman |
ca. 12' |
Watch Kaoru for two flutes Benjamin Smolen, Johanna Borenstein, flutes Watch Kaoru for two flutes Performed by Andrew Robson and Felice Doynov as part of the NY Philharmonic's 2016 Biennial at Greene Space in New York City. Watch Q2 Interview about Kaoru with Helga Davis Q2's Helga Davis interviews Christopher Theofanidis about his work Kaoru (1994) for two flutes as part of the NY Philharmonic's Biennial at Greene Space in New York City. |
| Lakshmi and the Seed of Divine Desire (2017) | for flute and piano | ca. 14' |
Watch - Lakshmi and the Seed of Divine Desire Benjamin Smolen, flute Jennifer Hsiao, piano |
| The Legend of the Northern Lights (2014) | for narrator, child actor and orchestra (with film) | ca. 25' |
Watch NHSO Interview New Haven Symphony Orchestra Music Director William Boughton interviews composer Christopher Theofanidis. Watch Interview about The Legend of the Northern Lights with WFMT's Noel Morris Christopher Theofanidis discusses a brand new piece, The Legend of the Northern Lights, with WFMT's Noel Morris on the eve of its world premiere by the Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago. |
| Making Up For Lost Time (2015) | for orchestra | ca. 12' | |
| Messages to Myself (2007) |
for SSAATTBB, a capella chorus
Commissioned by the Houston Chamber Choir |
ca. 15' |
|
| Muse (2007) |
for strings and harpsichord Commissioned by The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra as part of their New Brandenburg Project. |
ca. 12' |
Portland Youth Philharmonic / David Hattner, Musical Director; Wieden+Kennedy Building Portland, Oregon |
| Netherland (1993) | Alto Saxophone and Piano | ca. 6' | |
| Off the Clock (2019) | for concert band | ca. 12' | |
| On the Bridge of the Eternal (2020/rev 2024) |
for orchestra (may be performed as a 17’ purely orchestral work, or 22’ with choral introduction on text by St. Augustine) |
ca. 17' or ca. 22' |
|
| On the Bridge of the Eternal (2020) |
for orchestra Written for the University of Colorado Boulder’s centennial |
ca. 17' | |
| One thing at a time (2017) |
for solo flute 6 Etude miniatures |
ca. 10' | |
| O Vis Aeternitatis (2000) |
for string quartet and piano Commissioned by the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival for Speculum Musicae |
ca. 15' |
|
| Peace, Love, Light YOUMEONE (2002) |
for string orchestra Commissioned by the California Symphony |
ca. 6' | |
| Quasi una Fantasia (2013) |
for 2 clarinets and string quartet or 2 clarinets and string orchestra |
ca. 10' | |
|
Quintet (2019) I. The war in heaven II. Aria for a lost beauty III. Fire and magic |
for Bb clarinet and string quartet | ca. 20' | |
| Raga (1992) |
for flute, clarinet, violin, 'cello, piano, and two percussion Written for the Eastman Musica Nova |
ca. 6' |
|
| Rainbow Body (2000) |
for orchestra Commissioned by the Houston Symphony |
ca. 12' |
Listen |
| Rainbow Serpent (2015) | for orchestra | ca. 7' | |
| The Refuge (2007) |
Libretto by Leah Lax for soloists, chorus, orchestra, and several non-Western ensembles Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera |
ca. 90' |
|
| Rex Tremendae Majestatis (2008) |
for solo organ, brass, and percussion Commissioned by the Pacific Symphony for Paul Jacobs |
ca. 8' |
Pacific Symphony / Carl St. Clair, conducting |
| Siddhartha, She (2025) |
ritual music drama in seven tableaux for soloists, double chorus, and orchestra Melissa Studdard, libretto; very loosely adapted from Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha Co-commissioned by the Aspen Music Festival, Robert Spano, cond., the Yale University Choral Artists and Glee Club, Jeffrey Douma, cond., and the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, Eugene Rogers, cond. |
ca. 120' |
August 02, 8pm Buy Tickets |
| Song of Elos (1999) |
On a poem by Judith Freeman for soprano, string quartet, and piano Written for Camille Zamora |
ca. 10' |
|
| Spring Verses (2022) | for flute and guitar | ca. 15' |
Listen - Spring Verses: I. Galliard I: Esuberante Listen - Spring Verses: II. Galliard II: Grazioso Listen - Spring Verses: III. Pavane I: Elegante, maestoso Listen - Spring Verses: IV. Galliard III: Energico, giocoso Listen - Spring Verses: V. Pavane II (for Henry) : Intospettivo, malinconico Listen - Spring Verses: VI. Galliard IV: Spiritoso Christina Jennings, flute Nicolò Spera, guitar |
| Statues (1992) |
for solo piano Written for Mauricio Nader |
ca. 10' |
|
| Summer Music (2016) |
for orchestra Commissioned by the Williamsport Symphony for their 50th anniversary |
ca. 15' | |
| Summer Verses (2009) |
for violin and ‘cello commissioned by the Seattle Chamber Music Society for James Ehnes and Robert DeMaine |
ca. 20' |
|
| Sweet Like That | Concert Band (grade 3—available from Hal Leonard) | ca. 4' | |
| Symphony (2009) |
for orchestra Commissioned by Robert Spano for the Atlanta Symphony |
ca. 35' |
Listen - I Listen - II Listen - III Listen - IV
|
| The Invention of Music (2001) |
After the Sophocles Satyr Play, The Ichneutiae
Libretto by William M. Hoffman for soloists, chorus, orchestra, rock singer and band, and dancers (may be performed in concert or stage version) Commissioned by the Brooklyn Philharmonic |
ca. 40' |
Brooklyn Philharmonic / Robert Spano, conducting |
| The Wind and Petit Jean (2014/rev 2023) | for orchestra | ca. 13' |
Listen Arkansas Symphony Orchestra / Geoffrey Robson, conducting |
| The World in Ecstatic Motion (2022) |
concerto for flute and orchestra for Marina Piccini, flute, and various orchestras as part of a consortium |
ca. 22' | |
| The world is aflame (2006) |
for violin and ‘cello Commissioned by Juilliard for their centennial for Curtis Macomber and Norman Fischer |
ca. 10' |
|
| The Thirteen Clocks (2002) |
An opera in two acts
Based on the James Thurber story, The Thirteen Clocks Libretto by Peter Webster Commissioned by the Moores School of Music |
ca. 120' | |
| This dream, strange and moving (1995) |
for orchestra Commissioned by the California Symphony |
ca. 8' | |
| Une Certaine joie de vivre (2010) | for orchestra | ca. 3' | |
| Vaghe Stelle dell’Orsa (2023) | for flute, viola, and guitar | ca. 10' |
Listen Christina Jennings, flute Matthew Dane, viola Nicolò Spera, guitar |
|
Virtue (2013) after Hildegard’s Ordo Virtutum |
for soprano soloist, male actor, either 3 amplified female voices or women’s choir (may also be done with children’s choir), chamber orchestra | ca. 20' |
Watch Fairfax Symphony Orchestra feat. Tony Arnold, soprano |
| Visions and Miracles (1997/2002) |
for string quartet or string orchestra Commissioned by the Barlow Endowment for the Cassatt, Muir, and Cuartetto Latinoamericano String Quartets |
ca. 17' |
Listen
|
|
Visions of the Hereafter (2024) I. The River to Hell II. Terrestrial Paradise III. The Fall of the Damned IV. Ascent of the Blessed |
for saxophone and string quartet, after Hieronymous Bosch for Steven Banks and the Verona String Quartet |
ca. 23' | |
| What is the Word? (2017) |
for string quartet and electronics Co-written with Mark Wingate Commissioned by the Apollo Chamber Players; Based on Samuel Beckett’s poem of the same name |
ca. 15' |
Biography