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Reena Esmail

Composer

2026

new concerto* (2026)

details forthcoming
*this work has not yet been completed

2025

new concerto for orchestra* (2025)

for orchestra
*this work is not yet completed

2024

new work for unaccompanied flute* (2024)

new work for unaccompanied flute ( XX min)
commissioned by  Flute New Music Consortium
*this work is not yet completed

2023

new work for string quartet* (2023)

for string quartet
*this work has not yet been completed

new major choral work* (2023)

SATB chorus, Hindustani singer, tabla and (Western) percussion* (30 min)
commissioned by Los Angeles Master Chorale
*this work is not yet completed

Rosa de Sal (trumpet and orchestra)* (2023)

for trumpet and chamber orchestra
commissioned by Mary Elizabeth Bowden
*this work has not yet been completed

new song cycle for soprano and orchestra* (2023)

for soprano and orchestra
*this work is not yet completed

2022

new work for choir* (2022)

new work for Illinois Wesleyan Choir (5 min)
*this work is not yet completed

Chamak (2022)

for Grade 4 band (10 min, 3 mmts)
commissioned by Mark Duker (Waubonsie Valley High School,  Naperville IL) and consortium

Kabir Songs* (2022)

new cycle for soprano and piano (3 songs, ~12 min)
on couplets of 14c saint-poet Kabir
*this work is partially completed

We Are Love (2022)

new work for mass choir (7 min)
text by Melissa Studdard

Say Your Name (2022)

solo soprano, choir and orchestra (~30 min)
commissioned by Amherst College; Arianne Abela, conductor
libretto by Rebecca Gayle Howell

Sandhiprakash (2022)

unaccompanied cello (9′)
commissioned by Tippet Rise for Arlen Hlusko

Pranayam (2022)

oboe and piano (10 min)
commissioned by International Double Reed Society

Who makes a clearing (2022)

new work for soprano, violin and cello (~7 min)

Sonata for trombone and piano (2022)

new work for trombone and piano (14 min; 3 mmts)
commissioned by Brittany Lasch and consortium

Dhire Dhire (2022)

soprano and piano trio (5 min)
commissioned by Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC)

Concerto for Hindustani Violin and Orchestra (2022)

for Hindustani violin and orchestra (22 min)
commissioned by Seattle Symphony for Kala Ramnath

Ram Tori Maya – full orchestra (2022)

for orchestra (2022)
commissioned by Carnegie Hall Link Up Program

2021

RE|Member (oboe duo version) (2021)

two oboes (5 min)
original version for orchestra co-commissioned by Seattle Symphony and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

The Voyage (string orchestra version) (2021)

for youth string orchestra (12 min, 4 mmts)
string orchestra version created with Herricks High School Orchestra; Catherine Birke, director

Drishti (द्रिष्ती) (2021)

miniatures for unaccompanied violin (10 min; 10 mmts)
commissioned by Coretet for Simone Porter

RE|Member (orchestra) (2021)

orchestra (7 min)
co-commissioned by Seattle Symphony and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Pedernal (2021)

unaccompanied trumpet (1 min)
commissioned by Mary Elizabeth Bowden

A Winter Breviary (2021)

three carols for SATB choir (12 min)
new text by Rebecca Gayle Howell

Listen (2021)

SA chorus (4min)

The Tipping Point (Summer 2021)

SATB choir and tabla (9 minutes)
commissioned by Santa Fe Desert Chorale

Inconvenient Wounds (2021)

solo harp (5 min)
commissioned by  Yolanda Kondonassis for Five Minutes for Earth

2020

Rosa de Sal (2020)

soprano and piano
commissioned by Nirav Kamdar

America/Desh (2020)

solo piano (4’)
new variation on America the Beautiful
commissioned by Min Kwon

Quarantine Madrigals (2020)

solo voice or choir (15 min: 8 mmts)
commissioned by Conspirare

interglow (Fall 2020)

string quartet, flute, piano and community voices (5 min)
commissioned by Salastina Music Society

The Voyage (trio version) (2020)

string trio for student violinist (approx. Suzuki Grade 3), with violin and viola (12 min, 4 mmts)
commissioned by Scott, Sharon and Julia St. John

Unlikely Stories (2020)

student violin and piano (10 min, 3 mmts)
commissioned by Cora Cooper, Sleepy Puppy Press

When the Violin (unaccompanied violin) (2020)

unaccompanied violin (4 min)
commissioned by Americans for the Arts for Vijay Gupta

She Will Transform You (SATB + flute) (2020)

SATB Chorus and flute (8 min)
poetry of Neelanjana Banerjee
commissioned by Richmond Symphony and Chorus

See Me (2020)

SATB chorus + community chorus (7 min)
commissioned by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor

The History Of Red (2020)

soprano and chamber orchestra (20 min)
poetry of Linda Hogan
commissioned by Santa Fe Pro Musica, The Knights (Brooklyn), River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (Houston) and Orlando Philharmonic, with soprano Kathryn Mueller

Crystal Preludes (2020)

piano solo (10 min; 3 mmts)
additional movements will be added in coming seasons
written for Crystal Rivette

This Love Between Us, mmt 5 (Trio Version) (2020)

version for mezzo soprano, violin and piano (5 min)
arranged from 5th movement of This Love Between Us

Darshan (2018-2020)

unaccompanied violin (10 min; 2 mmts)
additional movements will be added in coming seasons
commissioned by Vijay Gupta, violinist

2019

Varsha (viola version) (2019)

version for unaccompanied viola (5 min)
original work (for cello) commissioned by Juilliard415 for the Haydn Seven Last Words Project

Blaze (2019)

for violin and tabla (6 mins)
commissioned by Shalini Vijayan, violinist

When the Guitar (2019)

version for SATB chorus and guitar quartet (6 min)
commissioned by Conspirare; Craig Hella Johnson, conductor

Varsha (cello version) (2019)

unaccompanied cello (5 min)
commissioned by Juilliard415 for the Haydn Seven Last Words Project

She Will Transform You (choir+orchestra) (2019)

for SATB Chorus and orchestra (14 min)
commissioned by Richmond Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

Ram Tori Maya – two Hindustani singers and string quartet (original) (2019)

arrangement of Hindustani bhajan
two Hindustani singers and string quartet (2019)
written for the Shastra Summer Collaborative 

Piano Trio (2019)

violin, cello and piano (31 min; 4 mmts)
commissioned by Joshua Roman for Town Music Seattle

The Love of Thousands (2019)

treble choir (8 mins)
commissioned by Classical Movements’ Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program for the San Francisco Girls Chorus

Magan Rehna (2019)

arrangement of Hindustani bhajan
Hindustani singer and string quartet (4 min)
written for the Shastra Summer Collaborative 

Flute Sonata (2019)

flute and piano (7 min)
co-commissioned by Chamber Music Palisades (Susan Greenberg, flute) and Benjamin Smolen, flute

Concerto For You (2019)

for solo violin and youth string orchestra (12 mins)
commissioned by ARTSpeaks for Neuqua Valley High School Orchestra

Varsha (violin version) (2019)

unaccompanied violin (5 min)
commissioned by Juilliard415 for the Haydn Seven Last Words Project

Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice) -Piano Quintet (2019)

version for Hindustani singer, soprano and piano quintet (21min; 3mmts)
commissioned by SongFest for Saili Oak

2018

Darshan (2018-2020)

unaccompanied violin (10 min; 2 mmts)
additional movements will be added in coming seasons
commissioned by Vijay Gupta, violinist

When the Violin (SATB+cello) (2018)

for SATB choir and cello obbligato (6 min)
commissioned by Golden Bridge Choir; Suzi Digby, conductor

Acharanga (string orchestra) (2018)

youth string orchestra, with optional sitar/tabla parts (3 min)
commissioned by William Annin Middle School, NJ

When the Violin (SATB+violin) (2018)

version for SATB chorus and violin (6 min)
commissioned by  Golden Bridge Choir; Suzi Digby, conductor

Black Iris (2018)

 for full orchestra (14 min)
commissioned by Chicago Sinfonietta

When the Violin (9vcs + cello) (2018)

version for 9 voices (SSAATTBBB) and cello (6 min)
commissioned by  Golden Bridge Choir; Suzi Digby, conductor

Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice) -full orchestra (2018)

for Hindustani singer, soprano and full orchestra (3mmts; 21min)
commissioned by Albany Symphony for Saili Oak

When the Violin (9vcs + violin) (2018)

version for 9 voices (SSAATTBBB) and violin (6 min)
commissioned by  Golden Bridge Choir; Suzi Digby, conductor

Zeher (2018)

string quartet (7 min)
commissioned by Brooklyn Rider

When the Violin (SATB+viola) (2018)

for SATB choir and viola obbligato (6 min)
commissioned by Golden Bridge Choir; Suzi Digby, conductor

Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice) -chamber orchestra (2018)

version for Hindustani singer, soprano and chamber orchestra (21min; 3mmts)
commissioned by Albany Symphony for Saili Oak

2017

Testament (from Vishwas) – string orchestra version (2017)

string orchestra (with optional tabla)

Testament (from Vishwas) – full orchestra version (2017)

for full orchestra and tabla

Khirkiyaan: Three Transformations for Brass Quintet (2017)

brass quintet (10 mins)
commissioned by Kansas State University Faculty Brass Quintet

Saans (2017)

violin, cello and piano (8 min)
written for Suzana Bartal

Clarinet Concerto (2017)

clarinet and orchestra (16min; 2 mmts)
commissioned by Albany Symphony for Shankar Tucker

The Light is the Same (quintet version) (2017)

flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon (9 min)
commissioned by Imani Winds

The Light is the Same (trio version) (2017)

flute, oboe and piano (9 min)
commissioned by Aglow Trio

2016

Take What You Need (2016)

a unique work designed for musicians and communities to perform together
commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

Nadiya (violin/bassoon) (2016)

version for violin and bassoon (5 min)
commissioned by Pieces of Eight – Benjamin Larsen and Martha Cargo

Nadiya (flute/cello) (2016)

flute and cello (5 min)
commissioned by Pieces of Eight – Benjamin Larsen and Martha Cargo

Nadiya (flute/viola) (2016)

flute and viola (5 min)
commissioned by Pieces of Eight – Benjamin Larsen and Martha Cargo

This Love Between Us: Prayers for Unity (2016)

for SATB Chorus, baroque orchestra, sitar and tabla
commissioned by Yale Institute of Sacred Music with Juilliard415

I Rise: Women in Song (4-voice+single instruments) (2016)

version for women’s chorus, string quintet, flute and harp (25 min, 5 mmts)
commissioned by Lehigh University Choral Arts, Sun Min Lee, conductor

Take What You Need (Double Choir and Youth Orchestra) (2016)

a unique work designed for musicians and communities to perform together
version for SATB chorus, youth string orchestra, and community choir and/or audience (length varies)
commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

Take What You Need (Unaccompanied Viola) (2016)

version for unaccompanied violin (2 min)
commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

Take What You Need (Unaccompanied Violin) (2016)

version for unaccompanied violin (2 min)
commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

Take What You Need (Lead Sheet) (2016)

Take What You Need (singer+piano) (2016)

a unique work designed for musicians and communities to perform together
version for one singer and piano – singalong with audience (length varies)
commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

Take What You Need (Hymnal Style Chorale Version) (2016)

a unique work designed for musicians and communities to perform together
for SATB community singing (2 min)
commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

Take What You Need – Double Choir (no instruments) (2016)

a unique work designed for musicians and communities to perform together
for SATB choir and community choir and/or audience (length varies)
commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

Take What You Need (Double Choir and Piano) (2016)

a unique work designed for musicians and communities to perform together
version for SATB chorus, piano, and community choir and/or audience (length varies)
commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

Take What You Need (double choir + string orchestra) (2016)

a unique work designed for musicians and communities to perform together 

version for SATB chorus, string orchestra, and community choir and/or audience (length varies)

commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

Take What You Need (double choir + string quintet) (2016)

a unique work designed for musicians and communities to perform together
version for SATB chorus, string quintet, and community choir and/or audience (length varies)
commissioned by Street Symphony  for Urban Voices Project

TaReKiTa (2016)

SATB Chorus (2 min) – also available in SSAA and TTBB
written for Urban Voices Project

Avartan (2016)

chamber orchestra (13 min)
commissioned by American Composers Orchestra

Even After All this Time… (SATB only) (2016)

version for SATB Chorus (6 min)
commissioned by Lindsay Pope

I Rise: Women in Song (2016)

for women’s chorus, string orchestra, flute and harp (25 min, 5 mmts)
versions for small ensemble and selections for SSA+flute also available
commissioned by Lehigh University Choral Arts, Sun Min Lee, conductor

Even After All this Time… (with clarinet) (2016)

SATB Chorus and clarinet (7 min)
commissioned by Lindsay Pope

E Safar (2016)

vilambit bandish for Hindustani vocalist (length varies)
commissioned by Payton MacDonald for Sonic Divide Project

I Rise: Women in Song (SSAA+flute) (2016)

reduced version for women’s chorus and flute (15 min, 3 mmts)
commissioned by Lehigh University Choral Arts, Sun Min Lee, conductor

2015

Chuti Hui Jagah (mezzo + guitar) (2015)

mezzo-soprano and guitar (10min; 3 mmts)
commissioned by Colin Davin for Millenial Music Festival

The Dirt is Red Here (from Earth Speaks) (2015)

SSSA chorus (4min)
commissioned by Pasadena Master Chorale

Chuti Hui Jagah (mezzo+piano) (2015)

mezzo-soprano and piano (10min; 3 mmts)
commissioned by Colin Davin for Millenial Music Festival

Chuti Hui Jagah (soprano+piano) (2015)

version for soprano and piano (10min; 3 mmts)
commissioned by Colin Davin for Millenial Music Festival

Chuti Hui Jagah (alto or Hindustani voice+marimba) (2015)

version for soprano and piano (10min; 3 mmts)
commissioned by Colin Davin for Millenial Music Festival

String Quartet (Ragamala) (with Hindustani Vocals) (2015)

new version for quartet and Hindustani vocals (ca. 25 mins)
premiered by Salastina Music Society

From the Mahabharata Suite (2015)

clarinet, violin, cello, piano and tabla (20 min, 3 mmts)
commissioned by SOLI Chamber Ensemble
 and AtticRep Theater

Earth Speaks (2015)

SATB chorus, horn and piano (45 min; 9 mmts)
commissioned by Pasadena Master Chorale

Perhaps (2005, 2015)

unaccompanied cello (5 min / 10 min)
with film by Heather McCalden

2014

I Wonder as I Wander (2014)

for piano trio (4′)

Testament (from Vishwas) – sinfonietta version (2014)

for chamber orchestra (13 min)
commissioned by Albany Symphony – Dogs of Desire

Tuttarana (Brass Quintet) (2014)

movement 3 of Khirkiyaan for brass quintet (3 min)
commissioned by The Brass Project

Tuttarana (SSA) (2014)

SSA Chorus (3 min)
commissioned by Mount Holyoke Glee Club; Lindsay Pope, conductor

Nishani (2014)

unaccompanied viola d’amore (7 min)
commissioned by Matthew Dane

Tuttarana (SATB) (2014)

version for SATB Chorus (3 min)
commissioned by Mount Holyoke Glee Club; Lindsay Pope, conductor

2013

Jhula Jhule (viola) (2013)

viola and piano (11 min)
commissioned by MuSE

Jhula Jhule (clarinet) (2013)

clarinet and piano (11 min)

Jhula Jhule (cello) (2013)

cello and piano (11 min)

String Quartet (Ragamala) (2013)

(19 min)
commissioned by the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
 and premiered by the Flux Quartet

Teen Murti (SQ + cello solo) (2013)

solo cello and string quartet (2015)
commissioned by Joshua Roman

Jhula Jhule (flute) (2013)

version for flute and piano (11 min)

Jhula Jhule (oboe) (2013)

oboe and piano (11 min)

Jhula Jhule (trumpet) (2013)

trumpet and piano (11 min)

Teen Murti (2013)

for string orchestra (11 mins)
commissioned by River Oaks Chamber Orchestra

Jhula Jhule (violin) (2013)

violin and piano (11 min)
commissioned by MuSE

Anjuman Songs (2013)

mezzo-soprano, narrator, English horn and piano (12 min)
commissioned by Diana Arterian

2012

Tasveer (2012)

clarinet, violin, cello and piano (5 min)
premiered by Music from Copland House

Rang de Basant (2012)

for piano solo (7 min)
commissioned by Kimball Gallagher

2010

Zinfandel (flute version) (2010)

transcribed for flute (6 min)

Piano Quintet (2010)

string quartet and piano (13 min)
commissioned by Norfolk Chamber Music Festival

Zinfandel (2010)

unaccompanied bassoon (6 min)

Feritas (2010)

trumpet sextet (6 min)
commissioned by the Yale School of Music trumpet studio

2009

White Key (2009)

SSAATTBB chorus (14 min)
premiered by Yale Camerata; Brian Bartoldus, conductor

Aria (2009)

for Hindustani singer and orchestra (12 min)
written for Yale Philharmonia

2007

Two Tones (tenor+cello) (2007)

version for tenor, cello and piano (5 min)

The Blue Room (2007)

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (17 min; 2 mmts)
written for Robert Bolyard, conductor for Yale Repertory Orchestra and Alexander Woods, violin

Two Tones (soprano+oboe+English horn) (2007)

version for soprano, oboe, English horn and piano (5 min)

Two Tones (alto+violin) (2007)

version for alto, violin and piano (5 min)

Two Tones (soprano+violin) (2007)

soprano, violin and piano (5 min)

2006

Ritual (2006)

SATB chorus, clarinet and piano (5 min)

Ave Maria (2006)

for SSAA Chorus (4 min)

A Canticle for Dawn (2006)

for flute, viola and harp (7 min)

2005

Unfortunate Coincidence (2005)

for soprano and chamber ensemble (18 min; 8 mmts)

Perhaps (2005, 2015)

unaccompanied cello (5 min / 10 min)
with film by Heather McCalden

The Whole Story (2005)

oboe and piano (19 min; 3 mmts)
written for Josiane Henry

2004

il guioco del ‘giuoco delle coppie’ (2004)

for piano solo (10 min)

2001

Elegism (2001)

unaccompanied cello (8 min)

Chardonnay (2001)

unaccompanied flute (5 min)

2000

Desire (2000)

clarinet and piano (6 min)

1999

Sunrise Toccata (1999)

for solo piano (1999)

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