Sevens for Organ (2019)

Paul A. Epstein (b. 1938) — Sevens for Organ (2019)

The composer writes: “Sevens for Organ” (2019) celebrates the seven-note major and minor scales of Western classical music. A grid of ascending and descending modes of these scales forms the basis of the piece.

American composer Paul A. Epstein (b. 1938) was educated at Brandeis University and the University of California at Berkeley. His teachers included Harold Shapero, Seymour Shifrin, and Luciano Berio. Epstein’s music is generally classified as postminimalist, and his catalog includes two operas and much vocal music, as well as instrumental works for large and small ensembles. Epstein was Professor of Music Theory at Temple University where he taught from 1969 to 2001. He has also been active in collaborative work with theater and dance. From 1969–72, he was associated with the New York environmentalist theater group The Performance Group and from 1974–87 was composer and music director for ZeroMoving Dance Company of Philadelphia.