We are excited to continue our collaboration with the New York Women Composers (NYWC). This month, we present a piece by Abby Harris.
Abby Harris, Composer. Photo courtesy Abby Harris.
Bio
Abby Harris is a rising young composer and pianist based in New York City. Currently studying composition at the Mannes School of Music under Robert Cuckson, she has also worked with noted composers including Timo Andres, Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon, Tamar Muskal, and Kevin James. Her work has received recognition from organizations such as MATA Jr., NFMC, and the Robert Avalon Competition. Highlights of recent seasons include the American Composers Orchestra Fall Gala, which featured a chamber version of her piece nature.trail, and the international exhibition Genesis: The Beginning of Creativity, which opened with a performance of her piano trio Sheva. This year, Duo Envol commissioned and premiered the piece featured here for flute and cello at Union College.
Featured Work: “Trichotillomania” for flute and cello
COMPOSITION DETAILS
- Title: “Trichotillomania”
- Composer: Abby Harris
- Year of Composition: 2025
- Instrumentation: flute and cello
- Movements: 1
- Duration of Work: 3′ 10″
- Number of Measures: 57
- Number of pages: 7
- Tempo: quarter note = 150
- Difficulty Level: advanced/professional
- Highest Position Reached: thumb
- Techniques Employed: Cello: sul ponticello, snap pizz, cloth on strings, bowing behind the bridge, harmonics, glissandi/pitch bends, strike the body of instrument. Flute: unpitched air, keyclicks, audible exhaling, flautando
- Performance Notes: cellist needs a cloth (as used for cleaning strings) to perform the piece
- Publisher: Self-published
- Where to Purchase the Score: email the composer
- Cost of Score*: honorarium requested
Recording
You may request a recording by contacting Abby Harris directly via email.
Program Notes
“I often struggle with feelings of deep, pervasive anxiety and wanted to externalize this feeling into music.” – Abby Harris
Abby Harris’s Other Compositions with a Prominent Cello Part
- “Easy 3-Step Home Renovation”
- “Octête-à-tête
- “Absolutely Not.”
- “Chlorophyllament”
- “Theme and Disagreements”
- “Waterflux”
A Collaboration with the New York Women Composers (NYWC)
The NYWC series at the Cello Museum was created to showcase its members who have composed works for the cello, informing cellists seeking new music to add to their repertoire, and helping listeners find new favorites. Many thanks to the NYWC for this wonderful collaboration.
Read other installments in the series here.
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*Prices are accurate at the time of article publication, but the Cello Museum cannot take responsibility for subsequent price changes.
