Lawrence R. Mumford
Symphonic Music
Red text indicates links to recordings or other off-site pages.
Symphony No. 4 contains five movements, including Of Times and Seasons, Hope and a Future, Sacrifice, and In Golden Light, recently recorded by the Czech Republic's Janacek Philharmonic. These are now part of the broadcast libraries of leading classical radio stations in Boston, Washington DC, Cleveland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities, and have been played repeatedly - even earning spots on an "Ultimate Playlist." They have also been chosen for national conferences, and the first three either reached the winners' circle or were named a finalist for The American Prize. A prologue movement called The Race Before Us is scheduled for recording later in 2024. The Bio link above includes reviews.
Symphony No.3 (subtitled "The Four Winds") was chosen for a premiere by the University of California at Irvine Symphony. The four-movement piece portrays the power of the Creator over the vast forces of nature, with a language derived from American symphonic masters, film composers, and contemporary song. Three of the movements were also named finalist or semifinalist for The American Prize. Each movement has been premiered separately in various forms by a number of organizations including the Bellflower Symphony, the ECLA Chamber Orchestra, and Chicago's American Wind Band. The following links connect to excerpts:
I. The Dawn Wind (also at IMSLP)
II. The Island Wind (aka Santa Cruz Island)
Symphony No.2 (subtitled "Freedom Crossing") is scored for symphonic wind ensemble, and was written for and premiered by Chicago's American Wind Band. In one continuous movement and drawing upon fragments of an American spiritual, it expresses a longing for freedom.
Symphony No.1 includes vocalists, and uses texts from the Book of Revelation. Cast in an abstract, nontonal idiom, its three movements depict cataclysmic scenes and eventual triumph. The score is located in the USC Library (type "Mumford").
Other orchestral works include several published Fantasias (available at Sheet Music Plus) on African-American melodies, whose premieres included members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Sinfonietta, premiered by members of the USC Symphony and included on the CD From Everlasting to Everlasting (recording below); Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra, written for Bravo! L.A. and premiered by the Vanguard Chamber Orchestra; lighter orchestral overtures including A Western Christmas, premiered by both the Carson City Symphony and the Vanguard Symphony (recording below); and arrangements for orchestras at large Los Angeles-area churches.
Symphonic wind ensemble pieces include Just For Today, premiered by the Elyria (greater Cleveland) Symphonic Band; Divine Mystery, premiered by the Warner Pacific (Portland) Symphonic Band; Range of Light, a portrait of the Sierra Nevada, premiered by the American Wind Band; and Set Free, also premiered by the American Wind Band.
