Paul A. Epstein’s compositions include two chamber operas as well as works for string orchestra and for a variety of small ensembles. His Prime Times 2 for flute, bassoon, and piano was a winner of the Pascal Gallois 2008 call for scores. He has written extensively for voice, including a setting of Robert Coover’s The Leper’s Helix and a series of collaborations with poet and novelist Toby Olson, beginning with Chamber Music: Three Songs from Home. In American Music in the Twentieth Century, critic Kyle Gann cites Epstein as “One of the finest post minimal composers…” and calls Chamber Music “…a vocal setting for winds and keyboards of great contrapuntal beauty.” Epstein’s music has been presented in the U.S. and abroad by such ensembles as Relâche, Synchronia, the Circle ensemble of London, and ONIX Nuevo Ensamble de México. It is available on compact disk on the Mode and Capstone labels and is distributed by ThatNewMusicWebsite.com. Epstein is a member of BMI.
Paul A. Epstein is Professor Emeritus of Music Theory at Temple University, where he taught from 1969 to 2001. Born in Boston in 1938, he is a graduate of Brandeis University and the University of California at Berkeley. His composition teachers included Harold Shapero, Seymour Shifrin, and Luciano Berio, with whom he studied privately on a Fulbright grant to Italy. Apart from his concert music, Epstein has been involved in closely collaborative work with artists in theater and dance. He was associated with The Performance Group (New York) from 1969 to 1972. From 1974 to 1987, he was composer and music director for ZeroMoving Dance Company of Philadelphia.
