Welcome

I am a composer and pianist based in the SF Bay Area. This year I am composer-in-residence for Symphony Parnassus, and I am co-director of the new music ensemble After Everything.

Take a listen below. All mp3 files are downloadable.

Compositions

Songs

Heaven-haven (Jennifer Paulino, soprano)

Heaven-haven by praybz

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Words by Gerard Manley Hopkins.

My Pretty Rose Tree (Jennifer Paulino, soprano)

My Pretty Rose Tree by praybz

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Words by William Blake.

Nurse’s Song (Jennifer Paulino, soprano)

Nurse’s Song by praybz

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Words by William Blake.

Witchcraft By a Picture (Jens Ibsen, tenor)

Witchcraft By A Picture by praybz

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Words by John Donne.

Solo Piano

Mirror-Winged Butterfly

Mirror-Winged Butterfly (Preben Antonsen) by praybz

Stream Mirror-Winged Butterfly (Preben Antonsen) by praybz on desktop and mobile. Play over 320 million tracks for free on SoundCloud.

The sea took pity

The sea took pity by praybz

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For some time I have been planning a series of piano pieces depicting the Moses story of water from the rock. “The sea took pity” is the epilogue, and references the waters of Meribah, or waters of strife, where the people “strove” with God. Moses has already committed the fatal error of doubt, for which he will later be punished by being barred from the promised land. So even as night falls, and the merciful waters spread over the desert, Moses recalls the immense burden of his divine office, and premonitions of a new, higher isolation take hold.

Chamber Music

Variations & Theme (Meraki Quartet)

A Basil Tale (After Everything New Music Ensemble, conducted by Matthew Cmiel. Lora Libby, soprano)

A Basil Tale by praybz

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A cantata for similar instruments as Ravel’s Mallarmé songs, culminating in an aria describing Ophelia’s death. Includes a toy piano. Words by John Keats & William Shakespeare.

Orchestral

What Wondrous Love (Symphony Parnassus, conducted by Stephen Paulson)

What Wondrous Love by praybz

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The old hymn tune is played by the bassoon, then later with full brass regalia.

Transcriptions

I have made two transcriptions of John Adams’ music for Christina & Michelle Naughton.

Christina & Michelle Naughton play John Adams’s Short Ride in a Fast Machine (arranged for 4 hands)

In this world premiere recording, twin sister pianists Christina & Michelle Naughton play John Adams’s iconic orchestral work Short Ride in a Fast Machine, arranged for 4 hands by Preben Antonsen. Listen to their newest album: https://w.lnk.to/apLY American Postcard features music by four distinct American composers: John Adams, Aaron Copland, Conlon Nancarrow, and Paul Schoenfield.

Roll Over Beethoven (Transc. Antonsen for 2 Pianos) : I. Allegro molto

Provided to YouTube by Warner Classics Roll Over Beethoven (Transc. Antonsen for 2 Pianos) : I. Allegro molto · Christina & Michelle Naughton American Postcard ℗ 2019 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company. Piano: Christina Naughton Piano: Michelle Naughton Composer: John Adams Transcriber: Preben Antonsen Auto-generated by YouTube.

Roll Over Beethoven (Transc. Antonsen for 2 Pianos) : II. Andantino

Provided to YouTube by Warner Classics Roll Over Beethoven (Transc. Antonsen for 2 Pianos) : II. Andantino · Christina & Michelle Naughton American Postcard ℗ 2019 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company. Piano: Christina Naughton Piano: Michelle Naughton Composer: John Adams Transcriber: Preben Antonsen Auto-generated by YouTube.