Music for Self-Isolation: Compositions

Audio



Music for Self-Isolation by Frank Horvat

In the Spring of 2020, Canadian composer, Frank Horvat, composed the following short pieces for various unaccompanied solo and duo instruments and voice. The idea is to perform new music composed during, and about, the pandemic to raise the spirits of musicians and the greater community while in self-isolation.

Join the international community of musicians who have already posted a performance of one of these pieces!

  1. Find your instrument or voice from the list below.
  2. Download the sheet music…it’s FREE!
  3. Practice.
  4. Post a video sharing your performance.
    (Message and tag Frank Horvat and use the hashtags #IsolationMusic & #StayAtHomeChallenge)

Sheet Music

 

 
If you are enjoying this project, please consider making a donation to the
Unison Benevolent Fund
Instrument Score Album Recording Date Posted
Accordion PDF MP3 May 2, 2020
Bassoon PDF MP3 April 9, 2020
Cello PDF MP3 April 1, 2020
Clarinet (bass) PDF MP3 April 6, 2020
Clarinet (Bb) PDF MP3 March 31, 2020
Double Bass PDF MP3 April 25, 2020
Flute PDF MP3 March 25, 2020
Guitar (classical) PDF
(see more M4SI arrangements)
MP3 April 18, 2020
Guitar (electric) PDF MP3 April 30, 2020
Harp PDF MP3 May 1, 2020
Horn PDF MP3 April 23, 2020
Marimba PDF (4.3 oct)
PDF (4 oct)
MP3 April 11, 2020
Oboe PDF MP3 April 24, 2020
Piano PDF MP3 March 28, 2020
Piano 2 PDF MP3 March 29, 2020
Piano 3 (duet) PDF MP3 April 16, 2020
Saxophone
(alto or tenor)
PDF MP3 April 29, 2020
String Duo
(violin-viola)
PDF MP3 April 3, 2020
String Duo 2
(violin-cello)
PDF MP3 April 15, 2020
Trombone PDF MP3 April 8, 2020
Trumpet PDF (C)
PDF (Bb)
MP3 April 4, 2020
Tuba PDF MP3 April 22, 2020
Vibraphone PDF MP3 April 10, 2020
Viola* PDF MP3 April 5, 2020
Violin* PDF MP3 March 26, 2020
Violin 2 PDF MP3 May 3, 2020
Voice (a cappella) CMaj Score  |  DMaj Score  |  FMaj Score  |  GMaj Score MP3 March 27, 2020
Voice 2 (a cappella) AMaj Score  |  CMaj Score  |  DMaj Score  |  FMaj Score MP3 March 30, 2020
Voice 3 (with guitar) PDF MP3
April 2, 2020
Voice 4 (with piano) CMaj Score  |  DMaj Score MP3 April 7, 2020
Voice 5 (duet) AMaj Score  |  CMaj Score  |  DMaj Score MP3 April 17, 2020
       

Have questions about interpretation? Vocalists, need another key? Email me.

*Pieces included in ACNMP’s Contemporary Showcase Syllabus.

Want to commission me to write for your unique combination of instruments?
Email Lisa to find out more.

Guitar for Self-Isolation

Music for Self-Isolation: Album

Audio

Chosen one of Canada’s
TOP 5 classical albums of 2021

CBC Music
Music for Self-Isolation album cover

“It takes a special skill to be able to create a whole atmosphere in a work that is just 2 minutes long. I really liked that.”

Suzy Klein
BBC Radio 3 ESSENTIAL CLASSICS

 

The Vancouver Sun calls it, “A masterpiece of creative invention…”

Stuart Derdeyn, 5 things to know about Music for Self-Isolation

The Toronto Star calls it, “…an extraordinary new…album”

William Littler, Hold the accordion jokes: the maligned instrument is featured on the new disc “Music for Self-Isolation”

…these are distinct, lonesome miniatures, capturing the thoughts, hopes, and exhaustions of a difficult time. Contrary to the title, this is music against social isolation. Now that the recording has arrived, we can give them the ovation they deserve.

Samuel Rogers, A Closer Listen
Stream on Spotify
Apple Music and iTunes
  1. Music for Self-Isolation - Cello Amahl Arulanandam (cello) 01:46
  2. Music for Self-Isolation - Piano 2 Lisa Tahara (piano) 02:13
  3. Music for Self-Isolation - Flute Christopher Lee (flute) 03:26
  4. Music for Self-Isolation - Marimba Richard Moore (marimba) 02:19
  5. Music for Self-Isolation - Voice 2 Tara Baxendale (voice) 01:39
  6. Music for Self-Isolation - String Duo (violin-viola) Tanya Charles Iveniuk (violin), Anthony Rapoport (viola) 02:09
  7. Music for Self-Isolation - Classical Guitar Brent Crawford (classical guitar) 02:02
  8. Music for Self-Isolation - Saxophone Jennifer Tran (alto saxophone) 01:35
  9. Music for Self-Isolation - Violin Tanya Charles Iveniuk (violin) 01:36
  10. Music for Self-Isolation - Piano 3 (duet) Frank Horvat (piano), Lisa Tahara (piano) 01:58
  11. Music for Self-Isolation - Voice Iris Rodrigues (voice) 01:26
  12. Music for Self-Isolation - Bassoon Kristin Day (bassoon) 02:18
  13. Music for Self-Isolation - Horn Audrey Good (horn) 02:42
  14. Music for Self-Isolation - Double Bass Theodore Chan (double bass) 01:41
  15. Music for Self-Isolation - Electric Guitar Andrew Noseworthy (electric guitar) 02:45
  16. Music for Self-Isolation - Voice 3 (with guitar) John Campbell (voice), Brent Crawford (guitar) 02:22
  17. Music for Self-Isolation - Harp Sharlene Wallace (harp) 01:53
  18. Music for Self-Isolation - Trombone Vanessa Fralick (trombone) 01:48
  19. Music for Self-Isolation - Oboe Aleh Remezau (oboe) 02:16
  20. Music for Self-Isolation - String Duo 2 (violin-cello) Tanya Charles Iveniuk (violin), Amahl Arulanandam (cello) 02:07
  21. Music for Self-Isolation - Piano Lisa Tahara (piano) 02:02
  22. Music for Self-Isolation - Tuba Jennifer Stephen (tuba) 02:13
  23. Music for Self-Isolation - Voice 5 (duet) Iris Rodrigues (voice), Tara Baxendale (voice) 00:43
  24. Music for Self-Isolation - Vibraphone Richard Moore (vibraphone) 02:22
  25. Music for Self-Isolation - Accordion Joseph Petric (accordion) 02:54
  26. Music for Self-Isolation - Trumpet Michael Fedyshyn (trumpet) 01:52
  27. Music for Self-Isolation - Bass Clarinet Kathryn Ladano (bass clarinet) 02:31
  28. Music for Self-Isolation - Clarinet Peter Stoll (clarinet) 01:45
  29. Music for Self-Isolation - Viola Anthony Rapoport (viola) 01:58
  30. Music for Self-Isolation - Violin 2 Tanya Charles Iveniuk (violin) 02:45
  31. Music for Self-Isolation - Voice 4 (with piano) Meredith Hall (voice), Lisa Tahara (piano) 03:01
  32. Music for Self-Isolation - Together in Spirit Various Artists 03:56
  33. Music for Self-Isolation - Pandemic Stories - Jeanne Côté Jeanne Côté (violin) 04:46
  34. Music for Self-Isolation - Pandemic Stories - Scott MacInnes Scott MacInnes (trombone) 07:09
  35. Music for Self-Isolation - Pandemic Stories - A. Lish Lindsey A. Lish Lindsey (piccolo) 06:13
  36. Music for Self-Isolation - Pandemic Stories - William McLeish William McLeish (cello) 07:16
  37. Music for Self-Isolation - Pandemic Stories - Katherine Carleton Katherine Carleton (clarinets) 10:02
  38. Music for Self-Isolation - Pandemic Stories - Larry Williams Larry Williams (horn) 10:11
  39. Music for Self-Isolation - Pandemic Stories - Karen Wierzba Karen Wierzba (voice), Lise Mariana Harnay (voice) 08:18
  40. Music for Self-Isolation - Pandemic Stories - Nicola Mogavero Nicola Mogavero (tenor saxophone) 04:25

Truly a record of our times. There is a sense of loss and shared spirit in this music. It is saying, we might not be able to be together but let’s BE together. So much emotion packed into that short little piece.”

Paolo Pietropaolo, host CBC Radio’s In Concert

“The results are mournful, thoughtful, joyful – expressing the range of emotions the pandemic has evoked.”

Anya Wassenberg, Ludwig van Toronto

Just listen and let the music take you within yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Allan J. Cronin, New Music Buff

Recorded at Toronto’s iconic Roy Thomson Hall, in the three days before another COVID-19 lockdown, the Music for Self-Isolation album is a culmination of a project that has been evolving over a year in collaboration with musicians around the world.

This album features 25 musicians, all alone in an empty concert hall, reliving the emotions of each of the 31 solos and duos from the Music for Self-Isolation suite by Canadian composer, Frank Horvat. Through the grace of technology, they also all come together for the world premiere of Together in Spirit.

Connecting with so many musicians, Frank wanted to tell their stories of what their lives have been like during this pandemic. He interviewed eight of them, composing an audio documentary composition for each. You can hear these Pandemic Stories on the digital release of this album.

Produced by Frank and engineered by Juno-nominated Dennis Patterson, the album captures the pristine acoustics of Roy Thomson Hall while reflecting on the poignancy of some of Canada’s best musicians performing in a cavernous empty hall.

The album was released April 9, 2021 on the Centrediscs label. A documentary film, by Adam Crosby, capturing the recording process and chronicling more of musicians’ stories from the pandemic, was released on May 21, 2021 exclusively on Gramophone, one of the world’s most preeminent classical music publications. Watch and find out more about the film.

This project is in support of the great work of the Unison Benevolent Fund.

Download album booklet

The album reminds us that music is among the most mysterious and highest order of human skills.

Andrew Timar, The WholeNote Magazine

"They are nice little pieces… a contemporary document and musical remnant of the pandemic." - Remy Franck, Pizzicato

“They showcase pretty much every instrument, giving them their own individual stage. The project then went global.

– Jack Pepper, Scala Radio, Classical Music for Modern Life

 

Guitar for Self-IsolationMariette Stephenson’s album of classical guitar re-arrangements of ‘Music for Self-Isolation’ compositions.

Jan 11, 2021: Music for Self-Isolation album recording at Roy Thomson Hall
Jen Stephen on Tuba
« of 18 »

 

Jan 12, 2021: Music for Self-Isolation album recording at Roy Thomson Hall
Sharlene Wallace
« of 19 »
Jan 13, 2021: Music for Self-Isolation album recording at Roy Thomson Hall
Sound engineer Dennis Patterson
« of 20 »
 
Thank you to the following sponsors and funders for their gracious support:
Roy Thomson Hall
FACTOR.ca
Toronto Arts Council

Music for Self-Isolation: Pandemic Stories

Audio

Musicians around the world have taken up the #IsolationMusic #StayAtHomeChallenge and posted videos of their Music for Self-Isolation performances online during this pandemic.

Along with their impactful performances from their little corners of self-isolation, I’ve been moved by the stories so many musicians shared with me of what their lives have been like during this pandemic and their hopes and fears for the future. I felt more of us needed to hear about these experiences in order to heal and move forward together. This is why Music for Self-Isolation – Pandemic Stories was born.

In this second stage of the Music for Self-Isolation project, we hear from eight musicians. Due to COVID, what are their hopes, dreams and fears for themselves, the arts and culture sector and for the wider world?

I have interviewed each of them and I’m sharing our chat on this site. Then, inspired by their story, I created a new audio documentary composition dedicated to each of them. These new pieces incorporate excerpts from our interview, along with their original M4SI performance, documenting their COVID experience through music.

– Frank Horvat

Participating Artists

Thank you to the following for their gracious support of this project:

Canada Council for the Arts

Music for Self-Isolation Press

Audio

The Vancouver Sun calls it,

A masterpiece of creative invention…

Stuart Derdeyn, 5 things to know about Music for Self-Isolation
Top Classical Album 2021 - CBC Music
Ludwig van Toronto - YEAR IN REVIEW
“The results are mournful, thoughtful, joyful – expressing the range of emotions the pandemic has evoked.”

Music for Self-Isolation Documentary Film
May 21, 2021: Music for Self-Isolation Documentary premiere on Gramophone. “…thought-provoking and moving documentary…in which artists open up about and share their experiences, hopes and fears of life during the global pandemic.” The film was also featured on The Strad. Find out more about the film.

The Toronto Star calls it,

“…an extraordinary new…album

William Littler, Hold the accordion jokes: the maligned instrument is featured on the new disc ‘Music for Self-Isolation’
Hold the accordion jokes: the maligned instrument is featured on the new disc ‘Music for Self-Isolation’ by William Littler
CBC In Concert’s Record of the Week:Truly a record of our times. There is a sense of loss and shared spirit in this music. It is saying, we might not be able to be together but let’s BE together.” – Paolo Pietropaolo

“…these are distinct, lonesome miniatures, capturing the thoughts, hopes, and exhaustions of a difficult time. Contrary to the title, this is music against social isolation. Now that the recording has arrived, we can give them the ovation they deserve.”

Samuel Rogers, A Closer Listen
Audrey Good performs Music for Self-Isolation – Horn on Gramophone’s Video of the Day

“The album reminds us that music is among the most mysterious and highest order of human skills.”

Andrew Timar, The WholeNote Magazine

“It takes a special skill to be able to create a whole atmosphere in a work that is just 2 minutes long. I really liked that.”
– Suzy Klein, Essential Classics

WholeNote: Album Recording Gets in Under the Wire at Roy Thomson Hall
(Feb 2021, pages 8-9)


CBC Radio’s Fresh Air

April 18, 2020: Errol Nazareth‘s segment on CBC’s Fresh Air about Frank Horvat’s Music for Self-Isolation project featuring performances by Bones Lam (viola) and Gordon Fantini (bassoon).

CBC Radio

Just listen and let the music take you within yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Allan J. Cronin, New Music Buff
Radio-Canada May 20, 2021: Report about music creation in pandemics including an interview with Professor Louis Brouillette about the Music for Self-Isolation project
Radio-Canada May 26, 2021: Performance of three tracks off the Music for Self-Isolation album
January 30, 2021: Post-concert Opera Revue interview with Danie Friesen and Claire Harris
  1. Etienne Plante interviews Frank Horvat on Quid Novi about Music for Self-Isolation Interview Part 1 28:11
  2. Etienne Plante interviews Frank Horvat on Quid Novi about Music for Self-Isolation Interview Part 2 28:27
  3. Etienne Plante interviews Frank Horvat on Quid Novi about Music for Self-Isolation Interview Part 3 29:47
The Horn Player Magazine


The Summer 2020 Lockdown issue of the UK’s The Horn Player Magazine featured the sheet music for the Music for Self-Isolation – French Horn piece.

Sarah Baker from Classical Post interviews Frank Horvat

“They showcase pretty much every instrument, giving them their own individual stage. The project then went global.”

– Jack Pepper, Scala Radio, Classical Music for Modern Life

Lisa Tahara performs Music for Self-Isolation – Piano

They are nice little pieces… a contemporary document and musical remnant of the pandemic.

Remy Franck, Pizzicato
The WholeNote Magazine

The Music for Self-Isolation project was featured in The WholeNote.

April 15, 2020: Song Talk Radio interviewed Frank Horvat about the Music for Self-Isolation project.

For media inquires contact Lisa Horvat.