Steve Margoshes is a Composer, Orchestrator, Pianist and Conductor whose career has spanned 50 years. He composed the score for Fame-The Musical, the inspirational show about New York’s High School of the Performing Arts. Fame has played worldwide for 30 years, and, making Theater history, will open in London’s West End this year for the eighth time! Steve orchestrated many Broadway musicals including Big River (Drama Desk Award), The Who’s Tommy (Drama Desk Award), Elton John’s Aida, Smokey Joe’s Café, and Soul Doctor (Drama Desk nomination). He contributed to many Jim Steinman recordings, including Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell, and orchestrated the stage musical Tanz der Vampire (Dance of the Vampires), directed by Roman Polanski; its premiere was in Vienna and it is still running in Germany and Austria more than 20 years later. Steve was also commissioned by Andrew Lloyd Webber to develop an orchestral suite from Jesus Christ Superstar.
With Hair authors James Rado & Gerome Ragni he composed the musicals Sun and Jack Sound. Steve has composed for symphony, ballet, rock recordings, and songs in various styles in addition to his many-faceted shows. An extensive body of his “pops” pieces for orchestra was recorded by the Budapest Symphony on Hungaraton & Albany Records. “This Is Forever,” an after-life piano rhapsody, featured Steve at the piano with the orchestra. The solo piano version (also with Steve performing) was choreographed by Jacqulyn Buglisi & presented at the Joyce Theater NYC as part of the 20th anniversary of Buglisi Dance Theatre. Also among the body of work recorded in Budapest is “American Parade,” which was performed by the West Point Army Band and became the subject of a documentary (of the same name) by filmmaker Frank Basile.
VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA
Inspired by Margoshes’ recording trips to the beautiful city of Budapest in the 21st century. It mixes the traditional and the modern with elements of gypsy music and blues.
SOLOIST: Violin
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(II=Fl&Picc),2(II=Ob&EH),2,2 / 4,3(in C),3(III=BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc 1:[snare, sm cym (brushes), wb, vibes, xylo, med&low tom-toms & floor tom, medium piatti, tamb, tri], Perc 2:[tri, med. cym (brushes), bs dr (need 2 beaters), tamb, bells, slapstick, cabasa] / Harp / Strings
In four short movements; Margoshes in his most romantic and melodic style. A tribute (on original themes) to the timeless and classic Italian love songs of Napoli.
Neopolitan Seranade #1
Neopolitan Seranade #2
Neopolitan Seranade #3
Neopolitan Seranade #4
SOLOIST: Violin
INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2(II-=Ob&EH),2,2 / 4.0,3(III=BsTbn),1 / Perc:[med cym, bells], Harp / Strings
Based on an original tango theme, this piece mixes various Latin styles of music.
SOLOIST: Violin
INSTRUMENTATION: 2,0,2,2 / 4,3(in C),3(III-BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc 1:[marimba, tamb, castanets (mounted), claves, guiro (metal), sn dr], Perc 2:[sn dr, cabasa, cowbell (hand-held), shaker, sm cym], Harp / Strings
This piece is taken from Margoshes’ “In Search of Hidden Treasure.” The melody is the love theme from that piece conjuring up Fatima, the mystical and alluring woman of the desert. The theme is expanded into a kind of Moroccan bolero suggesting the movement of a caravan approaching from the distance, moving closer and closer, then fading off into the desert.
INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2 (II=Ob&EH),2(II=Cl&BsCl),2 / 4,3(in C), 3(III=BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc 1:[3 mounted tom-toms (featured part)], Perc 2:[finger cym,bs,tam-tam, crotales, marimba, sm&med cymbs, tri, mark tree, cabasa] / Harp / Strings.
The suite begins with the unaccompanied solo violin introducing the anthem “Bring On Tomorrow” (the same as the violinist character plays in the show), which is then taken up by the orchestra. “I Want To Make Magic” follows – a tribute to the magic of performing in the theater. The second “movement” features of violin solo version of the gospel song “These Are My Children.”
Violin Suite From “Fame” #1
Violin Suite From “Fame” #2
INSTRUMENTATION: 2,1,2,2 / 4,3(in C),4(2Ten,2Bs),1 / Timp, Perc:[tri, hi-hat, cymb, 3 (mounted) tom-toms, floor tom, bells, cabasa, mark tree], Piano, Harp / Strings.
PIANO AND ORCHESTRA
Inspired by Mildred Cram’s (“An Affair To Remember”) novella “Forever” (1935), the Rhapsody takes us on a fantastical after-life journey of star-crossed lovers.
Gerald Clarke wrote in his biography “Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland” that Cram was Tyrone Power’s favorite author. Power introduced Garland to Cram’s novella “Forever” which Garland could eventually “quote word for word.”
This is Forever #1
This is Forever #2
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(II=Fl & Picc),2,2.2 / 4,3(in C),2(Ten.Tbn),2(BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc:[Tri, SplCym, SmCym, MedCym,Tam-Tam, Chimes, Bells, SnDrum, Crotale] / Harp / Strings
This piece has as its concept the whimsical idea of a youthful dance company performing a contemporary version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The Dream Symphony Part 1
The Dream Symphony Part 2
The Dream Symphony Part 3
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(II=Fl & Picc),2,2.2 / 4,3(in C),2(Ten.Tbn),2(BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc:[Tri, SplCym, SmCym, MedCym,Tam-Tam, Chimes, Bells, SnDrum, Crotale] / Harp / Strings
ORCHESTRA
American Parade—a Century of Celebration consists of four short pieces depicting parade holidays. As played by the West Point Army Band, “American Parade” became the subject of a documentary—of the same name—featuring the pieces performed in their entirety, then going on to explore music in the military. The entire hour-long documentary can be seen on YouTube HERE
(NOTE: There is also a Concert Band version available, transcribed by West Point arranger Douglas Richard.)
St. Patrick’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2(II=Ob&EH),2,2 / 4,3,3,1 / Timp, Perc [], Piano / Strings.
The “complete” suite: Beginning and ending with “Bring On Tomorrow” the medley includes “I Want to Make Magic,” “There She Goes!,” “Fame,” “Dancin’ On the Sidewalk” and “Let’s Play a Love Scene”
Symphonic Suite From “Fame” #1
Symphonic Suite From “Fame” #2
Symphonic Suite From “Fame” #3
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(II=Fl&Picc), 2(II=Ob&EH),2,2 / 4,3,4(2TenTbns.2BsTbns),1 / Timp, Perc 1:[loud slapstick, claves, tamb, bongoes, sus cymbal(s), tri, piatti], Perc 2:[sn dr, hi-hat (played standing), tamb, timbales, guiro (metal), sus cymbal, chimes], Perc 3:[bs dr, tom-toms (2 mounted, 1 floor), gogo bells, cowbell (hand-held)], Harp / Strings.
Begins in the dance class with Beethoven’s Spring Sonata, followed by the up-tempo dance energy of “Hard Work” and “Can’t Keep It Down.” A brief pas-de-deux of “I Want To Make Magic” in the middle section moves on to a flamenco/tango version of “There She Goes/ Fame” and the piece concludes with “Hard Work.”
Symphonic Dances From “Fame” #1
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(II=Fl&Picc), 2(II=Ob&opt EH),2,2 / 4,3(inC),3(III=BsTbn,1 / 4 Timp, Perc 1:[xylo, castanets (mounted) cabasa, med cym, cowbell (hand-held), maracas, 3 slapsticks], Perc 2:[hi-hat, spl cym, crash cym, ride cym, sn dr, 3 toms, floor tom], Perc 3:[bs dr, 2 timbales, claves, chimes, tamb (rock-style, no head), giro (metal) go-go bells], Piano (doubles Celesta), Harp / Strings
This tour-de-force “Symphonic Adventure” is inspired by Paolo Coelho’s enchanting novel “The Alchemist” – the story of a young man’s journey that takes him from Andalusia (Spain), through Tangier (Morocco), across the desert to Egypt and back home. It tells us of the wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn across life’s path, and above all, following our dreams.
In Search of Hidden Treasure Part 1
INSTRUMENTATION: 3Fl (3rd=Fl&Picc), 2Ob (2nd=Ob&EH), 2Cl (2nd=Cl&BsCl), 2Bsns / 4Hns, 3Tpts (in C), 2Tbns, BsTbn, Tuba / 4Timpani (also plays “African Beads”–any kind of large shaking beads), Perc 1;[mba, tamb, xylo, bongoes, slapstick, 3 tom-toms, crotales, sm cym, med cym, bells], Perc 2:[vibes, castanets (mounted), gong, sm gong, tam-tam, 3 tom-toms, sm cym, med cym, bells], Perc 3:[tri, sm tamb, mark tree, conga drs, wb, piccolo wb, large cymb, bells], Piano / Harp / Strings.
A piece in 4 short movements (after Ferde Grofé’s “Grand Canyon Suite”)
At this time there is no recording of this wonderful Suite.
1. The American Falls (also being a tribute to the wonders of Hydro-Electric Power)
2. The River and the Rapids (also being a tribute to all those compelled to go over the Falls in barrels and what-not)
3. The Mist and the Rainbow (also being a tribute to the lovers and newlyweds who have visited Niagara Falls)
4. The Canadian Horseshoe Falls (also being a tribute–in the 2nd section–to the legendary “Maid of the Mist”
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(II=Fl & Picc),2(II=Ob & EH),2,2 / 4, 3(in C),2(TenTbns),2(BsTbns),1 / Timp, Perc:[SplCym, LgCym, Bells, Vibes, Tri, SmCym, MedCym, SizzleCym, BsDr, Tri, Crotales, Tam-Tam], Harp / Strings
TRUMPET AND ORCHESTRA
This virtuoso showpiece for trumpet has at its core an optimistic and uplifting melody developed in the free-form of a ballade.
SOLOIST: Trumpet
INSTRUMENTATION: 2Fl, Ob, EH, 2Cl, 2Bsns, 4Hns, 3Tpts, 2Tbns, BsTbn, Tuba, 4Timpani, Perc 1[tri, bells, spl cym, sm & med sus cyms, tam-tam], Perc 2[tamb, bs dr, sn dr, chimes, sleigh bells, wb, piatti], Harp, Strings