Composer, Performer, Instructor
Paul Safar is a composer and pianist. His original compositions continue the western classical music tradition as well as incorporate his love of jazz, pop and rock styles. Paul tries to push his creative abilities in each new project while maintaining accessibility for an audience. Although the majority of his output has been piano, chamber, vocal and theatrical pieces, Paul also has two orchestral works, his “Concerto for Electric Guitar” and “Refugium-Snapshots of Denali”. Paul is based in Eugene, Oregon but welcomes commissions and collaboration across the miles.
As a teacher, Paul enjoys a busy piano teaching studio working with students ages 8-80. The students present recitals open to the public both independently and through the Oregon Music Teachers Association, Eugene District.
Paul is an active member of Cascadia Composers http://www.cascadiacomposers.org/, a non profit comprising over 80 composers in the Pacific Northwest.
Composer
Paul is excited to announce that his two saxophone compositions have been included in the catalogue of Keepe Publishing House. “Frogs at Dusk (and Other Sounds of the Swamp)” for saxophone quartet and drumkit as well as “Soaring (Fantasia for tenor saxophone and piano)” are available for purchase.
Performer
Consider buying a download of: “Morning Improvisation Suite” , a remote free improvisation
between Marc Egea, hurdy gurdy (Sant Iscle de Vallalta, Catalonia) and Paul Safar, piano (Eugene, Oregon, US). For purchase here.
NEW RELEASE:
“Peaks and Valleys-Allegro and Adagio for horn and piano”
5 Compositions for solo piano written and performed by Paul Safar, including “Rhapsodie” and “Abendlied”. Recorded August, 2022 by Billy Barnett of Gung Ho Studios,Eugene,Oregon.
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AND NOW AVAILABLE FOR THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE!:
Nisse’s Dream
“The magical story of a boy, his cow, a witch, and the TROLLS!”
by Paul Safar and Nancy Wood
A musical theater comedy for all ages!
music by Paul Safar
lyrics by
book by Nancy Wood
Copyright (C) 2003 by Paul Safar and Nancy Wood
All rights reserved
Perfect for middle and high school theatre as well as community and professional companies, Nisse’s Dream is a high energy, highly original one act musical that can stand alone in an evening or be a part of a larger theatrical event.
Nisse’s Dream is the story of a young man named Nisse who must retrieve his family’s stolen cow from Neem the Queen and her greedy pack of bumbling trolls. On his journey he finds friendship and encouragement from a loyal dog, a pompous bear, and a magical blue witch who just happens to be his mother in disguise. Complete with magic tricks and a “troll ballet” Nisse’s Dream is a delightful addition to the world of children’s music and theater.
Nisse’s Dream can be performed with cast sizes anywhere from 7-30, with adults, children/teens, or mixed ages in the cast. The music can be performed one of three ways 1) by a six piece chamber ensemble 2) by piano only or 3) by using the rehearsal audio track.
For purchase of the script, musical score, instrumental parts and rehearsal/performance backing track mp3 (music minus vocals), please contact Paul Safar and Nancy Wood at info@cblossom.org.
Fee is $75 and includes permission for up to 6 performances. Payment can be made via check to 1885 Friendly Street, Eugene, OR 97402 or via paypal to the email address above. The creators of Nisse’s Dream request that a copy of the program be sent to the above email or snail mail address after each performance.
A sampler of songs performed by the creators can be found here at Paul’s Soundcloud page.
In addition, the song and story version of the show (a great help to getting the music in the casts ears), performed by Nancy and Paul can be purchased here:
Many thanks for considering Nisse’s Dream for your next production!
– Nancy Wood and Paul Safar
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Instructor
For those of you interested in playing some of Paul’s piano music yourselves (or teachers, for your piano students), please go to sheetmusicplus. This will be the easiest and least expensive way to purchase Paul’s sheet music for your own use. Paul’s extensive catalogue of solo piano music (and a few duets) will be downloaded to this online site little by little.
The Tell -Tale Heart
Delgani String Quartets’ commission/collaboration with orator Rickie Birran and new music set to the iconic Poe short story!
Enjoy this video of my composition for choir and organ entitled “The Vast Expanse”. Performed by the Resonance Ensemble of Portland with Greg Homza,organ. Text written by me during a visit to the Oregon Desert. Video features photography of Jackie Dickert.
“Incantation”(commissioned by the Polish Festival of Portland in 2016), performed by Kimberlee Uwate, viola and percussion, Eric Alterman, cello and percussion and Asya Gulua, piano is inspired by and based on the moving poem of Czeslaw Milosz of the same name. “Human reason is beautiful and invincible…”
Song for a More Just World – Dave Bender, trumpet Paul Safar, piano and Rob Tobias, spoken voice (text from the Talmud)
I wrote this short piece in 2017 but it continues to feel increasingly relevant at this moment in time.
We are sharing in the joy of music making and learning on the homeland of the indigenous people of this area, including the Kalapuya, who nurtured and cultivated this valley for thousands of years. We honor their important legacies and stewardship of the land, and recognize their continued presence as we gather today.
Paul Safar 