Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web.
David wrote sonatas for alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, oboe, bassoon, and horn, each with very demanding piano accompaniment writing. This week, we feature spectacular new performances of Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, Sonata for Horn and Piano, and Sonata for Bassoon and Piano.
Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano
About his Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, Maslanka said, “The Sonata alternates between an innocent stroll in the park and a fierce breaking of tonal and formal boundaries. The three movements are personal adaptations of old forms – the first a sonata, the second an ABA song form, and the third a rondo. Each movement has a turbulent, eruptive quality that takes this music away from its historical models and makes it very much a music of our time.” Watch below as Daniel Whitworth (Alto Saxophone) and Evangeline Werger (Piano) give an exciting performance of this music.
More info
- Daniel Whitworth
- Evangeline Werger
- Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano @ davidmaslanka.com
Sonata for Horn and Piano
The Sonata for Horn and Piano was commissioned by William Scharnberg with partial funding from the International Horn Society’s Commissioning Assistance Fund. Watch below as Karl Kemm (Horn) and Shao-Shan Chen (Piano) give a rousing performance of Movement I.
More info
- Karl Kemm
- Sonata for Horn and Piano @ davidmaslanka.com
Sonata for Bassoon and Piano
Sonata for Bassoon and Piano is in four movements. The first two are organized as a recitative and aria. The third follows the same pattern but contains both elements in the single movement. Maslanka said, “The finale is an energetic romp that gives a nod to two of my favorite composers: Poulenc and Shostakovich. The music is light-hearted and fun, but with a fierce edge.” Watch below as Javier Rodriguez (Bassoon) and Rajung Yang (Piano) give a superior performance of the entire work.
More info
- Javier Rodriguez
- Rajung Yang
- Sonata for Bassoon and Piano @ davidmaslanka.com
We would love to hear from you! If you know of any outstanding performances of David Maslanka’s music on the web, please email us at maslankaweekly@maslanka.org.
