Project Description
Solo Trombone and Wind Ensemble
2007
36 min.
Grade 6
Listen Now
Alabama Wind Ensemble, Kenneth Ozzello and Randall Coleman, cond., Jonathan Whitaker, Trombone
On the album Beckel: Glass Bead
Preview Score
In Memoriam
Christine Nield Capote
Instrumentation
Solo Tbn | Fl-3(1 dbl Picc) Ob-2(2 dbl EH) B♭Cl-3 BCl CACl Bsn-2(2 dbl CBsn) ASx(dbl SSx) | Hn-2 B♭Tpt-3 Tbn BTbn Tuba Vc DB | Pno Timp Perc-4
- Solo Trombone
- Flute (3) (1 doubles Piccolo)
- Oboe (2) (2 doubles English Horn)
- Clarinet in B♭ (3)
- Bass Clarinet in B♭
- Contra Alto Clarinet in E♭
- Bassoon (2) (2 doubles Contrabassoon)
- Alto Saxophone (doubles Soprano Saxophone)
- Horn in F (2)
- Trumpet in B♭ (3)
- Trombone
- Bass Trombone
- Tuba
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Piano
- Required Percussion (4 players)
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone (2)
- Orchestra Bells
- Marimba
- Crotales
- Triangle
- Chimes
- Temple Blocks
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal (4)
- Tam-Tam
- Metal Wind Chimes
- Tom-toms (5 sets)
- Bass Drum
Movements
- Requiem
- Beloved
- Be Content, Be Calm
Commissioned by
A consortium of music schools headed by Gary Green of the University of Miami Frost School of Music, and is dedicated to the memory of flutist Christine Nield Capote.
Description
The Trombone Concerto is composed for an ensemble of 21 wind and brass instruments, double bass, piano, and a substantial percussion group. It is in three large movements, each of a very intense song-like nature. In addition to the solo trombone the Concerto features a prominent supporting solo cello part.
Program Note
Conversations with Gary Green and Tim Conner (the conductor and trombonist who commissioned the music) led to the idea that this concerto should be a “cross-over” piece, one that could be played by either a wind ensemble, or a symphony orchestra minus most of the strings. Before I began composing, word came of the untimely death of Christine Nield Capote, wonderful flutist and teacher and long-time friend to Gary, Tim and me. It was only a year ago, in July of 2006 that Gary, Christine, and I worked together at the Interlochen Center for the Arts on a deeply moving performance of my Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble. It was one of Christine’s favorite pieces. She had only nine months to live.
It became clear that the Trombone Concerto would be a memorial for Christine. To that end I chose and ensemble or orchestral winds, plus piano, double bass, percussion, and one solo cello, the cello representing her cellist husband, Manny.
It feels presumptuous for me to say anything at all about this music, presumptuous even to have written the piece, trying to embody Christine’s still-living presence, her voice, her feelings, for us who are left behind. Following her death I saw Christine in a meditative vision. She gave me the most brilliant smile of recognition and reassurance. She then turned and walked away. Requiem — beloved — be content, be calm.
Program note by David Maslanka
Further Reading
From the Maslanka Archive – No. 38, The Life & Influence of Thich Nhat Hanh
From the Maslanka Archive features media and stories of David's life and work. This week, we are excited to feature the podcast Wind & Rhythm and their new episode on David's music inspired by the late Buddhist Monk, Thich Nhat Hanh.
From the Maslanka Archive – No. 34, Julian Velasco’s Interview of Gary Green
From the Maslanka Archive features media and stories of David's life and work. This week, we are excited to feature Julian Velasco's interview of Gary Green from the Wharton Center in East Lansing, MI from October 24, 2017.
David Maslanka: Works for Younger Wind Ensembles
Here are more than twenty works for wind ensemble, arranged in approximate ascending order of difficulty, with commentary by David Maslanka
Recording the Wind Ensemble Music of David Maslanka
Mark Morette of Mark Custom Recording shares his extensive experience in recording wind ensembles.
Restoring the Trombone Concerto’s original Hard Mode
In the second movement of David Maslanka's Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble, there is an extended and demanding technical section from m. 108 to m. 256, about four minutes of nearly continuous playing. It [...]
Remarks before the Trombone Concerto Premiere
Remarks given at the premiere performance of the Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble, October 2007; Miami, Florida In the words of the Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, “We are life, we are inextinguishable.” The [...]
