Project Description
Solo Percussionist and Wind Ensemble
2006
39 min.
Listen Now
Illinois State University Wind Ensemble, Steven Steele, cond.
On the album Desert Roads
Preview Score
Instrumentation
Solo Perc | Fl-4(1»Picc, 2»AFl, 4»BFl) Ob-2(2»EH) BbCl-3 BCl CACl Bsn-2(2»Cbsn) SSx ASx TSx BSx | Hn-4 Tpt-3 Tbn BTbn Euph Tuba DB | Hp Pno Perc-2
- Solo Percussion
- Tam-tam
- Chimes
- Gongs (4 – high to medium, unpitched)
- Drums (6 – high Toms to Bass)
- Tibetan Singing Bowls (see score for pitches)
- Vibraphone
- Metal Wind Chimes
- Xylophone
- Marimba
- Flute (4) (1 dbl Piccolo, 2 dbl Alto Flute, 4 dbl Bass Flute)
- Oboe (2) (2 dbl English Horn)
- Clarinet in B♭ (3)
- Contralto Clarinet in B♭
- Bass Clarinet in B♭
- Bassoon (2) (2 dbl Contrabassoon)
- Soprano Saxophone
- Alto Saxophone
- Tenor Saxophone
- Baritone Saxophone
- Bassoon (3)
- Horn in F (4)
- Trumpet in B♭ (3)
- Trombone
- Bass Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Double Bass
- Harp
- Piano
- Required Percussion (2 players)
- Suspended Cymbal (2 lg.)
- Xylophone
- Crotales
- Orchestra Bells
- Bowl Bell on cushion
- Timpani
- Log Drums
- Vibraphone
- Bass Drum
- Tam-tam
- Marimba
Movements
- Today Is the Great Day of Suffering
- We Believe In One God
- Your Soul and Your Dreams Are Instantaneous…
- Unforgettable Wounds
- It Is Enough
Commissioned by
Stephen K. Steele for percussionist David Collier and the Illinois State University Wind Symphony. The following schools, conductors and organizations have contributed support for this project. The music is dedicated to them with deepest appreciation.
- Illinois State University – Steve Steele (consortium lead)
- Bowling Green University – Bruce Moss
- California State University, Fresno – Gary Gilroy
- Florida State University – Rich Clary
- Illinois State University, School of Music and the College of Fine Arts
- Illinois State University, Tau Beta Sigma
- Iowa State University – Barry Larkin
- Messiah College – Bradley Genevro
- New Mexico State University – Ken Van Winkle
- North Dakota State University – Warren Olfert
- Northwestern University – Mallory Thompson
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – John Bell
- St. Olaf – Tim Mahr
- St. Thomas – Matt George
- Stephen F. Austin University – Fred Allen
- Tennessee Tech University – Joe Hermann
- Texas Tech University – Sarah McKoin
- Towson State University – Dana Rothlisberger
- University of Florida – David Waybright
- University of Kentucky – Cody Birdwell
- University of Missouri – Tom O’Neal
- University of North Carolina Greensboro – John Locke
- University of South Carolina – Jim Copenhaver
- University of Southern Mississippi – Tom Frascillo
- University of Texas at El Paso – Ronald Hufstader
- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee – Tom Dvorak
Program Note
Because of my longtime and persistent use of chorale melodies, it has been suggested that I am somehow proselytizing for the Christian faith. This is not the case. My attraction to these melodies is that they are the product of countless generations of human seeding, and have about them an aura of depth and power.
They invariably unlock something unknown and powerful in my imagination. That they have overtones of spirit (fundamentals as well) is not a bad thing. Music is about spirit, and about finding one’s connection to a “bigger” self and to universals. If it didn’t do this, we would find something that did. Every path to spirit is a good path, whatever the label.
The story told by the movement titles is unspoken, and personal to each hearer. The titles are mere hints that can open the mind and heart in different ways. Chorale melodies from the 371 Four-Part Chorales by J.S. Bach are the starting points for the first, second and fifth movement. I have taken only the melodies; harmonizations are my own.
I. Today Is the Great Day of Suffering (Heu’ist, o Mensch, ein grosser Traurertag)
II. We Believe in One God
(Wir glauben all’ in einen Gott)
V. It Is Enough
(Es ist genug)
The titles of the 3rd and 4th movements are images from the book “The Old Gringo” by the Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes.
Further Reading
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 53, Wounds
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week we feature three of David's works that specifically refer to "wounds" of some kind: First Light, "Chorale - O Sacred Head Now Wounded" from Hosannas, and "Unforgettable Wounds" from David's Book.
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.
