Project Description
Wind Ensemble
1990
8 min.
Listen Now
University of New Hampshire, Andrew Boysen, cond.
On the album The Music of David Maslanka (2008)
Preview Score
Instrumentation
Picc Fl-2 Ob BbCl-2 BCl Bsn ASx-2 TSx BSx | Hn-2 Tpt-2 Tbn-2 Bar Tuba | Timp Perc-4
- Piccolo
- Flute (2)
- Oboe
- Clarinet in B♭ (2)
- Bass Clarinet in B♭
- Bassoon
- Alto Saxophone (2)
- Tenor Saxophone
- Baritone Saxophone
- Horn in F (2)
- Trumpet in B♭ (2)
- Trombone (2)
- Baritone
- Tuba
- Timpani
- Required Percussion (4 players)
- Marimba
- Xylophone
- Tambourine
- Glockenspiel
- Tom-toms (4)
- Vibraphone
- Suspended Brass Pieces (5, opt. sub. Bell Tree)
- Suspended Cymbal (sm.)
- Claves
- Bongos (2)
- Indian Tom-tom (sm.)
- Wood Block
- Cabasa
- Cow Bell (sm.)
- Crash Cymbal
- Hi-hat Cymbal
- Temple Blocks
- Triangle (3)
- Bass Drum with Cymbal
Commissioned by
the South Shore Conservatory of Hingham, Massachusetts
Premiere
3 August, 1990 by the South Shore Conservatory Summer Wind Ensemble (high school), Malcolm W. Rowell, Director of Bands at the University of Massachusetts, conductor.
Program Note
Golden Light is an energetic and joyous piece which evolved out of brisk walks in the woods of upper Manhattan near which I lived for many years. The title was inspired by the play of sunlight in the trees, especially in late afternoons. The mildly hypnotic state induced by walking at a rapid pace brought about a music of short, repetitive melodic fragments and interweaving polyrhythms. The influence is distinctly traditional African where many voices arise out of a stable tonality to weave and blend together.
Golden Light–A Celebration Piece was commissioned by the South Shore Conservatory of Hingham, Massachusetts to honor its 20th anniversary. The Conservatory is a small community music school with a wide range of programs for all ages. Its Summer Wind Ensemble of advanced high school players gave the premiere performance on August 3, 1990. Malcolm W. Rowell, Director of Bands at the University of Massachusetts, conducted.
Program Note by David Maslanka
Further Reading
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 45, References to Color
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week, we feature three compositions in which David references a color in the work's title: My Lady White, “Out of the Blue” from This is the World, and Golden Light.
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 42, Let There Be Light
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week, we examine three of David’s works that make reference to light: First Light, Illumination, and Golden Light.
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 21, Joyful Music
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week, we feature fantastic performances of On This Bright Morning, Golden Light, Morning Star, and Illumination.
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.
