Morning Star

Morning Star2020-01-20T22:54:15+00:00

Project Description

Wind Ensemble
1997
8 min.

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Listen Now

University of Utah Wind Ensemble, Scott A. Hagan, cond.
On the album The Music of David Maslanka Vol. 2 (2015)

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Instrumentation

Picc Fl-2 Ob-2 E♭Cl B♭Cl-3 BCl CbCl Bsn-2(2>>Cbsn) ASx-2 TSx BSx | Hn-4 Tpt-3 Trb-3 Euph Tuba | Pno Timp Perc-4

  • Piccolo
  • Flute (2)
  • Oboe (2)
  • Clarinet in E♭
  • Clarinet in B♭ (3)
  • Bass Clarinet in B♭
  • Contrabass Clarinet in B♭
  • Alto Saxophone (2)
  • Tenor Saxophone
  • Baritone Saxophone
  • Bassoon (2) (2 doubles Contrabassoon)
  • Horn in F (4)
  • Trumpet in B♭ (3)
  • Trombone (3)
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba
  • Piano
  • Timpani
  • Required Percussion (4 players)
    • Marimba
    • Vibraphone
    • Crotales
    • Snare Drum
    • Tom-tom (2 med.)
    • Tenor Drum
    • Bass Drum
    • Suspended Cymbal (sm., lg.)
    • Chimes
    • Bongos
    • Tam-tam
    • Xylophone
    • Tambourine
    • Crash Cymbals
    • Sleigh Bells
    • Gong (med.)
For wind ensembles and concertos, please use one player per part. For symphonies and concert pieces, more players may be used as desired. David’s full statement.

Commissioned by

Grand Ledge High School Wind Symphony, Michael Kaufman, conductor

Premiere

May of 1997 by the Grand Ledge (Michigan) High School Wind Symphony, Michael Kaufman, conductor

Program Note

Morning Star was commissioned by the Grand Ledge (Michigan) High School Wind Symphony, Michael Kaufman, conductor, and premiered by them in May of 1997. Mike asked me to write a piece for the inauguration of the new concert hall being built at Grand Ledge High. Well, the hall wasn’t finished, and the piece was premiered in the old gym – the gymnauseum as it was called – and we had a good time anyway.

Morning Star was a surprise to me. In planning for the piece I came up with a great many ideas – enough for three or four pieces. When it came time to compose the piece I suddenly discorded all of that material and went with a little tune that came to mind. The result is a happy piece, a concept which does not usually attach itself to my music.

Morning Star is about beginnings: the dawning of a new day, the opening of a new hall, the beginning of adult life for the young people who premiered the piece, and for those who are playing it now.

Program Note by David Maslanka

Further Reading

Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 57, Morning

22 July 2019|0 Comments

Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week, we feature three of David's works that celebrate or look to the joy of morning: "When I cannot love I wait for morning" from Songs for the Coming Day, On This Bright Morning, and Morning Star.