Project Description
Wind Ensemble
2013
11 min.
Listen Now
Brooklyn Wind Symphony, Jeff Ball, cond.
On the album Midwest Clinic 2013
University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Dominic Talanca, cond.
live recording, 21 November,2013
Preview Score
Instrumentation
Picc Fl-2 Ob BbCl-3 BCl-2 CACl Bsn SSx ASx-2 TSx BSx | Hn-4 Tpt-3 Tbn-2 BTbn Euph Tuba DB | Pno Timp Perc-4
- Piccolo
- Flute (2)
- Oboe
- Clarinet in B♭ (3)
- Bass Clarinet in B♭ (2)
- Contra Alto Clarinet in E♭
- Bassoon
- Soprano Saxophone
- Alto Saxophone (2)
- Tenor Saxophone
- Baritone Saxophone
- Horn in F (4)
- Trumpet in B♭ (3)
- Trombone (2)
- Bass Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Double Bass
- Piano
- Timpani
- Required Percussion (4 players)
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
- Marimba (5 octave)
- Bass Drum (2)
- Crotales
- Chimes
- Suspended Cymbals (sm., med., lg.)
- Field Drum
- Snare Drum
- Tam-tam
Commissioned by
Requiem was commissioned by a consortium led by the Brooklyn Wind Symphony, Jeff W. Ball, Artistic Director. This music is gratefully dedicated to them, and to the following consortium members:
- Illinois State University Wind Ensemble (Normal, IL) – Stephen K. Steele
- Columbia University Wind Ensemble (New York, NY) – Andy Pease
- University of Oregon Wind Ensemble (Eugene, OR) – Tim Paul
- Texas A&M Kingsville Wind Symphony (Kingsville, TX) – Brian Shelton
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University Wind Ensemble (Weatherford, OK) – Marc Mueller
- O’Fallon Township High School Wind Ensemble (O’Fallon, IL) – Melissa Gustafson-Hinds
- Arkansas State University Wind Ensemble (Jonesboro, AR) – Timothy W. Oliver
- Ridgewood Concert Band (Ridgewood, NJ) – Chris Wilhjelm
- Brooklyn College Conservatory Wind Ensemble (Brooklyn, NY) – Jeff W. Ball
- University of Delaware Wind Ensemble (Newark, DE) – Chad Nicholson
- Shepherd University Wind Ensemble (Shepherdstown, WV) – Scott Hipensteel
- Grand Street Community Band (Brooklyn, NY) – P. J. Shaver
Premiere
by the Brooklyn Wind Symphony, Jeff W. Ball, Artistic Director, on 15 June, 2013 in New York City.
Their performance of David Maslanka’s Requiem was not only the highlight of their selections, but far and away the highlight of the entire concert
Description
Requiem is a single-movement fantasia written in response to an event of the Holocaust in World War II. It is not possible truly to grasp the deaths of millions of people, but the death of one, in this case a year-old baby – brought me face-to-face with the horror and revulsion of the whole. We think that history is past, and nothing can change it. But the effects of such things as the Holocaust are still immediately with us; the open wound has not been healed. It is my feeling that music can bring closure, and it is my hope that Requiem will serve in this capacity.
Program Note
A Requiem is a Mass for the dead. This relatively brief instrumental piece with the title Requiem is not a Mass, but serves a parallel function – the need to lay to rest old things in order to turn the mind and heart toward the new.
I have an abiding interest in why humans go to war. I have recently read much about World War II, and was confronted once again with the awful fact of fifty million needless deaths. Shostakovich thought of every one of his compositions as a tombstone, and wished that he could have written a separate memorial piece for every person who died in war.
I do believe that we are in a major transitional time, and that this transition happens first in each of us. My Requiem is both for the unnamed dead of all wars, and for each person making their own inner step, saying goodbye in order to say hello.
Program Note by David Maslanka
Further Reading
From the Maslanka Archive – No. 39, Wind Symphony Alumni Ensemble: Concert Recording
We are excited to feature a complete audio recording of the concert that took place on Friday, July 16, 2022 in Naperville, IL by Dr. Stephen K. Steele and the Wind Symphony Alumni Ensemble. This special event featured Angel of Mercy, Requiem, and Symphony No. 10 - The River of Time.
Stephen K. Steele & Wind Symphony Alumni Ensemble Perform to Thunderous Applause
Stephen K. Steele & Wind Symphony Alumni Ensemble Perform Symphony No. 10, Angel of Mercy, and Requiem in Naperville, IL on July 15, 2022 to a Standing Ovation of Thunderous Applause.
From the Maslanka Archive – No. 22, University of Arizona Wind Ensemble at CBDNA (2014)
From the Maslanka Archive features media and stories of David's life and work. This week, we are excited to feature a classic performance of Requiem with Gregg Hanson and the University of Arizona Wind Ensemble from the 2014 Western/Northwestern Division CBDNA Conference.
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 87, Grace
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week, we feature three of David’s compositions that offer various glimpses of grace: Requiem, Symphony No. 9, and Traveler.
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 58, Mourning
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week, we feature three of David’s works that aid us in times of mourning: Requiem, "Finale - Alle Menschen müssen sterben" from Mountain Roads, and In Memoriam.
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 18, Remembrance Music
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week, emotional performances of Remember Me: Music for Cello and Nineteen Players, Requiem, A Solemn Music, and Beloved.
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 1, Down Under
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week, a fantastic Symphony No 8, Hymn for World Peace, and Requiem.
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.
