Project Description
Wind Ensemble
1980
5 min.
Grade 3
Listen Now
Hillcrest High School Wind Ensemble, Andrew Pettus, cond.
On the album Midwest Clinic 2009 (2010)
Preview Score
Instrumentation
Fl-2 Ob BbCl-3 BCl Bsn-2 ASx-2 TSx BSx | Hn-2 Tpt-2 Tbn-2 Euph Tuba | Timp Perc-3
- Flute (2)
- Oboe
- Clarinet in B♭ (3)
- Bass Clarinet in B♭
- Bassoon (2)
- Alto Saxophone (2)
- Tenor Saxophone
- Baritone Saxophone
- Horn in F (2)
- Trumpet in B♭ (2)
- Trombone (2)
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Timpani
- Required Percussion (3 players)
Program Note
“Rollo” is complicated little idea, and when asked to explain it I am often at a loss. Rollo is a fictional character created by the American composer Charles Ives who lived from 1875 to 1953. Ives used Rollo in his writings about music as the model of an average person which conservative musical tastes. Ives would say “Rollo would really like that tune!” or “Rollo wouldn’t like that one at all!” Rollo was Ives’ measuring stick for a level of American popular taste. The irony was that Rollo wouldn’t have liked most of Ives’ own music. So, “Rollo Takes a Walk”: he moves about among tunes that he likes, and some stuff that’s hard for him. Finally, “Rollo” is simply a quirky little bit of fun, a bit of a musical cartoon. I hope you enjoy!
Program Note by David Maslanka
Further Reading
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 54, Walking
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week we feature three of David’s works that reference his practice of walking: Song: "Fire in the Earth" from Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble, "Solvitur Ambulando" from Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble, and Rollo Takes a Walk.
Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 15, Alex, Rollo, & Dr. Who
Maslanka Weekly highlights excellent performances of David Maslanka’s music from around the web. This week, captivating performances of Alex and the Phantom Band, Rollo Takes a Walk, and Music for Dr. Who.
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.
