Traveler

Traveler2020-02-25T04:21:26+00:00

Project Description

Wind Ensemble
2003
14 min.

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Illinois State University Wind Symphony, Stephen Steele, cond.
On the album David Maslanka: Wind Symphony [Disc 2]

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Illinois State University Wind Symphony, Stephen K. Steele, cond.
On the album Maslanka: Piano Concertos, Testament, Traveler, Symphony No. 4 (2005)

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Mountain View High School Wind Ensemble, Sam Ormson, cond.
live recording

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Preview Score

Instrumentation

Picc Fl-2 Ob-2 EbCl BbCl-3 BCl Bsn-2 CBsn ASx-2(1»SSx) TSx BSx | Hn-4 Tpt-3 Tbn-2 BTbn Euph Tuba DB | Pno Timp Perc-4

  • Piccolo
  • Flute (2)
  • Oboe (2)
  • Clarinet in E♭
  • Clarinet in B♭ (3)
  • Bass Clarinet in B♭
  • Bassoon (2)
  • Contrabassoon
  • Alto Saxophone (2) (1 doubles Soprano Saxophone)
  • Tenor Saxophone
  • Baritone Saxophone
  • Horn in F (4)
  • Trumpet in B♭ (3)
  • Trombone (2)
  • Bass Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba
  • Double Bass
  • Piano
  • Timpani (also plays Sleigh Bells)
  • Required Percussion (4 players)
    • Xylophone
    • Vibraphone (2)
    • Temple Blocks
    • Marimba
    • Crotales
    • Tam-tam (2)
    • Suspended Cymbal (1 sm., 2 lg.)
    • Tom-toms (2)
    • Bass Drum
    • Triangle (1 sm., 1 lg.)
    • Crash Cymbals (sm.)
    • Sleigh Bells
    • Orchestra Bells
    • Maracas
    • Snare Drum (1 sm., 1 med.)
    • Bongos
    • Bass Drum
    • Wood Block

Scoring is one-on-a-part, with the exception of Flutes and B♭ Clarinets, where more players may be used.

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

The University of Texas at Arlington Band Alumni Association, the Delta Sigma chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and the Gamma Nu chapter of Tau Bega Sigma

Program Note

 

Traveler was commissioned in 2003 by the University of Texas at Arlington Band Alumni Association, the Delta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and the Gamma Nu Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, in honor of the career contributions of Ray C. Lichtenwalter, retiring Director of Bands at UT Arlington. Ray has been a close friend and champion of my music for many years, and it was a great pleasure for me to writ this piece for his final concert.

The idea for Traveler came from the feeling of a big life movement as I contemplated my friend’s retirement. Traveler begins with an assertive statement of the chorale melody “Nicht so traurig, nicht so sehr” (“Not so sad, not so much”). The chorale was not chosen for its title, although in retrospect it seems quite appropriate. The last part of life need not be sad. It is an accumulation of all that has gone before, and a powerful projection into the future – the potential for a tremendous gift of life and joy. And so the music begins with energy and movement, depicting an engaged life in full stride. At the halfway point, a meditative quiet settles in. Life’s battles are largely done; the soul is preparing for its next big step.

In our hearts, our minds, our souls
We travel from life to life to life
In time and eternity.

Program Note by David Maslanka

Further Reading

Maslanka Weekly: Best of the Web – No. 62, Memories

27 August 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 compositions that seem to focus on the memory of something or someone through the passage of time: Traveler, Beloved, and "In Loving Memory" from Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble.