David Maslanka

American composer

David Maslanka (August 30, 1943 – August 7, 2017) was an American composer of Polish descent who wrote for a variety of genres, including works for choir, wind ensemble, chamber music, and symphony orchestra.

Best known for his wind ensemble compositions, Maslanka published over 150 pieces, including ten symphonies, eight of them for concert band, over 15 concerti, and a full Mass. His compositional style is rhythmically intense and complex, highly tonal and melodically oriented. His compositions have been performed throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, and Japan. His Tenth Symphony was orchestrated by his son, Matthew Maslanka, as it was incomplete at the composer's death.

Read more about this composer on Wikipedia.

Works

A Child’s Garden of Dreams
A Child’s Garden of Dreams: I. There is a desert on the moon where the dreamer sinks so deeply into the ground that she reaches hell.
A Child’s Garden of Dreams: II. A drunken woman falls into the water and comes out renewed and sober.
A Child’s Garden of Dreams: III. A horde of small animals frightens the dreamer. The animals increase to a tremendous size, and one of them devours the little girl.
A Child’s Garden of Dreams: IV. A drop of water is seen as it appears when looked at through a microscope. The girl sees that the drop is full of tree branches. This portrays the origin of the world.
A Child’s Garden of Dreams: V. An ascent into heaven where pagan dances are being celebrated; and a descent into hell where angels are doing good deeds.
A Litany for Courage and the Seasons
A Litany for Courage and the Seasons: I. The Sleep of Poets
A Litany for Courage and the Seasons: II. Servis Road: A Hymn to St. Francis
A Litany for Courage and the Seasons: III. The Soundless Sound
A Litany for Courage and the Seasons: IV. On Chestnut Hill
A Litany for Courage and the Seasons: V. Little Dance: For Barbara Mason
A Litany for Courage and the Seasons: VI. A Litany for Courage and the Seasons
Arcadia II: Concerto for Marimba & Percussion Ensemble
Arcadia II: Concerto for Marimba & Percussion Ensemble: I. ♩ = ca 80-84
Arcadia II: Concerto for Marimba & Percussion Ensemble: II. ♩ = ca 52
Arcadia II: Concerto for Marimba & Percussion Ensemble: III. ♩ = ca 86
Beloved
Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble
Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble: I. "Song: Fire in the Earth"
Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble: II. "Interlude: Bright window, your night is full of stars"
Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble: III. "Song: Dear Jesus, what have you DONE?!"
Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble: IV. "Interlude: Starry Night"
Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble: V. "Song: Mortal, have you seen this?"
Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble
Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble: I. Slow
Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble: II. Moderate
Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble: III. Slow - Moderately Fast
Crown of Thorns
Give Us This Day (Short Symphony for Wind Ensemble)
Give Us This Day (Short Symphony for Wind Ensemble): I. Moderately Slow
Give Us This Day (Short Symphony for Wind Ensemble): II. Very Fast
Hosannas for Wind Ensemble
Hosannas for Wind Ensemble: I. ♩= ca. 80
Hosannas for Wind Ensemble: II. ♩= 100
Hosannas for Wind Ensemble: III. Chorale: O Sacred Head Now wounded
Hosannas for Wind Ensemble: IV. ♩= 100
Hosannas for Wind Ensemble: V. Chorale
Hosannas for Wind Ensemble: VI. ♩= 92
Hosannas for Wind Ensemble: VII. A Litany for Courage and the Seasons
In memoriam
Laudamus Te
Montana Music: Three Dances for Percussion
Montana Music: Three Dances for Percussion: I. Quite Slow
Montana Music: Three Dances for Percussion: II. Slowly
Montana Music: Three Dances for Percussion: III. Moderate
Morning Star
Mother Earth
My Lady White
My Lady White: I. Madrigal
My Lady White: II. Spring… birds sing… a gift of rings…
My Lady White: III. For pretty Alison
Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano: I. Moderate
Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano: II. Slow
Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano: III. Very Fast
Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble
Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble: I. A Song of Coming Awake
Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble: II. Song: Solvitur Ambulando
Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble: III. Song: In Loving Memory
Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble: IV. Song: In the Crucible of Your Pain
Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble: V. A Song for the End of Time
Symphony no. 4
Symphony no. 5
Symphony no. 5: I. Moderate
Symphony no. 5: II. Moderate
Symphony no. 5: III. Slow
Symphony no. 5: IV. Moderate
Symphony no. 7
Symphony no. 7: I. Moderate
Symphony no. 7: II. Slow
Symphony no. 7: III. Very fast
Symphony no. 7: IV. Moderately slow
Tears
Tone Studies
Tone Studies: No. 1. Jordan
Tone Studies: No. 2. Credo in unum Deum
Tone Studies: No. 3. Watch the Night With Me, Part 1
Tone Studies: No. 4. Watch the Night With Me, Part 2
Tone Studies: No. 5. Wie bist du, Seele?
Tone Studies: No. 6. Whale Story (O Sacred Head Now Wounded)
Traveler
Unending Stream of Life (Variations on All Creatures of Our God and King)
Unending Stream of Life (Variations on All Creatures of Our God and King): I. Overture: All Creatures of Our God and King
Unending Stream of Life (Variations on All Creatures of Our God and King): II. Seeking
Unending Stream of Life (Variations on All Creatures of Our God and King): III. Brooding March
Unending Stream of Life (Variations on All Creatures of Our God and King): IV. As you proceed to your certain end, what is the point of being alive?
Unending Stream of Life (Variations on All Creatures of Our God and King): V. A hard thought turns out alright
Unending Stream of Life (Variations on All Creatures of Our God and King): VI. A Sweet Tune
Unending Stream of Life (Variations on All Creatures of Our God and King): VII. All Creatures of Our God and King