Klarinet Archive - Posting 000393.txt from 1995/10

From: Lou Polcari <polcari@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Wind Ens
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 1995 00:36:00 -0400

On Sun, 15 Oct 1995, Kenneth Alan Douglas <kad12@-----.EDU>
wrote:
>Lou,
>
>I have performed only one piece by Maslanko (I'm not sure how it is
>spelled either), and it was Tears. From your letter I think normally I
>would agree with you on many things, but I really enjoyed performing this
>piece. I would like to know what exactly it was that you think is so poor.
>Those who have already defended Wind Ens. and offered up some WE pieces I
>would like to say that I have performed most of them,and think that it is a
>great list. One pieces I would like to add is Postcards by Frank Ticheli
>(I don't know how to spell his name either.) So, I formally invite you to
>"can't this" online.
>

Hi Kenneth;

Firstly let me try and clarify my point.... I like most band music. For
the most part I agree with the list posted. I spent 11 year in a service band
and in that time came to love the wind band or ensemble. I really like well
written music for band.

Also, I enjoy 20th century music. I would say that like any other time
in music history most will be forgotten. I think when we ask why most of the
music of 18th and 19th century has gone by the way side, we will find that it is
either bad imitation of their great contemporary masters or poorly developed
musical ideas or just plain bad music. So it it is with us. As a Clarinetist,
I try to give lots of thought as to the work I am about to perform for my
audience, and if it is 20th century music, I ask if it is truly significant or
otherwise gratifying to the folks who will listen to the performance. I think
that the conductor must also give this kind of thought to the wind ensemble rep.

Now, let me point out my problems with the David Maslanko's "Tears". It
is not that the music is for me far out or other wise harsh, very much the
opposite, rather boorish. It is a simple form of ABA. Overdone and meaningless
meter changes (that just as well, may have been left in 4/4 rather then going
into 5 and 7) Poorly developed melodic ideas. Blatant use of Stravinsky type
wind instrumentation (ie 1918-21) in the "Moon Walk" Section. Poor manuscript
that makes it unpleasant to read. ( Fred Kaufman ie scores look as though they
just came from the publisher even better)

in addition to this, he must include a long essay on what the music
means... If the music can't stand on its own without a paper from the composer
how effective as music is it? I only wish I had the score to see.

Having said all that I do wish Maslanko all the best. Who knows he may
be great one day. But as I see it today, he and others like him have sold the
prince a fine suit, if you don't see it well, you just don't understand music.
Anyone who is in the know will love Maslenka. I find this think to be
dangerous.

Lou Polcari