Klarinet Archive - Posting 000420.txt from 1995/10

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Wind Ens
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 1995 11:09:51 -0400

Lou,
Am I correct in assuming that the composer is Jack Maslanka? If
so, I have met him. I think he lives in either New York City or northern New
Jersey. I remember his music as being hard as nails and very "minimalist"-
influenced (i.e. Steve Reich, et. al.). In any case, in response to your
plea for better band music, until top-flite somposers such as
Lutoslawski, Rorem, etc. are commissioned (instead of composers whose
university affiliations are a main criterion for their selection), we
suffering wind ensemble players will have to make do with the kind of
stuff you are complaining about. Until then, the sine qua non will
continue to be the Holst Suites (not too shabby, to be sure).
Incidentally, a clinician/wind ensemble conductor told me that the
reason all that 1970's-'80's band music seems to be the same quasi-atonal
stuff is
that the composers were trying to copy a particular piece which was very
popular. Take this as you wish.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Sat, 14 Oct 1995, Lou Polcari wrote:

> I can not believe what is being played by the so called wind ensemble
> today... I am having some trouble adjusting to playing clarinet in this
> "ensemble" The music for the "ensemble" is in IMHO of poor quality... ie in
> this band we are playing a work be someone called Maslanko (or something that
> sounds like that anyway) The title of this is called "Tears" it comes with a
> five page Essay from the "composer" to explain to the band what the music is a
ll
> about....? Am I the only guy who thinks this is bad 20th century music? I li
ke
> the work of Ned Roram and Coligiliano ect. but this? ugh. I know that there
is
> better things for a band to play then this. I may have to can't this in priva
te
> as I don't know who from my Uni is out there...
>
>
>
> Lou Polcari
>

   
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