Klarinet Archive - Posting 000636.txt from 1995/10

From: Lou Polcari <polcari@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Wind Ens
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 1995 23:59:50 -0400

On Tue, 17 Oct 1995, Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU> wrote:
>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.

Thanks Fred the composer I meant was David Maslanka... but its
all the same. How many clarinets to take to play in a "wind Ensemble" anyway In
the one I am in its no less then 11... And its a wind ensemble that for me has
no exit. So I guess I must get out the ear plugs and go on till I am done with
the degree.

Lou Polcari