More sadness: Death of an American symphonist, aged 73
mainThe family has posted:
David Maslanka died during the night of August 6th, 2017 at home. He had been diagnosed with a severe form of colon cancer in June. His wife, Alison, died on July 3rd of this year. He declined rapidly following her passing. He is survived by his children, Stephen, Matthew, and Kathryn.
David Maslanka, born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, wrote more than 150 works including eight symphonies, seventeen concertos, a Mass, and much music for wind ensemble.
Maslanka was a great composer, a giant of the wind ensemble world. I don’t know about his orchestral works, but his symphonies for wind ensemble, and A Child’s Garden of Dreams, are staples of the repertoire – some of them really should be played by major orchestras on their subscription programs (if you can do all-string pieces, why not some wind ensemble pieces)?
Because, while orchestras have string players at the ready, wind ensemble pieces would require hiring extra players.
If you do Rite of Spring, you’re about 95% the way there.