Ufo dreams

From Wind Repertory Project
David Maslanka

David Maslanka


Subtitle: Concerto for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble


The title of this work is intentionally written in lower case.


General Info

Year: 1999
Duration: c. 16:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Cost: Score and Parts - Rental   |   Score Only - Unknown


Movements

1. Fantasy Variations: "The Water Is Wide" – 9:55
2. Home Planet 6:30
3. Variations: "From the Bottom of My Heart" – 7:00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Euphonium
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bongos, small
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Crotales
  • Gong, large
  • Hi-Hat
  • Orchestra Chimes
  • Sizzle Cymbal
  • Slapstick
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal, small, medium and large
  • Tam-Tam
  • Tenor Drum
  • Triangle, small
  • Vibraphone
  • Wood Block, small
  • Xylophone


Errata

Clarinet I/II: Bars 56-62 are duplicated.

Solo euphonium: Bar 38 is in 2/2, not 2/4.


Program Notes

In brass-player slang the euphonium is the "eupho." I have punned it into UFO, giving it an altogether different twist. I wanted to throw our "life-on-earth" experience into sharp relief by suggesting a cosmic origin and connection for the human spirit. In any case, my son Matthew, for whom this piece was written, is convinced that I am from another planet!

The concerto is in the traditional three movements. The first is based on the English folk song The Water is Wide. This is a beautiful song that my wife used to sing to the children when they were very young. The movement consists of two sets of variations on the melody, separated by a central digression.

The second movement – Home Planet – Who Are You? Where Do You Come From? – is a dream of distant origins. My choice of this title is still a mystery to me, but it feels quite right.

The last movement is again a set of variations, this time on a melody from the Bach chorale book. The title of the tune is Aus meines Herzens Grunde (From the Bottom of My Heart). The music is bold and spirited, and expresses my wish for Matthew's life and cosmic journey.

ufo dreams was commissioned by, and is dedicated to, the Hellgate High School Wind Ensemble of Missoula, Montana, John H. Combs, director.

- Program Note by composer


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