Angel of Mercy

From Wind Repertory Project
David Maslanka

David Maslanka


General Info

Year: 2015
Duration: c. 17:10
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Maslanka Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $399.00; (digital) - $279.00   |   Score Only (print) - $119.00; (digital) - $84.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion (6 players), including:

  • Anvil (3)
  • Bass Drum
  • Bell Plate
  • Bongos, high and low
  • Crash Cymbals (2)
  • Crotales
  • Marimba
  • Orchestra Chimes (2)
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal (2)
  • Tam-Tam
  • Tom-Tom, small and medium
  • Vibraphone
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The composer states:

I have been playing and singing the Bach 371 Four-Part Chorales for more than 25 years. Although they have a Christian/Lutheran context, they are primarily — and for me most importantly — just music, glorious and powerful in themselves. After all these years, I have come to feel that singing the Chorales is an act of prayer, and to date I have sung through the entire book, all four voices, of each Chorale some 23 times. These ancient melodies are the voice of peace, and over the years they have formed a peaceful center in me.

Angel of Mercy is a prayer for peace in our troubled time. Three Chorale melodies are the foundation for this music: O Fear, Disquiet and Apprehension, Oh, How Blest Are Ye, and I Leave All Things to God’s Direction. This piece was commissioned by Timothy Mahr and the St. Olaf Band in honor of the band’s 125th anniversary. It is dedicated to them with profound gratitude and respect.

Funding from the Miles Johnson Endowment supported the St. Olaf Band’s participation in the commission for Angel of Mercy. By acclamation of the St. Olaf College Board of Regents, Maslanka was awarded an honorary degree from St. Olaf College on February 12, 2016, during a four-day residency.

- Program Note from St. Olaf College Band concert program, January 2016 tour


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Fred Allen, conductor) - 15 February 2018 (2018 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
  • Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Fred J. Allen, conductor) – 14 February 2018
  • Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Wash.) Wind Ensemble (Edwin Powell, conductor) – 15 October 2017
  • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Concert Band (Courtney Snyder, conductor) – 4 October 2017
  • St. Olaf College Band (Northfield, Minn.) (Timothy Mahr, conductor) – 23 January 2016 – *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources