Desert Roads

From Wind Repertory Project
David Maslanka

David Maslanka


Subtitle: Four Songs for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble


General Info

Year: 2005
Duration: c. 29:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Cost: Score and Parts - Rental   |   Score Only (print) - $128.99;   |   Solo Clarinet - $22.99


Movements

1. Desert Roads – 7:20
2. Soliloquy – Not Knowing – 3:15
3. Coming Home – 11:35
4. Pray for Tender Voices in the Darkness – 8:10


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo B-flat Clarinet
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Cabasa
  • Crotales
  • Egg Shaker (2)
  • Field Drum
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Metal Wind Chimes
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Suspended Cymbal (3: small (1), large (2))
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-tam
  • Temple Blocks
  • Tom-tom (2)
  • Woodblock
  • Wooden Wind Chimes
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The concerto has become a particularly intimate vehicle of expression for me. The title Desert Roads suggests an interior journey, a time of searching, of not knowing, of creative incubation. I have chosen to call these four movements “songs” for clarinet and wind ensemble. This connects them directly to the Romantic idea of “songs without words.” They are intimate rather than symphonic expressions. Songs by Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms are some of my favorite music.

I. Desert Roads: Christ’s 40 days in the desert – Moses and Israel: 40 years in the desert – a time of inner searching

II. Soliloquy – Not Knowing: A brief movement, looking deeply and fervently for guidance

III. Coming Home: A “life journey” movement, both delicate and forceful, thoughtful and exuberant – a quiet coming home to rest – dedicated to the memory of Frederick Fennell, father of the modern wind ensemble movement, whose mentoring and friendship set me firmly on my path of writing for winds.

IV. Pray for Tender Voices in the Darkness: A sober contemplation of death – a benediction

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Maslanka, D. (2005). Desert Roads : Four Songs for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble [score]. Carl Fischer: New York.