Recitation Book (2006) - David Maslanka - Performed Live by Ensemble du Bout du Monde

Recitation Book (2006)
David Maslanka

0:00 - Mvt. I - Meditation
4:46 - Mvt. II - Prelude-Chorale
9:14 - Mvt. III - Ecco morirò dunque
10:43 - Mvt. IV - Meditation on a Gregorian Chant
14:24 - Mvt. V - Fanfare/Variations

Performed Live by Ensemble du Bout du Monde
Noa Mick, soprano saxophone - ‪‪@NoaMick‬
Simona Castria, alto saxophone - ‪‪@simonacastria2564‬  
Salvatore Castellano, tenor saxophone - ‪‪@salsax96‬
Don-Paul Kahl, baritone saxophone - ‪‪@donpaulkahl‬

14 December 2022
Stadtcasino Basel | Hans Huber-Saal
Rising Stars Concert Series

https://www.ensembleduboutdumonde.com
https://www.davidmaslanka.com

Programme Note (written by David Maslanka):
A recitation book is a collection of writings, often of a sacred nature, used for readings by a community. The music of this piece draws on old sources for each movement – Bach Chorales, a Gesualdo madrigal, Gregorian Chant. A number of old variation techniques are employed throughout the piece.

I have loved Italian madrigals since my student days. Recitation Book for saxophone quartet feels something like a madrigal collection, but with a grand finale. My approach to composing is vocal, and the singing quality of saxophones is one of their fine strengths. The movements in this piece are relatively brief and intimate songs.

Much of my recent music draws its inspiration from the distant past. An old melody pushes open a door in my mind and a parallel world or dream makes its way out. Each piece in this set found its inspiration in that way.

The title, “Recitation Book,” implies a set of lessons. I don’t want to say explicitly what each “lesson” means, but the titles of the pieces circle around the theme of death, which for me implies the passing of the old, and the coming of the new.