D av i d M a s l a n k a for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble Paul Nolen, saxophone Liberation

Band Staff Stephen K. Steele, Director of Bands Daniel A. Belongia, Assistant Director of Bands Connie Bryant, Administrative Assistant Jerusha Johnson, Saul Garland, Graduate Teaching Assistants Matt Drase, Jodi Slagel, Nancy O’Neill, Kaitlin King, Band Librarians

Recording engineered by Jeff Harrison and Daniel J. Fedora Edited and mixed by Daniel J. Fedora Illinois State University Wind Mastering engineered by Harrison Digital Productions, Belchertown, MA & Symphonic Winds

www.albanyrecords.com Stephen K. Steele, conductor TROY1319 albany records u.s. 915 broadway, albany, ny 12207 tel: 518.436.8814 fax: 518.436.0643 albany records u.k. box 137, kendal, cumbria la8 0xd tel: 01539 824008 © 2012 Albany Records made in the usa DDD warning: copyright subsists in all recordings issued under this label. The Music III. Song: “Dear Jesus, What Have You DONE?!” ThisConcerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble turned out to be a good deal larger This music grows out of the chorale “Herzliebste Jesu, was hast du verbrocken” (“Dearest than I would reasonably want. As I got into the composing, the ideas became insistent: none of Jesus, what law did you break”). The chorale is the starting point for a huge upsurge of them would be left out! The format of Songs and Interludes arises from my other recent works powerful emotion, cresting with the climax of the “Crucifixus” from theMass . Dear Jesus, what for saxophones (Mountain Roads for saxophone quartet and Song Book for alto saxophone have you done to get yourself crucified?…And then you drag the rest of us up there with you!! and ) and suggests a music that is more intimate than symphonic. There is a strong spiritual overtone with quotes from Bach Chorales, and from my own works Hell’s Gate and IV. Interlude: “Starry Night” . A story is hinted at which has the Crucifixion right smack in the middle – the climax of Mass “Starry Night” is not a quiet night! There is both mystery and playfulness in this music, and the third movement quotes the “Crucifixus” from the . I don’t know what the story is, only Mass playfulness finally wins out, erupting into an extended dance episode with a very Baroque feel. that it wants to be music, and not words. Of all the movements, this one is most nearly a scherzo.

I. Song: “Fire In The Earth” V. Song: “Mortal, Have You Seen This?” Walking through a Montana field on a brilliant late fall day, three images came in rapid In the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet has a vision of a man “whose appearance shone like succession: a distant row of red plant stems caught by the morning sun, snow on the bronze.” The “Bronze Man” shows him the Holy City. He then leads him into a deep and surrounding high mountains, green grass at my feet. The following poetic image came: very wide river that cannot be crossed, and says “Mortal, have you seen this?” Where the river enters the sea the water becomes fresh; everything will live where the river goes; trees along the Fire in the earth river will not wither, their fruit will be for food, their leaves for healing. Snow in the heavens This movement is an echo of the third. It opens and closes with what has been called the New green grass in the middle of November “coronation” music from my composition Hell’s Gate—in this case played very softly and inwardly. This is a quiet, emotional music—sometimes not so quiet—contained by a very simple Liberation was commissioned by the Wind Ensemble Conductors Conference, and song form. was premiered in March of 2010 at the JWECC convention in Okazaki. The premiere per- forming group was the Hikarigaoka Catholic Girls’ High School Wind Ensemble and Chorus. II. Interlude: “Bright Window, Your Night Is Full Of Stars” Liberation embodies the “Libera Me” Gregorian Chant: “Libera me, Domine, de morte “Bright Window” is the soprano song right before the Credo in my Mass. I have transcribed aeterna, in die illa tremenda…”—Deliver me, O Lord, from death eternal on that fearful day it whole as a beautiful song for the solo saxophone. The words of the original song reach out when the heavens and the earth shall be moved, when thou shalt come to judge the world by in prayer to the Holy Mother and ask for a personal connection with all that is. This music is fire. Libera Me speaks of the prophecy of the last day, the Day of Judgment, but we are in a dedicated to the memory of Joseph Christensen, Director of Bands at Iowa State University, position all by ourselves to produce our own “day of judgment”—we are able to destroy the whose untimely death was a shock to his many friends. world by fire. This music tells me that there is hope and light; it tells me that we will not bring the wrath That day, day of wrath, calamity, and misery, day of of fire upon ourselves, that we will not kill the earth and ourselves with it. We can each of us great and exceeding bitterness, work to transform the fire within — the fear, hatred and anger, transformed into acceptance, when thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. love and peace. This work of transformation is in progress, largely out of sight, but purposefully Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. happening. Music making is one powerful avenue for this transformation process. —David Maslanka Why this music for players and audiences in Japan? What connection do they have to this ancient Roman Catholic ritual chant? I knew in my heart that this was the right thing, The Composer but it took me until the premiere to understand why. The Japanese are the only people on David Maslanka was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1943. He attended the earth to have suffered the devastation of nuclear bombs…“That day, day of wrath, calamity Oberlin College Conservatory where he studied composition with Joseph Wood. He spent and misery, day of great and exceeding bitterness.” From this place of greatest devastation, a year at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, , and did graduate work in composition at from the place of this great sacrificial warning to the world, now rises a musical voice of Michigan State University with H. Owen Reed. Maslanka’s works for wind ensemble have love and peace. This voice comes from the hearts of Japanese young people to the hearts of become especially well known. They include the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, people everywhere. Eighth and Ninth , Mass, 12 , and numerous concert pieces. In addition, he has written a wide variety of chamber, orchestral, and choral works. Libera Me David Maslanka’s compositions are published primarily by Carl Fischer, Inc., and David Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna, in die illa tremenda: Maslanka Publications, and are recorded on numerous labels. He has served on the faculties Quando caeli movendi sunt et terra. of the State University of New York at Geneseo, Sarah Lawrence College, New York Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem. University, and Kingsborough College of the City University of New York. He now lives Tremens factus sum ego, et timeo, dum discussio venerit, atque ventura ira. and composes in Missoula, Montana. Quando caeli movendi sunt et terra. Dies illa, dies irae, calamitatis et miseriae, dies magna et amara valde. The Performers Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem. Saxophonist Paul Nolen has appeared as soloist, chamber musician, and jazz Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis. artist throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. He performs and tours regularly as soprano saxophonist with the Iridium Saxophone Deliver me, O Lord, from death eternal on that fearful day, Quartet, and has appeared as a member of the Illinois Symphony and when the heavens and the earth shall be moved, Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Nolen has toured Puerto Rico with the Iridium when thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. Quartet and performed at the Festival of New American Music in Sacramento, I am made to tremble, and I fear, till the judgment be California. Dr. Nolen currently serves as Assistant Professor of Saxophone at upon us, and the coming wrath, Illinois State University. He has given masterclasses at festivals and universities when the heavens and the earth shall be moved. both at home and abroad, including the Brevard Music Festival, Aberystwyth International

Music Festival in Wales, Music for All National Honor’s Festival, University of New Symphonic Winds Personnel Soprano and Alto Saxophone Mexico, University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory, Louisiana State University, East Flute and Piccolo Tyler Rosenblume, Aurora Carolina University, and the University of Southern Mississippi. Nancy LaChapelle, Negaunee, MI Teresa Finegan, Palatine He received both the DMA and MM degrees in performance from the College of Music Kaitlin King, Lombard Patrick Kelly, Park Ridge at Michigan State University, and the BM from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Kaitlyn Childs, Lockport His teachers and mentors have included Joseph Lulloff, Tim Timmons, Dr. Jackie Lamar, Kristin Beesley, Roswell, GA Tenor Saxophone Gary Foster, and Hal Melia. Simi Russell, Lansing Stephanie Zegadlo, Westmont Kyle Johnson, Northbrook Zachary Hilligoss, Paxton Stephen K. Steele has been the Director of Bands at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois since the fall of 1987. He is responsible for Oboe and English Horn Baritone Saxophone the administration of all band activities. In addition to his conducting and Bradley Cardella, Lemont Mitch Rogalla, Geneva administrative responsibilities Dr. Steele also teaches undergraduate and Katherine Donnell, Aurora graduate conducting, wind literature, and music education courses. Eliot Driver, Morrison Horn Under his direction, the Illinois State University Wind Symphony has Jerusha Johnson, Kaysville, UT performed for state and national conventions including the 1990 Illinois Clarinet Alex Carlson, Marengo Music Educators Association Convention, American Bandmasters Association Convention, Josh Wunderlich, Alton Amy Vasel, Bloomington the 1993 and 2001 College Band Directors National Association Conference, and the 2005 Jamie Orzechowski, Windsor, CO Joey Fontanetta, Joliet Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Albany Records has released 14 compact disc recordings Danielle Karmik, Prospect Sarah Williams, Washington of the Wind Symphony. Sara Curcio, Vernon Hills Joel Studebaker, Streamwood Trumpet The Wind Symphony and Symphonic Winds are select groups of the finest Bileshia Sproling, Plainfield Aaron Von Qualen, Champaign instrumentalists at Illinois State University, performing outstanding and representative Karol Domalik, Lemont works in all styles from classical to avant-garde. In addition to campus programs, these Low Clarinets Joey Blunk, Lisle ensembles frequently tour and perform for Illinois high schools around the state. The Beth Hildenbrand, Fairbury Philip Carter, Collinsville Wind Symphony has been a featured performing ensemble at the American Bandmasters Aaron White, Plainfield Charlie Mueller, Park Ridge Association Convention, the Illinois Music Educators Association Conference and two Gustav Johnson, Fairbury Kris Bence, Arden, NC College Band Directors National Association National Conventions. Rosemary Ryan, Orland Park Mary Cate Hansen, Monticello

Bassoon and Contrabassoon Trombone Yazmin Torres, Schaumburg Neil O’Mara, Naperville Matthew Kowalczyk, West Dundee Nathaniel Geiger, Champaign Eric Saindon, Lemont Wind Symphony Personnel Tenor Saxophone Euphonium Logan Hammel, Naperville Flute Jodi Slagel, Washington Patrick Geren, Rocky Face, GA Stephanie Abderhalden, Naperville Beth Rocke, Morton Bass Trombone Nayoon Choi, Republic of Korea Baritone Saxophone Alex Szerzinski, Lemont Raylene Lowe, Normal Matthew Muneses, Decatur Tuba Stephanie Melinyshyn, Wheeling Jason Lindsey, Bloomington Euphonium Horn Katie Zdanowski, Morton Beth Rocke, Morton Oboe and English Horn Libby Jones, Marshfield, MA Sam Stauffer, Dunlap Lindsey Merz, Columbus, OH Christine Hansen, Monroe, WI String Bass Jeff Byrnes, Hickory Hills Christina Elder, McHenry Nancy O’Neill, Algonquin Mallory Alekna, Rockford Josh Wagner, Chicago Heights Tuba Clarinet Jaclyn Wessol, Carlyle Tim Schachtschneider, Minooka Andrea Steele, Roselle Megan Starrett, Inwood, IA Lu Liu, Harbin, China Kevin Kallas, Aurora Mark Donahue, Morton Stephen Reid, Hoffman Estates Brittany DelSignore, Naperville Trumpet Percussion Lauren Themanson, Aurora Andrew Gerbitz, Batavia Derek Boughey, Longmont, CO String Bass Kara Hale, Joliet Kait Fieldman, Tinley Park Matt Boze, El Paso Andrew Israelson, Aurora Lauren Willis, Powder Springs, GA Greg Hensel, West Aurora Dan Bretz, Crystal Lake Erik Noska, Lemont Timothy Daniels, Joliet Piano Low Clarinets Aaron Von Qualen, Champaign Zach Oostema, Oak Forest Kelsey Sharp, White Heather Hannah Edlen, Rockford Adrian Voelzke, Bloomington Lauren Themanson, Aurora Trombone Percussion Michael Klos, Naperville Adrian Voelzke, Bloomington Bassoon and Contrabassoon Jennifer Moder, Peoria Kyle Johnson, Mt. Prospect Kay Schutte, Bloomington Aaron Gates, Paxton Justin Dahlem, Cincinnati, OH Bass Trombone TJ Mitchell, Arlington Heights Chris Darwell, Lemont Mallory Konstans, Aurora Alto Saxophone Christian Acasio, Hanover Park Heather Hojnacki, Tinley Park Jacob Beinborn, Rantoul Alex Teater, Byron vi av D d a k n a l s a M troy1319 D av i d M a s l a n k a

Liberation

Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble 6 Liberation [17:11] 1 I. Song: “Fire In The Earth” [9:29] Illinois State University Symphonic Winds 2 II. Interlude: “Bright Window, Stephen K. Steele, conductor

your Night Is Full Of Stars” [5:14] 3 III. Song: “Dear Jesus, What Have You DONE?!” [8:43] total Time– 59:33

4 IV. Interlude: “Starry Night” [9:53]

Liberation 5 V. Song: “Mortal, Have You Seen This?” [8:57] Paul Nolen, saxophone Illinois State University Wind Symphony Stephen K. Steele, conductor

www.albanyrecords.com TROY1319 albany records u.s. troy1319

M a s l a n k a 915 broadway, albany, ny 12207 tel: 518.436.8814 fax: 518.436.0643 d albany records u.k. box 137, kendal, cumbria la8 0xd tel: 01539 824008 © 2012 Albany Records made in the usa DDD warning: copyright subsists in all recordings issued under this label. D av i