Abstract:
This study presents an overview of the compositional style of David Maslanka
and an analysis of his piece for wind band Unending Stream of Life. The sevenmovement
work is based in part on the melody of the hymn tune “Lasst uns Erfreuen”,
which is commonly known as “All Creatures of Our God and King.” David Maslanka has
developed a unique compositional style that has been strongly influenced by the chorales
of J.S. Bach and the writings of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung. Through the process of
“active imagining” (Jung, 1964) Maslanka creates original works for wind band. The use
of a hymn tune melody and short motives, both conventional and contemporary harmonic
progressions, baroque and classical forms, tonal centricity, strong rhythmic drive,
expanded instrumentation, and the theme of transformation are all essential to Maslanka’s
compositional style. The study is intended to inform scholars and conductors about the:
(1) melodic material, (2) harmony and tonality, (3) form, rhythm and tempo relations, (4)
orchestration, and (5) unifying elements and musical nuances of David Maslanka’s
Unending Stream of Life.
