David Maslanka is one of the finest American composers today, bar none. His music is always highly creative, beautiful, and wastes no space on the page whatsoever. Every piece I have ever heard by him contains something unique and involving to the listener. He has spent much of his time writing for winds, and instrumentalists love to play his work, finding it not only ingratiating as a whole, but each individual part is a meaningful piece of the puzzle, and always a challenge both musically and technically. This Second Symphony is no exception, from the minimalist-like repetitions in the rhythm of the first movement, along with the ecstatic nature of the material itself, to the long and involved development of the last movement, replete with the trademark Maslanka improvisatory feel. This is truly a great work, played pretty well (though the least impressive performance on the disc, and marred by some sour trumpet solos), and the Illini seem to be able to negotiate the tremendous technical hurdles to sell the piece properly—this is a killer work for anyone, let alone a college wind ensemble. There are three others available, all by collegiate forces: University of Massachusetts Wind Ensemble, University of Georgia, and University of Arizona. I wish I could tell you I have heard the others for comparison, but I can’t. Interpretatively I cannot imagine a better performance, though performance-wise the playing could be a little sharper and more in tune in spots.
Jack Stamp is a noted wind writer, always reliable, and this 2006 work dedicated to his mentor David Diamond is a fine offering indeed. The piece makes use of various themes and quotes by both Diamond and Maurice Ravel (who also was the recipient of a dedicatory piece by Diamond himself), is well constructed and thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to many hearings. Finally, we have a relatively young man named Kevin Krumenauer giving us a fine example of his art with Blue on Red, a work trying to “elicit the transition from grief and loss to life and celebration.” Pretty heady theme, and one would think a difficult thing to accomplish, but the emotional tone of the work seems to indicate that Krumenauer succeeds. The work is listenable and tuneful, a fine outing by a man we hope to hear from again.
The sound on this release is very good for the Stamp and Krumenauer pieces, but I feel that there are passages in the Maslanka that are congested. This is still recommendable for the terrific music and esprit d‘corps by all concerned.
P.S. – The timings in the disk booklet are way off. Here are the correct ones: STAMP: 8:15, 3:25, 5:10, 5:51; KRUMENAUER: 9:54, 3:08, 4:42; MASLANKA: 9:35, 8:47, 13:43
— Steven Ritter
