Search - Maslanka, Bergen Woodwind Quintet :: Wind Quintets

The real thing!

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 01/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I acquired this disc primarily because the Bergen Wind Quintet is one of the best such groups playing these days. They are all, I believe, principals in the Bergen (Norway - not New Jersey!) Philharmonic and are virtuosos one and all.I'd heard David Maslanka's name before, but never any of his music. I didn't know what to expect. Well, boys and girls, I was blown away! I have _no_ idea why he's not better known, unless it's because he tends to write primarily for wind groups, not for full orchestral forces. He's got all the gifts of a major composer: lots of entertaining and intriguing melodic, rhythmic and harmonic ideas, faultless craft, skillful orchestration, an ability to keep you interested because his music never takes predictable paths, all the while working in a tonal language. The three quintets played here are unmistakably in Maslanka's recognizable style, but each is different from the other. The First makes use of short motifs which are subjected to all kinds of machinations; indeed, one such motif is on the notes B-D-G-E, the only musical letters in the word 'Bridge', and the quintet is in homage to the Brooklyn Bridge in Maslanka's old home borough. The Second is somewhat fragmented in a sort of take-off on Stravinsky's methods, and there is a crazy (and delightful) fugue in the first movement. The third movement is a satirical passacaglia based on the oh-so-typical IV-V-I progression beloved of pop musicians. It made me smile. The Third owes its allegiance to Maslanka's study of (and admiration for) Bach chorales; each movement is a chorale-variation on one of Bach's best. What skill and love this music contains.The performances are top-notch. And BIS, of course, has provided clear, truthful sound. This disc is worth your attention not just if you like wind quintets, but if you like music."