Wind Ensemble Performs May 2

SALISBURY, MD---The Salisbury State University Wind Ensemble performs its annual spring concert on Tuesday, May 2, at 8 p.m. in Holloway Hall Auditorium on campus. Admission is free and the public is cordially invited.

The Wind Ensemble performs Carl Orff's composition, Carmina Burana (1936), arranged for band by John Krance. Carmina Burana, originally written for vocal solos, chorus, boys' chorus and symphony orchestra, is subtitled, "Profane songs for singers and vocal chorus with instruments and magical pictures."

It is composed in eight sections, with 25 separate movements, incorporating texts in both Latin and in German. The texts are secular poems of the Middle Ages. The songs range from simple adorations of nature to lusty and satirical drinking songs. The transcription for symphonic band by John Krance, published in 1967, consists of 13 selected movements from the original composition. Orff's Carmina Burana reflects two important 19th century trends, interest in significant historical music and the development of a "total" theater.

Another selection is Jim Curnow's Canticle of the Creatures (Symphonic Suite for Band). Each movement is based on the stanza of the sacred writings of Saint Francis Assisi (1181-1226) who founded the Franciscan order of the Roman Catholic Church. Saint Francis is remembered for his love of peace and his respect for all creatures. He expressed his religious ideals in poetry as well as through his ministry. These poems and lauds were not intended to be read in prayer books but to be sung either by the friars as part of their preaching exercises or as part of their own devotions.

Opening the concert is Festive Overture, op.96, composed by Dmitri Shostakovich in 1954. Shostakovich's music style is unmistakably 20th century, making free use of dissonant harmonies and intricate contrapuntal designs, never abandoning inherent tonality. The music of Shostakovich is teleological--leading invariably to a tonal climax, often ending in a triumphal triadic declamation.

The Wind Ensemble also performs another global composition that is original for band, Triptychon by B. D. Vojnovich, composed in 1968 for the Montana State University Wind Ensemble. Triptychon is based on Yugoslavian nationalistic dance music comprised of irregular meters, homophonic textures and lively tempi.

The SSU Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds are conducted by Dr. Richard L. Johnson, associate professor of music.

For more information please call SSU Department of Public Relations at 410-543-6030.