Symphony #9

This work is in four movements, with a duration of about 75 minutes. The symphony opens with a reading of the poem "Secrets" by W. S. Merwin, which is paralleled in the fourth movement by a reading of my brief Whale Story. Symphony No. 9 can be described as a large collection of instrumental songs which create a continuously moving tapestry of thoughts and images relating to the nature of memory, the life giving creative force of water, and compassion, forgiveness, and rest. The flow of the entire Symphony is toward the Chorale melody O Sacred Head Now Wounded at the end of the fourth movement. While the Symphony is of extended length it is not physically fatiguing to perform. Its high demand is for patience in pacing, and continuous attention by all ensemble members to each moment of musical sound. The symphony is simply stunning music. ... There was a high school band director who refused to leave the concert hall until he had a copy of the house recording. Stephen Steele, Illinois State University What an extraordinary creation he has here. Zan Furtwangler, Audiophile Audition Find program notes and more information at davidmaslanka.com.