Time Stream David Maslanka / Arr. Brian Zator

Time Stream
David Maslanka
Arranged by Brian Zator for Percussion Ensemble
Edited by Matthew Maslanka
2002 - arr. 2023

First published in 2024 by Maslanka Press

Time Stream takes a favorite chorale melody of mine
(Durch Adams Fall rough Adam's Fall) through
a whirlwind evolution. ere is deep mystery in the
old hymn tune, and mystery as well in the poem that
inspired my music:
Message from a Stream in a Sacred Place
by Alison Matthews
Rock in the stream
e stream takes over.
Passage of time, passing of time.
Showing faces in the water,
Spirit faces, guardian faces,
Horse, deer, fox,
Human faces.
All eyes large, so , luminous, passing through time.
Rock, stalwart and steady,
Move me if necessary.
Passage of time, allow.
Stream goes on, wears away even the largest of places.
Source of all and end of all.
Song is beguiling and beckoning.
Absolutely inviting to stillness.
Be still.
Allow.
Use me.
Transform me.
Allow.

Arrangers note:
In the mid-2000's, while researching percussion ensemble music, I stumbled upon a steel drum ensemble piece called Time Stream.
My rst reaction was, David Maslanka wrote a steel band piece?!, which was the same reaction I received from others when mentioning this piece. I immediately reached out to Mr. Maslanka about performing the work, but he politely said it was not available for purchase since the commissioning group hadn't
performed the premiere. Over the years, I continued to ask him about the piece, ultimately receiving a copy of the manuscript score, and soon realized I had discovered a hidden gem.

Through my conversations over the course of een years with Mr. Maslanka and his son, Matthew, I nally suggested that this piece could work very well as a keyboard ensemble, using a similar setup to Crown of orns. In the spring of , I was granted permission to arrange the piece. I conducted the world
premiere performance at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention ( ) with my Percussion Ensemble from Texas A&M University-Commerce on our Showcase Concert as one of three winners of the prestigious International Percussion Ensemble Competition.

While arranging Time Stream for keyboard ensemble, my goal was to keep the original intent of the work, explore timbres available from both wood and metal keyboards, and overall, give this piece new life for all to experience.