Fantasia on a Russian Hymn Frederick Speck

Maestro Band Series

PROGRAM NOTES
Fantasia on a Russian Hymn is a freely composed wind band setting based on the Pavel Chenokov choral work, Salvation is Created. Chesnokov's original setting was composed to express the text from Psalm 74, which can be translated, "Yet God is my king from of old, who works salvation in the midst of the earth." The simple, strong, arching melody from this Ukranian chant informs the musical architecture of this contemporary setting which employs the broad color palette of the woodwinds and brass, as well as an ecstatic interplay from the mallet percussion near the climax of the work.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Frederick Speck (b. 1955), Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of Louisville, conducts the Wind Symphony and New Music Ensemble, and teaches conducting and composition. Under his leadership, the Wind Symphony has been invited to perform at KMEA Conferences, CBDNA Southern Division Conferences, the MENC National Conference and the CBDNA National Conference. His music has been performed by such ensembles as the Louisville Orchestra, the Denver Symphony and Speculum Musicae, and recorded by such artists as Richard Stoltzman. Twice the recipient of the University of Louisville President?s Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity, his work has also been recognized the through fellowships and commissions from such organizations as the Barlow Endowment, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts. He holds the B.M. and M.M. from Bowling Green State University and the D.M.A. from the University of Maryland.