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Much
of Holsinger's music is characterized by unrelenting tempos, ebullient
rhythms, fluctuating accents over set ostinati, poly-lineal textures,
vigorous asymmetrical melodies, and high emotional impact. His adagio
works are as intransigently passionate as his allegros are exuberant!
- TRN program notes. Compositions
by David Holsinger receiving outstanding reviews include THE EASTER
SYMPHONY, a three movement, 55-minute chorale symphony based on the
Passion of Christ, and the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Command Band
commission, TO TAME THE PERILOUS SKIES.
High marks by reviewers have also been given to the memorial
work, CONSIDER THE UNCOMMON MAN; PRAISES, a six-movement ballet suite;
SCRAPPY BUMPTOE'S PICTURE CARDS AND RAGTAG DIARY, composed for the
Kansas Brass Quintet; SINFONIA VOCI for band and choir; TEXAS PROMENADE,
celebrating the 50th Anniversary Convention of the Texas Bandmasters
Association; and THE SONG OF MOSES, a four movement band/choral work
premiered by the United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants and
selected for broadcast nationally on a National Public Radio Special
Project on Vocal Music in August, 1997.
In
a compositional departure, Holsinger will close the University of
Kansas’ Murphy Hall 50th Anniversary celebration year conducting a
performance of SONGS OF THIS WAR 1914-1918, a work for Soprano and
Baritone soloists and a chamber orchestra of 19 instruments.
Based on seven poems by WWI soldier poets, the performance will
be recorded and released on a major label in 2009. Other
much played works in Holsinger’s band catalogue include THE WAR
TRILOGY: 1971, a special edition of the Kent State contest winner;
ABRAM'S PURSUIT; a rollicking overture based on a story from the Book of
Genesis; HOMAGE: THREE TAPESTRIES, the composer’s tribute to Vaclav
Nehlybel; and ADAGIO, about which one reviewer penned, "Composed in
memory of a departed friend, this work is an intensely emotional
synthesis of both joy and pain, the result being a beauty touched with
sadness similar to the effect achieved by Albinoni's famous
"Adagio"."
SCOOTIN’
ON HARDROCK, a jazz suite for concert band, and BATTLE MUSIC, a work
inspired by Revelations 12:7; “And there was war in Heaven....” have
already seen a major number of performances since their publication in
2001. Not to be overlooked
is Holsinger’s translation of the American hymn, “It is Well with my
Soul”. ON A HYMNSONG OF
PHILIP BLISS, his largest selling work, has become a part of the
national dialogue with numerous televised memorial performances in
recent years, including the commemorative services for the Challenger
Astronauts, the State Funeral and Interment of President Ronald Reagan,
the dedication of the World War II Memorial, and national commemoratives
for our fallen heroes of the American Armed Forces, past and present.
New
compositions include DIVERTIMENTED DANCES, seven whimsical movements,
SYMPHONIA GLORIOSO, a concert fanfare, ELEGY ON AN AMERICAN FOLKTUNE, a
memorial work, and a work honoring Robert Foster, Conductor Emeritus of
the University of Kansas, OTSERF 2: REVENGE OF THE WARRIOR PRINCE.
New titles in 2008 include FANFARE FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS for
Brass and Percussion, and for band, LITTLE FANTASY ON AN AMERICAN HYMN
and THE MAELSTROM, perhaps best viewed as a commentary on war, not
unlike his 1971 WAR TRILOGY.
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