Composer returns to hear work

Two musicians with MSU ties joined the Lansing Symphony Orchestra on Saturday to perform a saxophone concerto at Wharton Center.

David Maslanka, who received his master’s and doctoral degrees for music theory and composition from MSU in 1970, originally wrote “Concerto for Alto Saxophone” for the saxophone and wind ensemble in 1999.

Maslanka said not much has changed since he was a student here.

“The campus itself was always beautiful,” he said. “Nothing significant has changed, actually. It’s the same old music building, too.”

Maslanka comes back to East Lansing when his music is being performed.

“It seems about every three or four years I’ll show up here,” he said.

Timothy Muffitt, the music director and conductor of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, asked Maslanka to transcribe the piece for orchestra.

“The world needed a great concerto for saxophone and orchestra,” Muffitt said. “I thought (this piece) would be terrific for orchestra. I’ve always been an admirer of David’s music.”

The concerto highlights the saxophone, which was played Saturday by Joseph Lulloff, a distinguished professor of music in saxophone studies.

“I was really honored to be able to collaborate with (the orchestra).” Lulloff said. “I have been performing with the LSO since the mid-90s.”

Lulloff received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from MSU in 1982 and his master’s in saxophone performance in 1984.

He then became a professor at the University of Illinois until 1991, when he took the Professor of Saxophone Performance Studies position at MSU.

“Jim Forger, who was the teacher of saxophone for me here, decided to become the dean of music,” Lulloff said.

Lulloff performed this piece by Maslanka at the University of Arizona in 2000.

“To be able to have Joe come back and to do the performance was very important to me,” Maslanka said.

Lulloff has performed with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra doing concertos in the past.

“Joseph Lulloff is one of the finest saxophonists alive today,” Muffitt said.

Muffitt also conducts the Baton Rouge Symphony and sees similarities between the two college towns.

“It’s a similar community and there’s a great interest in the arts,” he said. “University towns tend to attract people who are curious and interested in hearing great music.”

Published on Sunday, October 12, 2008