The Marine Band’s Fall Chamber Music Series will conclude with the concert, “A Musical Mission: Inside the Composer’s Mind and Soundscape,” at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27. Coordinated by violinist Master Sgt. Sheng-Tsung Wang, the concert will take place at Capitol Hill’s historic Christ Church and Washington Parish, 620 G St SE in Washington, D.C. The concert is free, no tickets are required. Hear what Master Sgt. Wang had to say about the program:

Growing up, I often found myself drawn to certain songs on the radio, captivated by their tunes even if I didn’t fully understand the lyrics. In a similar way, my early years of playing the violin involved merely scratching the surface of the music I was learning. Back then, I had assumed that composers were simply struck by inspiration out of thin air, feverishly writing down their music in a rush of creativity. It wasn't until I underwent formal training at the conservatory, where I studied music theory, form, instrumentation, and more, that I truly began to appreciate the pieces I was practicing and perform them with greater depth and purpose. I also came to understand that most composers approached their works with intentionality, carefully crafting the musical architecture behind each piece. The three works I’ve programmed for this chamber concert exemplify this realization.

The entire first half of the program is dedicated to J. S. Bach’s Partita in D Minor, from a set of six sonatas and partitas for unaccompanied violin. Through these works, he sets out to revolutionize the art of violin playing and push the instrument’s capabilities to the max. Bach uses the four strings like different voices in a choir—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—and challenges the player to pull off complex polyphony with just a single bow. I learned my first solo Bach movement in seventh grade while studying with Eugene Drucker of the Emerson String Quartet, and over the years, I’ve worked to interpret the Baroque style as authentically as possible. The first four movements of the partita are all Baroque-era dances. The partita ends with the monumental Chaconne, which is longer than all the previous movements combined and takes both the listener and performer on a profound musical and spiritual journey.

The second half of the concert opens with a work by a composer deeply influenced by the spiritual power and psychology of music. David Maslanka believed that “the unconscious can push its way into the consciousness unbidden.” In his Quintet for Winds No. 1, the composer draws on various musical elements inspired by his experiences in New York City. When I first heard this piece, I was struck by its refreshing inventiveness. The quintet includes “a symphony of air compressors” from subway cars and a musical cryptogram based on the letters in “Brooklyn Bridge.” The work showcases Maslanka’s distinct and personal approach to composition.

Speaking of personal, Mozart wrote the Quintet in E-flat for his very close friend and horn virtuoso Joseph Leutgeb. Instead of the standard string quartet instrumentation of two violins, viola, and cello, Mozart employs an additional viola in place of the second violin to enhance the middle range, thereby better matching the sonority and richness of the horn. It’s important to note that the horn at this time was a valveless "natural" instrument, and the challenges of the horn part reflect Mozart’s admiration for Leutgeb’s talent and abilities. I first played this piece in high school, and now, through my research, I've developed a much greater appreciation for the horn part!

I firmly believe that for both the performer and the audience to truly appreciate a musical work, it’s essential to explore and rediscover the inspiration behind the composition and to try to understand the inner workings of a composer’s mind and soundscape. With the diverse personalities of the performers, the music evolves organically over time while maintaining its original integrity. I hope the audience enjoys our interpretation of these three unique pieces!

Program

The concert is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Christ Church and Washington Parish, 620 G St SE in Washington, D.C.