Scrapbook - David Maslanka - Symphony No.4

I first listened to an extract of David Maslanka's Symphony No.4 today, after reading about it on talkclassical.com. In the final movement, from bar 712, after a beautiful and lyrical opening from the flutes and harps, there is a strange whimsical sound, like quiet sirens or the wailing of children. I quickly identified the sounds as clarinet pitch-bends (due to a similarity with the opening to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue), but wanted to find out more. The composer generously offers a free to download complete 'perusal score', in his original handwriting. Here is the relevant extract:

On the score, Maslanka instructs the clarinet players to use only the mouthpiece and barrel, inserting their finger into the barrel to vary the pitch. Helpfully, he also advises that the effective range of this technique is Bb4 - F5.

As I'm typing this, I've realised that I missed the rather telling words "The babies" written on the score above this pitch-bending section. I am pleased that my interpretation of 'wailing children' was correct!

It is also worth noting the text at the top of the page: 'Christus, der uns selig macht'. This is the title of a Bach Chorale, and according to the treatise found here Maslanka uses the entire melody of this chorale in this movement of the symphony. I have a book of the Bach chorales, and sure enough the melody played by the piccolo in this movement is the same as the soprano voice in the chorale, almost note for note. Apparently Maslanka plays through the Bach chorales as a daily exercises, which enhances his composition skills.