Symphony No. 5 [CF:SC55]

This four movement piece was composed around three recognized chorale melodies: Durch Adams Fall (“Through Adam’s Fall”) in the first movement; O Lamn Gottes, unschuldig (“O Lamb of God, without Blame”) in the second movement; and Christ lag in Tdesbanden (“Christ Lay in the Bonds of Death”) in the third and fourth movements. Although Maslanka’s works usually portray feelings of loss and grief, Symphony No. 5 is filled with a bright and hopeful energy. The music continually speaks to the theme of transformation – the transformation of tears into power, and the victory of life over death.