There and Back for Solo Bass Clarinet and Piano

www.kevinpoelking.com/there-a...
"The work is in a large-scale ABA form: the A section is comprised of a series of miniature episodes, vibrant in nature; the B section is flowing and lyrical, providing artistic contrast to A. With the return of the A theme, the episodes are presented in reverse order, creating a skillfully crafted palindromic rondo, complete with a subtle reference to a major 21st century musical force."
-Program note by Dr. Laura Bennett Cameron
Following an outstanding recital performance in 2022 by Dr. Cayla Bellamy, clarinetist Dr. Wesley Ferreira suggested the idea of rearranging this music for solo bass clarinet. A few weeks later, I released the arrangement you see here. While a few minor tweaks have been made to exploit the wonderful colors of the bass clarinet, this piece otherwise follows the original bassoon arrangement very closely. Reduced (optional) noteheads in the piece allow the work to be played by musicians with or without an instrument capable of a low C.
The original bassoon version of There and Back was composed for and accepted at the 2020 International Double Reed Society International Conference.

[@GarrettBaker-tb5lq]

Love the low range of the bass clarinet. Sounds so dark and “inky”. I would definitely play this piece if I had a bass clarinet.

[@LemonNerdBird]

Love the slow section, it's beautiful. Ive played bass clarinet for 25+ years.. I love how this piece shows off the range of the most underrated instrument there is! This does it some wonderful justice, showing off the incredible haunting tone it can have! Gorgeous!

[@kevinpoelking]

Thanks for this kind and thoughtful comment, Sara! "The most underrated instrument" I can feel in my soul after writing this piece!

[@OrionStarson-im4iw]

The RASP of that bass clarinetist low tone had me SCREAMING and the glossy bittersweet high notes just ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ BRAVO GORGEOUS PIECE

[@kevinpoelking]

😃

[@Wileherbal]

That low bass clarinet range
Just perfect

[@kevinpoelking]

best timbre in the wind instrument world!

[@bumblebeef952]

Wow 🤯 mind blowing piece, I’d love to perform this someday

[@kevinpoelking]

Thanks, bumblebeef! It’s a tough one for sure but some great musicians out there doing a great job with it!

[@cyruss6536]

About to buy this piece for my gov school audition. Definitely gonna use it more. Maybe play it at my schools chamber night,.,.

[@kevinpoelking]

Good luck, Cyrus!

[@brandonhoupt4897]

Absolutely love this piece

[@kevinpoelking]

Thanks, Brandon!

[@Vivi-Mage]

What an incredible piece! I’ve never heard such an engaging piece for solo bass clarinet-once I started listening, I was hooked! I’d love if it were on Spotify!
As a first-year clarinetist, this makes me want to learn the bass clarinet so I can someday perform this

[@kevinpoelking]

Thanks, Vivi! There have been a lot of great clarinetists who have performed this piece so hopefully we'll have an official recording one day soon...The bassoon version of this should be on Spotify in the next few weeks so be on the lookout! Looking forward to hearing you play this one day! Keep at it!

[@j.ohnnyengelke]

I plan on buying this soon. No plans to perform it yet, but that’s for future me to figure out! I love this so much.

[@kevinpoelking]

🔥

[@ThatGuy-lv7ov]

This piece stays in my head constantly! I plan to take a stab at this masterpiece for a recital performance asap!!

[@kevinpoelking]

🙌

[@1saxyboi191]

Once I get me a low C bass clarinet imma try to learn this piece

[@maceyoface404]

Gonna be performing this at the end of next semester🙏. Amazing piece btw

[@kevinpoelking]

Thanks for playing @maceyoface404! I’d love to hear your performance if you get a recording!

[@weather-head]

This is great! Good job

[@kevinpoelking]

Thank you, @arkis9753!

[@user-mr4xn5yo6n]

WooW 帥.....啊！

[@billholder1330]

needs moar loud