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Poe (Duet for Clarinet & Marimba)
Genre: Duet for B-flat Clarinet & Marimba
# of Players: 2
Level: Medium Difficult | Duration: 5:40
Publisher: C. lan Publications | Copyright: 2020
Rating:
Price:
$25.00
Item #:
27730
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Notes & Instrumentation
Inspired by two poems by Edgar Allan Poe, Poe is a challenging duet for clarinet & marimba set in two contrasting movement. This well-crafted work is a perfect recital piece filled with reflection, drama, and excitement.
Genre: Duet for B-flat Clarinet & Marimba | # of Players: 2
Level: Medium Difficult | Duration: 5:40
Instrumentation
B-flat Clarinet
Marimba (5-octave)
Program Notes
Set in two movements for clarinet and marimba, Poe was written for the Unfiltered Duo. It was inspired by the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. “Alone” was a poem that was never published during his lifetime but has become one of his most popular works. In this poem, the speaker is reflecting on his childhood and realizing that he was a lot different than his peers. This poem is written from the perspective of an adult who remembers his troubled childhood which made him sad. The poem recollects the childhood memories of the speaker and illustrates how the experiences of his childhood have affected his life. “Eidolon” is from the poem “Dream-Land” published in 1844 which describes a traveler’s experiences in an alternative world in which ghosts and ghouls haunt a cold and terrifying landscape. An eidolon is the astral double of a living being; a phantom-double of the human form, which can appear under certain conditions to survivors of the deceased. -
Product Reviews
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Percussive Notes New Literature Review
Andy Harnsberger has made his name known by throwing down on solo marimba repertoire — with his own compositions as well as others — so it is always exciting to see a new work from him. “Poe” is a two-movement work written for the Unfiltered Duo — Paul Hayes and Amy Humberd — that explores two themes from specific Edgar Allen Poe poems.
The first movement references “Alone” in both title and character, connecting the Poe theme of loneliness and sorrow through various individual lines, chromaticism, and dissonant harmonies. The second movement is drastically different, taking its themes from the Poe journey titled “Dream-Land.” In both “Dream-Land” and Harnsberger’s second movement, the work is characterized by an excursion of excitement, terror, and discovery through a dark and unknown world.
Looking at the marimba part, there are several technical and equipment requirements needed for a successful performance. The score calls for a 5-octave marimba, yet the lowest note written for the marimba is an A-flat, making this playable on any 4.5-octave or larger keyboard. The first movement uses bows in both hands at various points; however, there is enough time between those chords and the additional material that the marimbist can switch to mallets and back. The remainder of the difficulty lies in the second, faster movement. Here the marimbist must perform a continuum of notes in shifting mixed meters at a quick tempo, which will be doubled rhythmically with the clarinet at times. Halfway through the movement, the piece picks up speed, and the marimba part switches from arpeggiating chords to a more linear, direct approach. Later the work moves into a rubato phrase reminiscent of the first movement and then right back to uptempo phrases. Just as the alluded poem suggests, the piece continues to shift through violent turbulence into isolating quiet, and then back into the more aggressive mixed meter to end the piece.
Although no recording exists yet, I eagerly await hearing this piece performed. The dichotomy employed between the marimba and clarinet in the first movement that shifts to a tangible unity in the second will make for an exciting overall arc that will surely impress and entertain.
Matthew Geiger
PERCUSSIVE NOTES
VO. 59, NO. 2, APRIL 2021 Matthew Geiger on Jun 29th 2022
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