Bullfrog’s Love Chant (unrequited)

“Bullfrog’s Love Chant (unrequited)” tells the story of a bullfrog emerging from the depths of a swamp, looking for love. He struts his stuff, showing off his agility, his romantic spirit, his dance moves, and his deep, deep voice. But it is to no avail. Finally, resigned, he slinks back down into the mud from whence he came. He is defeated – for now. Musically, the piece presents the contrabass clarinet with a series of technical challenges that mirror the bullfrogs attempts to attract a mate, from tuning perfect intervals with the piano, to managing large leaps, to fast articulations, to soaring lyricism. Hopefully, the contrabass clarinetist will be more successful in fulfilling their quest than the bullfrog was! The piece was commissioned and premiered by Kimberly Fullerton.