In 1994, Brian Powell’s journey into the world of double bass took a pivotal turn at the Aspen Music Festival. As a young musician studying bass at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, he experienced a performance of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky’s classic ‘Pulcinella’ on the cello. Witnessing this inspired Powell to think, “That looks playable on bass.”
Fast forward more than three decades, Powell, now an associate professor of double bass and string music education at the Frost School of Music, has realized that initial spark of inspiration. His passion-driven quest not only culminated in the successful arrangement of ‘Pulcinella’ for double bass but also significantly expanded the instrument’s repertoire. This achievement has enhanced the appeal of the double bass for students within the Frost School, marking a significant milestone in Powell’s musical journey.
Stravinsky composed ‘Pulcinella’ to accompany a ballet for Diaghilev’s renowned Ballet Russes in 1920. The music, particularly its Vivo movement, is a staple in the bass repertoire, frequently featured in auditions. However, it had never been arranged for double bass until Powell embarked on this ambitious project.
Powell’s first attempt at arranging ‘Pulcinella’ came to an abrupt halt during his undergraduate studies, as the work surpassed his technical abilities at the time. He returned to the project a decade later while pursuing his doctorate at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. This time, he succeeded in completing the arrangement and submitted it to Boosey & Hawkes, a leading classical music publisher that held the copyrights to Stravinsky’s works.
The path to publication was not without its challenges. It took seven years for Boosey & Hawkes to gain the necessary approval from Stravinsky’s estate. Eventually, in 2020, the arrangement titled ‘Igor Stravinsky: Suite Italienne for Double Bass and Piano (arr. Brian Powell)’ was officially published.
By this point, Powell had joined the faculty at Frost School and began planning to record and release the music. A Provost Research Grant secured in 2022 was meant to facilitate this goal, yet Powell faced another significant setback when he fractured his left arm—the very arm he uses for fingering on the double bass. Uncertain about his recovery and ability to perform, Powell persevered; after a year of healing, he was able to move forward with recording sessions in the fall of 2023.
The culmination of years of effort and dedication was achieved with the release of the 12-track album ‘Suite Italienne for Double Bass and Piano’ in August 2024. This work features accompaniment from fellow faculty members at the Frost School, including violinist Karen Lord-Powell, cellist Ross Harbaugh, and pianist Oleskii Ivanchenko.
Since its release, Powell has actively promoted the album, sharing over 30 well-received videos of album tracks alongside interviews. The project has also garnered attention on the Double Bass HQ podcast, further elevating its profile.
Reflecting on his journey, Powell shared his aspirations: “My goal has always been to add Stravinsky to the double bass solo repertoire. It’s been quite an ordeal, but I’m grateful to come back and play this piece. One of the most satisfying aspects has been my growth as a bass player through the process of figuring out new solutions to make it work on double bass.”
Powell also believes this project has the potential to enhance the Frost School’s reputation within the classical music community. “We are making a significant contribution to classical music, which bassists and even people beyond bassists will realize when they hear someone playing this piece,” he stated.
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