Funeral March of a Marionette (arr Marlatt)

From Wind Repertory Project
Charles Gounod

Charles Gounod (arr. David Marlattt)


General Info

Year: 1872 / 2008
Duration: c. 3:20
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Piano
Publisher: Eighth Note Publications
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $25.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Part 1

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Clarinet

Part 2

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Clarinet

Part 3

  • B-flat Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone

Part 4

  • B-flat Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • Horn in F

Part 5

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Bass Clarinet
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Charles Gounod intended to compose a multi-movement work for solo piano called Suite Burlesque, and one of the its movement was to be Funeral March of a Marionette. This was the only movement completed. He later orchestrated it and it has become his most popular work..

It has been suggested that Gounod wrote this piece as a portrait of Henry Chorley, a music critic from London. Chorley has "a thin, sour, high-pitched, soprano-ish voice" and moved like "a stuff red-haired monkey." He played this work for a friend who added the program to go with the music It has long been known as the theme song for Alfred Hitchcock's television shows.

The story is as follows: The marionette died in a duel; the music describes the funeral procession: the solemnity is relieved with a happy sprightly section in which the mourners stop at an inn for refreshments'; the funeral march is resumed and it sends on a somber note.

- Program Note from score


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Woodwind Quintet (Phillip A. Ostrander, conductor) - 1 April 2021


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Gounod, C.; Marlatt, D. (2008). Funeral March of a Marionette [score]. Eighth Note Publications: [Markham, Ont.
  • Perusal score