Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral (arr Cherry)

From Wind Repertory Project
Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner (trans. Gordon Cherry)


Subtitle: From Lohengrin


General Info

Year: 1848 / 1999 / 2019
Duration: c. 6:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $25.00; (digital) - $25.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Tenor Trombone I-VI
Alto Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone I-II


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Wagner's Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral (B-flat version) is newly arranged for ten-part trombone ensemble by Gordon Cherry. Wagner's grand, magnificent and spiritual work is scored for eight tenor trombones and two bass trombones. This transcription is very tastefully done with detailed editing of phrasing and dynamics. It is six minutes in length can be performed with an ensemble of 10 trombones or a trombone choir of many players. Wagner's composition is beautifully dramatic and will be a wonderful addition to your concert. The difficulty level is moderately advanced for the top two parts, and high intermediate for the rest of the group. A college/university trombone ensemble can perform this work.

- Program Note from publisher


Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral (1850) is taken from Wagner's opera Lohengrin. The story takes place in the court of King Henry I, where Elsa is accused of having murdered her brother, Gottfried. The knight Lohengrin arrives on a boat drawn by a swan and offers to defend and marry Elsa on the condition that she never ask his name. The music in this selection, from the beginning of the fourth scene from Act II, is the beautiful, dramatic bridal procession followed by a chorus. A long train of ladies, magnificently attired, proceeds slowly, finally ascending the steps of the church. After the second theme is presented, Elsa appears amid the processional train, and the noblemen respectfully bare their heads as Elsa begins her magnificent journey to the cathedral for her wedding to Lohengrin.

This opera marked the transition from Wagner’s early operas (Rienzi, The Flying Dutchman, and Tannhäuser) to his later masterworks (Ring, Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger, and Parsifal).

- Program Notes by University of North Texas Wind Ensemble concert program, 5 November 2015


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Lohengrin. Wikipedia Accessed 8 August 2023
  • Perusal score
  • Wagner, R.; Cherry, G. (2019). Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral: From the Opera Lohengrin, for 10-Part Trombone Choir (version in B-flat) [score]. Cherry Classic Music: Vancouver, B.C., Can.