Poéme héroïque

Marcel Dupré

The work bears the designation Opus 33.

General Info

Year: 1935
Duration: c. 8:15
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print.

Instrumentation

Full Score
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Trombone I-II-III
Organ
Snare Drum

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

At the inauguration of the organ at Verdun Cathedral in 1937, Dupré premiered his Poéme héroïque, Op. 33, intended as a tribute to the many who had lost their lives in that area during World War I. Ironically, only weeks later, Adolf Hitler announced the conscription of a new German army, which was to lead to another horrible conflict. This piece is not heroism displayed in a victory parade, but rather something deeper and more intense, much more brave.

- Program Note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music

Starting in February 1916, the longest and bloodiest battle of World War I was fought in Verdun, France. Two million soldiers were engaged, and a million died. The town was completely destroyed, but rebuilding commenced after the resolution. The city, battlefields, military cemeteries, and numerous monuments are now a national sanctuary.

With this historical background, it was natural for Marcel Dupré to write a heroic poem for organ, trumpets, trombones and snare drum, and dedicate it to Verdun. The Poéme héroïque was written in 1935 and was performed at the inaugural recital for the rebuilt organ in the restored cathedral of Verdun.

- Program Note by Katya Gotsdiner-McMahan

Media

Audio CD: Columbus Indiana Philharmonic (David Bowden, conductor; Daniel Jay McKinley, organ) - 2000
Audio CD: Dallas Wind Symphony (Frederick Fennell, conductor; Paul Riedo, organ) - 1994

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Wind Ensemble (J. Nick Smith, conductor) – 8 November 2018
California Technic State University, San Luis Obispo, Brass Ensemble (Christopher J. Woodruff, conductor; Katya Gotsdiner-McMahan, organ) – 6 November 2016
Assembly Street Brass (Mark Husey, conductor; Nicole Marane, organ) – July 2013

Works for Winds by This Composer

Poéme héroïque (1935)
Cortège et Litanie (arr. Keane Southard)

Resources

Dupré, M. [1938]. Poème héroïque : For Organ with Trumpets, Trombones and Drum [score]. H.W. Gray Co.: New York.
Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "Marcel Dupré." Accessed 26 November 2016