Funeral March for a Marionette [composer's transcription, revised]

SKU: HL.124855

UPC: 884088984922. 5.0x5.0x0.15 inches. John Jacobson & Audrey Snyder.

If you are looking for a spooky selection for Halloween or any other occasion, look no further! This trio of tunes drawn from the classics will provide all necessary goosebumps and even a chuckle or two! Original lyrics combine with these famous melodies: Funeral March of a Marionette (Charles Gounod), In the Hall of the Mountain King (Edvard Grieg), The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Paul Dukas).

SKU: CF.CAS159

ISBN 9781491165041. UPC: 680160923953. Key: D minor.

Charles Gounod (1818–1893) was a French composer who was well-known and well-regarded in his lifetime. His legacy included breaking from the grand opera tradition and influencing the next generation of Frenchcomposers. March of the Marionette was originally a piano solo titled Funeral March of a Marionette. Gounod wrote the piece to make fun of the music critic, Henry Chorley. The marionette dies in a duel, possibly a musical imitation of a public argument about the merits of Gounod’s compositions. The marionette’s friends have a funeral for him, creating a procession through the streets, with a brief stop for refreshments, illustrated in the D major section. This now-familiar theme has been used frequently in advertisements, movies, and television shows. It was used as the theme music for Alfred Hitchcock Presents television show (1956–66) introducing dramas, mysteries, and thrillers.The prevailing bow strokes in this piece range from spiccato stroke to a light brush stroke for all eighth notes, regardless of articulation markings. Students should experiment with bow distribution to discover the appropriate placement for different dynamics. Students just learning the spiccato bow stroke will be more successful if they start this bow stroke close to their bow hand. Encourage students to discuss the character of the music and how to bring the storyline to life as an ensemble.

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

This series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians

SKU: FP.FDW03

ISBN 9790570500789.

Gounod's classic piece, arranged for double bass, with piano accompaniment.

The music in the beginning tells the listener that two of the members of the Marionette troupe have had a duel and one of them has been killed. A party of pallbearers is organised and the procession sets out for the cemetery in march time.

The piece soon takes on a more cheerful spirit, for some of the troupe, wearied with the march, seek consolation at a wayside inn, where they refresh themselves and also descant upon the many virtues of their late companion. At last they get into place again and the procession enters the cemetery to the march rhythm -- the whole closing with the bars intended to reflect upon the briefness and weariness of life, even for marionettes.