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Funeral March of a Marionette: Interchangeable Woodwind Ensemble Score & Parts

$25.00 USD

Funeral March of a Marionette: Interchangeable Woodwind Ensemble Score & Parts

Name: Funeral March of a Marionette: Interchangeable Woodwind Ensemble Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 81-WWE2857
Price: 25.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Charles François Gounod / arr. David Marlatt

Level: Medium

Item: 81-WWE2857

$25.00

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It has long been known as the theme song for Alfred Hitchcock's television shows. It is scored here for an interchangeable woodwind ensemble.
* PART 1 - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet
* PART 2 - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet
* PART 3 - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
* PART 4 - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, F Horn
* PART 5 - Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Baritone Saxophone

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Series: Eighth Note Publications

Publisher: Eighth Note Publications

ISBN10: 1-55473-308-1

ISBN13: 978-1-55473-308-8

UPC: 685462013098

SKU: 81-WWE2857

Instrumentation: Interchangeable Woodwind Ensemble

More about this title

About the Composer: Charles François Gounod

Charles François Gounod (1818–1893) was a French composer whose gift for melody and dramatic expression made him one of the most performed composers of the Romantic era. Beyond his celebrated operas, including Faust and Roméo et Juliet, Gounod composed orchestral works, sacred music, and character pieces that demonstrate his skill at writing accessible yet sophisticated music for varied audiences. His ability to craft memorable themes that lodge themselves in the listener's memory has kept his work alive in concert halls, theaters, and popular culture for over a century.

Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette exemplifies his gift for miniature character writing. Originally composed for solo piano, the piece combines mock solemnity with darkly comic undertones, making it ideal for arrangement across different instrumental combinations. Its later adoption as the theme for Alfred Hitchcock's television programs introduced the work to millions and cemented it as one of classical music's most recognizable melodies.

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Why we love this

This arrangement transforms a universally recognized theme into a flexible woodwind ensemble piece that sounds polished and intentional, not like a student arrangement. The interchangeable parts mean you can perform it with exactly the instruments present on any given rehearsal day, making it practical for mixed-ability sections and variable attendance.

What to expect

Dark theatrical comedy dressed in minor-key sophistication. The march rhythms suggest formality and gravity, yet the elegant melodic twists and harmonic turns hint at something slightly absurd underneath, creating a piece that is simultaneously serious and playful.

Who it's for

Woodwind ensembles at the intermediate level looking for a piece with immediate appeal and proven programming success. This works equally well for contest preparation, concert encores, or pops-style performances where recognizable themes enhance audience engagement.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the main melodic line so the darkly comic character emerges; this is music meant to entertain, not to be heavy-handed about the mock funeral atmosphere.
Shape phrases with the musical punctuation of the original piano version in mind, allowing brief breathing space at cadential moments to let the melodic contours land clearly.
Lock the rhythmic foundation in the lower voices (bass clarinet, bassoon, baritone saxophone) so upper woodwinds can float their lines with flexibility without losing ensemble cohesion.

How to use it

Program this as a concert closer or encore, where its immediately recognizable theme and compact form deliver a satisfying payoff that leaves the audience with a smile. It also pairs well in a Pops or film-themed concert, anchoring a program of arrangements and lighter repertoire.