Funeral March Of A Marionette

Marche funèbre d'une marionnette

Although the term "burlesque"—after a journey of many years through various languages and
across a couple of continents—has come to have a connotation of striptease, in 1872 it was a
broader term for literary works intended to provide the reader (or listener) with amusement.

When French composer Charles Gounod wrote his "Funeral March Of A Marionette," he
intended for it to be Part One of a series of light-hearted piano pieces entitled "Suite
Burlesque." It ended up being a standalone piece; there was never a Part Two.

Here is a description of the music, with the composer's story as written in the
music. I will follow of each of these with an English translation. Those few years
of French classes have proved helpful. (An on-line translator is even more helpful!)

The piece begins with some frenzied notes followed by silence.
« La Marionette est cassée !!! »
“ The Marionette is broken !!! ”

Next are some slow tense chords.
« Murmure de regrets de la troupe »
“ Whisper of regrets from the troupe ”

The intro sets the stage for the bouncy step of the marionettes.

The main theme (the most familiar melody) begins.
« LE CORTÉGE »
“ THE FUNERAL PROCESSION ”

Suddenly the minor key gives way to a bright celebratory theme.
« Ici plusieurs des principaux personages de la troupe s'arrêtent pour se rafraîchir. »
“ Here several of the main characters of the troupe stop to refresh themselves (i.e. have a snack). ”

Then the main theme (the most familiar melody) resumes.

The outro brings the story to a peaceful conclusion.
« Retour a la maison. »
“ Return home. ”

Later, Gounod expanded the original piano version for full orchestra.
Here are some other examples of arrangements of this famous piece.

Comparison of a snippet of the original and a simplified version:
     

Here it is a for a woodwind quintet, flute + oboe + clarinet + alto sax + tenor sax:

And a trombone solo backed up by woodwind quartet and bass:

Now for a seven-piece jazz combo, three horns and rhythm section:

Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

~ FURTHER LISTENING ~

In case you still aren't hearing it in your head, you can hear it here: