Te Deum, Prelude (Marche en Rondeau) (string quartet)

Title: Te Deum, Prelude (Marche in Rondeau)

Composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Violin 1; Violin 2; Viola; Cello

Printout: 4 pages

Note: This is a must-have piece for wedding musicians. It works equally well as processional and recessional music. It has been used in several movie scores including, ironcally, a film about Richard III of England, who lived some 200 years before the piece was written. Adding to the irony is the belief by many historians that the D Major Te Deum was performed to celebrate the French victory over English-led forces at the Battle of Steinkirk in 1692. Although the motet’s text is Christian, the prelude is textless and can therefore be regarded as non-denominational. The violin 1 part in this setting is playable on flute, oboe, or trumpet.