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

Title: Te Deum, Prelude (Marche en Rondeau)

Composer: Marc-Antoine Charpentier, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Violin 1; Violin 2 or 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 this 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.