Sample played by Rod Franks and London Brass

10040 – Pie Jesu from Requiem (op. 48)

G. Faure (1845-1924)

Arranged by Roger Harvey (for solo trumpet, flugel, horn, 4 trombones, tuba + 2 optional trumpets)

Also available for 2 trumpets, 4 horns, 3 trombones, tuba as 10040a

Difficulty: Easy

Price: £20

Programme notes:

Gabriel Faure was a prolific composer of sacred music and later of secular songs and chamber music. He was for many years employed as a church organist eventually being appointed as organist at the Madeleine. He held positions of State Inspector of Music Conservatoires, Professor of Composition and the Paris Conservatoire and then its highly influential director. Recognition of his creative talents was slow to arrive because of his individual, ‘modern’ style though he is now held to be a worthy successor to Berlioz and Saint-Saens and a considerable influence on Debussy, ravel and other 2oth Century French composers.

His Requiem is his best-known work. The words of the Pie Jesu, “Holy Jesus, give us eternal rest” have generally prompted composers to set them in a simple devotional style. Faure’s setting for solo soprano and organ is often performed by a boy treble to add to the expressive but innocent tone of the piece.

Performance notes:

The trumpet can be shared as convenient. Ideally it should be played by one player as a solo throughout but alternative suggestions are made in he parts for a shared/tutti performance.

The style should be expressive, cantabile and full toned but still with a simple devotional feel.

With simple chordal music such as this, it is vital to take care of the basic essentials: tuning, balance, coordinated breathing and articulation.

Beware in particular that the lower instruments do not play too heavily, forcing the soloist to force, especially, when the tuba and bass trombone are doubled in octaves.