Charles Gounod

Funeral March of a Marionette

Full of dark humour, this piece tells the tragic story of an ill-fated Marionette, and the ensuing funeral procession. It does however feature lighter moments, including a passage which is labelled by Gounod "Here many of the principal personages stop for refreshments". It is most famously know as the theme tune for the TV series 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Two versions of the piece are included in the score and parts; the first is based on the longer orchestral version and the second is shorter, more akin to the original piano version.