Marc-Antoine Charpentier - Fantastique

By: Charpentier arr Paul Archibald

Scored for eight trumpets and two trombones, with piano, organ and percussion.

It was the wedding of my good friend, Peter Wright, to his lovely bride Kurumi. A ceremonial affair with fine turned out guests, smart cars and the usual motley assortment of brass players huddled near the alter ready to do battle with the organist. Peter had asked me to arrange the music in a suitable style to make this the best day of his life. I set about my task with great aplomb. Having arranged the usual processionals, the hymns and the interlude music I gave thought to their first walk together, down the aisle, as man and wife. Charpentier, that one-hit wonder would do nicely! Assuming that the bride, groom, families and hangers-on would have vacated the church quickly I thought it would be fun to let the musicians have their day. So...the piece begins as Charpentier would like but is soon joined by imitations JS Bach, Malcolm Arnold and a hint of Benjamin Britten. Unfortunately, no-one left the church as expected so the ceromony ended with riotous applause, hoots and hollers and general mayhem. Sorry Pete....
Paul Archibald