Petite Symphonie

French composer Charles-Francois Gounod (1818-1893) is perhaps best known for his lyric opera Faust, but his compositional output also includes oratorios, masses, motets, songs, ballets, and an array of instrumental pieces. The work calls for the standard Mozart serenade instrumentation of two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, and two horns, but Gounod also included a single flute part A long time favorite of chamber ensembles, the work exhibits a Classical clarity of form and phrase structure with shades of Romantic harmony and expressivity. This transcription is based on the 1904 edition published by Costallat Co. and only contains the first, third, and fourth movements. Some dynamic markings and articulations have been modified in order to aid in balancing a larger ensemble than the original instrumentation. Percussion parts have been added, but do not need to be used for the piece to be effective. Their addition is only for enhancement to the overall transcription.