Le Tombeau de Couperin (The Grave of Couperin) was written by Maurice Ravel between 1914 and 1917, originally a suite of piece for solo piano. Based on what was considered a traditional Baroque suite, Ravel wanted to pay homage to Baroque French keyboard music, whilst retaining his 20th-century chromaticism, making the work neoclassicist. Each movement is dedicated to the memory of a friend of the composer who died fighting in World War I. Ravel produced an orchestral version in 1919, omitting two of the original six movements.
 
The Menuet was written in memory of Jean Dreyfus; Ravel had recuperated at his home.
 
This arrangement is for the British-style brass band, with alternative parts for horns in F and bass-clef lower brass.
 
A recording of the original composition can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnNwEcBTSmk.
 
Duration: Approx. 4 minutes
 
Difficulty Level: 2nd Section +

Duration: 4 minutes (depending on tempo and without any cuts)
 
PDF download includes parts and score.
 
Sheet music available at www.brassband.co.uk (UK) or www.cimarronmusic.com (USA)
 
Instrumentation:
Soprano Cornet Eb
Solo Cornet Bb
Repiano Cornet Bb
2nd Cornet Bb
3rd Cornet Bb
Flugel Horn Bb
Solo Horn Eb
1st Horn Eb
2nd Horn Eb
1st Baritone Bb
2nd Baritone Bb
1st Trombone Bb
2nd Trombone Bb
Bass Trombone
Euphonium Bb
Bass Eb
Bass Bb
Timpani
Percussion - Vibraphone & Glockenspiel