A detailed orchestral arrangement of the well-known song by Gounod, which he wrote over the first prelude by Bach. The smallest possible instrumentation here is 2 violins, violoncello, double bass and piano or harp. From this it can be increased with an additional viola, finally woodwinds, horns, timpani and percussion. The piece is delivered with the following parts: 1 x flute, 1 x oboe, 1 x B-flat clarinet, 1 x bassoon, 2 x horn 1 + 2 in F, 1 x timpani, 1 x percussion, 8 x 1st violin, 6 x 2nd violin, 4 x viola, 2 x cello, 1 x double bass and 1 x piano or harp.
The original prelude by Bach is heard throughout on the piano (or harp), while the melody by Gounod is heard throughout on the first violin. Violin 2, violoncello and double bass play newly added parts, everything else is doubling.
