Marche Funèbre (Abridged Version - Funeral March Only) from Piano Sonata No. 2 in Bb Minor Op.35 - Chopin

In Memorian Queen Elizabeth II - 21 April 1926 to 8 September 2022

Arranged for Clarinet Quartet by Hugh Levey

If there is any piece of music that modern western culture associates with a sombre funeral procession, it is this march from Chopin's second piano sonata in B♭ minor. It was used for Chopin's own funeral in Paris in 1849. In the 20th century it was used at the state funerals of Sir Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, and Leonid Brezhnev. It also appears in both serious and comic films to symbolise death or impending disaster.

Following the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II, it feels appropriate to release the sombre March section as a standalone arrangement for Clarinet Quartet. Sheet music of the full 9 minute movement is available from Woodwindly for both Clarinet Quintet and Wind Quintet. This abridged version is about 2 minutes and 20 seconds long; omitting the central lyrical section and the restatement of the march theme.