Raquel, Op. 38

Instrumentation: full or reduced orchestra (see below)

Composed: 1967

Performance Time: 8 min.

Score available from: Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music at Free Library of Philadelphia.

Program Note:
Gene Gutche's programmatic symphonic work, RAQUEL, deals with the tragic love story of King Alfonso of Castile and Raquel, a beautiful Jewess of Toledo. It is set in a panorama of wars, strife, political rivalries and high passions. The music depicts the last hour of Raquel, who is put to death by the nobleman, de Castro, to whom she has been denounced by the jealous queen. Knowing that she is doomed, Raquel commands herself to face her executioner with a fearlessness worthy of Alfonso.

Orchestration:

Full Orchestra

Flute I and II
Flute III (picc.)
Oboe I and II
Oboe III (Eng. Hn.)
Clarinet in Bb I and II
Clarinet in Bb III (Bass Cl.)
Bassoons I, II, and III
Horns in F I, II, III, and IV
Trumpets in Bb I, II, III, and IV
Tenor Trombones I and II
Bass Trombone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (2 players)
Strings

Reduced Orchestra

Flute I
Flute II (picc.)
Oboe I
Oboe II (Eng. Hn.)
Clarinet in Bb I
Clarinet in Bb II (Bass Cl.)
Bassoons I and II
Horns in F I, II, III, and IV
Trumpets in Bb I and II
Tenor Trombones I and II
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (2 players)
Strings