Scores

The Troubadour (Apollo/1959 Version)

In 1959, Gil and his orchestra did a concert at the Apollo Theater opposite Dinah Washington and Thelonious Monk. For this concert, he re-orchestrated several older arrangements for this new, smaller instrumentation. The “Blues for Pablo” arrangement that is offered with the Gil Evans Scores Project is from that concert, and so is this re-orchestrated version of “The Troubadour.” The original “The Troubadour” was done in 1947 for the Claude Thornhill Orchestra. This “Apollo Theater” re-orchestration from 1959, offered here for the first time and taken directly from Gil’s original manuscript score, follows Thornhill version almost exactly. There are a few slight differences (beside the instrumentation) but it is still Gil’s incredible arrangement.

I do want to warn you, this arrangement, like the Thornhill version, is really difficult – it’s in a difficult key (G# minor), and there are a passages that are tricky in all parts. That said, if your band is up for the challenge, it’s an extremely rewarding piece to perform, and sounds amazing live. As with all of Gil’s music, close attention needs to be paid to the instrumentation:

• 2 Reeds:

  • Reed 1:  C Flute, Piccolo

  • Reed 2:  Soprano Sax

• 1 French Horn

• 3 Trumpets

• 3 Trombones (2 tenor, 1 bass)

• 1 Tuba

• 3 Rhythm (Gtr./Bass/Dms.)