Full Orchestra - Level 4 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1427918
By Queen. By Brian May. Arranged by John Langley / Studio Orchestrations. Broadway,Film/TV,Musical/Show,Opera,Pop,Rock. 118 pages. Www.studio-orchestrations.com #1008658. Published by www.studio-orchestrations.com (A0.1427918).
This arrangement / score is set in D Minor, a tone / 2 steps below the original recorded song. Versions of this same score will be available on this website in both E Minor [original key] and also C sharp Minor [Down a minor 3rd / 3 steps] to give your vocal soloist and choir key options.
Amid a truly extraordinary and long back catalogue of amazing songs written and performed by QUEEN, Who wants to live forever stands out as one of their greatest and most popular musical achievements. Written originally for the 1986 Sean Connery/Christopher Lambert film HIGHLANDER it highlighted the incredible range of musical output the band were capable of, being best known for their rock music output. It became a poignant and wistful anthem for the great Freddie Mercury who died only a matter of 5 years later.
It is the most incredible song and in this arrangement combines symphony orchestra, with rock singer, rhythm section and for added value optional SATB chorus, bringing an additional texture to what is already an epic piece.
The Youtube link below (in the lower key of C# Minor) illustrates the power of this version in an incarnation recorded during lockdown in 2020 with the combined forces of the Welsh National Opera orchestra and chorus and Welsh, TV stage and Hollywood actor star Luke Evans. All individual tracks and performances were recorded in their singers and musicians own homes, then mixed, spliced and compiled into what many have now come to regard as a classic.
Both this and the WNO version were arranged by John Langley and pay a respectful tribute to the original version and its composer Brian May. We commend this for any concert of film or popular music with your professional, semi-professional or intermediate orchestra, choir and soloist. [The choir is optional but the piece is much more epic with one!]
INSTRUMENTATION:
2 Flutes
1 Oboe
1 Clarinet
1 Bassoon
4 Horns
2 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Timpani
2 Percussion [Cymbals / Bass Drum / Snare Drum / Cabasa or small shaker]
Piano
Electric Guitar
Bass Guitar
Drum Kit
Rock - Tenor Soloist
SATB [Optional but desirable!]
Strings.