Paint It Black (from Wednesday)

for Cello and Chamber Orchestra

A virtuoso cello rendition of a classic Rolling Stones song, as popularized by Wednesday Addams.

Excerpt (live recording):

Duration: 2:30
Difficulty: Advanced (Cello part: Virtuoso)
Instrumentation: 12 instruments - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Trombone, Synthesizer, Drumset, and String Quintet.

Song by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Recorded by The Rolling Stones (1966)
Arranged by Chappell Kingsland incorporating material from Danny Elfman's arrangement (2022) 
Part of the Wild Beautiful Music Halloween Series

“Paint It Black” is a brooding, hypnotic song whose relentless drive pairs naturally with the dark, expressive voice of the cello. The song's popularity surged in 2022 thanks to an arrangement played by the character Wednesday Addams in the hit TV series Wednesday. This arrangement is inspired by Danny Elfman's version on the show and features the cello as virtuoso soloist, accompanied by a chamber orchestra, bringing a larger-than-life grandeur to this Rolling Stones classic.

Premiere: Oct. 2023 – Denver, Colorado
Kevin McFarland with Wild Beautiful Orchestra conducted by Taylor Gonzales

Be sure to check out the other orchestral arrangements in the Wild Beautiful Music Halloween Series by Chappell Kingsland.