From: ca_ac@gsbacd.uchicago.edu
Newsgroups: rec.music.classical
Subject: Re:Wedding music suggestions/recommendations
Date: 18 Aug 92 21:09:25 GMT


	Having played at weddings (a few only!) and having just played at a 
wedding and reception this very weekend here are my thoughts on this subject.
	The choices must partly be determined by the instrument(s) that will
be available. Some pieces that sound good on an organ in a church are much more
difficult to bring off with a string ensemble at an outdoor wedding (such as
the one I played in this weekend). If you have a vocalist at your disposal this
can change things too. (If a CD player is being is used this is of no
concern!) Also the mood that you want to set - joyous and festive versus say
stately and dignified (there are of course many other choices) - should also
affect the choice of music. 
   	Enough generalities! In terms of specific recommendations a mixture of
Baroque, Classical and Romantic music works well in almost all formats. Baroque
is particularly good as there is much celebratory music in the repertoire and
the adaption from instrument to instrument is relatively easy.
As has been suggested on the net Bach's "Sheep may safely graze" and "Jesu, Joy
of Man's desiring" and Air on the G string are perennial favourites. Movements 
from the orchestral suites work well as the dance-like rythms often endow the
music with a happy feeling. In fact Bach has plenty of loures and gigues that 
could be appropriate. You may want to sample the music of Italian baroque 
composers like Corelli, Veracini (I mention these two because this weekend 
during the ceremony we played two movements from a trio sonata by Corelli to
start things off and then a gigue by Veracini) and a host of others. Purcell, 
Handel and Telemann will also be very worthwhile to sample. 
	The Ave Marias (by Schubert and by Gounod) are justly popular. Do
consider them in your choice, especially if you have a singer (and no other 
constraints apply). Either one makes a beautiful effect, though my preference 
is for the former which I played this weekend. Also during the processional we
played the Andante theme of the Schubert Impromptu Op.142 No.3 in B flat and
it worked fairly well. And for the recessional we played the Traumerei of 
Schumann (a little somber, perhaps, but it does give that *dreamy* feeling). 
Along the same lines I have always wondered what it would be like to have the
Swan from the Carnival of Animals by Saint-Saens played during the processional.
	There are a lot of miniatures (or famous extracts) in the music 
literature that could be appropriate for what you want. Most major record
producing labels have the equivalent of a "Wedding Album" which will contain
standards played at weddings and you should certainly listen to these. Also
listen to miniatures played on encore albums or collections (such as Isaac 
Stern's Humoreske on CBS or The Sound of the Academy with the ASMF with 
Marriner on Phillips- there are tons more of these on the market) and you may
find something that you want. Some random suggestions here ( I am specifically
trying to think of non-standard stuff).

The Lass with the Delicate Air by Arne.
Minuet from "Berenice" by Handel.
Liebestraum No.3 by Liszt.
Andante Cantabile from String Quartet No.1 by Tchaikovsky.
Melody in F by Anton Rubinstein.
Salut d'Amor by Edward Elgar.

	In terms of music for the reception, I think (MHO, as always), that
it matters far less here what you choose as long the music zips along. People
will be mostly chatting, congratulating the bride and groom, eating, drinking
etc. and will listen to the music only in snips and bits. Don't play anything
too heavy and it should be fine. This Saturday we played among other things an
assortment of waltzes (Tales from the Vienna Woods and 1001 Nights by Johann 
Strauss Jr.,Over the Waves by Rosas etc.), the Andante from Mendelssohn's
Violin Concerto, the Jewel Song from Gounod's "Faust" and various other opera
extracts.
Good luck with your choices and best wishes.
		           			 Alak Chakravorty.