Classical Compositions for the Elegant Wedding

Beautiful weddings are even more beautiful with beautiful music! The well-loved and time-honored classical wedding compositions are a favorite choice of brides and grooms for their ceremony music program. These timeless compositions can be performed by live musicians playing any combination of instruments in any setting. The most popular of these compositions, the Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner, the Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn and the Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel are rich with history, especially music history.

Wagner’s Bridal Chorus was composed as part of his opera Lohengrin that he completed in 1848. Lohengrin takes place in the early part of the tenth century and tells a story based on the popular medieval legends surrounding the mythical knights of the Holy Grail, as well as the Germanic myth of the Swan Knight sent by Heaven to rescue the lovely damsel in distress. The Bridal Chorus is performed (Act 3, Scene1) when the royal leading lady, Elsa of Brabant, marries her beloved knight Lohengrin, whose name must remain a secret to her or he will have to leave her. The orchestra sounds to begin the bridal processional and a heavenly choir sings the world famous Bridal Chorus: “Faithfully led, enter this place, where there await you the blessings of love! Valorous might, radiant grace, here are united by heaven above.”

Felix Mendelssohn, a child prodigy who died at the early age of 38, composed the Wedding March in 1842 for his lush symphonic poem, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mendelssohn was inspired by the William Shakespeare classic in 1826 when he first composed the Overture (Opus 21). The Incidental Music (Opus 61) was added for a performance of this same play in 1843 commissioned by the King of Prussia. There are fourteen sections, including the Overture, of both vocal and instrumental music. The Wedding March (No.9), composed for full orchestra for the end of the fourth act, is performed at a very spirited tempo – Allegro vivace- beginning with the unforgettable trumpet fanfare. As with many Shakespeare plays, the intertwining intrigues in magic and matchmaking between mortals and fairies inspired Mendelssohn to create this most famous piece of music to accompany a triple wedding!

Guaranteed to elicit tears of joy from the bridal party as well as the wedding guests, the Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel was composed around the year 1680 and is often performed as a processional for either the bridal party, bride or both. Pachelbel’s Canon was originally scored for three violins with bass accompaniment utilizing a theme and variations basis for its composition. The main theme is stated in the opening of the canon and different voices or instruments then repeat it in sequence (remember Row, Row, Row Your Boat!). The main melodic theme is then developed or changed by adding related variations of this same melody though keeping the original chord progression. And, the renowned chord progression of Canon in D (D – A – B minor – F sharp minor – G – D – G – A… feel free to hum along) instantly lifts the listener (your guests) into joyous anticipation as your ceremony unfolds.

Classical music inspires both performers and listeners. This is ageless music that professional musicians can orchestrate for keyboard, guitar, harp, strings or mixed ensemble. From the prelude music to the ceremony program, your live musician can seamlessly shape the contour of your event. With careful thought and preparation, each piece of music will flow into the next creating a beautiful accompaniment to your special day!

©2009 Lisa Pressman

Lisa Pressman Ensemble http://www.opusfromus.com/events

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