Music is essential for setting the mood of your wedding day! From the beginning of the prelude to the last dance of the evening, music fills our senses and our hearts to create memories that last a lifetime. Selecting the music for your special day, especially live music, is an important and enjoyable task when planning your wedding. Discuss with your musicians what you wish to experience musically on this day – the songs styles and artists you like (or dislike), special songs for the two of you and favorite songs for your parents.

Creating an environment is an important component of music performance. Live Musicians choose tempo, key and style to set the tone at any given moment. For example, anticipating the arrival of the bridal entrance, the Prelude music (music played prior to the ceremony while your guests are arriving) may be calming and sedate. The atmosphere is filled with beautiful music and the tone is set for the entrance of the wedding party. While awaiting your arrival, your guests’ senses are enlivened with the sound of music and the sight of the live musician’s performance. A professional musician is well studied in many styles and is very adept at choosing the perfect song with the perfect tempo to set the anticipatory mood at this moment.

When at last the bridal party is set to enter, the music changes and the excitement is audible with murmurs among the guests. Your professional performers are tuned in and can musically alert your guests with a change of song (style, key, tempo) that the moment that they have been waiting for is now about to begin! When choosing the song for your bridal party the most important question to ask is whether or not the song provides a steady and uncomplicated pulse to walk to. From Classical to Rock there are so many great song choices, though remember that your grandparents and parents (and maybe the officiant and groom) may also be walking down the aisle. And if you have a large bridal party you may want to choose two songs – one for your parents and grandparents, and the other for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls and ring bearer.

When choosing several songs for the bridal party your musician can suggest songs that have a similar theme or the same artist/composer to allow the music to flow seamlessly. Performing at a lovely Beatles themed wedding ceremony, we chose Here Comes The Sun for the very young flower girl and even younger ring bearer for their walk down the aisle. The effect of this song choice was so very perceptible complimenting the playfulness and beauty of the children.

Now for the moment that everyone has been waiting for! Your live musician heralds your entrance musically with your processional music that includes a resounding and resonant introduction signaling to all that you are ready! A change of key and a slightly quicker tempo is important to lift the listener’s perception to a higher level of anticipation. Your choice of music is matched to the moment. Make your choice of song one that you will want to remember! And, your choice of recessional song is just as important as this is the song your guests walk away with as your ceremony comes to a close. A powerful change of style, key and a brighter tempo will set the tone for the party to come. Remember to choose a song that is celebratory and, most of all, fun!

Lisa Pressman ©2009  lisa@opusfromus.com Lisa Pressman Ensemble: Extraordinary Music For Extraordinary Events! http://www.opusfromus.com/events

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

Lisa Pressman Pianist On Water

Melissa Manchester beautifully sang: “Please, don’t let this feeling end. It might not come again and I want to remember how it feels to touch you, how I feel so much since I’ve found you lookin’ Through The Eyes Of Love” (music by Marvin Hamlisch, words by Carole Bayer Sager). And believe me, when it comes to watching the bride and groom getting married, the Wedding Musician has one of the best seats in the house! More importantly, it is this special view that enables us to experience the love and beauty of the wedding ceremony and translate our perceptions into the energy of the live music. And, as the wedding ceremony unfolds into the wedding reception, we use our eyes and our heart to guide our ears as we choose the best songs to perform for you and your guests.

(**See “Lisa’s Eyes Of Love iMix” in  iTunes : http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=332281750)

Whether or not your live musician follows a “set list” (a list of songs predetermined with their order of performance) or knowing the favorites of the wedding couple, she uses her finely tuned intuition to select songs in the moment, it is always best for the bride and groom to communicate with their live musicians in the planning of their ceremony program and first dances. These are very special songs and need to be seriously contemplated for these are the songs you will remember the most!

Your live musician is there with you every step of the way. We know that things can happen that aren’t planned and that is when our performance experience and intuition kicks in. A change of tempo, an extra chorus or two to elongate a song or a change of style from a ballad to a swing tempo, or a modulation to a new key, all play a roll in the dynamics and energy of the event. These, of course, are subtle changes that happen without fanfare and you and your guests only experience the fun!

In the movie “In Her Shoes” the chosen wedding processional was the traditional Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner. This beautifully romantic and popular processional was given a spicy Reggae flavor by Richard Jah Ace and The Sons Of Ace. Adding to the Caribbean fun was their performance of the Sonny and Cher classic “I Got You Babe”. The delight of the guests was palpable as they watched the bride and groom “though the eyes of love” enjoy their songs – music that had meaning to the bride and groom personally.

All of your guests are watching and listening! Your thoughtfully chosen ceremony program and first dance songs intensify these moments and your live musicians, in turn, deepen the meaning of your songs with their wonderful interpretations. Your “audience” is taking this journey with you and they too will experience the sights and sounds of this day. Your family and friends are looking “through the eyes of love” as all eyes are upon you!

And, once again the power of love is experienced though our eyes and ears. “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”, the dramatic rock ballad from the movie “Robin Hood: The Prince Of Thieves” (by Bryan Adams and Michael Kamen) perfectly captures the moment of the wedding as seen through the loving eyes of those attending, as well through the eyes of the bride and groom, and musically through the lyrics: “Look into my eyes – you will see what you mean to me. Search your heart, search your soul and when you find me there you’ll search no more…”

©2009 Lisa Pressman     Lisa Pressman Ensemble   www.opusfromus.com/events   lisa@opusfromus.com

Lisa Pressman Pianist Plays On Water!

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy”- what a wonderful time of year to have a wedding! The music of summer offers many delightfully romantic songs (see my iMix link below) to use as a theme for your wedding ceremony’s live music program. Sure it’s hot – but what is a little extra heat when you are in love!

Imagine hearing the extraordinary melody of Michel Legrand’s “Summer of 42″ gently playing, setting the mood as your guests arrive and sweeping them away in thoughts of a first summer love. Memories linger in this haunting melody and the power of live music shines as it defines a special moment.

A musician’s vast repertoire (a catalog of songs that she knows) is essential when planning a ceremony music program. Their in-depth knowledge of song titles will provide the appropriate suggestions for their individual instruments when creating your themed program. A “Summer” ceremony can include such beautiful songs as The Beach Boys’ “All Summer Long” (”…Ev’ry now and then we hear our song, Oh we’ve been havin’ fun all summer long…”), George Gershwin’s jazz classic “Summertime” or Johnny Mercer’s “The Summer Wind”. A more traditional composition for a summer ceremony would be Vivaldi’s “Summer” from the “Four Seasons” concerto. This is a gorgeous classical piece that can be performed by all instruments.

Heat things up a bit more by using a rock or pop classic song in your music program. It is important to remember that this song will sound different from the original recording. Your live musicians interpretation will bring this song to life and your guests will have fun trying to think of the song title! “Suddenly Last Summer” by The Motels, “Summer In The City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful or “The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley would definitely spice up a cocktail reception, especially if played in a jazzy or classical style. And please, communicate with your musicians well in advance of your wedding date for any special requests so they may have time to learn the song if needed.

Plan for shade for your musicians and their instruments. Acoustic (non electric) instruments with strings, such as guitars, violins, cellos, and harps, go “out of tune” easily in the heat, and especially so if in direct sun. For example, when a classical guitar is out of tune this means that each of the guitar’s six strings is not vibrating at the correct pitch in relation to its other strings. The beauty of stringed instruments is their unique tunings and timbres which produce exquisite sounds when “in-tune”.

A woodwind (flute, sax) will also go out of tune because the instrument itself will expand in the heat. Keeping the instrument at a constant temperature (albeit a warm temperature) with the use of shade in the summer will produce the desired results. Electronic instruments, such as keyboards, are mini-computers and can take the heat but not the direct sun. And remember, your musicians need water, so please have this available for them.

With thoughtful care your wedding ceremony can be the hit of the summer! When contracting live music for a summer ceremony, especially one taking place outdoors, a ceremony start time close to sunset is best (great for photos too!). The beauty of a summer evening with live music floating through the air, beginning with the arrival of your guests and continuing though the evening, will create a lasting visual and audio memory.

And as Johnny Mercer so famously wrote: “All summer long, we sang a song, and strolled the golden sand. Two sweethearts and The Summer Wind….”

Check out “Lisa’s Summer iMix”  in the iTunes Music store at: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=325837194

Listen online to the Lisa Pressman Ensemble at http://www.opusfromus.com/events . Contact Lisa at lisa@opusfromus.com

Live Music Series by Lisa Pressman #2 ©2009