Summer is coming to an end, and wedding season is dying down. I love weddings; they usually involve several of my favorite things: good company, wine & beer, and string quartet music. I especially love when I get to be IN the quartet that provides the music. It is an amazing thing to be able to create the ambience that celebrates two people in love.
That being said, there is one wedding staple I could do without.
Pachelbel’s Canon
I can’t tell you how many weddings I’ve played in. But I can count on one hand how many I’ve done that haven’t involved the indefatigable Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel.
I’ve done all the versions. The original three violins and basso continuo (more accurately known as two violins, a stressed out viola, and a cello struggling to stay awake). The string quartet. The string trio. The Christmas version. I know them well.
Yes, it’s a beautiful piece of music. It makes me emotional during Ordinary People (can I have a whole choir at my wedding? My funeral? Just on standby following me around?). And if you want to walk down the aisle to it, I support you and I will play it without complaint. But if you are interested in breaking from the norm, here are some ideas for you.
Note: I’ve stayed away from any sort of pop, musical, or movie music (otherwise I would have 50 pieces instead of 5). There are TONS of amazing string arrangements of pop songs out there if that’s more your jam. If you want to saunter down the aisle to the Game of Thrones theme, by all means do so (I applaud your optimism). If you’re just looking for something that isn’t Canon in D, read on.
Five Beautiful, Non-Canon Pieces of Music for Your Wedding
1. Nimrod (from Enigma Variations) – Edward Elgar
If you want something different but still in the realm of strict classical, Elgar might be the guy for you. This piece has soaring violins like the Canon, but the inner voices and the bass line are more interesting. I particularly love the viola part in this version! It sure beats pretending to be a third violinist, IMO.
2. Mountain Spring – Barrage
I couldn’t find a string quartet version of this one to link. But I absolutely LOVE this song. Maybe it’s just the orchestra nostalgia when we would watch the Barrage DVD on repeat during bus trips. The guitar intro, the violin… I love it all. I think it would work as a quartet, a solo, or just the recording.
3. I Vow to Thee My Country (aka Jupiter) – Gustav Holst
If it’s good enough for William and Kate, it’s good enough for you! This is one of my all-time favorite pieces of music. It is both a classical work and a hymn, so it works in any wedding setting. Bonus: it sounds amazing as a string quartet, on the organ, or as a choral piece, so you have options!
4. Cello Suite No. 1: Prelude – J.S. Bach
A very good friend of mine walked down the aisle to this gem (the traditional, unaccompanied version… except on a VIOLA), and I absolutely fell in love with it as a processional. Unaccompanied Bach on cello (or viola) is always an excellent choice, but if you want to spice it up a bit, consider something like the above. Granted, eight cellos might be a bit of tough find (and $$$), but I have heard equally lovely string quartet versions of this variation out there. Go nuts!
5. Loch Lomond
Folk music. Celtic music. I am a fan. And I love Scotland. So… obviously something like this was going to be on the list. I think as a general rule, folk music is undervalued at weddings. Why, I ask you? Rock that Skye Boat Song, give me some Shenandoah, feel that Until We Meet Again. I am here for it. I seem to recall being told that this song is somewhat of a staple at Scottish weddings, so maybe I need to go to more weddings in Scotland?
Happy listening!
I’m always looking to update my wedding repertoire. Any suggestions? Comment below!