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You'll always remember the music that played as you walked down the aisle. Provided here is a selection of pieces regularly selected by couples the world over. Although some of the samples below are Wedding "classics", there are some which are less traditional but may better suit your style.
The selections included here are grouped in several ways. First
there is a list of pieces for which you can listen to brief excerpts
on your computer, if your Web browser and computer are equipped
to play back recorded sound. These files are stored in Realplayer
format. Copyright regulations and limitations of disk space prohibit
the Library from making entire recordings available via this Web
document. Also note that these pieces exist in many forms and arrangements,
and your organist or musicians may have or suggest arrangements
that differ from the ones included here. All of these 10-15 second
audio samples are in Realplayer format and should work on Mac and
PC.
Following the excerpt list is a discography of recordings
in the Music Library that contain wedding music, including the pieces
excerpted here. Compact disc, record, and tape numbers found in the category lists below also refer to this discography.
Next, there are listings by several categories of music, including:
We hope you enjoy listening to these selections. Be sure to consult with your musician about which of the pieces listed here (or other music you may choose) will sound best acoustically at the site where your wedding will take place.
Excerpts from Sound Recordings
Note: These files are stored in RealPlayer format. Download
RealPlayer
Marc-Antoine
CHARPENTIER
TE DEUM. Opening
Louis VIERNE
CARILLON DE WESTMINSTER
Johann Sebastian
BACH
TOCCATA AND FUGUE IN D MINOR
Charles-Marie
WIDOR
TOCCATA (from Symphony No.5)
Felix
MENDELSSOHN
WEDDING MARCH (Recessional Hymn)
(from A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Richard WAGNER
WEDDING MARCH (from Lohengrin)(Processional
Hymn)
Johann Sebastian
BACH
JESU, JOY OF MAN's DESlRlNG
Henry PURCELL
TRUMPET VOLUNTARY (Arr Faerber)
Johann Sebastian
BACH
SLEEPERS AWAKE (Wachet auf, ruft uns die
Stimme)
George Frederic HANDEL
LET THE BRIGHT SERAPHIM (from Samson)
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART
AVE VERUM CORPUS
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART
ALLELUIA (from Exsuitate, Jubilate)
Johann PACHELBEL
CANON (arr Paillard)
Thomas ALBINONI
ADAGIO (in G minor for strings and organ)
arr Giazotto
Thomas ALBINONI
OBOE CONCERTO IN D MINOR (Adagio)
Gabnel FAURE
SANCTUS (from Requiem 0p. 48)
Discography
CD0670 -- Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound. The Laubin Brothers, et. al. Hamburg: Deutsche Grammophon, 1986. #419245-2
CD1361 -- The Sound of Music. Mary Martin, et. al. New York: Columbia Records/CBS Inc., 1973. #CK-32601
CD1924 -- Organ Encores. Jean Guillou, Organ. Troy, NY: Dorian Recordings, 1988. #DOR-90112
CD2565 -- Pachelbel Canon. Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Netherlands: Philips Digital Classics, 1987. #416-386-2
CD3410 -- Noel! Noel! Noel! Michala Petri, Recorder, et. al. New York: RCA Victor/BMG Music, 1989. #60060-2-RC
CD3927 -- A Midsummer Night's Dream (Complete). Scottish Chamber Orchestra, et. al. Monmouth, GB: Nimbus Records, 1987. #NI-5041 & NI-5042
CD4425 -- Bach Soprano Arias with Flute. Julianne Baird, Soprano, & Emily Newbold, Flute. Providence: Newport Classic, 1994. #NPD-85530
CD4627 -- Great Toccatas. Marie-Claire Alain, Organ. Erato Disques S.A., 1994. #4509-94812-2
CD4932 -- Wedding Favourites. Stephen Cleobury, Organ. London: Decca Record Co., 1979. Weekend Classics #421 638-2
CD4933 -- The Wedding Album. Anthony Newman, Organ. New York: Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., 1991. #MDK47273
CD4934 -- The Wedding Album. New York: RCA/Ariola International, 1984. Red Seal #6207-2-RC
Categories of Music
Pre-service Meditation
- Organ and Instrumental Works
-
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Air" (on a G String) from Orchestral Suite in D Major, BWV 1068
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" from Cantata no. 147
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- Preludes and fugues for organ
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Sheep may Safely Graze" from Cantata no. 208
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Sleepers Wake"/ "Zion Hears the Watchman Singing" from Cantata no. 140
Boèllmann, Léon -- "Prière" from Suite Gothique
Buxtehude, Dietrich -- Organ Works
Elmore, Robert -- Three Meditative Moments Based on Moravian Hymns
Franck, César -- Organ Works
Handel, George Frideric -- "Largo" from Xerxes
Handel, Geroge Frideric -- "Pastoral Symphony" from Messiah
Haydn, Franz Joseph -- Musical Clock Music
Micheelson, Hans Friedrich -- Das holsteinische Orgelbuchlein
Pachelbel, Johann -- Canon (orginally for 3 violins, cello and harpsichord; has been arranged for keyboard instruments)
Pachelbel, Johann -- Organ Works
Peeters, Flor -- "Aria" from Trumpet Sonata, op.51 (also arranged for organ solo)
Vaughan Williams, Ralph -- "Rhosymedre" from Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes
Widor, Charles Marie -- "Adagio" (4th Movement) from Organ Symphony no.5, op.42, no.1
- Vocal Works
-
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" from Cantata no. 147
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Sheep May Safely Graze" from Cantata no. 208
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "When Thou Art Near" ("Bist du bei mir") from Anna Magdalena Clavier Book
Bach Johann Sebastan/ Gounod, Charles -- "Ave Maria"
Dvorák, Antoní -- Biblical Songs, especially "God Is My Shepherd" and "I Will Sing New Songs of Gladness"
Franck, César -- "Panis Angelicus"
Handel, George Frideric -- "Where'er you walk" from Semele
Malotte, Albert -- "The Lord's Prayer"
Schubert, Franz -- "Ave Maria"
Vaughan Williams, Ralph -- "The Call" from Five Mystical Songs
Processional and Recessional
-
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Gravement" (Middle Section) from Fantasy in G Major, BWV 572
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Prelude in C Major, BWV 553" from Eight Little Preludes and Fugues
Boèllmann, Léon -- Suite Gothique
Buxtehude, Dietrich -- Fugue in C Major, BuxWV 174 ("Jig Fugue")
Campra, André -- "Rigaudon"
Charpentier, Marc-Antoine -- "Processional"
Clarke, Jeremiah -- "The Prince of Denmark's March" (attributed to Henry Purcell as "Trumpet Tune")
Clarke, Jeremiah -- "Trumpet Tune"
Daquin, Louis Claude -- "Grand Jeu et Duo"
Dunstable, John -- "Agincourt Hymn"
Handel, George Frideric -- Sections from the Water Music suites, especially "Air" from Suite no. 1, "Alla Hornpipe" and "Solemn Processional"
Handel, George Frideric -- "La Rejouissance" ("Rejoicing") from Music for the Royal Fireworks
Haydn, Franz Joseph -- "Praise We Sing to Thee" ("St. Anthony's Chorale")
Langlais, Jean -- "Pasticcio" from Organ Book
Marcello, Benedetto -- "Psalm XIX"
Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix -- "Con moto meastoso" from Organ sonata no. 3
Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix -- "Wedding March" from Midsummer Night's Dream ("Here Comes the Bride")
Mouret, Jean-Joseph -- "Rondeau" (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre)
Purcell, Henry -- Trumpet Tunes and voluntaries
Rodgers, Richard -- "Processional" from The Sound of Music
Stanley, John -- "Trumpet Tune"
Wagner, Richard -- "Bridal Chorus" from Lohengrin
Wesley, Samuel Sebastian -- "Choral Song"
Widor, Charles Marie -- "Toccata" (Finale) from Organ Symphony no.5, op. 42, no.1
Willan, James H. -- "Finale Jubilante"
Hymns
-
"Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"
"Now Thank We All Our God"
"Praise to the Lord the Almighty"
Vocal Solos and Ensembles
-
Artman, R. -- "Wedding Prayer"
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "Jesus Shepherd, Be Thou Near Me"
Bach, Johann Sebastian -- "The Lord Bless You"
Dvorak, Anton -- Biblical Songs, especially "God Is My Shepherd" and "I Will Sing New Songs of Gladness"
Franck, Cesar -- "O Lord Most Holy"
Mendelssohn, Felix -- "If with All Your Hearts"
Page, S. E. -- "The Love of God Flows Deep and Strong"
Weatherill, E. -- "A Marriage Prayer"
Anthologies and Collections
- Archer, Malcolm. The Oxford Book of Wedding Music for Manuals.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993. 52 pp.
- This compilation brings together 27 of the most popular organ pieces for
weddings in simplified arrangements for manuals alone.
- Christopher, John. For Manuals Only. New York: McAfee Music Corp., 1977, 112 pp.
- Contains a collection of 47 organ pieces, some suitable for weddings,
that do not require use of pedals on the organ.
- Goodfellow, William D. Wedding Music: an Index to Collections.
Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1992. 197 pp.
- This book is an index to collections of wedding music, both instrumental
and vocal. It includes 191 books and over 3,400 compositions.
- Okun, Milton. Pop Songs for the Wedding. Port Chester, NY: Cherry
Lane Music Company, 1994. 159 pp.
- An anthology of popular music and love songs suitable for contemporary
weddings, plus a music planning guide and ceremony register.
- Trevor, Caleb H. Organ Book. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. Vol. 4
- Includes 23 organ pieces, some of which are suitable for weddings.
- Trevor, Caleb H. Organ Music for Manuals. London: Oxford University Press,
1972, 4 vols.
- Contains a variety of organ music, some suitable for weddings, that does
not require the use of organ pedals.
- Wedding Music, for Church Weddings, Anniversaries, and Other Festive
Occasions. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1952. 2 vols.
- The chief purpose of this collection is to supply suitable music for use
at church weddings. It includes over 70 processionals, recessionals, preludes,
voluntaries, and postludes.
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