Flute wedding music suggestions

[Ol Danl]

I've been asked to play for a wedding in June. I've played three in the past -- one where I only played hymns, one where I only played Irish folk tunes, and the other one I played a C.P.E. Bach sonata and a couple of movements of a Mozart sonatina. The bride has no idea what she wants -- just a flute. Don't know if it will be "Walkin' in " music, or what. I'd just like to have some stuff ready. Probably meet with the organist this month or next. Need to keep it fairly simple, of course. Probably best to stay with the classical or baroque period stuff. Any suggestions?

[gary]

I used to play at weddings with an Irish (the harp not the player) harpist and I would either play Boehm flute or a wooden Irish flute. Our repertoire was Celtic tunes and some things like the Pachelbel Canon. Very elegant and worked well - except for the last gig which was one week after we broke up. That was a bad gig!

I'm not sure about your question, though. What's wrong with the repertoire you already have?

[Gordon (NZ)]

For beautiful, non-intrusive background music, may I suggest a violin piece called La Verginella (Virginella?), by Beriot.

It sits delightfully for flute, is easy to play, instantly pleasing, and stands alone without the piano accompaniment if required.

The violin music I have is in E, but I have seen it in a flute album in Eb. I think E sounds better. Borrow it from a music library.

[Ol Danl]

Thanks, folks. Gordon, the piece by Beriot sounds like a good one to check out. The pieces I did before were okay, but just kind of mediocre -- I guess they weren't the best compositions by either composer. And I don't really know the organist's ability... the other wedding I knew the organist to be very competent. I'm not really expecting the Irish tunes to be of any further use at a wedding. The time I did those, I did some research, some transcriptions, but still managed to play a couple that were sort of inappropriate, I guess. Still like to have some more suggestions...

[Gordon (NZ)]

It is POSSIBLE that La Verginella is listed as by Bertoni. I am not sure who was the arranger and who the composer.

Another beautiful, tranquil, contemplative piece that I think might be suitable, and about 6 minutes long, is un Air Ancien - An Old Russian Melody, a flute solo by Nicolai Tcherepnin. Mine is published by Schirmer.

It has a piano accompaniment, which would suit organ well, and it, like the accompaniment part for La Verginella, is quite straight forward.

Of course pieces that are beautiful in their gentle, simple tranquillity present a special challenge... They must be played with great beauty, excellent phrasing, with pure tone, or else they are nothing

[stevesklar]

I purchased a long time ago several books for weddings, one called "The Complete Wedding Music Collection" by Warner Brothers. I think it was like $16 US (piano/vocal/chords)

That plus other music books for "Love Songs" and such. Those basically give you such a large assortment of music to choose from that the bride/groom can always find things that the like.

[Ol Danl]

Well, its great to see the forum up and running again -- much thanks to saxpics for all the hard work. So I go cruising around, and find this thread I started is still near the top. Well, during the time the forum was down, the bride-to-be sent me a cd with songs she wants, and the two she wants me to participate in are the Pachelbel Canon in D and Greensleeves. Okay, so they're not the most original wedding music, but apparently I'm off the hook to come up with something on my own. I really appreciate the contributions you all made. Thanks.

[saxboy]

The Classical Fake Book is all you really need. You can always add a pop love song or two but this book has everything with changes so a jazz Guitar guy can even cover the cerimony.

SAXBOY
www.gregvail.com