Air from Water Music - George Frederic Handel

Handel composed the Water Music Suite to regain favor with King George I of England. The Air is a very well known piece from this suite.

This is the piece you probably recognize from other weddings. It has become synonymous with wedding music, mostly for bridesmaids, flower girls and ring bearers. The German spelling for this is Kanon.

This is one of J.S. Bach's most famous chorales. It is often heard at Christmas but is appropriate at any time of the year. Can be listed as Jesu in the program.

A piece from Vivaldi's Seasons, concerto for violin and strings, is a very nice bridesmaid alternative.

Actually the second movement from Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and another nice alternative.

In Wagner's opera Lohengrin, this actually is called the Bridal Chorus, which might be a better way to describe a trip down the aisle. This is the piece you hummed in grade school when you played getting married. Many people confuse this piece with Mendelssohn's Wedding March, a totally different composition with a similar name.

First-rate piece for organ, strings and trumpet.

This is often confused with Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary, but once again, two different pieces. It is best performed with trumpet and accompaniment, but can work with just a classical trio.

Another piece that has become synonymous with weddings, especially for the bridal processional. It was originally attributed to Purcell. This piece is best with trumpet, but is so recognizable that it can be played without.

This is a slow movement from the suite. We also use, although not currently listed, the gavottes and gigue from this suite for prelude music.

Yes, this piece is actually composed by two people although not in the same time period. The moving part (fast notes) was written by Bach as his Prelude in C. One hundred years later, Charles Francois Gounod wrote the melody, usually sung, but can also be played with just instruments.

Schubert's Ave Maria is the most well known, although the above is a close second. This can be sung or performed with instruments alone.

This duet in the opera, Lakme, occurs when the bride is talking (actually singing) with her hand maiden (sort of like an administrative assistant) the night before her wedding. It is very sweet and peaceful.

Another piece from the Water Music Suite, this is a very popular recessional.

Beethoven used this in the last movement of his Ninth Symphony. Most of the time just the main theme is used as a recessional.

This is from one of Handel's operas, Solomon.

Rejoice! Rather aptly put for a happy occasion.

Was used on Masterpiece Theater.

One of Vivaldi's Seasons concertos for violin, has become very popular.

This is not heard that frequently but very nice. If we don't use it for a recessional, we always use it during the prelude music.

Some pieces for trumpet actually do not need trumpet. This is NOT one of them. It is a virtuoso recessional.

This is a traditional wedding recessional, not to be confused with Wagner's Bridal March.

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