July 24, 3009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

This is the season for weddings, and this video came up on my facebook this morning. I love the joy on the faces of these people as they enter the church. it shows how the MUSIC in a wedding ought to be one of the first things people think about and choose, right after vows. THEN can come the dresses, tuxes, flowers etc etc. Most brides and grooms have it backwards, in my opinion. My father played the piano for the prelude in my wedding (and did the same for one of my sons) and I had several friends play violin, flute, piano and sing in ours. In fact, I arranged a Greek Pavanne for violin, flute and piano to walk down to. None of that "Here Comes the Bride" stuff for me. Although you can read about the Bridal Chorus, which is actually from an opera and preceeds a failed marriage here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridal_Chorus. Wagner was anti-semitic, and many churches forbade the playing of this piece in a church setting. Some still do.

It just goes to show you that music is powerful, and should be well thought-out to convey exactly what each couple wants to communicate about themselves. My daughter-in-law Laura walked down the aisle to "Blackbird" by the Beatles. Their postlude included "When I'm Sixty-four".

Wonder what the next generation will include in their weddings, if they have any?