Traditional Processional

Traditional Processional

March 8th, 2011 @ 9:39 am by Mrs. Prairie Dog
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Next up, in my tour du wedding musique, we visit the traditional processional.

My grandmother was a professor of music as well as a pianist. When I was young, wedding standards rang through her house and my own, when my mother played. Even now, when I sit down at the bench, I reach for a book of traditional processionals and Ben Folds’ Rockin’ the Suburbs in equal measure. Both have merit in my life, and the following are my favorite of the former.

1. Canon in D - Pachabel. Yes, I’ve heard it a million times, but it is still breathtaking.

2. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - Bach. The following song is quintessential because it is really is that good. Couldn’t resist this interpretation:

3. Elsa’s Processional to the Cathedral - Wagner. This was my BFF’s processional. It was so perfect, so dramatic for a formal, winter wedding. Oh, and it made me weep like a puffy-faced, emotional wreck. Thanks, Wagner!

4. To a Wild Rose - MacDowell. This song is slightly less known, I think? “Never love a wild thing,” as Ms. Golightly says…but, as something of a wild thing myself, it resonates.

5. Sleeping Beauty Waltz - Tchaikovsky. For the Disney princess in all of us. Tchaikovsky is all grumpy-faced in this portrait, but the music proves that he was a sweeping romantic. Not fooling anyone, Petey.

6. Sheep May Safely Graze - Bach. My favorite of all time. I’m linking this version because I love the piano by itself on this one. (Perhaps selfishly, as it is my favorite to play. Although, I do a little something I like to call DIY Dynamics and pull the ending into adagietto for emphasis.)

So there you have it—my favorite traditional instrumentals. Anybody choosing these timeless classics or others like them?

Tags: ceremony, cincinnati, music |

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14 Responses to “Traditional Processional”

Bee

Mrs. Knitting (message) 1,072 posts, Bumble bee

I love that you included the Tchaikovsky. In my mind that’s a classic, but a totally unexpected one!

3/8/11 @ 9:43 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Ostrich (message) 1,948 posts, Buzzing bee

i second knitting - this tchaikovsky number is one of my all time faves….and sheep may safely graze. classical will always have a little piece of my heart.

3/8/11 @ 9:51 am (reply)

Member

morganmoyer (message) 67 posts, Worker bee

These are all so beautiful! I am pulling the Cannon in D for my processional. It’s my all time favorite

3/8/11 @ 9:57 am (reply)

Member

haelmai (message) 234 posts, Helper bee

Oh, I had not heard Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral before, and it is just stunning!!! Thank you so much for sharing these. You have just helped me find another awesome processional to think about.

3/8/11 @ 10:26 am (reply)

Member

Brixxy (message) 4 posts, Wannabee

If I was going the classic route, I would love Wedding Day at Trolhaugen by Grieg. I’m a violinist and have played waaay too many weddings so I am going the non-traditional route.

3/8/11 @ 10:36 am (reply)

Member

mebless (message) 512 posts, Busy bee

I love the sheep may safely graze! I have never heard that it’s so sweet and romantically upbeat!

3/8/11 @ 10:37 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Elephant (message) 6,182 posts, Bee Keeper

We are incorporating both Canon in D and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. I can’t wait to hear them on the steel drums!

3/8/11 @ 10:39 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Tartlet (message) 3,207 posts, Sugar bee

@Brixxy: That was one of my favorite pieces I played on the piano!

We’re probably going to do a mix of the classics with modern instrumentals. I have a soft spot for Canon in D as well–my favorite version is by George Winston.

3/8/11 @ 11:07 am (reply)

Member

mrshfmstr (message) 43 posts, Newbee

im taking advantage of my brother being in high school and he has corraled 4 boys that are amazingly good in orchestra (after holding our own auditions) will be playing canon in d in a string quartet (2 violins, viola, and cello)for my wedding, its already sounding amazing and were going to have the piano play along with them. and we tried to pay them quite a bit of money but they all agreed that $50 each is a good deal for them since theyre only playing one song. SCORE!

3/8/11 @ 11:15 am (reply)

10.

Bee

Mrs. Meerkat (message) 3,216 posts, Sugar bee

If I had gone the traditional route I would have used Canon in D. I love playing this on the piano.

3/8/11 @ 12:56 pm (reply)

11.

Member

centralcoastbride (message) 67 posts, Worker bee

I played Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral in high school and I LOVED it! Such a moving piece of music!! I hadn’t thought of it for a procession though. I’m not sure how it would mesh with the rest of our ceremony music, but thanks for the throwback to high school

3/8/11 @ 2:00 pm (reply)

12.

Member

cabanagrl9 (message) 466 posts, Helper bee

I never would have thought that I would want to use Canon D, but after listening to it right now I got all teary eyed and now I think I just might have to! THanks for posting these!

3/8/11 @ 3:50 pm (reply)

13.