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A Bride’s Guide to Wedding Music BACH: Cantata BWV 147:Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring; Sheep May Safely Graze; Air on the G String BOCCHERINI String Quartet Op.11: Minuet VIVALDI Four Seasons: Winter, Largo; Spring, Allegro SATIE Gymnopédie #1 GLUCK Dance of the blessed Spirits PACHELBEL Canon WAGNER Lohengrin: Wedding March CLARKE Trumpet Voluntary HANDEL Royal Fireworks Music: Overture; Chandos Anthem: Zadok the Priest; Solomon: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba; Let the Bright Seraphim; Water Music: Air, Hornpipe; Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus MUSSORGSKY Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade CHARPENTIER Te Deum PURCELL Trumpet Tune GOSS Praise my soul, King of heaven TRADITIONAL Immortal, Invisible PARRY Dear Lord and Father of Mankind POSTON Jesus Christ the Apple Tree FAURÉ Cantique de Jean Racine; Requiem: Pie Jesu; Sicilienne, Op 78 MOZART Laudate Dominum; Ave Verum Corpus FRANCK Panis Angelicus STANFORD The Blue Bird SCHUBERT Ave Maria MASSENET Thaïs: Méditation WIDOR Toccata WALTON Crown Imperial BRITTEN Jubilate Deo MENDELSSOHN Midsummer Night’s Dream music, Op 61: Wedding March NAXOS 8.557246/7 [72.28 + 72.26]

We need not dwell for too long on the content of this set. It sets out to do what it achieves. It provides those planning a UK wedding with a reference guide to matters musical associated with the wedding ceremony. It is worth adding that the ceremonies contemplated are Christian church weddings although I am sure some of these could be imported into Registry Office civil processes as well with the permission of the registrar. It is not comprehensive but certainly if the couple or the bride's family wish to include music with a 'classical' background the relevant bases are covered. What the set does not do is to imply that you have the permission to play the CDs as part of the ceremony. You will need the relevant permissions from Naxos (and possibly others) before you think of doing that. The ample book included as part of the 2CD package deals with a wealth of practical matters as well as including backgrounds to the pieces and the composers and contact addresses for the necessary permissions. Fees will be payable. The selection of music is generous and includes several pieces that are not automatically associated with weddings but which on reflection are adroitly proposed especially during those inevitably long periods when people are waiting for something to happen. Some thought has gone in to the collection although the choice of pieces and performances are constrained by what is available in the Naxos back catalogue. The contents of the 2CDs needs little elaboration. The selection includes works irrevocably bound up with nuptial ceremonies is self-explanatory. No doubt Naxos will wish to consider whether similar projects are commercially justifiable for other countries and faiths. This is a pleasing package prepared with an eye to the practicalities and offered at modest cost. Rob Barnett see also review by Paul Shoemaker     Gerard Hoffnung CDs Advertising on Musicweb Help us with a donation? New Releases Musicweb sells the following labels Acte Préalable Arcodiva Avie British Music Soc. CDAccord Hallé Hortus Lyrita Nimbus Northern Flowers Redcliffe Sheva Tactus Talent Toccata Classics Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter

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