August 28, 2010 - The Westin Riverfront

 

This past weekend we played for a wedding at The Westin Riverfront in Avon.
As we arrived, we were thrilled that the musician tent had been moved to the terrace patio, giving us a better location for all our non-verbal communication, and also enhancing our line of vision.

As we traveled to the venue, some of our musicians drove through rain and we were worried about the weather, however it held out. We had cloudy skies, a couple of clashes of thunder, and even a rainbow at one point, but thankfully, no rain!

We performed for this wedding as a quartet, consisting of 2 violins, a viola, and a cello. We started off our prelude with Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", followed by "The Wedding" from Legends of the Fall, Bach's "Air", Tartini's "Cantabile", Bach's "Arisos", Elvis' "Can't Help Falling in Love", Delibes' "Flower Song", and Handel's "Largo".

As the processional began, the family members, flower girls, and maid of honor entered to Mouret's "Rondeau", and the bride entered to Pachebel's "Canon".

During the ceremony the pastor shared a meditation and prayer, and then we performed the traditional "Edelweiss" in memory of the bride's mother.

For the recessional, we played a piece that we've only played once before. While both the bride and groom knew beforehand what the recessional piece would be, their guests were very surprised as they realized that we were playing the theme from "Star Wars" as the bride and groom exited down the aisle.

Following the recessional we continued to play for the cocktail hour, mixing in several contemporary pieces in which included Denver's "Annie's Song", The Beatle's "Here Comes the Sun", The Cure's "Just Like Heaven", Enya's "Only Time", Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro", "Largo" from Vivalid's Winter, Groban's "You Raise Me Up", Handel's "La Rejouissance", Coldplay's "Viva La Vida", Handel's "Entrance of the Queen of Shba", Webber's "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, Santori's "Time to Say Goodbye", Buckley/Cohen's "Hallelujah", Ivers/Keane's "Bygone Days", and finally Ungar's "Ashokan Farewell".

We find that we really enjoy playing for the cocktail hour after a ceremony as we love to have the interaction with the guests as they enjoy the music. One gentleman approached us and told us that "The Wedding" from Legends of the Fall was one of his favorite songs. He then asked us if we could possibly just loop playing that song for the rest of the evening. Another gentleman was chatting near us as we began to play "Viva La Vida". His eyes grew wide and he turned to us with a big smile and said, "Hey, this is Coldplay!".

February 20, 2010

Tonight we played as a full quartet for another beautiful wedding at the Beaver Creek Chapel in Beaver Creek. While we've had snow throughout the Valley for the past couple of days, the chapel was perfect inside. Deep red bunches roses (matching the bridesmaid's dresses) hung on each pew-contrasting with the gorgeous aisle runner. Lighted candles lit the steps to the chapel, and were also scattered throughout the chapel twinkling merrily in the subdued lighting.


This couple knew what they wanted in regards to their music selections, and we enjoyed learning a few new pieces for their ceremony.

Matching the weather outside, we started out playing the slow movement from Vivaldi's Four Seasons - 'Winter', and then launched into the 'Allegro' from the Spring movement. As the last prelude piece, we played Mozart's Brandenburg Concerto III.

For the ceremony, the family members and bridesmaids all entered to Pachebel's 'Canon', followed by a special piece we'd learned for the bridal procession, titled 'Appalachia Waltz,' written by Mark O'Connor.
During the unity candle lighting, we played another americana piece titled 'Ashokan Farewell' by Ungar.

Finally, as the couple was presented to the audience, we played Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida', followed by 'The Wedding' by Horner, from Legends of the Fall.

(Note - pause music at right hand side of page and click above on the titles Appalachia Waltz, Ashokan Farewell, and The Wedding to hear these pieces).