Weddings are a beautiful and joyous occasion. The bride and groom, along with their family and friends, come together to celebrate love and commitment. One of the most recognizable and significant components of a wedding is the music. From the processional to the first dance, every song played during the ceremony and reception is carefully chosen to set the tone for the event.
Among the most famous and beloved songs played during the ceremony is the traditional wedding march. But who exactly composed this iconic piece of music? In this blog post, we will explore the history and origin of the traditional wedding march.
The History of the Traditional Wedding March
The traditional wedding march is actually not one song, but two. They are commonly referred to as the “Bridal Chorus” and the “Wedding March,” respectively. The Bridal Chorus, also known as “Here Comes the Bride,” was composed by German composer Richard Wagner for his opera “Lohengrin,” which debuted in 1850. The Wedding March, on the other hand, was composed by German composer Felix Mendelssohn for a production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 1842.
It’s worth noting that while these two songs are now considered mainstays in wedding ceremonies, they were not written specifically for that purpose. In fact, the Bridal Chorus was originally intended to be an entrance piece for the character Elsa in the opera “Lohengrin.” Similarly, Mendelssohn’s Wedding March was composed for use in a play, not a wedding.
The tradition of using these two songs for weddings is believed to have started in the mid-19th century. Both songs were becoming popular pieces of music in their respective countries (Germany for Wagner and England for Mendelssohn) and were eventually used in wedding ceremonies.
Controversy Surrounding Richard Wagner
Despite its popularity, not everyone is a fan of the Bridal Chorus. Part of the controversy surrounding the piece stems from its composer, Richard Wagner. While Wagner’s music is widely regarded as some of the most influential and well-known in classical music history, his personal life was rife with controversy.
Wagner was a staunch anti-Semite and his music was later used as propaganda by the Nazi party in Germany. In fact, Hitler was a huge fan of Wagner’s work and attended many of his operas during his lifetime. Because of this association, some couples and wedding venues refuse to play the Bridal Chorus during their ceremonies.
Mendelssohn’s Wedding March
While the Bridal Chorus may be more famous, Mendelssohn’s Wedding March is no less iconic. The piece was composed specifically for a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” but it made its way into many wedding ceremonies in the years following its publication.
Interestingly, Mendelssohn himself was not a fan of the piece and didn’t consider it to be one of his best works. He wrote to a friend once, “On Saturday last, I conducted my Midsummer Night’s Dream … The ‘Wedding March’ went finely! And yet, after all, it is not a piece I think very highly of.” Despite Mendelssohn’s personal feelings on the matter, his Wedding March remains one of the most recognizable pieces of wedding music.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the traditional wedding march is a combination of two iconic pieces of music, the Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner and the Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn. While neither piece was originally intended for weddings, they have become synonymous with wedding ceremonies in the years since their composition. Whether you choose to include these pieces of music in your own wedding ceremony is up to you, but there’s no denying the impact they have had on wedding culture around the world.
FAQ
Who started the wedding march?
The Wedding March is a classic piece of music that has been played at innumerable weddings around the world. Many couples have wondered about the origins of this piece of music and who was responsible for creating it. The story of the Wedding March dates back to the 19th century and the work of the composer Felix Mendelssohn.
Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer who lived from 1809 to 1847. He was a prolific musician who composed many works in his short life. However, he is perhaps best known for his composition of the Wedding March. Mendelssohn composed this piece as part of the incidental music for William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The Wedding March was first performed in Potsdam, Germany, in 1842. From there, it quickly gained popularity and was soon played at weddings around Europe and the United States. It became such a popular piece of music that it remains one of the most recognizable and well-known songs played at weddings to this day.
Mendelssohn composed the Wedding March in a classical style, but the piece has since been arranged and performed in many different ways. Some musicians have added their own twists and variations, while others have preserved the original melodies and harmonies. Regardless of the interpretation, the Wedding March remains a timeless classic that continues to be played at weddings all over the world.
Felix Mendelssohn is responsible for creating the Wedding March. He composed this iconic piece of music in 1842 as part of the incidental music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Since then, it has become a staple of weddings around the world and continues to evoke emotions of love, joy, and celebration.
Who composed the wedding march ______________________?
The “Wedding March” is one of the most popular pieces of music typically played at weddings. Many people may not know who composed this iconic piece, but it was actually composed by Felix Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn was a German composer who was born in Hamburg in 1809. He was a child prodigy who began composing at a young age and gained popularity for his musical abilities.
The “Wedding March” in C major, which is typically played at the recessional at weddings, was written in 1842. It is part of his suite of incidental music (Op. 61) to Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mendelssohn composed this piece for a production of the play, and it was later used in weddings due to its celebratory and joyful sound.
The “Wedding March” has become a standard part of many wedding ceremonies in Western cultures. The piece is played during the recessional, when the newlywed couple exits the venue following the ceremony. It is typically paired with the “Bridal Chorus” by Richard Wagner, which is played during the processional when the bride enters the ceremony.
In addition to the “Wedding March,” Mendelssohn composed many other pieces that are still popular today. He is particularly known for his “Violin Concerto in E minor” and his “Octet in E-flat major for Strings.” Mendelssohn died in 1847 at the age of 38, but his contributions to classical music continue to be celebrated today.
Why did the Catholic Church ban the wedding march?
The Catholic Church did not technically ban the wedding march. However, there have been instances where the song was not allowed to be played during a Catholic wedding ceremony due to its secular origins. The wedding march is a piece of music composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1842 for the play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare.
The plot of Shakespeare’s play focuses on a pagan god and goddess and is filled with fairies, magic, and fantasy. Due to the piece’s pagan, fantastic inspirations, some leaders and musicians — particularly in Roman Catholic churches — have found the piece to be inappropriate for a Christian religious ceremony. Critics also argue that the wedding march is not a hymn.
Another reason for not allowing the wedding march in a Catholic wedding ceremony is the fact that it is often used as the bridal procession music. Traditionally, Catholic wedding ceremonies require holy music that reflects the sacredness of the union, and involves communal singing. The bridal procession is a secular aspect of the wedding that occurs during the signing of legal documents. As such, the Catholic Church has preferred sacred music, such as Gregorian chants, hymns, or other liturgical music during the religious ceremony.
It is important to note that the decision to play or not to play the wedding march at a Catholic wedding ceremony is subjective and largely depends on the priest and the couple’s preference. Some priests may allow secular music during the ceremony as long as it is appropriate, while others may not. Moreover, some couples may choose to play the wedding march as the bridal procession music because of its popularity and familiarity.
While the Catholic Church did not technically ban the wedding march, there have been instances where the song was not allowed to be played during a wedding ceremony due to its secular origins. The Catholic Church prefers sacred music during the religious ceremony, and the decision to include or exclude the wedding march largely depends on the priest and the couple’s preference.