Howdy, Sean. I have done countless weddings, indoor as well as outdoor. You did not clarify whether or not you are working with a singer as well.
If you wanted to keep it Dowland and you have a vocalist, "Now Cease my Wandering Eyes" is appropriate, and beautiful as well. For the processional, my favorite is "Sir John Smith, His Almain". In that piece, the opening is very much almost like a trumpet fanfare, and it really sets the mood, in the form of an announcement. Also, it has such a tempo that is perfect for a processional. But, watch out, as the piece has many difficult divisions, but for a wedding, I keep it straight & simple, repeating it. Remember, it is a beautiful wedding, not a virtuosity contest! In the service, really anything will do, if played well. Most of the people in attendance (i.e. non-musicians), seem to prefer an English folk tune, such as "Robin is to the Greenwood Gone" or "Go from My Window". Another nice one is Vallet's "Onder de Lindegrone". Or, any French, Italian, or Spanish polyphony can be quite nice. For a recessional, I agree with "Tant que Vivray", as it also is a sprite, melodic, free, but rhythmically structured piece. As well, the text of that piece is very appropriate for a wedding. This is what I have done for most of the weddings, and it has worked out very well. Good luck! ed At 11:14 AM 8/5/2007 -0700, Sean Smith wrote: >Dear friends, > >Inspired by the Sting recording a couple has asked for a lutenist for a >wedding. I'll assume that English period is fair game and now I hear I >might be doing the processional as well. Since it's only in a couple of >weeks I didn't want spend too long looking and maybe barking up the >wrong trees. > >Would there be suggestions for what has worked for you in the past? I >should think a lot of passaggi and flash is distracting (and >unnecessarily difficult). If short it should probably stand up to a >couple of repeats. I'll have a 6-c lute but most of the rep is pretty >accessible. I can always rely on Tant que vivray, if nec. tho I'd like >to go English if possible. > >It's a small group of about 25 and will probably be outdoors. (Fairly >dry country but there will be warmth.) Probably a little amplification. > >Any piece suggestions or guidelines come to mind? > >Thanks in advance, >Sean > > > > > > >To get on or off this list see list information at >http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > > >-- >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG Free Edition. >Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.4/936 - Release Date: 8/4/2007 >2:42 PM Edward Martin 2817 East 2nd Street Duluth, Minnesota 55812 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] voice: (218) 728-1202
