help, please. wedding piece to play at daughter's wedding

[wannabe]

Hi- my daughter is getting married in one year and wants me to play a piece during her reception.  I would want it to be a beautiful, thoughtful expressive piece that says " yes I can play the piano" and the piece feels the moment

would you please give me ideas?  thanks.

[leucippus]

I don't know what your skill level is.  I'm just starting out so if it were me I think I'd shoot for something like Debussy's "Clair de Lune".   It's slow, popular, and I think it's fairly easy to play, although, I haven't learned it yet myself.

I am working on Debussy's "The Girl with Flaxen Hair" which I think is a bit simpler.  It's coming along very nice for a raw beginner.  This is really like the first decent piece I'm learning.  By that I mean all my other pieces are etudes, or simple Bach, or Burgmüller stuff.   But those pieces sound like a beginner.  I think the Debussy pieces sound like a more seasoned pianist, yet they are well within the reach of a raw beginner.

You might also try some stuff by Gary Lamb.  I haven't learned them yet either, but I hear they are supposed to be pretty easy yet they sound pretty impressive.

Gary Lamb

[jpianoflorida]

does she want classical or love songs or ??    what level are you? if you want love songs or something like that..barnes and nobels sells a book "100 hits of the 80's or 90's) that are great for weddings..(example: butterfly kisses, things like that)...if classical then i agree with "clair de lune".

[willmillar27]

Wedding Day at Troldhaugen

I played it at my sister's wedding


Will

[wannabe]

Thanks for the input.  I don't know the last one but will check it out.  Claire de lune is beautiful but I think it is overplayed a lot.  My teacher suggested Pathetique but I am not so sure that I want to play that either.

It can't be too sad sounding, to "blaring", too dark, but I want to play something hard so my daughter will be proud of me but something that is not too hard so that if I am emotional..........oh, see, I just don't know what I want.

[nitrocan]

You can play the second grande valse by Chopin.

[instromp]

Lebestraume no.3 ,it may be a bit overplayed but its still very beautiful to play at a wedding i think 

[leucippus]

I want to play something hard so my daughter will be proud of me

I got it.

Beethoven's Waldstein 1st movement.  My favorite piano piece ever. 

[bartolomeo_]

Get thee the book of Quiet Classics from Neil Kjos publishing and pick any piece that is in there.  The 2nd mvt of Pathetique is in there along with a bunch of like-themed stuff any of which would work for you.  It's all more well known stuff.  If you want something obscure, just get a book of Beethoven Sonatas and play the slow movements until you find one you like, or go through Chopin's nocturnes or something.

Having played any number of weddings and church services, I would suggest that you stick to simpler repertoire that is well within your reach since if you are unused to playing in such situations the combination of emotions, distractions, and stage fright will work against you if you pick difficult stuff.  You want to pick something that you can play while looking the ladies in the eye and saying "thank you" if they come up to compliment you on your playing.  This will make for better memories for both you and them than flirtation with virtuoso material.

[brahms4me]

Here are a few suggestions - not on the flashy side, though:

Satie:  Gymnopedie #1

Rachmaninoff:  Vocalise (a beautiful arr. for piano is available)

Debussy:  Arabesque #1

Beethoven:  Sonata Op. 27, No.2 - first movemement:  Moonlight

Brahms:  Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No.2

[wannabe]

Thanks so much for all the great ideas.  Some very good ones--I will let you know what I pick!

[bench warmer]

I am assuming this is truly for the Reception and not the Wedding ceremony as you stated.
 
I wouldn't play anything too "heavy" or too long (2-3 minutes tops).

Assume there's alcohol at the reception which is going to shorten everyone's attention span even if you get evrybody's attention to start with.

A Chopin waltz wouldn't be bad as was stated.
 
Or try Fats Waller's "Ain't MisBehavin' ".   The way he played it was transcribed to sheet music by Paul Posnak. 

Let us know what you chose & how it went.

PS. I just remembered that you're probably paying for this shindig so play whatever the hell you want & tell 'em all to be quiet & listen.
 
Good luck

[00range]

The Allemande of Handel's 5th Suite is beautiful, give it a listen.

[lani]

Dedication (Widmung) Schumann's gift to his wife on his wedding day.  Beautiful, but use the Lizst transription... supremely romantic...! Lani

[invictious]

One of the pranks I love to pull off was then the bride and the guy enters, and I start bach's Toccata in D minor (the first motifs), then I start the wedding march.

The people were certainly shocked.

I was never called upon again.... 

[lani]

Another collection of romantic pieces is "Pride and Prejudice" soundtrack pieces by Dario Marinelli.  Short pieces, especially "Dawn", very beautiful and not too difficult to play.  Also, slightly more modern for a wedding!  Enjoy!

[ilikepie]

Prokofiev Sonata no.7 Ill Precipitato





or not...
You can go with Libestraum, since it fits the occasion, methinks.