Need to learn pieces quickly for wedding

[jamiefranklin]

Hello. I am a reasonably decent pianist, played for about 15 years on and off. Some friends have asked me to play some piano for about 20 minutes while people are entering and milling around at their wedding. Problem is I don't have many upbeat classical major type pieces in my repertoire at the moment, nor do I have loads of time to learn new stuff, so I need some nice major pieces that will be appropriate and easy to pick up quickly.

Your suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[stevensk]

I don't have many upbeat classical major type pieces in my repertoire at the moment, nor do I have loads of time to learn new stuff

Your suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks.

-Ask someone else for the job  

[dogperson]

I have found this modern composer that I like

https://www.roytoddmusic.com/#!sheet-music/c1v46

In addition, I would recommend looking at one of the sheet music vendors and doing a search for wedding music.

[
-  wind beneath my wings
- All of Me
-At Last

A search of Music Notes shows many easy versions

https://www.musicnotes.com/search/go?w=wedding%20music

[liszt1022]

Play Canon in D for 20 minutes. Nobody listens to the seating music. Unless you play Totentanz.

[michael_sayers]

Play Canon in D for 20 minutes. Nobody listens to the seating music. Unless you play Totentanz.

The o.p. can play the Pachelbel in G instead of D, and see if anyone notices.


Mvh,
Michael

[dcstudio]

Play Canon in D for 20 minutes. Nobody listens to the seating music. Unless you play Totentanz.

lol...  gotta love those wedding gigs.

Liszt1022 speaks the truth..   They are usually only vaguely aware of the seating music.   I have done this too..lol...Cannon and D works perfectly while the guests wander in..  play easy stuff from your repertoire -- you are not there to show off...just to set the mood.  Don't sweat it.

Upbeat major classical type pieces are really not appropriate for this type of gig...unless of course the bride asked for it specifically.   

[michael_sayers]

A few years ago when I was in a restaurant here in Stockholm with an antique Bösendorfer concert grand, I asked if I could play it for a few minutes.  I played Liszt's B Minor Ballade.


Mvh,
Michael

[kawai_cs]

A few years ago when I was in a restaurant here in Stockholm with an antique Bösendorfer concert grand, I asked if I could play it for a few minutes.  I played Liszt's B Minor Ballade.


Mvh,
Michael

Michael, I just hope nobody choked
That reminds me about one occasion many years ago when we had some family visiting at our house. My two grandmothers asked me to show off and play something for them. At that time I was playing a lot of Chopin and was also tackling (pretty incompetently) his sonata no 2. They asked what it would be and my sister (I think around 7 - 8 years old at that time) replied: Play the Funeral March!  

As to the question - do not play  Liszt's B Minor Ballade You can include Debussy's Arabesque no 1. Notes are easy to learn.

[rmbarbosa]

I never wiil play for (in?) a wedding.
When I play everybody must be in silence.
I hate this kind of things where people do not like Music.
If this kind of people wants music, they may use CD`s. But they must not ask a Musician to play alive for them.
Best wishes.
Rui

[j_menz]

When I play everybody must be in silence.

Your destined for a lifetime of disappointment given the general disease level of even the best behaved audiences.

[dcstudio]

When I play everybody must be in silence.

really?   even if they pay you lots of money?  lol.  Even the most disciplined and accomplished pianists have to make a living. 

[michael_sayers]

Michael, I just hope nobody choked
That reminds me about one occasion many years ago when we had some family visiting at our house. My two grandmothers asked me to show off and play something for them. At that time I was playing a lot of Chopin and was also tackling (pretty incompetently) his sonata no 2. They asked what it would be and my sister (I think around 7 - 8 years old at that time) replied: Play the Funeral March!  

As to the question - do not play  Liszt's B Minor Ballade You can include Debussy's Arabesque no 1. Notes are easy to learn.

 

Mosonyis Grabgeleit is best for social entertainment and weddings.


Mvh,
Michael

[rmbarbosa]

At least in my country when one play in a concert hall everybody is in silence.
That`s why there are some cough attacks when we stop between 2 mouvements.
When a concert begins, nobody can enter in order to do not disturbe.
This is the rule.
It`s quite impossible to "make" good Music with noise.
In other countries I have meet the same rules.
As I said I never play in weddings.

[j_menz]

It`s quite impossible to "make" good Music with noise.

....

As I said I never play in weddings.

Methinks you make a virtue of your limitations.

[whistlestop]

At least in my country when one play in a concert hall everybody is in silence.
That`s why there are some cough attacks when we stop between 2 mouvements.
When a concert begins, nobody can enter in order to do not disturbe.
This is the rule.
It`s quite impossible to "make" good Music with noise.
In other countries I have meet the same rules.
As I said I never play in weddings.

But this isn't a concert hall and it's not a recital. It's a wedding and all that's needed is wallpaper music to set the atmosphere and mood and make people relax.
It's about the wedding couple, not the jobbing pianist.


(So says the jobbing organist.  )

[michael_sayers]

Commanding an audience to be silent as though it is a studio recording isn't a wise move, in my opinion.  Likely it is to be resented as saying that you (the performer) are more important than them (the audience).


Mvh,
Michael

[briansaddleback]

If you're a fairly decent classical pianist and need something relatively quick to learn to a decent performance standard (and something you can play quietly and w pedal so mistakes won't be conspicuous during a crowd settling in)
my suggestions would be

Debussy Arabesque No 1
an easier transcription of Bach joy of man desiring ( i have one , easy to learn but is rich in its construction of sound)
Debussy Girl w Flaxen Hair perhaps.

[jamiefranklin]

Thanks for your help all. Really appreciate it

[pianoplunker]

Hello. I am a reasonably decent pianist, played for about 15 years on and off. Some friends have asked me to play some piano for about 20 minutes while people are entering and milling around at their wedding. Problem is I don't have many upbeat classical major type pieces in my repertoire at the moment, nor do I have loads of time to learn new stuff, so I need some nice major pieces that will be appropriate and easy to pick up quickly.

Your suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks.

To a Wild Rose - Edward MacDowell
Confidence - Felix Mendelsohn
Canon in D - like the other poster said

[michael_sayers]

Spohr-Liszt: Rose, Softly Blooming

https://imslp.org/wiki/Zemire_und_Azor_%28Spohr,_Louis%29#For_Piano_solo_.28Liszt.29


Mvh,
Michael

[rmbarbosa]

That`s why I said I never play in weddings.
And important, very important is Music. Not the player, not me but Music.
Once, the great portuguese pianist Maria João Pires asked her audience to dont aplause her after each music but remain in silence, because Music doesnt like noise, she said.
I was there and remember how everybody was "touched" after her playing, how that silence was so emotive... so impressive...
Music is to be listen in silence...

[chopinlover01]

Ms. Pires is a good example of silence done right. But some repertoire IMO doesn't benefit from silence after performance; things like Scriabin war sonatas. My teacher, who lived in Chicago and would see all the big names come and play in one of the local concert halls, once saw Richter playing the 7th war sonata (I think; it was the one dedicated to him), and he said that afterwards it was "the most unanimous standing ovation he had ever seen".
Some repertoire could benefit from this; slower, more melodic pieces. But certainly not anything at a wedding.
Also interesting to note, Ms. Pires also has said many times that technique does not exist. Interesting thoughts..