Toronto Wedding String Ensemble at Casa Loma

“Our ceremony was beautiful.  I was nervous and there were many things going on for me to recall the whole performance but parts of my recollection was how beautiful and a great complimentary the performance was.  Please thank the musicians for me that played once again as my husband and I thank you from our hearts for the excellent pieces that the two ladies did at our wedding.” Thuy, bride

We always enjoy performing at Casa Loma, and this wedding ceremony was no exception. The venue as as you can imagine (if you have never been there) is a large gothic revival building, which has the feel and grandeur of a castle. In planning the music selections, Thuy and John chose selections from the traditional classical repertoire that fit perfectly with their tastes, and matched the style of the wedding, as well as the style of the venue as a whole. Our violinist and cellist set up prior to the main arrival of the guests, and as the guests entered performed several selections of classical music to set and fit the mood, including movements from Handel’s Water Music. As with most wedding ceremonies, the ceremony begins with the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. Thuy and John really took advantage of the large aisle, and had a processional with considerable style: they not only had the bridesmaids walk down the aisle, but also included family members, flower girls and a whole procession of people, and they chose the wonderfully flowing and happy Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, which was an absolutely perfect fit. The bride walked down to Pachelbel’s Canon (again, perfect) then there was a break in the music for the important vows, and kiss. For the signing of the marriage documents, Duo d’Amore performed Bach’s Air on the G-string, which is one of our favorites, especially for the signing. As the couple was introduced, we performed Mendelsohn’s Wedding March.

 

Wedding party processional: Bach: Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring

Bride: Pachelbel: Canon in D

Signing: Bach: Air on the G string

Recessional: Mendelsohn Wedding March

Video: Faithbooth

 

Wedding ceremony musicians Toronto ON: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

 


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Read more about the article Wedding Violinist Cellist Ensembles Canmore
Wedding Violinist Cellist Ensembles Canmore

Wedding Violinist Cellist Ensembles Canmore

“I wanted to say thank you for playing at my wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and I loved having Metallica play walking down the aisle. Got a lot of comments. I didn’t have a chance to thank them after the ceremony so please do for me.” Raylene, bride

This ceremony was wonderful in a different sort of way, and that’s always exciting for us. The biggest difference between this ceremony and a lot of other wedding ceremonies that we perform at in Canmore or across Canada is that we performed Metallica's Nothing Else Matters in a church. That really does not happen too often so it was quite a fun experience for us, the guests and the bride and groom.

After the processional in the wedding, comes the vows, and just after the vows comes the next portion where music is typically performed: the signing of the register. From Metallica, what music was chosen for this: something else unexpected—the very traditional Bach-Gounod Ave Maria. This works perfect for the signing, as it is both long enough (as signings can last up to 8 minutes) and it is also more laid back. This laid back quality is just what is needed to contrast with the more upbeat recessional. Speaking of the recessional, this often takes place just seconds after the signing, as the officiant introduces the couple. For Raylene and Trevor’s recessional the violin and cello players performed Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary, to end the beautiful ceremony at the Church of the Rockies  with traditional and non-traditional elements.

Photo and Photo credit: www.Peakphotography.ca

Wedding ceremony musicians Canmore AB: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

 


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Read more about the article Star Wars Wedding String Quartet
Star Wars Wedding String Quartet

Star Wars Wedding String Quartet

Ok, I’m just going to come out and say it—I’m 34 and just watched Star Wars for the first time the other day. Of course, I loved it, and thought that it would be a great idea for a wedding. Others have thought that way to, and you can read about interesting wedding ceremonies here.

If you do a Google search for Star Wars Wedding, a lot of what comes up is about costumes, hair, and other theme related details. However, as you can imagine, with Duo d’Amore, it’s all about the music. While we have performed Star Wars music at wedding in the past (namely the Imperial March) it would be great to put together a whole wedding with John Williams’ amazing score from the films. The string section of the orchestra features prominently in the film, and  any of our ensembles are perfect to convey the amazing compositions. Though there are many possibilities, I think this grouping would work particularly well:

Star Wars Wedding Program

Wedding Party Processional: Han Solo and Leia Love Theme, Empire strikes back

This theme is great to walk to as there is a slow but steady beat and it is quite lush. It is nice that the theme represents the love between the Han and Princess Leia, which is perfect for the bridesmaids and wedding party to walk to. It would make a great violin and cello duet.

Bride: Princess Leia’s Theme, Episode IV

This is the natural choice, and I would omit the introduction and start the processional head on with the main theme. Alternatively, it would be great to start this with the rebel fanfare, then lead into princess Leia’s theme. Either a duo, trio or string quartet could do this song justice.

Signing of the register: The Force Theme, Episode IV

While I originally thought the force theme would be a good option for the bridesmaids, It would actually suit the signing much better. This is quite a serious theme, a bit on the dark side (sorry about the pun) for the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to, but perfect for the legal portion of the ceremony. This would sound great with the fullness of a string quartet

Recessional: Main Theme, Episode IV

To top it all off, the theme that everyone has been waiting for: the main theme from the film. This is the natural ending to a fun (and just a bit geeky) wedding! Again, the duo, trio and string quartet could really make this shine.

 

Wedding ceremony music: Duo d'Amore-violin and cello duos trios and quartets

 


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Read more about the article Calgary Wedding Violinist Cellist: Denise and Jason
Calgary Wedding Violinist Cellist: Denise and Jason

Calgary Wedding Violinist Cellist: Denise and Jason

June seems so far away, but not when you compare it to the person whose anniversary it is today-today is the 309th anniversary of the death of Johann Pachelbel, the composer of the famous Canon, and lesser know gigue (or as we know it ‘jig’, a dance popular in the baroque). But this is getting far off the mark in terms of Denise and Jason’s wonderful catholic wedding ceremony at St Josephs’ Church in Calgary.

As the ceremony was catholic, we had the opportunity to perform some amazing and traditional wedding songs that work perfectly, and like Pachelbel Canon are well loved. Prior to the ceremony, we also performed a mixture of some soft and more upbeat classical music, before starting the music for the bridesmaids. As the first bridesmaid took a step and walked down the aisle, we performed Charpentier’s regal and almost march-like Prelude from TeDeum, an early hymn that is quite upbeat. This was followed by Pachelbel’s Canon for the bride. As this was a full mass, we also performed Bach’s Wachet Auf or Sleeper’s Awake for communion and followed that up with a perennial Bach favorite, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. As the priest pronounced them husband and wife our final piece of ceremony music performance was Handel’s glorious second hornpipe from the watermusik.

Ceremony music:

Bridesmaid processional: Charpentier prelude from TeDeum

Bride processional: Pachelbel canon in D 

Communion: Bach Wachet auf (sleepers awake) 

Signing: Bach Jesu Joy of mans desiring 

Recessional: Handel hornpipe II from water music

Vendors:

Calgary wedding photographers, and photo credit – Christina & Nathan


Venue – Calgary Italian Club


Decor – Teal with Reflections Weddings

Wedding ceremony musicians Calgary: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

 


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Wedding Violinist Cellist Kitchener-Waterloo: Jenny and Wayne

“The Musicians were wonderful!”, Jenny and Wayne, bride and groom

We have performed at St John’s Lutheran Church for many concerts and weddings over the past 15 years, and it was nice to be back to perform this wedding ceremony. In speaking with the bride, the couple was looking for mainly popular music with a few classical pieces added for variety. This is the type of wedding program that we perform outdoors or in a secular context, and it was quite nice that the church is relaxed about what kind of music they allow, as it affords the couple an opportunity to experiment and have exactly the music they would like at the wedding ceremony, be it pop, contemporary or traditional, and everything in between.

Prelude: Today, Concerning Hobbits, Yellow, Can't Help Falling in Love, Dream

Bridal Party Processional - Pachelbel Canon in D

Bride Processional - A Thousand Years

Signing - Here Comes the Sun

Recessional - River Flows in You

Wedding ceremony musicians Kitchener/Waterloo: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

 

 

 


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Read more about the article Wedding Violinist Cellist Victoria BC: The Beach House
Wedding Violinist Cellist Victoria BC

Wedding Violinist Cellist Victoria BC: The Beach House

Wedding Violinist Cellist Victoria BC: The Beach House. Kristina and Dean’s wedding ceremony June 7, 2014 violin and cello duo.

Continue ReadingWedding Violinist Cellist Victoria BC: The Beach House
Read more about the article Wedding Violinist Cellist Vancouver: Kim and Reinhold
Wedding Violinist Cellist Vancouver: Kim and Reinhold

Wedding Violinist Cellist Vancouver: Kim and Reinhold

 

 “It was absolutely lovely – Duo d’Amore were very good. Thank you so much!” Kim and Reinhold

 

 

Working with Kim and Reinhold to make sure their wedding was spectacular was amazing, and easy! They wanted a ceremony that was, in Kim’s words “elegant and understated, simple and beautiful.” Using our website as a guide and listening to our samples, they came up with wonderful wedding ceremony music selections, and found the whole process to be easy. Here is the ceremony music they chose for the violinist and cellist to perform:

 

 

 

Bridesmaids processional: Bach - Air on a G string

Bride's processional: Bach - Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring

Signing: Vivaldi - Winter from Four Seasons

Recessional: Handel - La Rejouissance

 

 

All of these selections really work well in a room like the Spanish Ballroom, letting the sound of the violin and cello fill the room, and really bloom. Great music for a great couple!

 

Wedding planner: Alicia Keats

 

 

Wedding ceremony musicians Vancouver: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

 


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Read more about the article Wedding String Quartet and Ensembles Niagara: Cave Springs Retreat
Wedding String Ensemble Booking Now

Wedding String Quartet and Ensembles Niagara: Cave Springs Retreat

"Fabulous to deal with, completely reliable and punctual. Price was reasonable. The music was phenomenal and unique: our choices as well as their choices pre and post ceremony. Barely saw them on the day of as I was the bride hiding in the back but was able to hear all the wonderful pieces which got me excited and emotional to walk down the aisle to my husband. Perfect day with perfect music." Charlene, bride

Our string duo performed at a lovely wedding yesterday at Cave Springs Vineyard. This venue is somewhat of a hidden gem in Niagara, as it is off the beaten path, down a long winding road. Even during the peak wedding season there is always a sense of quiet and privacy to this venue. Yesterday’s wedding was no exception. When we arrived at the venue, Juliana was there polishing glasses and setting up for the Sparkling wine toast (with the very classy NV Blancs de Blancs.) Other than that we were the only ones at the venue. A few moments later Sheldon Kosfky arrived and we had the opportunity to chat and catch up. As we perform often in Niagara we see Sheldon a lot and it is always a pleasure to chat with him and the staff at Cave Springs. As guest started to arrive and be seated, we started to perform. For the prelude portion of the ceremony, we performed an interesting mix of classical music to set the tone of the ceremony, and moved on to a number of popular songs as more guests arrived. At the start of the ceremony the attendants walked down the aisle, joined by a beautiful dog (I think it was a pug cross) that also played their part in the ceremony. Once the bridesmaids were at the front we started the brides processional song, which was Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. Sheldon as usual id a marvelous job during the ceremony, and was very kind in thanking us for our performance. During the signing we performed Storybook Love from a Princess Bride, and it was the perfect length for that portion. At the end of the ceremony, Sheldon introduced the couple and we performed All You Need Is Love by the Beatles. What a beautiful ceremony!

Bridesmaid: Bach Air

Bride Processional: Beatles: Here Comes the Sun

Signing: Storybook Love theme from the Princess Bride

Recessional: Beatles: All You Need Is Love

Officiant: Niagara Region Weddings-Sheldon Kofsky

Photographer: Wandering Eye Photography

Wedding ceremony musicians Niagara: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets


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Read more about the article Wedding String Ensemble Niagara: Balls Falls
Wedding Violinist Cellist Kitchener: Michelle and JD

Wedding String Ensemble Niagara: Balls Falls

Today’s wedding ceremony was wonderful. We arrived at the historic church at Balls Falls conservation area quite early, and the only other person inside the church was the officiant. We had a really nice chat and setup for our performance. The music for the ceremony was fantastic—Sarah and Shaun had spoken with me about creating an arrangement of a portion of the second movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto number 5 known as the Emperor Concerto. This music was to be played as the 3 bridesmaids, the maid of honor and the flower girls walked up to the front of the church, as well as for the bride’s processional. During the signing, the sister of the groom sang Schubert's Ave Maria, and the ceremony ended with an upbeat rendition of Handel’s La Rejouissance from the Royal Fireworks. It was so nice to perform in this small chapel. Though when we arrived it was pretty chilly, once the heat was on and all of the guests arrived, the room was very warm, and everyone had a great time.

Wedding ceremony musicians Niagara: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

 


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Read more about the article Wedding Violinist Cellist Toronto: Danielle and Dan
Wedding Violinist Cellist Toronto: Danielle and Dan

Wedding Violinist Cellist Toronto: Danielle and Dan

 “The musicians at the ceremony were fantastic yesterday. We received so many compliments! Thank you for making the day extra special.” Danielle, bride.

This ceremony combined classical elegance with modern sensibilities, to create a new hybrid that guests loved! After the guests were seated, the first music that stared the wedding off was Jesu Joy of Man’s desiring by Bach, which we performed as the mothers were escorted and seated. We then performed the romantic and rich Ave Maria, which itself is a hybrid version by both JS Bach and the French composer Charles Gounod who added the top part (played first by the cello) centuries after Bach composed his part. The classical and exceptional Pachelbel canon was played for the bride, and as I have said before—there is a reason why this is performed at so many weddings—it works so well, and guarantees a smooth and beautiful ending as the bride reaches the front of the aisle at the Church. The signing switched gears to Etta James’ At Last, with the ceremony ending to the upbeat Bittersweet Symphony.

Parents coming down the aisle: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)

Bridesmaids processional: Gounod Ave Maria (Bach)

Bride's processional: Pachelbel's Canon in D 

Registry signing: At Last (Etta James)

Recessional: Bittersweet Symphony

Wedding ceremony musicians and event entertainment Toronto: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets


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Continue ReadingWedding Violinist Cellist Toronto: Danielle and Dan