Toronto/GTA string ensembles for hire. Duo d’Amore is an award winning string ensemble, made up of professional violinists, violists and cellists. Together we have versatile string ensembles such a s solo violinists and cellists, string duos, string trios and quartets. We perform a wide variety of music including pop, Top40 and classical for weddings, special and corporate events.
Whatever the size and scope of your wedding or event, there is a string ensemble that will perfectly suit the occasion. Listed below is an overview of our string ensembles, and some general remarks about the size of wedding or event where they are best suited. Every event is unique and we suggest that you contact us so that we can plan and customize a string ensemble for your special occasion. Contact us here https://duodamore.com/contact-us/
What types of string ensembles are there?
Toronto/GTA string ensembles for hire. From single musicians such as a solo violinist or solo cellist to small ensembles like the string duo of violin and cello, to string trio’s and string quartets, there are many things to consider before hiring a string ensemble in Toronto/GTA.
The solo violin
The smallest bowed string instrument in the violin family is the violin. It is also the quietest instrument, but that does not mean that it cannot produce a sound. Don’t forget that violin soloists regularly perform with a 50-100 piece orchestra, in a large hall seating 2000 or more people, and the solo violin can be heard over the entire orchestra, and at the very back of the concert hall. How? This comes down to the skill of the violinist, and positioning. This is why at wedding ceremonies for example we often are quite picky about the exact spot where our violinists and ensembles perform, no matter if the string ensemble is outdoors at a venue like Graydon Hall, or indoors at a wedding venue like Casa Loma, a single violinist is a great choice.
Music choices-from classical to pop
The solo violin had a large repertoire, in other words, the violin can play an endless number of songs from classical to pop. Most often playing the main melody like, some classical songs, or pieces that are popular for events with the solo violin include:
Classical violin wedding songs
- “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel
- “Bridal Chorus” from “Lohengrin” by Richard Wagner
- “Wedding March” from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Felix Mendelssohn
- “The Four Seasons: Spring” by Antonio Vivaldi
- “The Swan” from “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns
- “Ave Maria” by Charles Gounod
- “Rondeau” by Jean-Joseph Mouret
- “Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke
- “Moon River” by Henry Mancini
- “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Johann Sebastian Bach
Pop violin wedding songs
Here are a number pop violin wedding songs that our solo violinists typically perform in Toronto and the GTA:
Here is a list of popular pop music violin wedding songs that could be great choices for your special day:
- “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
- “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
- “All of Me” by John Legend
- “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
- “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
- “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
- “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
- “At Last” by Etta James
The solo cello
Like the solo violin, a solo cellist is a great option for slightly smaller wedding ceremonies and receptions in Toronto and the GTA. Larger than the violin, it is very resonant, and can play an equally wide range of music. Clients that hire the solo cello and solo violin for weddings and events often have a guest list of under 50, but not necessarily so. Here are several excellent and popular songs for the solo cello.
The solo cello-popular classical music songs
- “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy
- “Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major”
- “Pachelbel’s Canon in D”
- “The Swan” from Saint-Saëns’s “Carnival of the Animals”
- “Moon River” by Henry Mancini
- “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
- “Ave Maria” by Schubert
- “Spring” from Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”
The solo cello–popular pop music songs
Like the solo violin, you may notice some overlap in terms of the songs performed on solo cello. That is because the songs are so popular as wedding music, and because they sound fantastic on either instrument.
- “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay
- “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
- “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
- “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
- “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
- “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
- “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
- “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
The violin and cello duo
The violin and cello duo, or string duet, is made up of one violin player and one cello player, and is our most requested string ensemble for hire in Toronto and the GTA. Having both the violin, which is able to play soaring melodies, and the cello which is able to anchor and often accompany, while having an even larger sound it is no wonder that this is our most popular string ensemble. I like to imagine that the violin is like the right hand of the piano and the cello is the left had of the piano, together they can play almost anything, and that is another reason that it is our most popular ensembles.
What size of group/event would you recommend for a violin and cello duo string ensemble?
The short answer is we often recommend the violin and cello duo for between 50-150 guests, but when mic’s, we have performed for over 600, so it all depends. The more that we know about the type of event that you are hosting in Toronto and the GTA, the easier it is for us to recommend a string ensemble that will sound the best and fit with the wedding or special event that you are planning. Contact us here https://duodamore.com/contact-us/
There are other factors such as the size of the space, and it is very different performing at a large church such as The Cathedral Church of St James for example, ten a smaller venue such as the Berekley Field House, to use another example in Toronto and the GTA.
What else is there to consider with the violin and cello duo?
Corporate events or special events in Toronto/GTA
We have also had clients hire the violin and cello duo for special events and corporate events, and especially for large events, the musicians have performed separately, in separate places of the venue. This is a very interesting and unique option, and one that is quite surprising to say the least–not to mention affordable. The other thing to consider is that with this option, it is like have three ensembles in one–a solo violin, a solo cello and then they can perform as a string duo.
Wedding Options
The string duo again, is our most popular option for wedding ceremonies in Toronto and the GTA. And like the corporate option, the instruments can be used separately and apart. Some songs like the Bach Cello Suites are wonderful to be performed as guests arrive and are seated before the ceremony. Some songs are uniquely suited to one instrument or the other. Massenet’s Meditation is a prime example of music suited to the violin, and “The Swan” from Saint-Saëns’s “Carnival of the Animals” is a musical choice that features the cello. There are many other options, and we can consult and help with this to customize the music for your event.
The String Trio
The string trio is made up of the violin and cello, with the addition of a third filler instrument, such as a violin or viola.
What size of group/event would you recommend for a violin and cello duo string ensemble?
This larger string ensemble is suited for events with over 200 guests, and larger venues in general. With a slightly larger sound than the violin and cello duo, but not as large or rich sound as the string quartet, the string trio fits right in the middle of the string ensembles that we offer in Toronto and the GTA.
Which classical songs sound the best with a string trio?
- Pachelbel – Canon in D Major
- Bach – Air on the G String
- Handel – Water Music Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348
- Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, Spring
- Mouret – Rondeau (Masterpiece Theater Theme)
- Boccherini – Minuet
- Purcell – Trumpet Tune and Air
- Wagner – Wedding March
Pop string trio pieces:
Similar to the solo violin, solo cello and string duo, the string trio can perform everything that was previously listed. Two that come to mind that sound great with the string trio are Etta James’ At Last and Jump by Van Halen.
The string quartet-our largest ensemble
Our string quartet is the largest Toronto/GTA string ensembles that we have for hire. The string quartet has a long and rich history. Dating back to the classical period of music in the 18th century. During this time, composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven wrote some of the most famous and enduring string quartet works. Many of which are still performed today. In the 19th century, the string quartet continued to be an important genre. Composers such as Schubert and Brahms produced some of their most notable works in this format. During this time, the string quartet also began to be used for more private, intimate occasions such as weddings.
In the 20th century, the popularity of the string quartet for weddings continued to grow. And as more and more couples sought out the beautiful and timeless sound of classical music for their special day. In addition to classical music, the string quartet also began to incorporate popular songs and pieces from other genres. These include genres such as jazz, folk, and even rock and roll.
21st century
Today, the string quartet remains a popular choice for weddings. It offers a sophisticated and elegant sound that can be tailored to suit the individual tastes and preferences of each couple. Whether you prefer classical music, popular songs, or a mix of both, a string quartet can provide the perfect soundtrack for your special day.
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