Jolly music for one violin?

February 13, 2012 9:11 AM

What are some jubilant songs for solo violin for a wedding (pre-ceremony and parents' processional?) I had originally planned for a quartet, but it was out of my budget, and now I'm at a loss for songs that translate well or were written for just one violinist. Mostly thinking about classical, but pop would be great, too!
posted by juniper to Media & Arts (12 answers total)

Have you looked at the Scottish fiddle tradition? A lot of that music is super jubilant. Check out Alasdair Fraser as one outstanding example.
posted by Melismata at 9:19 AM on February 13, 2012 [2 favorites]

Ode to Joy?
posted by Cocodrillo at 9:28 AM on February 13, 2012

How about the Bach Partita #3?
posted by KathrynT at 9:51 AM on February 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

The violin will sound most joyous and jubilant while playing something the violinist you hire is familiar with and feels positive about. Absolutely do use the list of suggestions you get here to give you a good idea of things to suggest, but don't forget to ask your musician for a few of his/her favorite happy pieces.
posted by aimedwander at 9:54 AM on February 13, 2012

Audition violinists (try to get them from a music school, if you can) and ask them what they would play that fits your needs. I would not suggest hiring a musician and expecting them to learn a new piece of music. Yes, it sounds perfectly reasonable in theory. But in practice....well.

So, let them know ahead of time that when they're visiting your home, or you're meeting up in a park, you'll want them to play a bit for you, so that they'll have their violin with them.

You also want to hire someone who is on time for your first meeting (I know, first impressions!) and otherwise hits all the cues of professionalism. I don't mean window dressing like having fancy cards or fancy clothes. But neat and tidy and pleasant to speak with and, well, on time.

I recommended a string quartet to a dear friend for her wedding, based on my friendship with....the violinist. OMG they were late, poorly dressed, didn't know all the music, etc. I was so embarassed.
posted by bilabial at 10:04 AM on February 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Check out Andrew Bird's first three albums with his band Bowl of Fire, if you think your violinist would be up for learning new music. There's some somber songs, but also some lovely happy ones. Coney Island Shuffle is fantastic, and would sound just as great with violin only.
posted by Fui Non Sum at 10:11 AM on February 13, 2012

Love, love, love this pavane from the movie Orlando. Played it at my wedding for the bride's processional. It's not jolly, but joyously building and stately at the same time. It's already very spare, so you won't sound like you're getting "less" by not having other instruments.
posted by cocoagirl at 10:24 AM on February 13, 2012

Seconding the Bach Partita No. 3, especially the Preludio, Gavotte & Rondeau, or Giga.
posted by ThatSomething at 1:42 PM on February 13, 2012

The pavane is an arrangement of a Renaissance tune called Belle qui tiens ma vie. The arrangement I linked is polyphonic but it would work fine with just the melody. Music here[pdf].
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:29 PM on February 13, 2012

If you can spring for a viola to go with the violin, Mozart wrote some great duos. Here is a YouTube sample.
posted by Napoleonic Terrier at 10:38 PM on February 13, 2012

Another vote for Bach's Partita No. 3, but I'm going to go for the Bouree - "jubilant" is precisely how I've always though of it.
posted by primer_dimer at 6:01 AM on February 14, 2012

I would also suggest what I did for my wedding -- Found the music I wanted, and found a violinist who could find an arrangement for the instruments I wanted.
posted by freshwater at 1:07 PM on February 14, 2012