Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is one of the most famous pieces of wedding music, and it comes from his incidental music to Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Here are some interesting facts about Mendelssohn and the "Wedding March":
Composed at a Young Age: Mendelssohn composed the incidental music for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" when he was only 17 years old. The Wedding March, however, was not part of the original composition but was added later.
Delayed Premier: The Wedding March wasn't actually played at a wedding until 1847, over 17 years after Mendelssohn wrote it. It was performed at the wedding of Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Victoria, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia.
Popular Wedding Tradition: Since its inclusion in the royal wedding, Mendelssohn's Wedding March has become a traditional piece played during the processional at weddings. It is often used to accompany the entrance of the bride.
Part of Larger Work: The Wedding March is part of Mendelssohn's larger body of work, which includes symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. He was a highly versatile composer, and the Wedding March is just one example of his talent.
Connection to Shakespeare: Mendelssohn had a deep appreciation for Shakespeare's works, and his incidental music for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is considered one of the finest musical interpretations of the play.
Mendelssohn's Legacy: Felix Mendelssohn, a German composer and conductor of the Romantic era, was born in 1809 and died in 1847. Despite his relatively short life, he left a lasting legacy and is remembered as one of the great composers of the 19th century.
The Wedding March remains a timeless and joyous piece of music that continues to be associated with weddings around the world.