Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March": An Enduring Icon of Marital Celebration

Felix Mendelssohn's iconic "Wedding March" in C major, composed in 1842, stands as one of the most celebrated and instantly recognizable pieces within his expansive suite of incidental music, Op. 61, created for William Shakespeare's enchanting comedy, *A Midsummer Night's Dream*. This majestic and joyous composition has transcended its theatrical origins to become an indispensable element of wedding ceremonies across the globe. Its enduring popularity as a wedding march is unparalleled, typically resonating through sacred spaces, performed on the grand and resonant tones of a church pipe organ.

Within the traditions of many Western countries, Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" serves a distinct and vital role as a recessional piece, signaling the triumphant departure of the newly married couple from the ceremony. In this context, it is often presented in a condensed form, focusing on its most memorable and celebratory themes, with some of its longer episodic sections omitted to suit the brevity of the moment. This piece is frequently paired in wedding services with other renowned processional works, most notably Richard Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" from his opera *Lohengrin* – widely known as "Here Comes the Bride" – or Jeremiah Clarke's stately "Prince of Denmark's March" (also known as the "Trumpet Voluntary"), both of which traditionally accompany the dramatic entrance of the bride at the beginning of the ceremony.

The Historical Journey to Wedding Popularity

While the "Wedding March" was composed in 1842, its journey to becoming a global marital anthem was gradual. The earliest documented instance of its use in a wedding ceremony occurred on 2 June 1847, when Dorothy Carew married Tom Daniel at St Peter's Church in Tiverton, England, with the music expertly performed by organist Samuel Reay. Despite this early appearance, the march's widespread adoption and iconic status truly blossomed over a decade later. Its surge in popularity can be directly attributed to its prominent selection by Victoria, The Princess Royal, for her grand marriage to Prince Frederick William of Prussia on 25 January 1858. Princess Victoria was the eldest daughter of the reigning Queen Victoria, a fervent admirer of Mendelssohn's compositions. Indeed, Queen Victoria harbored such esteem for the composer that he frequently performed for her during his numerous visits to Britain, solidifying a significant royal endorsement for his work and, subsequently, for the "Wedding March" itself.

Legacy and Adaptations

For enthusiasts wishing to connect with Mendelssohn's legacy, an organ on which he himself gave captivating recitals of the "Wedding March" and other masterworks is preserved and housed within St Ann's Church in Tottenham, offering a tangible link to his performing career. The enduring appeal of the "Wedding March" also inspired other great composers and virtuosos. Franz Liszt, a contemporary and fellow Romantic titan, recognized its potential and created a brilliant virtuoso piano transcription titled "Wedding March and Dance of the Elves" (S. 410) between 1849 and 1850. Liszt's arrangement, known for its technical demands and expressive power, then served as the foundation for yet another legendary adaptation. The renowned 20th-century pianist Vladimir Horowitz further transcribed the "Wedding March" into a breathtaking virtuoso showpiece for solo piano, often delighting audiences by performing it as an electrifying encore at his concerts, showcasing the piece's adaptability across different instrumental forms.

Felix Mendelssohn: A Portrait of the Early Romantic Master

Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847), universally celebrated as Felix Mendelssohn, was a towering figure of the early Romantic period. This German prodigy excelled as a composer, pianist, organist, and conductor, leaving an indelible mark on classical music. His extensive compositional output spans a diverse range of genres, encompassing grand symphonies, virtuosic concertos, intricate piano and organ works, and profound chamber music.

Among his most cherished and frequently performed masterpieces are the complete overture and incidental music for *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (which includes the iconic "Wedding March"), the vivacious "Italian Symphony" (Symphony No. 4), the evocative "Scottish Symphony" (Symphony No. 3), the monumental oratorios *St. Paul* and *Elijah*, the atmospheric overture *The Hebrides* (also known as "Fingal's Cave"), his lyrical and technically demanding Violin Concerto in E minor, and the innovative String Octet in E-flat major. Beyond these large-scale works, Mendelssohn's melodic genius is also evident in the beloved Christmas carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," for which he composed the enduring tune. His collection of solo piano pieces, *Songs Without Words* (Lieder ohne Worte), remains particularly famous, showcasing his lyrical grace and intimate expressive power.

Early Life, Family, and Musical Development

Born into a distinguished and culturally rich Jewish family, Felix Mendelssohn was the grandson of the renowned philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. At the age of seven, he was baptized as a Reformed Christian, a decision reflecting his parents' desire for assimilation into European society. From an exceptionally young age, Felix exhibited extraordinary musical aptitude, quickly recognized as a child prodigy on par with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. However, unlike some other prodigy parents, his cautious and enlightened parents, Abraham and Lea Mendelssohn, prioritized his holistic development over immediate commercial exploitation of his talent, ensuring he received a comprehensive education. Felix's elder sister, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, was herself an exceptionally gifted composer and pianist, who received an equally rigorous musical education. Despite her immense talent, societal norms of the time often restricted women's professional musical careers. Consequently, some of her early songs were published under her brother's name, and her significant "Easter Sonata" (Piano Sonata in A major) was mistakenly attributed to Felix for a period after its rediscovery in the 1970s, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of female composers.

A Career of Influence and Revival

Mendelssohn enjoyed remarkable early success in his native Germany, where he championed a revival of interest in the then largely forgotten music of Johann Sebastian Bach. His pivotal performance of Bach's *St Matthew Passion* in 1829, exactly 100 years after its premiere, was a landmark event that profoundly influenced 19th-century musical aesthetics and composition, re-establishing Bach's status as a foundational master. Mendelssohn's talents as a composer, conductor, and soloist earned him widespread acclaim across his extensive travels throughout Europe. His ten significant visits to Britain, during which many of his major works received their world premieres, formed a crucial and highly productive segment of his adult career.

Musically, Mendelssohn maintained an essentially conservative approach, valuing classical forms, clarity, and lyrical beauty. This stylistic preference set him apart from more radical and adventurous contemporaries like Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner (who later espoused deeply antisemitic views that targeted Mendelssohn's legacy), Charles-Valentin Alkan, and Hector Berlioz, whose innovations often pushed the boundaries of harmony and form. The prestigious Leipzig Conservatory, which Mendelssohn founded in 1843, became a leading institution embodying this refined, anti-radical musical outlook, emphasizing traditional craftsmanship. Following his death, Mendelssohn's reputation endured a period of relative decline, partly due to shifting musical tastes favoring more dramatic Romanticism and, tragically, due to the insidious rise of antisemitism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fortunately, recent decades have witnessed a profound re-evaluation of his profound creative originality and lasting artistic contributions. Today, Felix Mendelssohn is rightly celebrated as one of the most beloved and frequently performed composers of the Romantic era, his legacy firmly re-established.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" and Felix Mendelssohn

What is Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March"?

It is a highly celebrated piece of incidental music in C major, composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1842 for William Shakespeare's play *A Midsummer Night's Dream*. It has become one of the most famous and frequently performed pieces of music at weddings worldwide.

Why is Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" so popular at weddings?

Its popularity soared after it was chosen for the wedding of Victoria, The Princess Royal (daughter of Queen Victoria), in 1858. Its majestic, celebratory, and instantly recognizable melody makes it a perfect choice to accompany the joyous moment of the newly married couple's exit.

Is the "Wedding March" played at the beginning or end of a wedding ceremony?

In many Western traditions, Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is typically used as a recessional, played as the married couple leaves the ceremony. It is often paired with other pieces like Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" or Clarke's "Prince of Denmark's March," which are commonly used as processional music for the bride's entrance.

What other famous compositions did Felix Mendelssohn write?

Mendelssohn's extensive body of work includes symphonies (such as the "Italian" and "Scottish"), oratorios (*Elijah*, *St. Paul*), the Violin Concerto in E minor, the overture *The Hebrides*, and his popular collection of solo piano pieces, *Songs Without Words*. He also composed the melody for the Christmas carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".

What was Felix Mendelssohn's significance in music history?

Beyond his prolific compositions, Mendelssohn played a crucial role in reviving interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, most notably through his pivotal 1829 performance of Bach's *St Matthew Passion*. He was also a renowned conductor and pianist, and he founded the influential Leipzig Conservatory.