Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Gabrieli Players, Paul McCreesh - Sinfony
2. Richard Hickox Orchestra - Judex
3. Håkan Hardenberger, Simon Preston - 4. Rondeau (The Prince of Denmark's March)
4. Alfie Boe, Brno Philharmonic Orchestra - Jerusalem
5. Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth - Ave Maria
6. The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, James Vivian, Stephen Cleobury - Cantique de Jean Racine - chorus and organ. Op.11 (1865)
7. St. Paul's Cathedral Choir, Neil Black, English Chamber Orchestra, Barry Rose - Jesu joy of man's desiring
8. The Sixteen, Harry Christophers - If Ye Love Me
9. Thomas Zehetmair, Orchestra Of The 18th Century, Frans Brüggen - Violin Romance No.2 in F major, Op.50
10. Patrizia Kwella, Elisabeth Priday, Catherine Wyn Rogers, Andrew Carwood, Christ Church Cathedral Choir, The Hanover Band, Stephen Darlington - Gloria
11. Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players, Paul McCreesh - 42. Chorus: "Hallelujah"
12. Emma Kirkby, The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood - 4. Alleluia
13. The Choir Boys - The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) - Theme from the Vicar of Dibley

Disc 2:

1. Philharmonia Orchestra, Giuseppe Sinopoli - Intermezzo sinfonico
2. Peter Hurford - Wedding March
3. Edward Brewer, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra - Canon in D
4. Håkan Hardenberger, Simon Preston - Trumpet Tune
5. Madeleine Mitchell, Andrew Ball - Salut D'amour
6. Andrei Gavrilov - Wedding Day at Troldhaugen
7. Elin Manahan-Thomas - Eternal Source of Light Divine (Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne)
8. Renée Fleming, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Charles Mackerras - "O mio babbino caro"
9. Mischa Maisky, Pavel Gililov - Vocalise, Op.34, No.14 - Version Cello and Piano
10. The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock - La Réjouissance
11. Daniel Chorzempa, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Edo de Waart - Wedding Cake Opus 76
12. Stephen Cleobury - Toccata (Allegro)
13. Luciano Pavarotti, Wendy White, Anthony Laciura, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera Chorus - "Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi)
14. The Boston Pops Orchestra, John Williams - Main Title
15. All Angels - The Flower Duet (from Lakmé)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15319 in Music
• Released on: 2008-04-14
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .43 pounds
• Running time: 118 minutes

Customer Reviews

Make your wedding music go smoothly

Weddings 2008 is Classic FM's third compilation album of the year, a timely release to help with the music choices for the summer wedding season. It's the second of their Wedding `Best Of' collection (the last one was Music for Weddings in 2006) and this time the clever marketing people at Classic FM have helpfully divided the music into church music and civil music, recognising the confusion that can exist when deciding which music is allowed at each ceremony. Sacred music, of any religion, is forbidden by law to be played at a civil wedding while the registrar is present.

This is helpful, considering many pieces traditionally associated with church ceremonies, such as Mendelssohn's `Wedding March' which evokes images of the just-married couple walking down the church aisle, are actually non-religious works so can quite happily be played at a civil wedding. The Registrar will always have the final decision on whether the choice is lawful, but it can avoid disappointment by knowing the rules beforehand.

Helpful too (Classic FM really are getting good at this) is the categorisation of each track into its recommended part of the service, such as arrival of the bride, hymns (churches only remember!), signing the register, and when the bride and groom leave. (No choices for the evening reception, that's one for a `Classic FM party mix' perhaps).

Best of all though is the quality of the performances and recordings, which are a selection from familiar names like Pavarotti, Alfie Boe, Bryn Terfel, Renee Fleming, Emma Kirkby, The Sixteen, Elin Manahan Thomas and the Choir of Kings College Cambridge. Most of the recordings date from the 1990's to 2000's, with a few from the 1970's and 80's which are of equally high standard.

The two bonus tracks are the proverbial icing on the cake, one by All Angels (The Flower Duet by Delibes), the other by The Choir Boys (Psalm 23 also known as The Lord is My Shepherd/ Vicar of Dibley theme), and the sleeve notes provide suggested readings for the service - a bible excerpt for church services and some wise words from Shakespeare for the civil wedding.

A highly recommended collection of music which is thoughtfully presented.

Early release, but a great compilation
Got mine 2 days before the release date!! Glad I did because this is yet another stunning compliation from Classic FM. Yes, while there is always some degree of repetition on all of the CD's, these are usually all different versions so this adds variety to anyone's collection. Also, there are several new tracks which I have never heard before on a Classic FM CD, so this is also great news.

As always, the quality is brilliant and well worth the extra pound or two that such a recording would command. There is a wide variety of music in this collection, so as they state, no matter what type of wedding you want, there's somethine for everyone's tastes!

I should also add, don't wait until your wedding day to buy this - It's great for all round listening as well!

Excellent Purchase!
This was such a big help in planning our Wedding. We chose all our music for the service with the help of this CD. Thanks Amazon!!