My most memorable experience of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” was at the Edson Hill Manor in Stowe. The violin started solo as the bride reached the top of the stone staircase and slowly began her descent. She was a third of the way down when the flute started, and most of the way when the second violin started. As she walked across the lawn toward the assembly of friends, family, bridal party, the groom, and the altar, the music became a little faster, louder, a little more intense. As she reached the congregation, the Pachelbel Canon was in full volume, the speed and intensity reaching it’s height, and just after it reached its peak, the bride arrived at the altar.
I still have to catch my breath thinking about that part of that wedding. I also recall it as a flute duo ushering the bride across the lake in a canoe. More commonly, it’s played at a church, a resort, or in a field. The Pachelbel Canon in D is, in my experience, the most popular processional for the bride at recent weddings. It’s easy to see why. It works well for virtually any instrument combination, it’s easy to walk to gracefully, it has clearly defined phrase endings which lend it well to a graceful ending almost precisely when the bride reaches the altar, regardless of the length of the walk. And the intensity and grace – particularly of the middle section – is breathtaking as well as peaceful and calming.
There are times, though, when it works better than others. Since it is such a popular choice, and so fabulous when all factors line up just right, I thought I’d post a blog about the factors that tend to make it a particularly memorable choice.
First of all, Pachelbel’s Canon is a “canon” – a round – sort of like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” but prettier and more complex – originally written for 3 violins and cello. Actually, it’s often considered by purists to be a “passacaglia”: i.e. if played as Pachelbel intended, the cello would repeat an 8 beat phrase over and over throughout the piece, with the three violins playing the melody – beginning with one, and adding one part at a time in the style of a round. So to be somewhat as Pachelbel intended, 4 instruments, including one bass instrument, would be ideal. It’s my feeling that it’s a far more versatile piece than that, and that it really does work quite well with as few as 2 instruments. I have certainly also played the melody solo, and this is always an option, but be forewarned that it will not have the fullness or intensity with a single instrument. There are many other pieces that work very well for solo flute – but certainly if your heart is set on Pachelbel for sentimental reasons, and you’ve chosen solo flute, that may well outweigh the value of other options.
Most often, the walk down the aisle is brief. I’ve sometimes played at weddings where one or more of the instruments haven’t even begun before the bride reaches the altar. It’s my feeling that this piece is at its’ best when the walk is long enough for the music to reach it’s peak – about half way through – at least 2 1/2 minutes into the piece. It normally takes 10-20 seconds to walk down the typical aisle.
This may – or may not – be something you’d like to think about in advance. If you like the Pachelbel Canon, and have positive associations with it, and really want it for your processional, but frankly just want to walk down the aisle without a delay and get on with it all, that’s absolutely fine! It’s your wedding so go for it!
If, on the other hand, you love the idea of reaching the altar when the music is most intense, love the idea of your guests holding their breaths as you’re nearing the altar, want to make a confident and intentional procession filled with the full intensity of the moment, your groom to feel the full intensity of the building anticipation, then maybe think a little further. If your wedding venue has an option of a long walk that’s ideal. If not, perhaps you may wish to think about waiting for the music to build after the wedding party is in place before making your entrance. You also may wish to walk more slowly than you might have otherwise thought to do. Perhaps time how long it takes for your walk. You can either delay your entrance accordingly, plan a longer walk if your venue allows, and/or walk more slowly. This is your special moment – perhaps the biggest moment of your life. Taking a moment or two to allow the intensity to build, both before your entrance and as you’re walking down the aisle, may help create the moment, and the lifetime of memories, you’ve always dreamed of.
