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wedding reception music

Kimbolton Castle, Cambridgeshire

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A few days ago our string violin duo played for a wedding reception at Kimbolton Castle, Cambridgeshire: a magnificent  venue with superb architecture and a fascinating history. It was formerly the home of Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife, and in 1615  was bought by Sir Henry Montagu, a royalist who was one of Charles I’s most trusted friends in the Civil War.
Kimbolton Castle

Choice of music
The bridal couple had requested a selection of happy, relaxed music, so Roger and Amanda played a mixture of folk fiddle, jazz, baroque – in particular Vivaldi’s Concerto in A minor for two violins – and Broadway songs – which Roger especially enjoys arranging. They set up in the courtyard of the castle which had some shelter, but also good projection, and had a very enjoyable afternoon with many appreciative comments from the bride, the groom and the guests. There was even a specially hired ice cream tricycle giving out ice creams to help people keep cool – an original and very appropriate idea as it was exceptionally hot weather.Overall this was a relaxed wedding in a marvellous countryside setting: a truly memorable occasion.

 

Sedgebrook Hall Hotel

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Yesterday our string duo played for a small, intimate wedding at Sedgebrook Hall Hotel in Northamptonshire. There were only twenty five people present and this made the occasion especially personal. Our appearance was a complete surprise to the groom and the guests; it had all been arranged in secret by the bride, who had spent the last few months playing her husband-to-be recordings of different pieces to discover what he liked best, without him realising  she had an ulterior motive.
Sedgebrook Hall Hotel

 

Performing at Sedgebrook Hall Hotel
As the guests arrived we played baroque –  Bach, Purcell, Vivaldi and Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – then the couple  walked into the room to the accompaniment of Wagner’s Bridal Chorus. For the signing we played Pachelbel’s Canon followed by the Flower Duet by Delibes

Widor’s Toccata for String Duet!
We ended the ceremony with Widor’s Toccata. This was the first time we had performed  Roger’s very technically demanding arrangement of this work and it’s surprisingly effective for string duo.Luckily the weather was beautifully sunny and during the drinks’ reception there was another surprise for the groom: a performance of One Day Like This, his favourite song.