Purchasing information Notice for leaders/bass players
Length: approx. 2 mins. Sounds best if the 2nd tenor is doubled.
American Wedding March was dedicated to the American People and may have been intended by the composer as an American alternative to the celebrated
Wedding March Op. 21/9 by
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). Whilst lacking the beauty, complexity and length of the latter, Paull's contribution to the genre appeals with its charm and direct simplicity. It could be flippantly said that perhaps that the Mendelssohn version is for cathedrals whilst that of Paull's is better suited to more modest places of worship as shown in the splendid processional scene displayed on the front cover of the original sheet music. As to the march itself, its form is ABACC with a 9-bar introduction whereby the AB- and C-strains are written in the keys of Bb and Eb respectively. The introduction is a sort of subdued fanfare combined with chime effects. The A-strain is a stately processional, the following B-strain is very pretty and light-hearted and the final C-strain once again a majestic and triumphant processional. This adaptation for recorder quintet is an all tenor/bass affair which brings out the harmonies very effectively, the bass will especially enjoy the B-strain. A worthy alternative and a must for an all-American wedding!
The editor is deeply grateful to Bob Riopel of the E. T. Paull Museum, to whom this adaptation is respectfully dedicated, for kindly providing access to his materials.
American Wedding March was published by
E. T. Paull Music Co., New York, USA.
A tempo of 180 crotchets/min. is suggested.