Stephen Hussey, director of the Urban Soul Orchestra, chooses his top 10 romantic songs. While chupah music is almost always Jewish-traditional, there is still plenty of scope for originality during the day. Some of Hussey’s selections would be perfect for that first slow dance, or the goodnight finale. Others might greet guests at the reception, or accompany the newlyweds’ entrance to dinner.
1 Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
I proposed to my wife accompanied by this song.
2 Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
Pure romance in the video and an unforgettable melody that I love playing on the violin.
3 Balcony Scene (Romeo & Juliet) by Craig Armstrong
Iconic and beautiful strings capture the essence of romance in the simplest, most appropriate way.
4 I Giorni
by Ludovico Einaudi
Simplicity and beauty make for pure romance.
5 Romance in F by Beethoven
There is something about the chromaticism and Beethoven’s turn of phrase that creates such a feeling of elegance and romance.
6) Fields of Gold by Sting
The lyrics are sheer poetry and the melody lends itself to the violin in such a romantic way.
7 Canon in D by Pachelbel
Although it is a wedding classic, I have been choked up many times playing this while watching a bride walking in. It just works.
8 Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone
Morricone has an easy, seamless way of creating romance in his melodies. This one is a classic.
9 Time to Say Goodbye as performed by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
Achingly yearning and romantic, with a beautiful orchestration.
10 All of Me by John Legend
So romantic that he wrote it for and sang it to his wife in the video. It captures everything that romance is all about — the giving totally of oneself totally.
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