It’s quite rare to find music for a wedding anniversary celebrations that were explicitly written for the anniversary. However, some pieces have been inspired by or dedicated to a composer’s spouse or a close couple, which makes them relevant for such occasions. Here are a few examples:
- Edvard Grieg – Wedding Day at Troldhaugen (Lyric Pieces, Op. 65, No. 6) The piece was originally called “Gratulanterne kommer” (The well-wishers are coming) and was written in 1896 to commemorate the 25th wedding anniversary of Grieg and his wife Nina, who were married in 1891. The occasion was celebrated at the Fossli Hotel near the Vøringfossen waterfall in June 1896. During the festivities, a guest book was available for all guests to sign.
- Robert Schumann – Widmung (Dedication), Op. 25, No. 1: This Lied (art song) was written as a gift from Schumann to his wife, Clara Wieck Schumann, a renowned pianist and composer. The text of the song expresses deep love and devotion.
- Johannes Brahms – Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No. 2: This tender piano piece was dedicated to Clara Schumann, who was a close friend of Brahms. It has become one of his most famous and beloved compositions.
- Gustav Holst – Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (from The Planets): While not directly inspired by a wedding anniversary, Holst’s famous suite contains a central melody, known as “Thaxted” or “Jupiter Hymn,” which is often used at weddings and other celebratory events due to its joyous and uplifting character.
- Richard Strauss – Morgen! (Tomorrow!), Op. 27, No. 4: This is a beautiful art song composed as a wedding gift for Strauss’s wife, soprano Pauline de Ahna. The lyrics describe the blissful anticipation of spending a day together with a loved one.
While it’s challenging to find more examples of music explicitly composed for a wedding anniversary, the pieces listed above carry sentiments of love, devotion, and celebration that make them suitable for commemorating such a special occasion.
If you have any suggestions for compositions that were written for an anniversary by a famous composer or artist we would love to here from you and expand this list.
Music Suitable for Wedding Anniversaries
While there aren’t many music compositions explicitly created for wedding anniversaries, there are numerous classical and contemporary pieces that are often chosen for such occasions due to their romantic and sentimental nature. Here’s a list of popular music selections from famous artists and composers that could be suitable for a wedding anniversary celebration:
Classical Music for a Wedding Anniversary
- Johann Pachelbel – Canon in D Major
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Air on the G String
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major)
- Ludwig van Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata (Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor)
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture
- Frederic Chopin – Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2
- George Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
- Erik Satie – Gymnopédie No. 1
- Leonard Bernstein – One Hand, One Heart (from West Side Story)
- Claude Debussy – Clair de Lune (Suite Bergamasque)
- Franz Schubert – Ave Maria (Ellens Gesang III, D. 839)
- Richard Wagner – Bridal Chorus (from Lohengrin)
- Camille Saint-Saëns – The Swan (from Carnival of the Animals)
- Antonio Vivaldi – The Four Seasons: Spring (Concerto No. 1 in E Major)
- Gabriel Fauré – Pavane, Op. 50
- Felix Mendelssohn – Wedding March (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
- Jules Massenet – Méditation (from Thaïs)
- Ralph Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending
- Giacomo Puccini – O Mio Babbino Caro (from Gianni Schicchi)
Popular or Contemporary Music for a Wedding Anniversary
In addition to these classical pieces, there are countless romantic songs from popular artists that could also be suitable for a wedding anniversary. Some examples include:
- Etta James – At Last
- Nat King Cole – L-O-V-E
- Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon
- Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World
- Elton John – Your Song
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight
- Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
- Celine Dion – Because You Loved Me
- Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud
- Adele – Make You Feel My Love
- The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
- Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It for You
- Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman
- Lionel Richie and Diana Ross – Endless Love
- John Legend – All of Me
- Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
- Ben E. King – Stand By Me
- Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
- Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling in Love
- Norah Jones – Come Away with Me
These songs and compositions capture the spirit of love and commitment, making them ideal for wedding anniversary celebrations.