We have even more exciting news for the fans, friends and clients of Perfect Music for Weddings: the artistic director and feature violinist, fiddler and composer for Perfect Music for Weddings (and member of the Silver Mountain Fiddle Band and the Sparrow Lane String Quartet), Chris Murphy, recently attended highly critically acclaimed violinist and fiddler Mark O’Conner’s performance at UCLA. He was fortunate enough to meet with Mark and discuss violin music and fiddle music. The two musical Renaissance men met and discussed Classical, Jazz, Folk and Bluegrass music. We at Perfect Music for Weddings were very excited about this, as Mark O’Connor is one of the most acclaimed violinists and fiddlers in the world. His music encompasses and adeptly blends the Classical, Jazz, Folk and Bluegrass genres and his talents as a violinist and fiddler are world renowned. In fact, remarking on his composition “The Appalachian Waltz” former president Bill Clinton stated enthusiastically that it was “one of the most important pieces of American music in many, many years, uniting the strains of classical music with American hill country music, which is an important part of my heritage.”

Mark O’Connor won the National Junior Fiddling Championship in 1974. He studied under Texas fiddle musician Benny Thomasson and Jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli. O’Connor has won two Grammy awards. His first was for his album, “New Nashville Cats”, and his second was for his album “Appalachian Journey”, on which he worked with Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer. O’Connor was also named “Musician of the Year” by the Country Music Association for six years in a row, from 1991 to 1996. Since then, he has continued to compose, arrange, and record a variety of music, from Classical and Jazz to Country and Bluegrass. O’Connor has composed six violin concertos, and arranged string trios and string quartets, as well as choral works and a Symphony. He has worked and recorded with a wide variety of artists, including James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck, and Wynton Marsalis.

The most exciting part of Chris Murphy meeting with Mark O’Connor is their similar interests in musical genres and their performance styles. Chris’ independent work and his performances with the Sparrow Lane String Quartet and the Silver Mountain Fiddle Band, in particular, bridge the genres of Classical, Jazz, Country and Bluegrass. We hope that both musicians were able to take away some valuable knowledge from their meeting.

Below, you can see Chris performing classically inspired violin music for Lauren’s romantic and fun blind date on the Ellen Degeneres Show:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IodtjxobTQA

The producers of Ellen’s show were in search of a talented violinist who could skillfully play beautiful live violin music with a classical touch. They found Perfect Music for Weddings and contacted our manager, Michelle Hanley. Only two hours later, Chris arrived at Ellen’s set, ready to play romantic violin music for Lauren’s blind date! Chris was asked to play fun, romantic music. As a seasoned professional at playing the music of love, Chris was able to add a very special touch to Lauren’s blind date. Chris was very enthusiastic about the whole experience, stating, “The producers and crew were very helpful and we did the whole thing live in one take… it was all very exciting and super fun!”

This is not the first time one of our musicians has been featured on television. Perfect Music for Weddings has also provided a live violinist for the Fox comedy, “Till Death,” starring Brad Garret. We are very excited that Chris was given the opportunity to appear on the Ellen Dengeneres Show. This was a fun and exciting opportunity for him and all of us at Perfect Music for Weddings are very happy he was able to do so.

If you’re interested in hiring fun and romantic music for your own date — or other special event — contact us today!

What is a String Quartet?

Essentially, a string quartet is a combination of four stringed instruments playing together. However, string quartets traditionally consist of two violins, one viola and a cello. For more variety, string quartets can also consist of ensembles of guitarists, harpists, bassists or even a mandolin player. The combinations and variety which can be achieved through string quartet ensembles is unlimited and the addition of other musical instruments can make the performance of a string quartet even more special.

For example, a piano could be added to a string quartet for a piano quintet. A fifth string instrument aside could be added, ranging from an additional violin to a bass and beyond, making it a string quintet. Alternatively, if you remove one instrument from the quartet, it would become a string trio. The Sparrow Lane String Quartet is available in the classic quartet combination or with any addition or subtraction of various instruments.

Some History About String Quartets

String quartets became popular in the 1700’s when composers such as Haydn began writing compositions for them. In fact, Haydn is known as the father of string quartets because his Opus 9 Quartet became the standard format for string quartets.

Popular Composers for String Quartets

Many, many composers have written compositions for string quartets. Here is a brief list of some famous classical composers who have written string quartet music:

• Bach
• Clarke
• Handel
• Mozart
• Pachelbel
• Schubert

Popular Songs for String Quartets

There are many timeless, beautiful and breathtaking songs which can be played by a string quartet; their versatility is one reason they are a popular choice for special events. From classical favorites like Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major” to all-time pop favorites like the Beatles “All You Need is Love”, string quartets’ capabilities are virtually unlimited. This is what makes string quartets such a popular choice for weddings and corporate events, also. Below is a list of just a few songs string quartets can play:

Classical Songs for String Quartets

• “Spring” – Vivaldi
• “Pavane” – Faure
• “Intermezzo” – Mascagni
• “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” – Handel
• “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” – Mozart
• “Divertimento I in D Major” – Mozart
• “Divertimento II in Bb Major” – Mozart
• “Divertimento III in F Major” – Mozart

Wedding Songs for String Quartets

• “Bourre” – Bach
• Gavotte” from Suite 3 – Bach
• “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desire” – Bach
• “Trumpet Voluntary (The Prince of Denmark March)” – Clarke
• “Air” from The Water Music Suite - Handel
• “Hornpipe” from The Water Music Suite – Handel
• “Romanza” – Mozart
• “Pachelbel’s Canon (Canon in D Major)” – Pachelbel
• “Andante” – Schubert
• “Bridal Chorus” – Wagner
• “Trumpet Tune” – Purcell
• “Wedding March” – Wagner
• “Largo” – Handel
• “Wedding March” – Mendelssohn
• “Cantabile” – Tartini
• “Traumerai” – Schumann

Pop Songs for String Quartets

• “Fields of Gold” – Sting
• “God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys
• “Lovecats” – The Cure
• “It Must be Love” – Madness
• “Bittersweet Symphony” – The Verve
• “Everlong” – The Foo Fighters
• “Your Song” – Elton John
• “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
• “When I’m 64″ – The Beatles
• “All You Need is Love” – The Beatles
• “Eleanore Rigby” – The Beatles
• “Imagine” – John Lennon
• “Yellow” – Coldplay
• “Champagne Supernova” – Oasis

R&B / Jazz / Swing / Dance for String Quartets

• “At Last” – Etta James
• “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” – Bobby Darin
• “The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra
• “New York, New York” – Frank Sinatra
• “That’s Amore” – Dean Martin
• “Moon River”
• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
• “My Funny Valentine”

With string quartets, musical choices are only limited by your imagination!

If you’re interested in listening to string quartet songs
like the ones on this list, visit our music samples page!

Why Are String Quartets So Popular
For Events Like Weddings?

String Quartets are popular for weddings and other special events because of their compact size but impressive quality of music. Their small instrumentation is loud enough to be enjoyed but quiet enough to permit conversation. Furthermore, string quartets can play at virtually any event, indoors or outdoors. They are so versatile, they can play anything from a beach wedding ceremony or a garden wedding ceremony to a large church wedding ceremony or a huge banquet hall. Finally, their music is sophisticated enough for it to be enjoyed at any formal event.

With just this small amount of information, you can now see why string quartets are the premiere choice for special events like parties, weddings, receptions and other get-togethers which require fantastic music.

If you’re interested in booking the Sparrow Lane
String Quartet for your event, visit our Booking page!