Deborah Chan
Trumpet Voluntary, also known as The Prince of Denmark's March, is a popular musical composition played at weddings. It is often performed when the bride walks down the aisle. The piece was composed by Jeremiah Clarke in the Baroque period around 1700 and was originally written for the organ, not the trumpet. Trumpet Voluntary has been featured in many weddings, including the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | One of the most performed pieces at wedding ceremonies around the world |
| Composer | Jeremiah Clarke |
| Original instrument | Organ |
| Style | Baroque |
| Date | 1700 |
| Other names | "The Prince of Denmark's March", Purcell's Trumpet Voluntary |
| Notable usage | Played at the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer |
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What You'll Learn
'Trumpet Voluntary' is a popular wedding processional
The Trumpet Voluntary, also known as The Prince of Denmark's March, is one of the most well-known and frequently performed pieces of wedding processional music. The piece has been used in many famous weddings, including the 1981 Royal Wedding of HRH Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
Composed by Jeremiah Clarke around 1700 during the Baroque period, the Trumpet Voluntary was originally written as a march for the organ, using the trumpet stop to create a distinctive sound. It was incorrectly attributed to English composer Henry Purcell for many years. The piece has two recognised titles, which can cause some confusion, but experienced musicians should know which piece is being requested.
The Trumpet Voluntary is a popular choice for brides who want to feel like royalty as they walk down the aisle. It is often performed by a solo trumpeter, filling the ceremony with gorgeous, resonant sounds. The piece is also suitable for the Prelude or special music during any traditional ceremony.
Despite its popularity, some people suggest that the Trumpet Voluntary should be avoided at weddings due to the melancholy life of its composer. Jeremiah Clarke was prone to depression and fell deeply in love with a female student of a higher social rank, who refused his offer. Heartbroken, Clarke decided to take his own life and shot himself in the churchyard of St. Paul's Cathedral.
Despite this tragic history, the Trumpet Voluntary remains a beloved and well-suited choice for wedding processional music.
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It's also known as 'The Prince of Denmark's March'
"Trumpet Voluntary", also known as "The Prince of Denmark's March", is a musical composition for the organ, played using the trumpet stop. It is one of the most performed pieces at wedding ceremonies around the world. The piece was played during the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles at St Paul's Cathedral in 1981, and during the wedding of Prince Joachim of Denmark and Alexandra Manley in 1995. It was also used in the final wedding scene of the film Foolin' Around.
The march was written around 1700 by Jeremiah Clarke, the first organist of the then newly-rebuilt St Paul's Cathedral. Clarke also composed "King William's March" in honour of Prince George's brother-in-law William III. The piece was originally attributed to Clarke's contemporary, Henry Purcell, but this is incorrect. It was arranged for several different ensembles by Sir Henry Wood. The oldest source is A Choice Collection of Ayres, a collection of keyboard pieces published in 1700. A contemporary version for wind instruments also survives.
The march has been used as background music during the hourly performance of the Royal Clock in the Queen Victoria Building, Sydney, Australia. It was also sampled for the Greatest Thing Ever segment from the Cartoon Network show Mad. The tune was also used as the melodic counterpoint to the intro and verses of Sting's hit "All This Time".
The piece has two recognised titles, with "Trumpet Voluntary" being the more commonly used of the two. It is properly a rondo for keyboard and was not originally called a trumpet voluntary.
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It was played at the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles
The wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1981 is perhaps the most famous instance of Trumpet Voluntary being played at a wedding. The piece, also known as "The Prince of Denmark's March", was composed by Jeremiah Clarke around 1700 during the Baroque period. It was originally written as a march or processional for the organ, using the trumpet stop to create a distinctive sound.
The song has been a popular choice for wedding processional music ever since. Trumpet Voluntary is often performed at weddings all over the world and is considered one of the most well-known wedding songs. Its upbeat and majestic melody makes it a perfect choice for a grand entrance or recessional.
At the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, Trumpet Voluntary was reportedly played as the bride's processional. As Diana walked down the aisle in her stunning wedding dress, the majestic notes of Trumpet Voluntary filled the grand space of St. Paul's Cathedral, creating an unforgettable moment. The song added a sense of grandeur and elegance to the occasion, befitting a royal wedding.
The choice of Trumpet Voluntary as the bridal processional is especially interesting given the history of the piece. Jeremiah Clarke, the composer, is said to have been a melancholy man who fell deeply in love with one of his students, who was of a higher social rank. When his love was unrequited, Clarke became despondent and ultimately took his own life. The tragic story behind the music adds a layer of complexity to its use at a wedding, a celebration of love and new beginnings.
While some sources confirm that Trumpet Voluntary was played at the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, there is also some conflicting information. Some sources mention other songs played during the procession, such as Purcell's Trumpet Tune and the Prince of Denmark's March, which is the alternate title for Trumpet Voluntary. This discrepancy may be due to the existence of multiple songs with similar titles, or the passage of time since the wedding, making specific details hazy.
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It was composed by Jeremiah Clarke
The Trumpet Voluntary is one of the most performed pieces at wedding ceremonies worldwide. It is a musical composition for the organ, played using the trumpet stop. The best-known trumpet voluntary is the "Prince of Denmark's March", composed by Jeremiah Clarke around 1700. Clarke was an accomplished musician and the first organist of the newly rebuilt St. Paul's Cathedral in London. He was also a composer, and his works include "King William's March" and "Trumpet Tune".
The Trumpet Voluntary was originally attributed to English composer Henry Purcell, but this is incorrect. Purcell was a more well-known contemporary of Clarke's, and the misattribution may have stemmed from an arrangement published in the 1870s by William Spark, the town organist of Leeds, England. The piece was also arranged by Sir Henry Wood for trumpet, string orchestra, and organ, and this version became widely known.
The Trumpet Voluntary has been used in various contexts outside of weddings as well. It was played at the 1981 Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. It has also been used by musicians and performers such as the Beatles, Sting, and Peter Sellers. Additionally, it was featured on The Colbert Report as the theme for Colbert Platinum and Colbert Aluminum segments.
Despite its popularity, some have suggested that the Trumpet Voluntary carries a certain connotation due to its composer's history. Jeremiah Clarke was reportedly a melancholy man prone to depression, and he took his own life in the churchyard of St. Paul's Cathedral after being rejected by a woman he loved. Considering this backstory, some believe that playing the Trumpet Voluntary at weddings may send an unintended message. However, others argue that Clarke's music should be appreciated separately from his personal life.
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It was originally written for organ, not trumpet
Trumpet Voluntary, also known as "The Prince of Denmark's March", is one of the most performed pieces at wedding ceremonies. It was originally composed by Jeremiah Clarke, who was an accomplished musician and the organist at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The piece dates back to the Baroque period around 1700.
Despite its name, Trumpet Voluntary was not originally written for the trumpet. Instead, it was composed as a march or processional for the organ, using the trumpet stop to create a distinctive sound. The trumpet stop is a feature on the organ that allows the instrument to mimic the sound of a trumpet. In some cases, the trumpet stop may be replaced by a cornet or flute stop, further adding to the variety of sounds that can be achieved on the organ.
The confusion around the composition's name stems from its original attribution to English composer Henry Purcell. However, it was later discovered that the correct composer was Jeremiah Clarke. The piece was likely given the title "Trumpet Voluntary" due to its resemblance to trumpet music when played on the organ using the trumpet stop.
Over time, Trumpet Voluntary has become a popular choice for weddings processionals and recessionals, with its majestic and celebratory sound adding a touch of grandeur to the occasion. It is often performed by trumpet players at weddings, despite its original composition for the organ.
While Trumpet Voluntary is a well-loved piece for weddings, some people suggest that its association with Jeremiah Clarke's tragic life and death may send a sombre message. Clarke fell in love with one of his students, who rejected him due to their difference in social rank. Heartbroken, Clarke took his own life, and his suicide note included a request to be buried near the woman he loved.
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Frequently asked questions
A trumpet voluntary is a musical composition for the organ, played using the trumpet stop. It is associated with the English Baroque era and usually consists of a slow introduction followed by a faster section with the right hand playing fanfare-like figures.
Trumpet Voluntary, also known as "The Prince of Denmark's March", was composed by Jeremiah Clarke around 1700. It was originally attributed to English composer Henry Purcell.
The name "Trumpet Voluntary" comes from the fact that it was originally written for the organ and would have been performed using the trumpet stop to create a distinctive sound.
Trumpet Voluntary is one of the most well-known and frequently performed pieces of wedding processional music. It has been played at many notable weddings, including the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. However, some people believe that the piece may be unsuitable for weddings due to the melancholy life of its composer, Jeremiah Clarke, who died by suicide.
