Top 100 Southern Rock Songs

Ave Maria

Two popular versions of the traditional song "Ave Maria" exist. One was composed by Charles Gounod in 1859 and is based on the harmony and texture of J.S. Bach's Prelude No.1 in C Major. It is a setting of the standard Latin Ave Maria text. Another version, written by Franz Schubert in 1825, was originally titled "Ellens ditter Gesang" (D. 839) but is more commonly referred to today as Schubert's "Ave Maria." Schubert's version was eventually adapted to fit the Roman Catholic prayer Ave Maria as well. Both versions are very beautiful and are standards during weddings and at Christmas.

Find a vocal version of Schubert's song:        Sheetmusicplus
Find an instrumental version of Schubert's song:        Rhapsody

Find a vocal version of Gounod's song:        Sheetmusicplus
Find an instrumental version of Gounod's song:        Rhapsody

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is the title of a transcription by the English pianist Myra Hess of the chorale that ends each part of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147. The piece is also a favorite for funerals, but more commonly used during weddings as either a piece for a choir or as an instrumental. This song is good for either the prelude or the processional.

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Find a vocal version on:     

The Four Seasons

Every guest has heard this lovely but traditional song by Vivaldi. It is a splendid group of four violin concertos. Antonio Vivaldi wrote them in 1725 as part of a set of twelve. They represent the four seasons and vary greatly in style to fit the seasons. This is an excellent traditional choice for prelude songs. It is an instrumental music piece that needs no words. It is divided into four pieces: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. "Allegro" from Spring and "Largo" from Winter are the two most popular pieces used during the prelude.

Find it on:        Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus

A few other songs you might consider for the prelude are:

1. "Adagio Cantabile" (Piano Sonata No. 8) by Ludwig Van Beethoven
    Find it on:        Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
2. "Air" from Water Music by Georg Friedrich Handel
   Traditional, classical piece that can be used for the prelude or the bridal party's processional
    Find it on:        Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
3. "Air On The G String" from Orchestral Suite No.3 by Johann Sebastian Bach
    Find it on:        Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
4. "Always" performed by Atlantic Starr
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5. "Arioso" by Johann Sebastian Bach
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6. Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049, "Allegro" by Johann Sebastian Bach
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7. "Canon in D" by Johann Pachelbel
   One of the most played pieces, it can work almost anywhere but most commonly during the prelude and processional.
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8. Fifth Symphony by Ludwig Van Beethoven
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9. "Forever in Love" performed by Kenny G
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10. "Greensleeves"
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11. "If" by Bread
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12. "Largo" from Xerxes by Georg Friedrich Handel
    Another elegant piece that is good for the prelude or the processional.
     Find it on:        Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
13. "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven
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14. Nocturne in E Flat, Op.9 No. 2, by Frederic Chopin
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15. "Prelude in C Major" by Johann Sebastian Bach
     Find it on:        Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
16. Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun), L. 86, by Claude Debussy
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17. "Sheep May Safely Graze" ("Was mir behagt"), Cantata No. 208, by Johann Sebastian Bach
     Find it on:        Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
18. Sleeping Beauty Waltz, OP. 66a, composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
    If you've seen Disney's version of Sleeping Beauty, you'll recognize this melody, but it was originally written as a ballet.
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19. "Then He Kissed Me" by the Crystals
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20. "Through the Eyes of Love" by the Melissa Manchester
    Theme From Ice Castles
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     Instrumental Version:        Rhapsody
21. "Unchained Melody" performed by Righteous Brothers
     Find it on:        Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
     Instrumental Version:        Rhapsody