Bridal Procession

Harold Edwin Darke was born in London, October 29, 1888, he studied the organ with Parratt and attended the Royal College of Music, where he studied composition with Charles Villiers Stanford. He had a world-wide reputation as one of the finest organists of his era. He held positions at Emmanuel Church, West Hampstead (1906) and at St. James's Paddington. For fifty years from 1916 to 1966, he was organist of St. Michael's Cornhill, London. His weekly Monday lunch time recitals there became an institution. During the second war he deputised at Kings College, Cambridge for Boris Ord from 1941 to 1945, who was on war service. Darke was president of the Royal College of Organists 1940-41 and a member of the teaching staff at the R.C.O. from 1919 to 1966, in which year he was appointed C.B.E. He died at Cambridge on November 28, 1976.

"Bridal Procession" has got to be THE "oddest" wedding march that you'll ever hear - although you'd never hear it... ;-) It was composed for a wedding at St. Michael's Church, and bears the dedication: "For David and Prudence, 10th July, 1965." It was published by Aschberg, Hopkins, and Crew Limited in 1966.

While the piece itself is interesting as march, it really does sound like something for the "entrance of the pachyderms" or some such thing. It has sort of an "Arabic flavor" to it, so, perhaps it could be used as incidental music from "Lawrence of Arabia."
However, as a wedding march, I can think of anyone selecting this. Most brides wouldn't even consider it, and I bet you will see why this is the case. Also, it's a long piece, coming in at almost exactly 6 minutes with most of the repeats played.

I have included photos of Harold Darke and of St. Michael's Church.

If, after hearing this, you decide that you can't live without it, and HAVE to hear it, please send me a Direct Message! :-)