Top 10 Classical Guitar Songs

Posted 24th April, 2020

If you are looking to have some classical guitar accompaniment to your wedding, this list may provide you with some inspiration to help you decide on the perfect music to serenade you down the aisle or perhaps as you and your guests settle in for the wedding breakfast. We have included links to a thoughtful performance of each of the pieces as well as the music should anyone be interested in playing it themselves or offering it to someone who can.

Cavatina - Stanley Myers

Most people may recognise this piece from the famous movie “Deer hunter” starring Robert Deniro. It is a beautiful and sombre piece that has a romantic stirring about it. It’s calm and soothing intro could be a lovely entrance song to start you off on your special day.

 

 

Cavatina sheet music

 

Cello suite no. 1 - JS Bach

Even people who aren’t usually fans of classical guitar music can appreciate this iconic piece of music. Originally written for cello, it was adapted for guitar, and in our opinion, sounds like it was written for it. It has plenty of dynamic range and an uplifting motif that is extremely pleasing to listen to. We have included a very famous rendition of this suite which has taken a little liberty with some of the original notes but has added to it in such a harmonically wonderful way.

 

 

Cello suite no. 1 sheet music

Canon in D - Pachelbel

This world-famous melody is a hit with weddings and regal events. You may notice that the main melody repeats after a short while. The initial melody is called the leader (or dux), while the imitative melody, which is played in a different voice, is called the follower (or comes) - hence why this piece is a “canon”. This arrangement is written for 2 musicians as you most certainly need to create that “canon” effect for the piece to be effective.

 

Canon in D sheet music

Jesu, Joy of man’s desiring - JS Bach

The master is back in this list with this extremely popular composition. This quite obviously has religious undertones so could be perfect for a church wedding. Either way, it has a strong feeling of reverence and is typically performed much slower for wedding ceremonies.

 

Jesu, joy of man's desiring sheet music

Air on the G string - JS Bach

And once more as a nod to one of the greatest composers whose music has translated so well onto the guitar, we have Bach. "Air on the G String" is August Wilhelmj's arrangement of the second movement in Johann Sebastian Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068. We have a fantastic version for the classical guitar which the wonderful Classical guitar player, John Williams has played so wonderfully.

 

 

Air on the G string sheet music

Ode to Joy - L.V Beethoven

This is perhaps one of the most uplifting and celebratory melodies featured on our list for classic guitar songs. You can perfectly picture this as a recessional piece of music and with so many wonderful versions made for the guitar, it’s an amazing choice and a great alternative for a more traditional approach.

 

Ode to joy sheet music

Water music - Handel

Although this is strictly a collection of suites and other arrangements, there is one section which everyone will recognise in this vast collection of heavenly music. We have a wonderful arrangement simplified from the video arrangement.

 

Water music sheet music

Gymnopédie no. 1 - Erik Satie

A beautifully calm and tranquil piano piece. This has seen many arrangements for classical guitar and it just seems to work so well. You have probably heard this in many famous films. It serves, in our opinion as a wonderful interlude piece for perhaps the signing of the register in the wedding ceremony. The two distinct moods of the piece take you through an array of emotions that deserve to be heard.

 

 

Gymnopédie no. 1 sheet music

Clair De Lune - Debussy

This is right up there as one of the most influential pieces of the 20th century (even though it was composed in 1809). We have all at one stage listened to a dramatic rendition of this cutting edge melody at some point, seeping it’s way in to our culture with its hauntingly beautiful fantasy-esque collection of notes. Although it certainly is hard to adapt it to the guitar, we find the familiar melody still holds up.

 

 

Clare de lune sheet music

Ave Maria - Schubert

As one of Schubert’s most popular pieces this is a standout choice for a wedding ceremony. As the original is usually sung, a calmer classical guitar version can work wonders for tugging at the heartstrings and setting the right mood for a wedding ceremony.

 

 

Ave Maria sheet music

You can find our YouTube collection of these songs on our YouTube playlist as well as compiled selection on Spotify and also the sheet music for each of the pieces which you can find in each description of the pieces within this blog. If you are looking for wedding entertainment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Octavas.