2020 Site + Sound

What a year.

I found myself under this willow tree recently – a last minute venue change from city to country due to the pandemic. It’s the only wedding I’ve played in 2020 – with one or two scattered to the fall, most have either cancelled completely or pushed to next year.

I was alone this day and staked my claim on a few square feet, easily maintaining social distance. (Actually – this is probably where I would have set up anyway, pandemic or not.)

Venues are fun to explore, in general, and I’m in Pleasant View, Tennessee, at The Barn at Murphey Farm. Here are the perks, and honestly I don’t know that anyone would turn these down. Ticking all the boxes, and musician-friendly, that’s for sure.

  • level load-in/load-out
  • flat ceremony lawn
  • lawn leads directly into barn for cocktail hour and/or reception
  • shade from a gorgeous willow tree
  • free parking
  • friendly owner
  • ample woodsy photo ops
  • a red barn
  • PA not necessary for ceremony

The client left much of the music selection to me, so I played a few favorite movie themes, including the Love Theme from the film Cinema Paradiso, composed by Ennio Morricone.

Morricone had a hugely successful career as a composer for film in Hollywood, spanning many years and several academy awards, writing themes that have become famous alongside the films themselves. His themes translate well across instrumentation, and make great selections for preludes, unity candle/meditations, processionals – I’ve fit them just about anywhere.

Here’s my stripped down solo version direct from our living room and other interpretations with fuller instrumentation. I like Chris Botti’s and then Itzhak Perlman’s with orchestra.

Movie themes are more popular than ever these days – many are a good fit for solo violin as well as string quartet or trio. If you like these and are thinking of movie themes for your ceremony, I recommend checking out more of Morricone’s work. Happy listening and stay safe!

xo Anne Landis