Beauty of the Bride

Programme note by the composer

This piece was written to accompany my wife walking down the aisle on the day of our wedding.  Our marriage day was not at all what we had originally planned, due to the COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings of people.  However, in Summer 2020, they were relaxed enough that we could have a marriage ceremony with a few guests.

Practically, the Covid restrictions necessitated being as efficient as possible when assigning roles to anyone who was permitted to attend our wedding ceremony.  This included myself as the groom, and resulted in a strange silver lining for this entry music.  Normally, perhaps I would have at least considered someone else playing the piece, but this was impossible that Summer, and so I had the great pleasure of not only playing my bride down the aisle but also (contrary to tradition) actually facing her directly whilst playing the piece as she came closer and closer – an unforgettable experience which in retrospect I wouldn’t have any other way!

Elena, my beautiful, excellent wife whom I love, admire and respect, I hope this piece may testify in at least some way to your true and deep beauty and to my love for you.

David Önaç