Wedding Procession (Hochzeitszug), Op. 19, No. 6

Heinrich Karl Johann Hofmann (13 January 1842, Berlin – 16 July 1902, Groß-Tabarz, present-day Thuringia) was a German composer and pianist. He was a pupil of Theodor Kullak, Eduard Grell, Siegfried Dehn and Richard Wüerst. His Frithjof Symphony (1874), a musical realization of the legend Friðþjófs saga hins frœkna, was one of the most frequently performed orchestral works in Germany during the late 19th century. In addition to orchestral music, he also wrote several operas, some lieder, choral music, and works for solo piano. After his death, his music fell largely into obscurity.

This work, originally titled "Hochzeitszug " is the sixth piece in a six work collection,
"Italienische Liebesnovelle," which Google translates as "Italian Love Story" (Wasn't there a movie by that name?!?). The original work is composed for piano duet, and was published by in 1874 by Breitkopf und Härtel.

I found the work in a wedding album published by Novello and later reissued by Belwin-Mills. All the arrangements in the book were done by English organist Francis Cunningham Woods (1862-1929), who was an Oxford man, and had a distinguished career, particularly as an organ recitalist.

I was captivated by this piece at first try. There's something "unique" about it, but I can't quite say just what that is. At first I thought it sounded "Swedish" or "Nordic," but since it was written by a German and describing scenes in Italian, I guess I can't sort out my knowledge of national styles!

It makes a fine march/processional, and certainly could be used in a wedding, even though Hofmann wrote it s a concert work. You'd probably have to use it as the recessional, or the bride would be running at the end of her walk in!

Like all transcriptions, you have to make it work, and I think the Schulze does well with this, although I wanted more thunder at the end and a fuller Swell. Still, the effect is heroic.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Hofmann and 2 of Woods.