Louis Spohr (5th April 1784 - 22nd October 1859), born Ludwig Spohr, was a German composer, violinist and conductor. Festmarsch was written for the marriage of the Kassel electoral prince’s daughter, Princess Marie to Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Meingen on 23rd March 1825. Spohr says the march was played as the newly married couple moved in procession from the banqueting hall to the White Saloon, to be immediately encored. Spohr was required to incorporate and old German dance tune, the Grossvateranz (Grandfather’s dance), that was particularly associated with the marriage. After a rousing opening of the march on full orchestra, the strings continue the march rhythm, but the woodwind introduce the ’grandfather’ tune in triple metric and then adds a cheeky little four bar pendant.