I write to simply share some beautiful music with you. As we perhaps find ourselves or know of others searching for the appropriate words to describe our feelings during this time or find ourselves in need of revitalizing water for our thirsty souls, as Mo. Michelle said in a sermon a few weeks ago, I encourage you to continue to look toward the arts. Digitally share a favorite piece, a song, a hymn, an anthem, a poem, a painting, with each other. Tracy K Smith, the former United States Poet Laureate, said, "rather than numbing or drowning out the difficult-to-describe but urgently sensed feelings that are part of being human, poetry invites us to tease them out." That description can surely be expanded to include all of the arts, but especially music. This vocabulary for our anxieties and our comforts, our fears and our hopes, our difficult to describe interior lives can help all of us as we navigate these still new waters together. I pray this music will provide you with a healing balm, some revitalizing water for those thirsty souls, and will brighten your day in these difficult times.
The first and third movements of this concerto for harpsichord by Bach are some of the most wonderful and lighthearted music ever composed, in my opinion. Has pure joy ever been captured in musical form better? I find it hard to think of a superior example! The second movement is gently plaintive.
https://youtu.be/pXMH56hJBVI
Presuming I make it into heaven, I expect to hear this Anglican choral classic wafting my way through St. Peter’s gates:
https://youtu.be/C9_S8nHdWLk
This setting of Psalm 121, “I will lift mine eyes," is by the contemporary composer Jake Runestad and is performed by the ensemble Seraphic Fire of which my teacher and mentor, Dr. James Bass, is the chorus-master:
https://youtu.be/v1KUjQ2v7fk
This hymn was written in native Hawaiian by their last Queen Liliuokalani and is gorgeously performed by the Rose Ensemble:
https://youtu.be/DH0sf3g1ldI
This very sweet piece in Appalachian folk style features Mark O’Connor, Edgar Meyer, and famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and to me feels precisely like a walk through the most beautiful woods (I pilfered the style for the final music in our service from last week!):
https://youtu.be/hJ9xW7MewhY
A historical treasure rarely heard even amongst classical music fans, this is playing of Schumann and Brahms by a pianist who studied with Clara, Schumann’s wife, and was friends with both Schumann & Brahms:
https://youtu.be/XV6ji84-8IA
One more historical treasure, a Chopin prelude being played by a pupil of Liszt and Mikuli (Mikuli was a pupil of Chopin himself!):
https://youtu.be/np1s-R65kNY
Bach(!) to sacred choral music with a gorgeous chorale:
https://youtu.be/t7kPNSBcxw8
Finally, another Anglican classic, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day:
https://youtu.be/OiNktUBcvNs
This text tells of the Christ calling his "true love" to his "dance” (his life) and speaking of all he has done for his true love. The true love referenced is, of course, the church...you!
I pray that joyous thought provides you with cheer and belonging in these times!
Blessings,
Christoffer Woodard
The first and third movements of this concerto for harpsichord by Bach are some of the most wonderful and lighthearted music ever composed, in my opinion. Has pure joy ever been captured in musical form better? I find it hard to think of a superior example! The second movement is gently plaintive.
https://youtu.be/pXMH56hJBVI
Presuming I make it into heaven, I expect to hear this Anglican choral classic wafting my way through St. Peter’s gates:
https://youtu.be/C9_S8nHdWLk
This setting of Psalm 121, “I will lift mine eyes," is by the contemporary composer Jake Runestad and is performed by the ensemble Seraphic Fire of which my teacher and mentor, Dr. James Bass, is the chorus-master:
https://youtu.be/v1KUjQ2v7fk
This hymn was written in native Hawaiian by their last Queen Liliuokalani and is gorgeously performed by the Rose Ensemble:
https://youtu.be/DH0sf3g1ldI
This very sweet piece in Appalachian folk style features Mark O’Connor, Edgar Meyer, and famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and to me feels precisely like a walk through the most beautiful woods (I pilfered the style for the final music in our service from last week!):
https://youtu.be/hJ9xW7MewhY
A historical treasure rarely heard even amongst classical music fans, this is playing of Schumann and Brahms by a pianist who studied with Clara, Schumann’s wife, and was friends with both Schumann & Brahms:
https://youtu.be/XV6ji84-8IA
One more historical treasure, a Chopin prelude being played by a pupil of Liszt and Mikuli (Mikuli was a pupil of Chopin himself!):
https://youtu.be/np1s-R65kNY
Bach(!) to sacred choral music with a gorgeous chorale:
https://youtu.be/t7kPNSBcxw8
Finally, another Anglican classic, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day:
https://youtu.be/OiNktUBcvNs
This text tells of the Christ calling his "true love" to his "dance” (his life) and speaking of all he has done for his true love. The true love referenced is, of course, the church...you!
I pray that joyous thought provides you with cheer and belonging in these times!
Blessings,
Christoffer Woodard