Songs of Zion

“A Time for Ana”
CS Bezas

“I have a dear friend named Ana. She symbolizes to me all children on this earth who have yet to experience peace. It was for her that I wrote the title track to this album. In some small way I hope to contribute to the well-being of many children who, just like Ana, long for an easier life.”

These comments from her CDBaby site express the nature and the purpose of this CD. It’s tone and sound (piano solos) are very soft and relaxing. It’s designed to unstress, to ease, and to bring peace. In that way, it very much succeeds.

Normally, I like a variety in my listening. Maybe it’s my ADD. I like to throw in a CD and hear a fast one, a slow one, something in between, something loud, something soft… You know, a mix.

But this one isn’t designed for that, and so I have to judge it on a different standard. It’s intention is relaxation, and it works its magic very well there.

One of the things I loved about this CD, especially compared to other “New Age Piano” artists (whatever that means these days), was that it was very minimal. Too often, contemporary piano artists seem to be obsessed with filling the song’s space with as many notes as possible. They do that by either pounding out thunderous and clustered chords one after the other, or by putting in so many rolls, arpeggios and frills that I wonder if I’m in a smoky piano lounge. This CD is almost minimalist. Simple melodies dance above gentle chords and accompaniments. I almost thought that I could learn to play these songs, they were so clear, clean and simple.

The CD was full of original melodies, but in addition to that, the song often referenced existing tunes. “A River to Cross”, for example, hinted at “Oh, My Father”. “A Time for Ana” referenced the children’s tune “Are You Sleeping”. As you read the stories of the songs in the “liner notes” at the website, these make much more sense.

“Summer Rain” was the most visual, almost to being a tone poem. The gentle summer rains were expressed by light flickers of notes dancing and falling from the upper octaves of the keys.

“A Time for Ana” would be great, especially for Sunday listening. Put it on for background while studying your scriptures, or use it as meditation music. It’ll put you in that place for thought and relaxation.

++++++++++++++

Shameless Plug: “A River to Cross” is to be a featured song at “Latter Day Songs” this week. Check it out on the 15th!


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Songs of Zion

“Songs of the Seers”
The Arizona Mormon Choir and Orchestra

One of the problems I have with music that I’m supposed to listen to on Sunday is that most of it doesn’t seem to have the depth that I like. Either it’s musically or lyrically shallow. I don’t just like to listen to music as background noise. I like to pay attention, so I need to have some music that wants my attention. Too much church music, especially Sunday church music, is written just to be peaceful. As a result, I have a hard time finding stuff I like for my Sundays.

That’s why I’m very glad I got a hold of Songs of the Seers, by the Arizona Mormon Choir and Orchestra.

Don’t get me wrong. This music is peaceful. It is relaxing. It’s not a pop album. But it’s not fluffy, either. In fact what struck me most overall about this recording was that the arrangements were innovative, unique, and varied. I think that, as I listened, my favorites were the orchestral numbers. “An Angel from on High”, which starts the CD, is one of the best of those, too. “Lead me into Life Eternal” is good, too.

Many of them were more straight-ahead hymn arrangements with organ and choir, of the sort that you hear Mo’ Tab’ do at conference time.

One of my favorites was “Our God is a God of Love”. This was different than the others because it felt more like prose that had been set to music, rather than a traditional hymn. As a result, it had an “art song” kind of feel, which added a unique flair.

Another unique approach was “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth”. The piano that starts this one is full of enticing Debussy-esque dissonance. Very ethereal and almost jazz-like. The choir enters and sings the traditional melody, but with some very non-traditional harmonies. A flute descant at the end gives it some extra flourish. It’s not something I would have even considered for a hymn like this one, but it worked. Very tasty!

I was also impressed overall with the performance of the choir. I never struggled to understand the words, and they were consistently on in their pitch and dynamics. An excellent performance.

It was also nice to see that so many of our respected leaders over the years have felt the creative muse, and done so well putting their testimonies into lyric. I also thought that, even though these were all prophets of the restoration, most of these works could easily be appreciated by a general Christian audience. In fact, these songs might well go far in showing the general Christian world just how Christian we Mormons really are.

++++++++++++

Shameless plug: Sam Payne's "Big Time" is one of the featured songs over at LatterDaySongs.com, as well as tunes by Pianist Lisa Powell, and GEM!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Jodi and Jacob

Guest blogger today!

Last night I got this from my wife down in Arizona. She's been sending out these reports from time to time to our family and friends who've been supporting (both morally and financially) Jacob's efforts in these classes.

Anyway, I realized that she'd summed up very nicely the feelings I've had as well. So, I thought I'd share them here.

++++++

Well it has been a while since I have written. Things have been intense here. Mark and Brendon came for a little over a week and we were swamped. We did something every day after school. Jake didn't do as well while they were here and I think the majority of it was that he was tired. We usually come home and rest a bit. Then we eat dinner and go to bed. :) On the weekends we do a little and we go swimming in a therapy pool once or twice.

With them here we just went all the time. Jake seems to be doing better this week. I am a bit frustrated because he isn't holding his head up as much. It is so hard when he goes back into old habits but then there have been times when it has been incredible. We went to see a movie yesterday and they had those little rides for the kids. They had a motorcycle which he had to reach far forward to hold the handles and then it jerks and goes back and forth. He held his head high and held on all by himself so he did well.

His walking gets better. He doesn't by any means walk by himself. He is very slow and we have to remind him to stand and often remind him to move his foot, but when we started the program I had to hold his weight to keep his body up. Now I just hold his arms at the elbows so they stay straight on the ladder he holds himself up with. He completely moves his foot forward but the conductor makes him so he doesn't cross.

I was talking to another mom and she said that it was frustrating for her when she went home the first time because although she could see so much change, the average person didn't notice improvement. This made me think about Jake. He has improved more then any other kid in the class. All of the people in the class say so including the conductors. The ones that saw him suffer to sit with help holding onto the ladder to being able to hold himself on and upright most of the time (although the last couple of days I have been frustrated because he keeps putting his head on the ladder and table). He can clap which he never did because he couldn't open up his hands enough, He can give me a big hug without me being the one to put his arms around me, He can soot from his arms and hold his head up while laying down. He can sit on the floor and hold himself up with his legs straight out for minutes at a time.

It made me think about how we take life. WE expect so much out of little time. WE feel like we have to have so much progress or it isn't worth anything. We don't look at the little things in life and realize how blessed we are to have or do those things. Ok now I am getting off on another things altogether. Sorry. LOL

Anyway he is still doing well. He is having a more difficult time wanting to go to school although he doesn't really complain he just says oh not school again. Then he wants to go. He loves it while we are there. I think he is getting tired. I know I am. I even thought about packing up today and just going home. But I have seen what a week can do and wouldn't give up that for anything. I will be so glad to get home though.

Jake has met a friend here. He is so sweet. They hug each other and can't go anywhere without holding hands. It is so sweet. The little boy helps Jake hold things and turn pages, and Jake keeps him going when he wants to give up in class. They help each other and tell each other how they are best friends. It has been so fun and I have enjoyed getting to know his mom. She has been a big support here for me. We go places together and it is fun. They left today and both boys cried and have made us promise we will see each other again. It was sad. I even got emotional. It will be hard to finish this program without the 2 of them.

I think this note seems kind of down and I apologize about that. I really don't feel this way. I guess having Mark come and he was a bit down with things and it made me think that people might think Jake is going to be running down the hallway when we get home. He will not. He has made so much progress and I really believe he will be able to walk with his walker when we get home with all of its support. It know he will be able to sit on a bench at school without the support of a wheelchair that is so much bigger then the chairs in school and he will be at their level. I am so glad we have spent the money and the time and the sacrifice doing this. It has made a huge difference for us.

Thanks for all your support

++++++

And to that, I add my thanks for the encouragement of the bloggernacle. Thanks very much.


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com