I love this song.
I guess that's a given since it's this week's pick.
It also is on my life soundtrack.
1.) I love, love, LOVE Dave Matthews. Everything about him. Every song he's written, recorded, performed, sung, etc. If I had my way, he would sing this whole song. (Have I mentioned I'm not a big fan of country?)
2.) I love the lyrics. A reminder of the things that truly are important. The first verse is my favorite. I think I need to print it off and post it somewhere next to my bed.
3.) Aren't we all so lucky to be alive? I think so.
Read the lyrics.
Watch a video.
Watch a performance.
And here's some more Dave Matthews - just because.
And some more.
(Have I told you I love Dave Matthews?)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Samual Barber "Adagio for Strings"
For my first classical pick of the week, I have chosen "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber. I love this piece deeply. Listen to it and I think you'll know why. It is painfully and hauntingly beautiful and overflowing with emotion. Everything I love about classical music.
I fell in love with this piece in high school. I played it in an All-State Orchestra (I think - I can't remember which orchestra) and then again in our high school orchestra. Pieces that I've played usually become my favorites. They become a part of me (or rather, I become of part of them) as I study, practice, and perform them. This is true of this piece as well. I can feel myself playing along as I listen. It brings to the surface the reason I am passionate about violin and orchestral work.
I fell in love with Samuel Barber as a composer in college. He is a remarkable man and an exceptional composer. He is a contemporary American composer who has written some true masterworks, Adagio for Strings being one of them, and arguably his greatest.
Read about the composer.
Read about the piece.
I fell in love with this piece in high school. I played it in an All-State Orchestra (I think - I can't remember which orchestra) and then again in our high school orchestra. Pieces that I've played usually become my favorites. They become a part of me (or rather, I become of part of them) as I study, practice, and perform them. This is true of this piece as well. I can feel myself playing along as I listen. It brings to the surface the reason I am passionate about violin and orchestral work.
I fell in love with Samuel Barber as a composer in college. He is a remarkable man and an exceptional composer. He is a contemporary American composer who has written some true masterworks, Adagio for Strings being one of them, and arguably his greatest.
Read about the composer.
Read about the piece.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Week: Day 7
"O Holy Night"
Yes, out of all the versions I could have picked of this song, I chose 'NSync.
What can I say? I have a soft spot for JT and good A Cappella.
"O Holy Night" will always remain my most favorite Christmas song.
It holds so many precious memories of my father singing.
It also perfectly captures the feelings of reverence, praise, and glory for the Savior Jesus Christ, who of course, is the center of Christmas.
May you all have a very Merry Christmas and feel the love and joy of the Savior in your lives.
Yes, out of all the versions I could have picked of this song, I chose 'NSync.
What can I say? I have a soft spot for JT and good A Cappella.
"O Holy Night" will always remain my most favorite Christmas song.
It holds so many precious memories of my father singing.
It also perfectly captures the feelings of reverence, praise, and glory for the Savior Jesus Christ, who of course, is the center of Christmas.
May you all have a very Merry Christmas and feel the love and joy of the Savior in your lives.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas Pick: Day 6
"Carol of the Bells"
There is a legend that at the stroke of midnight on the evening when Jesus was born all the bells on earth suddenly began pealing joyously together of their own accord - and there was never a sound like it for majesty and grandeur. "Carol of the Bells," based on an old Ukrainian motif, probably springs from that legend, as it tells of the "sweet silver bells" that pealed joyously in unison. Traditionally, the "Carol of the Bells" is sung quietly in the beginning, grows louder and ever louder as each voice adds to the tintinnabulation, and finally dies away to a pianissimo as the pealing gradually ceases.
(from Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook)
I love everything about this song -
and it will always remind me of Home Alone :)
I'm also a bit skeptical as to whether this is actually the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing this version.
It doesn't sound like them to me.
Plus, the album cover says "Leonard Bernstein."
Hmm...
There is a legend that at the stroke of midnight on the evening when Jesus was born all the bells on earth suddenly began pealing joyously together of their own accord - and there was never a sound like it for majesty and grandeur. "Carol of the Bells," based on an old Ukrainian motif, probably springs from that legend, as it tells of the "sweet silver bells" that pealed joyously in unison. Traditionally, the "Carol of the Bells" is sung quietly in the beginning, grows louder and ever louder as each voice adds to the tintinnabulation, and finally dies away to a pianissimo as the pealing gradually ceases.
(from Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook)
I love everything about this song -
and it will always remind me of Home Alone :)
I'm also a bit skeptical as to whether this is actually the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing this version.
It doesn't sound like them to me.
Plus, the album cover says "Leonard Bernstein."
Hmm...
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Pick: Day 5
"I Celebrate the Day" by Relient K
I heard this on Pandora the other day for the first time and loved it.
I had to stop and listen to the entire thing.
It's very Dashboard Confessional meets Secondhand Serenade.
I've never heard of Relient K before. Have you?
Regardless, I'm diggin' this Christmas song.
It definitely has been added to my favorites.
I heard this on Pandora the other day for the first time and loved it.
I had to stop and listen to the entire thing.
It's very Dashboard Confessional meets Secondhand Serenade.
I've never heard of Relient K before. Have you?
Regardless, I'm diggin' this Christmas song.
It definitely has been added to my favorites.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas Pick: Day 4
"Christmas Song" by Dave Matthews
I just love this song.
And I just love Dave Matthews.
*So...I know the Christmas Picks are backwards on the playlist, but this way you can hear the current pick first. Hope you don't mind too much :)
I just love this song.
And I just love Dave Matthews.
*So...I know the Christmas Picks are backwards on the playlist, but this way you can hear the current pick first. Hope you don't mind too much :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Christmas Pick: Day 3
"Breath of Heaven" by Amy Grant
I can remember the first time I heard this song. I was alone in the car, pregnant, driving somewhere - probably Christmas shopping - and this song came on the radio. I cried through the whole thing and it became a favorite.
The words and feelings of this song are so precious and sacred.
I still cry whenever I hear it.
I can remember the first time I heard this song. I was alone in the car, pregnant, driving somewhere - probably Christmas shopping - and this song came on the radio. I cried through the whole thing and it became a favorite.
The words and feelings of this song are so precious and sacred.
I still cry whenever I hear it.
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