Month: May 2019

Endlessly Ascending Canon     J.S. Bach (1685-1750) "Jesus Shall Reign" Improvisation A ’canon’ is basically a round like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" — but on steroids. Whereas in a  ’round’ each group starts on the same note, in canons each group might start on a different note. Or the second group might sing the same…

Gymnopedie No. 1 Erik Satie (1866-1925) [PIANO] Chorale Prelude on “The Church’s One Foundation” Improvisation Erik Satie was a French pianist and composer during the Impressionist period (early 20th century). After his mother’s death when Satie was 6, he and his younger brother were sent to live with his grandparents. There he received his first…

“If Only I Could Kiss it and Make it Better”    W. Zeitler [PIANO] “We Cannot Measure How You Heal” Amidst all the loud allelujas and trumpets that rightfully characterize Easter and its season, there’s a little detail of the story that recaptures my imagination again and again, namely: The Resurrected Christ still has the…

Andante grazioso & Allegro   Maria von Paradis (1759-1824) [PIANO] "Open My Eyes, That I May See" Improvisation Maria Theresia Paradis (1759-1824) was the daughter of Joseph Anton Paradis, Imperial Secretary of Commerce to the Empress Maria Theresa. Around three years old Maria awoke one morning completely blind. Dad was sufficiently affluent to afford the best…

Tiento (Fantasy) No. 23   Francisco Correa de Arauxo (1584–1654)  [ORGAN] "Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies" Improvisation Francisco Correa de Arauxo (1584–1654) is considered one of the major composers and music theorists of the late Spanish Renaissance. What little biographical data we have is that he was born in Seville and baptized probably in September 1584.…