I am a musical person. My list of musical credentials are as follows:
Voice, piano, flute, guitar, pipe organ, recorder, harp, oboe (badly), viola (badly), and now I’ve got a Double Bass in the house which I am keeping for my friend who is moving away. Its deep voice gives me thrills when I pluck those strings.
My big things now are voice and flute. I play the piano as if it is a part of my breathing, but I’m no longer very good at it. I sight read everything. I make a pretty good substitute for the music program at my school.
I was the student band conductor in high school, and I love conducting the choirs at the Middle School and High School.
For my alto voice I have soloed in “The Messiah,” by Handel, and Benjamin Britton’s Ceremony of Carols. I sang in a girl’s group (Daughters of the King) back in high school with my friends. I’ve sung with several community choirs in Louisiana, Texas, and Iowa. I sang with the Northern Lights Chorale for 10 years, the Minnetonka Choral Society for 3 seasons.
I love to sing. I love music. I’ve been a church pianist, soloist, and choir member as I was able and asked.
I believe music is absolutely powerful, and that God made it to glorify Himself through our ability to make music.
I love the mathematical format, the symmetry, the harmony, and the emotional energy.
I know the power of praise music to dispel depression. I know the power of J.S. Bach to dispel mania. I’ve experienced that.
This year I have listened to Ola Gjeilo’s music almost every single day. His ponderous Norwegian background has genetically linked with my own Norwegian background—perhaps also the Swedish in me. I remember a thought from Isabella Rosselini about her Swedish days (dark) and her Italian days (light). I think there is a depth or heaviness to the Scandinavian background. Maybe it is the darkness of the winters.
His music soothes and speaks for me.
I needed it this year.
Sometimes my own grief was just a black mass in my chest. This music breathed for me.
I’m grateful to him for composing such healing music for grief for me. In particular I listened to the recording by Voces8, a song called “The Lake Isle.” That CD is wonderful. I can never be tired of it. I feel it is my spirit’s message.
It helps to know Brian and I shared our love for Gjeilo’s music! I feel it honors my late husband in a way when I listen to it. It is almost like being able to share the beauty with him while he enjoys heaven.
I think about heaven a lot when I’m listening to Gjeilo’s works. It’s heavenly.
When you see me weeping in the truck as I drive down the highway you will know that I am listening to Gjeilo.
It’s helping me.
(But please still say a prayer for me, because I need that!)
Maranatha!