| Listen | Song Title | Times | Sheet Music (PDF) $3.95 |
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| 01. Secret Things | 5:03 |  |
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| 02. The Voice | 5:24 | |
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| 03. Captivating | 5:41 | |
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| 04. All Things | 4:14 | |
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| 05. Resting | 4:07 | |
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| 06. Peace | 5:14 | |
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| 07. Freedom | 4:58 | |
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| 08. Quiet Place | 3:31 | |
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| 09. Tears Of Lament | 4:44 | |
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| 10. Delight | 4:17 | |
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| 11. Friends | 5:21 | |
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| 12. Contentment | 6:38 | |
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| 13. Eternity | 5:03 | |
LINER NOTES
The themes and music for The Voice began in the fall of 2004. The piano is “the voice” that sings my melodies and ancient scriptures are “the voice” that God uses to inspire them. The solo piano recording was done at George Lucas Skywalker Sound Studios and I was blessed to work with producer Will Ackerman, Grammy Award winning Founder of Windham Hill Records. All of the piano pieces were mixed at his Imaginary Road Studios, where we also recorded the angelic vocals of Noah Wilding and the beautiful work of Grammy-winning cellist Eugene Friesen. My hope is that The Voice will speak very personally to your heart and bring peace to your soul.
1. SECRET THINGS. The melody for this piece came directly from the first sentence of inspirational text below. The piano notes are the voice, actually singing these words. I discovered the musical answer to the melody as I searched for a rhythm and sound that would convey elements of mystery, secrecy, wonder and awe. “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
2. THE VOICE. By the time I was in high school I had become a worrier and perfectionist, and was overly conscious of what others thought of me. The voice I often heard in my mind was my own, criticizing my performance and pouring on more pressure to succeed. God was part of my life, but it took a long time before I deeply explored the possibility of hearing His voice. Could He actually guide my steps in life? Could He provide the wisdom, discernment and comfort that I needed? Could I really hear His voice? The more I have pursued this, the more I have encountered profound conversations and intimacy with a God who cares for me beyond my comprehension. Try playing this one in an extra quiet place . . . be still . . . and listen. “. . . the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice . . . Elijah heard the voice. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (1 Kings 19:11-13; Isaiah 30:21)
3. CAPTIVATING (Vocals by Noah Wilding). This is the first time I have composed a piece specifically for my wife. I had wanted to do this for a few years, but the right moment had not surfaced. When the inspiration came, the music just kept coming as I reflected on the gentle romance of our courtship years ago, the wonder of her beauty as a person, the exhilaration of her love for me, and the passion of our lifelong commitment to each other. So . . . hold hands, close your eyes, and fall in love all over again as you experience this unique combination of piano and vocals. “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth . . . may you ever be captivated by her love. How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me. Kiss me again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.” (Proverbs 5:18-19, Song of Songs 1:2, 1:15, 7:10)
4. ALL THINGS. I was playing for an audience of middle and high school students in Hot Springs, Arkansas, demonstrating how I compose music. I usually request a short verse or phrase to give me a place to start, and one of the students selected the first verse below. As I began to experiment with a new melody we all knew that something special was happening. A new piece had been inspired. “He is before all things, and by him all things exist. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'” (Colossians 1:17, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Mark 10:27)
5. RESTING. Rest is something I often seek to take a step back from the pace and fullness of life, to trust that things I cannot control are in good hands, and to find a few moments of calm strength in a world so full of unrest. There are times that I need to rest by relaxing, and there are opportunities when I need to rest in the midst of activity. “The Lord replied, ‘my Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” (Exodus 33:14)
6. PEACE (Vocals by Noah Wilding). This composition is in memory of Hayley Thomson, who died of leukemia at 22 months old, and whose life will always remind me to treasure every moment with childlike faith. The first version of this piece was like a music box lullaby. Near the completion of this project, the music evolved to a deeper place that attempts to share a peace that transcends circumstances, a peace that passes all understanding . . . a peace that Hayley knows and would want us to know. The delicate vocals are like those of an angel watching over Hayley, and each of us. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
7. FREEDOM. Personal freedom has been a breakthrough experience in my life. For many years I thought I could achieve freedom through success and being in control. Then I discovered that the human spirit finds true freedom through serving others in love. Seeking to grow in a freedom that is centered on others has been an adventure filled with emotion and risk. This song almost became the title track because this truth has been so powerful for me. The notes represent running through life with a heart that is free, pausing to treasure this freedom, and discovering higher levels of giving oneself away. I trust that the music and texts that inspired it will help you experience a freedom that gives you hope . . . makes you come alive . . . sets your heart free . . . “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (Psalm 119:32; Galatians 5:13; John 8:32)
8. QUIET PLACE. It seems like we each have a favorite physical place that quiets our spirit the most . . . the mountains . . . the beach . . . a farm . . . an open field . . . a walk in the woods . . . a special room. I hope this piece helps you close your eyes and imagine that you are in this place so close to your heart. “He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” (Mark 6:31-32)
9. TEARS OF LAMENT (Cello by Eugene Friesen). For some time I have anticipated musically exploring the times of sadness and mourning that life brings . . . these moments are often hard to understand. I always think about how much greater the suffering and pain is for so many people in the world versus my own. As I looked back on these experiences in my life this music met me in those places, and played a small part in the healing process of finding hope for the future. “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy . . . my eyes overflow with tears. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.” (Psalm 126:5; Lamentations 1:16, 3:22-23; Psalm 116:8)
10. DELIGHT. It’s not always easy to be joyful and happy, but this piece helps me remember to focus on the good news in life (rather than the bad), as well as the good I can do. I love John Eldredge’s thought in his book Epic that life is an adventure to live rather than a problem to solve. This melody resonates with this idea. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” (Psalm 37:4, 119:35)
11. FRIENDS. Thinking of friendship resurrects so many special memories from my life. Friends are such a wonderful gift. As I composed this music I was reflecting not only on friendships with people, but a friendship with God like Abraham experienced. I have discovered that this can be very real and personal, another one of life’s mysteries and miracles. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. Abraham believed God . . . and he was called God’s friend.” (John 15:13-14, James 2:23)
12. CONTENTMENT. It is so easy for me to be discontent with my circumstances or to worry about the future, even though I know there is so much to be thankful for. I wrote this to slow down my mind from thinking anxious thoughts, and to focus on the things in life that are pure and lovely. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (1 Timothy 6:6, 6:7-8, Philippians 4:11)
13. ETERNITY (Cello by Eugene Friesen). There is nothing like the beauty of a cello masterfully played. This conversation between the piano and cello is one that has an element of inviting me to a peaceful place, welcoming me home to heaven. “God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)