Piano by Joel

Today's old hymn, requested by a listener via e-mail, is Be Still My Soul, to the 19th century tune composed by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957.) The original German lyrics were penned by Katharina von Schlegel (1813-1897), but here is a portion of the English translation by Jane Borthwick:Be still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul, thy best, thy heavenly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.Enjoy the piece.Also, I've recently released my latest CD, Hymn Journeys: Contemporary Piano Interpretations. You can preview and purchase it here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/joelrosenberger3, or on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewA lbum?id=316886857&s=143441.Click Here to Listen to Be Still My Soul.Preview and/or Purchase a CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

I'm a guy who likes power tools, and I recently started using state-of-the-art virtual piano software to improve the sound quality of the music I produce. For your listening pleasure, I remixed Face to Face with Christ My Savior, which now features the golden tones of the Steinway concert grand.Of course, you're going to expect me to start podcasting again, now that I have a new toy to motivate me to record! Stay tuned, one of these days you may be hearing the clear sound of the Yamaha studio grand, or the extra octave on the bottom of the Bosendorfer.Until next time!Click Here to ListenPreview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

Merry Christmas! I hope your holiday was all that you wanted it to be. My gift to you is a laid-back New Orleans brass rendition of the Austrian traditional carol, Still, Still, Still. This arrangement features the sweet sounds of the trumpet, saxaphones, tuba, bass trombone, and strings.Click Here to ListenPreview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

Greetings, piano fans!  It has been a while, but I think you'll enjoy today's piano piece.  I've introduced you to Della before.  When she's not accompanying the Cincinatti ballet, or sitting under Carmon Deleone in the Middletown Symphony Orchestra; she's composing, arranging, and performing her own original piano works.  I highly recommend her music, and I'm pleased that she's allowed me to make this mp3, The Unfolding, available to you, at the link below.  I'm not even going to try to describe it.  Just turn the lights down low, and listen.If you would like to hear more, and/or purchase her new CD, {beautiful still}, just visit her home page at http://www.indieheaven.com/artist_main.php?id=54193 .Until next time!Click Here to ListenPreview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

Hello again, everyone! Yes, I'm still here, waiting for a new part to arrive, so I can do some recording. In the meantime, you'll want to pause your mp3-downloading for a few minutes, and listen to Della.Della, based in the great state of Ohio, just released her new project, {beautiful still}. Since you're here, I'm guessing that you will really enjoy her powerful rendition of the old hymn, "Be Still My Soul." It's just the kind of piano music you like, complete with expressive harmonies, widely spaced improvisations, and notes that fade away into silence. To listen:1. Go to Della's Indieheaven page, here: http://www.indieheaven.com/artist_main.php?id=541932. Find the green CD cover with a list of tracks next to it. Click "The Ceasing: {be still my soul}.3. The song should begin playing.I am so glad she recorded a Hymn! But I'm sure you'll also like the many other tracks she has available. The way the Indieheaven player currently works, just leave it alone and it will continue to play Della's piano music.Click Here for Della's Indieheaven PageFor lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

Here's a new one for you... a gentle improvisation on the old 1898 hymn melody from by Grant Tullar (1869-1950) with words by Carrie Breck (1855-1934.)Face to face I shall behold HimFar beyond the starry skyFace to face in all His gloryI shall see Him by and byThanks for listening! And if you have a moment, please pray for continued creativity as I improvise and arrange music. Enjoy the piece.Click Here to Listen/DownloadPreview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

I met Neil Patton yesterday, virtually, the same way I meet most other musicians. He's a Christian pianist that has recorded some original works that I'm sure you'll enjoy:http://www.indieheaven.com/artist_main.php?id=102 34I recommend four songs to get a fuller picture of the kind of music this guy makes:ToccataFirst StepsWater of LifeJigIf you're just surfing around the web for music, just launch the above link and hit the play button. If you like him, be sure to click the 5-star rating at the top of his page, then leave him a comment! Tell him Joel sent you.Don't forget to come back here when you're done to download more piano hymn mp3s!For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

I noticed it this morning... your Fresh Pianist is in the top 100 on the ReverbNation.com folk chart, out of over 4000 artists. Since these things tend to be fleeting, I wanted to share it and enjoy it while I can:The ReverbNation.com charts are based on the "relative value of [the artist's] aggregate fan relationships at any given point in time." So in one sense, it's a measure of how great my listeners are, and I appreciate your support since 2005. You can continue to help by listening and sharing the music.ReverbNation is not a Christian site. They provide management and promotional tools to all kinds of bands, playing all kinds of music. Admittedly, yes, moving up a chart feels good, kind of like winning at a game of Scrabble. But it's also nice to see quiet, instrumental piano hymns up there, shining like a lighthouse. Score one for sleepy music. At least while it lasts.You can see my ReverbNation.com profile here:http://www.reverbnation.com/freshpianoI'll end this post the same way I end my e-mails. All glory to God, -JoelPreview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

Yes, I know I specialize in introspective piano music, and don't usually recommend CCM. But I heard an upbeat, uplifting song by the independent Christian vocalist Leo Loredo today, so if you happen to be surfing for new music as you're reading this, I recommend that you head over to his page for a listen:http://www.indieheaven.com/artist_main.php?id=48 226Click on the song, Hope. It's based on Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. If you like it, head to the charts, choose "Contemporary," and give it 5 stars:http://www.indieheaven.com/fanfaves.phpOf course, when you're done, you're welcome to come back here and download more mp3s.Preview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

Eighty-eight keys waitBlack and white poised for actionThe fingers descend.Preview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

A young listener (more and more people are "young") and piano music aficionado requested that I play For the Beauty of the Earth, the old hymn with music by conrad Kocher (1786-1872) and words by Fol­li­ot S. Pier­point (1835-1917.) An appropriate tune for springtime, as I'm waiting for my front lawn to grow.For the beauty of the earthFor the glory of the skiesFor the love which from our birthOver and around us liesLord of all to Thee we raiseThis our hymn of grateful praiseClick Here to ListenPreview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

Some of you who have been with Piano by Joel since the beginning will recall that I've previously recorded Be Thou My Vision, to the tune of the old Irish folk tune, Slane. But since I am always trying to improve the quality, musicality, and expressiveness of my work, I wanted to bring you something new. (Fresh?) This version features the solo piano, of course, giving the arrangement a contemporary feel; but I think you'll also find that the playing style, and the accompanying cello, lend a certain ancient quality to the piece.Here are the lyrics, translated into English by Eleanor Hull around the turn of the century:Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heartNaught be all else to me, save that Thou artThou my best Thought, by day or by nightWaking or sleeping, Thy presence my lightBe Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true WordI ever with Thee and Thou with me, LordThou my great Father, I Thy true sonThou in me dwelling, and I with Thee oneBe Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fightBe Thou my Dignity, Thou my DelightThou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high TowerRaise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my powerRiches I heed not, nor man’s empty praiseThou mine Inheritance, now and alwaysThou and Thou only, first in my heartHigh King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou artHigh King of Heaven, my victory wonMay I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s SunHeart of my own heart, whatever befallStill be my Vision, O Ruler of allUntil next time.Click Here to ListenPurchase a CD from CD BabyPurchase songs on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

Today's piece is the Clement Scholefield (1839-1904) melody, The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended. The melody is beautiful, and the lyrics (below), powerful.A listener once requested this song, which I had not heard before, to my recollection. So I listened and learned. It's beautiful. The rendition you're about to hear (link below) begins with the choir, smoothly transitions to the piano, cello, and other strings, followed by a clarinet solo, then a majestic finish. This arrangement doesn't do the song justice, but I like to think of it as a step in that direction.Here are the great lyrics, penned by John Ellerton (1826-1893.) Make sure you read all the way to the fourth stanza to get the full effect of the epic nature of this song.The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended,The darkness falls at Thy behest;To Thee our morning hymns ascended,Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.We thank Thee that Thy church, unsleeping,While earth rolls onward into light,Through all the world her watch is keeping,And rests not now by day or night.As o’er each continent and islandThe dawn leads on another day,The voice of prayer is never silent,Nor dies the strain of praise away.The sun that bids us rest is wakingOur brethren ’neath the western sky,And hour by hour fresh lips are makingThy wondrous doings heard on high.So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never,Like earth’s proud empires, pass away:Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.Click Here to ListenPreview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

Happy New Year! This original composition used to be titled Kids in the Leaves, but seeing that it's winter here in the northern hemisphere, I changed it to Angels in the Snow. As you listen, I think you'll find that either title is appropriate.I'm currently working on an arrangement of The Day Thou Givest, Lord, Has Ended. I hope to have it ready soon, for your listening pleasure. In the meantime, enjoy Angels.Click Here to ListenJoel's CDs at CD BabyJoel's CDs on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.

A little bird told me that I Wonder as I Wander from Snow and Ivory: Piano Portraits for Christmas was heard on said little bird's local radio station in the BBN network, which provides Christian radio programming worldwide. It's always nice for an artist when a song gets airplay! If you'd like to hear BBN, the easiest way is to navigate to http://www.bbnradio.org/ and listen online. And Merry Christmas! I'll also mention that... hey... what's that in the chimney?...Preview and/or Purchase either CD from CD BabyPreview Joel's work on iTunesFresh Piano WebsiteContact JoelLink to Piano by Joel For lots of free, original music, check out http://www.freshpiano.com.