Be Thou My Vision

THE MUSIC

This music melds well loved hymns with one of my greatest passions - playing the marimba and vibraphone. Growing up singing hymn melodies and harmonies have secured them a prominent place in my heart and mind, making it natural for me to want to express them instrumentally. Additionally, I have long thought the marimba belongs in church, its rosewood keys producing a reverential sound.

For centuries, hymns have provided worshipers with expressions of praise and assurance of God's love. This collection is in the form of a church service, from the congregation gathering to re-emerging into the world with renewed conviction and vision.

The opening Hymns of Praise medley is played by the organ, accented with colorful percussion. The organ also accompanies marimba in Beneath the Cross of Jesus, a meditative communion hymn. Additionally, you will hear the vibraphone as a contemplative solo instrument in What a Friend We Have in Jesus.Using soft mallets on the resonant lower register of the marimba enables prayerful reflection in hymns such as Amazing Grace and O Sacred Head Now Wounded. This is my Father's World affirms a child's belief with the dynamic combination of marimba, vibraphone, orchestra bells and other percussion instruments. The piano accompanies the marimba and vibraphone on the spirituals and The Lord's Prayer to further inspire faith.

Hymns are songs that combine teaching with worship, shaping spirituality and belief. I hope to provide a worshipful experience through the instruments closest to my heart. May this music help you harmonize spirituality and faith on your life's path.

PRELUDE

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

I am a poor wayfaring stranger,
While traveling through this world of woe.
Yet there's no sickness, toil nor danger
In that bright world to which I go.
I'm going there to see my Father;
I'm going there no more to roam.
I'm only going over Jordan,
I'm only going over home.

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation;
But deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Tributes to Be Thou My Vision

"I found myself mesmerized, peace and calmness setting in, all the cares of the day being swept away. If you love good music, you will be moved by the skillful way in which the CD leads you beautifully through the hymns. Ms. Pelkner presents a new and exciting vision of the music."

Kevin Hayka, RMT

 

"This album offers some 20 hymns in sensitive, creative arrangements....

"Pelkner has a dozen different instruments at her disposal and plays each with musical grace. My ears and mind were certainly opened by the degree to which shading and phrasing are possible on instruments struck with mallets. At times, the marimba or vibraphone is heard with piano or organ, which should trigger the imagination of any church musician who hears this album.

"If your church sponsors a concert series you might consider this artist and her very spiritual approach. But also enjoy this fine album for its sonic beauty and inspired creativity!"     

From a review by Curt Oliver in The Hymn: A Journal of Congregational Song, published by The Hymn Society of the Boston University School of Theology

Contact

Carol Pelkner
PO Box 4263
Carlsbad, CA   92018
USA

Web site: rosewoodspirit.com
Email: carol@rosewoodspirit.com