Beside Still Waters Ministries

I just finished recording and producing a Christmas CD called All I Have To Give At Christmas. What I tried to do with it was record some carols and Christmas songs that are not as well known from both contemporary and historical times, and are beautiful and in praise of God and His indescribable gift of His son. I mention it here in this post because there are a few classical pieces on there as well, that aren’t necessarily for Christmas-time only but still speak to the true meaning of Christmas – Christ’s Mass.

One might wonder why this Protestant-born & bred girl is recording Ave Maria, Laudate Dominum, and Dona Nobis Pacem, but thankfully my musical education included singing with choir directors who felt it was important for us to know and experience sacred choral literature from all periods of music. I deeply love and appreciate the rich history of music in the church back even to Judaic worship before Jesus’ coming to earth.

The Painted Veil Soundtrack with Lang Lang, piano; music composed by Alexandre Desplat – Simply beautiful. Haven’t even seen the movie yet, but just for the soundtrack I will soon.

Amazing Grace Soundtrack by David ArnoldBeethoven Piano Concertos 1 &4 – Lang Lang, piano – Can you tell that I like this guy? He makes me so jealous, though.

Piano Moods: A Collection of Romantic Melodies with Various Pianists

And On Earth, Peace by Chanticleer – a little too 20th century for me…give me Mozart or give me death. Ha ha!

Another group I really enjoyed this year was Anonymous4, especially their Gloryland CD, but it was technically released in 2006 so doesn’t apply to this list in the normal way. They sang some of the vocals on the soundtrack for The Nativity Story movie, plus they are very versatile in singing both baroque and folk song & spirituals like in Gloryland and American Angels.