WorshipArts Jul Aug Sep 2023

P I A N O

Hallelujah: Piano Solos

How Great Thou Art: Eight Hymn Arrangements for Piano

Thomas Keesecker, Morningstar Music, MSM-15-735, 2022. Reviewed by Jay Regennitter.

Michael Larkin, Morningstar Music, MSM-15-786, 2022. Reviewed by Jay Regennitter.

Keesecker has produced a volume of eight original pieces. About half of the pieces are titled with words associated with the church and faith, while others are more fluid. The pieces vary from celebrative to contemplative in nature. Some may be appropriate for use during memorial services, and others may be appropriate for regular gatherings of worship communities, but one should consider how many pieces would be used in your context before purchasing.

Larkin has chosen to arrange some time-honored tunes, including BEACH SPRING, NETTLETON, and OSTOREGUD . Because the tunes are primarily able to be used throughout the church year, the volume can be regularly used (especially for funerals).

I found the settings to be accessible and primarily contemplative. I believe it's well-worth purchasing!