'The darling of heaven, crucified'

[rdm_ation]

Good Friday is always a day for reflection, whether in the course of a church service, a camp, or just on my own. Today, I went to the church my family has been going to for a little while, because haven't been for a while and actually didn't know what services for Good Friday there were around.

Anyway, it got me thinking about how I worship and reflect - there is a simple answer: music. It is so much a part of who I am, that it is simply how my brain functions. There is a power in the voices of those singing about what they believe. Studying music at University, I spend so much of my time 'perfecting' - my technique, my interpretation and my stylistic awareness. When, in reality, these don't matter all that much. They do, if you want to forge a career in music - but to enjoy music, to connect with it, they aren't that important. Church is one setting which reminds me of this. Sure, I notice the mistakes, and when people are out of time, or can't really sing. But it doesn't bother me, simply because it is an expression of faith. Of genuine emotion. And that's what's important.

They played two of my fvourite Easter songs today, so I was happy I went to that particular service. They always get to me - and I think they're beautiful as well.
The first is 'Above all', and I particularly love this verse for the imagery it uses - it always resounds clearly with me. This is partly due to the contrasting meaning of 'above all' from the first section, which is expressing that Jesus is purer, more holy than us.

Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

The second song is 'Worthy is the Lamb', which is where the title of this post comes from.
I'll just post the link here, as personally I can't identify a particular section that is better than the rest.
www.youtube.com/watch

And on that note, I'd better get going on some of the work I need to do today.
Rdm

Comments

[everlastingway.livejournal.com]

That's so true about music and church. I play in church a lot and I am able to be so much more relaxed than if I'm playing at school, which I love.

[rdm-ation.livejournal.com]

It really is :)

[pebblegosling.livejournal.com]

I think the best music is the music with emotion in it, above skill. I think we may have talked about this at a vce recital once..

[rdm-ation.livejournal.com]

*casts mind back*
I'm sure we have at some point anyway. Whenever I get disillusioned, I just remind myself that *this* is why I do it.
Not that skill and emotional expression are mutually exclusive, either...

[luna-glass-wall.livejournal.com]

Anyway, it got me thinking about how I worship and reflect - there is a simple answer: music. It is so much a part of who I am, that it is simply how my brain functions. There is a power in the voices of those singing about what they believe.
THIS.

[rdm-ation.livejournal.com]

=)

[harpisan.livejournal.com]

Exactly why I *don't* want to study music like that anymore. I'm worried the technique would have priority over the expression.

But I'm glad you had a nice day :)

[rdm-ation.livejournal.com]

I do understand that. Even though I urged you not to give up. That was simply because you're too much like myself to let it go without a fight. And you didn't.

Random observation: this is why I was so entranced by the second piece at the Andre Rieu concert. It was a perfect mixture of both technique and expression.

[harpisan.livejournal.com]

I shall never truly give it up. You know that's impossible ;)

It was indeed gorgeous. Apparently so much so that the audience couldn't contain their applause :P

[rdm-ation.livejournal.com]

Indeed, indeed :P

I was attempting to forget that ;)