Friday Five: Our Favorite Music

Songbird of RevGalBlogPals writes:

When I was a very little girl growing up in Virginia, I never missed a Sunday going to Court Street Baptist Church. But there was something else that made Sundays special, and that was "Davey and Goliath." Every week the opening strains of the theme song would find me lying on the floor, chin on hands, looking up expectantly to watch the adventures of a clay boy and his big dog. What I didn't realize was who wrote that music, the hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

It was the same Martin Luther who said: "I have no use for cranks who despise music, because it is a gift of God. Music drives away the Devil and makes people gay; they forget thereby all wrath, unchastity, arrogance, and the like. Next after theology, I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor."

On this Friday before Reformation Sunday, let's talk about music. Share with us five pieces of music that draw you closer to the Divine, that elevate your mood or take you to your happy place. They might be sung or instrumental, ancient or modern, sacred or popular...whatever touches you.

I'm at school at Whoopin Divinity this week, finishing up research and trying to get that last bit of work in before I head home in the morning. My list is pretty eclectic... (just warning you...) so hang onto your hats... Where I could find a video I liked, I've linked you to it. These are NOT in any order of "favorites" because they are so different I couldn't pick an order!!!


Favorite Piano Piece:
All Chopin Nocturnes (can't pick one, really, but here's a recording of Op.9#2 in Eb as performed by Artur Rubenstein)

Favorite Choral Piece:
O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen (I can't find a video I like, so here's his website.)

Favorite Contemporary Christian Song: (for the moment, anyway!)
Perfect Peace by Laura Story (an adequate video is here...)

Toccata, from the Organ Symphony by Charles-Marie Widor
This piece is often snorted at as a "show piece" but I love it's celebratory nature. And I have a special love for it since we recessed to it on our wedding day! Here's a video from an Easter at the Washington National Cathedral.

My HAPPY music:
Where the Streets Have No Name by U2

OK,
Back to the books... One more night of writing and research and then home!!!!!!!

Deb