Augsburg Fortress

Easy Hymns for the Church Pianist, Volume 2

Easy Hymns for the Church Pianist, Volume 2

An outstanding resource for church pianists, teachers, and students, this collection includes hymn settings that range from meditative and contemplative to joyous and celebratory. The melody of the hymn tune is featured prominently in each piece, while fresh, colorful harmonies engage listener and performer alike. With titles that span the liturgical year, this volume will make an excellent addition to every church pianist’s library.
  • In stock

$23.00

  • Publisher Augsburg Fortress
  • Format Sheet Music
  • ISBN 9781451494112
  • Dimensions 8.5 x 11
  • Pages 40
  • Season/Occasion Christmas; Easter; General; Lent & Holy Week
  • Difficulty Easy-Medium
  • Voicing Piano
  • Publication Date October 27, 2014

Audio Samples

Assurance

Divinum mysterium

Ellacombe

Foundation

Give Me Jesus

Hyfrydol

Resignation

Schonster Herr Jesu

The Ash Grove

Wondrous Love

Composer Commentary

I began piano lessons at the age of eight, and four years later I found myself playing the piano for worship services at my small church in rural New Hampshire. So, hymns and hymn arrangements have long been a part of my musical journey. One of the things I love to do now, as a composer and pianist, is to shape hymns into settings for solo piano. This collection may be my personal favorite of those that I have written so far!

As a church musician, I know that finding time to learn new repertoire can be difficult. And, as a classically trained pianist, I know that finding satisfying, idiomatic hymn settings can be difficult, too. With this collection, I have attempted to write pieces that are not too technically challenging but that are still engaging for the performer and listener alike. “Angels We Have Heard on High” is a lot of fun to play, and it sounds like “Christmas” to me. “Give Me Jesus” does not require great technical facility, but it does require artistry to attain its full emotional impact. “What Wondrous Love Is This” captures the drama of the hymn text and ends with a moment of transcendent longing: “and through eternity I’ll sing on.” I hope you enjoy playing these pieces as much as I do!

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