By Various Writers.

Nineteen timeless hymns by Various Writers

Interesting harmony and simple counterpoint; 19 great hymns, 32 pages.

Am I A Soldier Of The Cross?
Fairest Lord Jesus
In Heavenly Love Abiding
Now Thank We All Our God
O Mighty God
O Worship the King
Precious Jewels
Revive Us Again
Rock Of Ages
We Gather Together
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Could I Speak The Matchless Worth
Saviour, Breathe an Evening Blessing
Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
Sweet By And By
We Are Living, We Are Dwelling
Who Is On The Lord's Side?

This volume contains a wide selection of famous musical themes from Bach to Carl Orff. Some of them were originally written for the piano. most have had their scores carefully arranged to make them easy to play on the piano. Each piece is followed with a jazz interpretation, which can either be played alone or alongside the 'original' version. Perhaps this will show that the 'classics' are not all that far removed from jazz, and that music of earlier periods contains many of the essential characteristics of jazz. Doesn't Lully's 'Gavotte', for instance, contain one of the most famous jazz themes ever? The 'Blue Gavotte' may make this clearer. The theme from Mozart's Sonata in A major (K 331) doesn't require many rhythmic changes to give it a blues flavour ('Mozart Goes Blues'). The driving rhythm of the ostinato bass in Carl Orff's 'O Fortuna' would suit modern jazz-rock performers well, with a few small changes ('A Fortune for a Tune'). What do Bizet's 'Habanera', Brahms' 'Hungarian Dance No. 5' and Paganini's 'Caprice No. 24' have in common? Why have they been turned into salsa music ('Habanera con Cigarro', 'Hungarian Salsa No. 5', 'Capriccio Latino')? Much of this is up to the individual: if you want to discover similarities, they are easy to find.