It arrived!

Martin Luther’s Hymns, Ballads, Chants, Truth is a collection of four CD’s of the music of Martin Luther. This particular recording has been on the ‘dare-I-don’t-I’ list since graduate school. During one of my required courses at that time, Professor B. gave us an assignment – learn about something that interested us. No rules, no guidelines – just permission to indulge in whatever we may have put off for whatever reason.

I learned to play the piano long ago (don’t ask me to play “Chopsticks” or “Heart and Soul”) and went from the few years of instruction to basic skills in reading music. When I joined choir at the church I had joined, I decided I would need much more practice than the regular sessions allowed. In buying a portable keyboard (a major indulgence during that unemployment time), I had fun in trying to commit to memory what the alto piece of a certain hymn should sound.

When Professor B. gave us the assignment, I thought ‘music’ could be safe madness, especially in trying to play the often dusted instrument in the apartment. Then as I became more involved with choir the more I became curious about Martin Luther’s hymns. Thankfully, Pastor loaned me his copy of the recording I finally have in my hands today.

I could go ahead and write lines upon lines about the marvels of Martin’s words, the melodies chosen and his thoughts about music as it relates to worship. I could go ahead and list all the songs found on the four discs yet to be heard (even as the first of the collection has already claimed a place in the player). Instead. in practicing restraint, I will end with this quote: