"My first compositions were arrangements of songs we would
sing in church- hymns, or more contemporary Christian
numbers. In the same way, the very first recording I made in
1994 comprised a significant number of hymns and songs that
I arranged for the piano. This new recording, Grace, then, is
in many ways a return to what originally was a starting point
in my taking up of music-writing.
Plans for Grace started immediately after my recording of
piano solos, From the Heart, in May last year. Of the eleven
tracks included in the recording, three are original
compositions, the rest being arrangements of existing music. I
had intended for a compilation of the old and new songs that
glorifed God, and most importantly, the infinite and
immeasurable grace that He has given us- that amazing gift of
forgiveness of sin, and power to live with dignity in the
present and with hope for the future. The songs in Grace are
favourites that are still sung in the traditional and modern
services in many churches today. And with the Christmas
season drawing upon us again, the piano renditions of hymns
sing of the great rejoicing of Christ's birth- God's greatest gift
to humanity."
| Journeys (1996) |
reflects a more mature writing style, with greater variation in the use of instruments and more
complex melodic lines.
I wrote Journeys to signify the many travels and tribulations we will meet in life. As we meet with
adversity, we will become disheartened with the many hardships and afflictions. I am reminded of a
story first related to me by a friend when I was 14. A man saw that all through life, Christ had
always been walking side by side with him, as seen from the two pairs of footprints on the sand,
signifying his entire life road. But pointing to a period of time where he was suffering from great
despair, there seemingly was only one pair of footprints. He asked the Lord, why did He abandon him
at his most grave moment of need. Christ replied, "My son- during this great time of need, you were
not alone. I bore you on my shoulders."
| Part the Waters (1996) |
participated in the youth Christian Fellowship groups. One of the songs that touched me dearly was a
song that asked the Lord to always hold us up, even when the waters of the onrushing ocean
threatens to overwhelm us. This song is arranged here in the second composition. When I think I am
going under, part the waters, Lord was a heartfelt song we would sing.
| From a Distance (1996) |
music, the song is another one of my favourite pieces of modern vocal pieces nevertheless.
| Intermezzo (1996) |
famous for the charmingly pastoral and scenic pieces he wrote for the piano. A delightful and
graceful piece, really one of my favourites.
Don Moen. I first learnt this song during a Navigators Fellowship camp in June 1992, and in times of
distress, I am often deeply cheered by its words:
When there seems.
To be no way
He works in ways
We cannot see.
He will make a way for me."
1996. The string accompaniment for the song is actually an arrangement of the canonical bass
melody of Pachebel’s Canon in D, another perennial favourite in the Yuletide season. Grace
reflects upon the Lord’s immeasurable forgiveness. The song brings to mind a saying, something I
was thinking of while writing i: that each new season we live to see is God’s way of giving us a
little more time to get our lives right.
