Blessed is the man

If you haven't heard Sergei Rachmaninov's Vespers, then I whole-heartidly believe you are missing out on one of the greatest (in my opinion) musical achievements created by any man. Particularly I would like to point out the second and third texts:

the second... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3yAlequsRc

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, blessed art thou, O Lord.
O Lord my God, thou art very great.
Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Blessed art thou, O Lord.
The waters stand upon the mountains.
Marvellous are thy works, O Lord.
In wisdom hast thou made all things.
Glory to thee, O Lord, who hast created all.




and the third... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQTzQpTbr4c

BLESSED IS THE MAN who walks not in the counsel of the wicked. Alleluia.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked will perish. Alleluia.
Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice in him with trembling. Alleluia.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Arise, O Lord! Save me, 
O my God! Alleluia.
Salvation is of the Lord; and thy blessing is upon thy people. Alleluia.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, 
both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Glory to thee, O God.


Both of these are some of the most gorgeous pieces that I've ever heard. The second points out the glory and splendor of God. The third glories in the man who is righteous enough to give adequate praise to God. I thought I might share these with you all in hopes that they might bring home those most fundamental values of the human soul. Enjoy them...they are so rarely perfect.

Do or do not, there is no try.

As many of you know, I've just completed the performance studies of my music education degree. This is a very bittersweet feeling for me. I love playing music...that's why I'm doing what I am with my life. I've learned the most about music by diligent practice on my instrument. There is no substitute for the learning experience of performance. If you were at my senior recital, you know that I played many many notes. But if it's the one thing I've learned in the past four years is that you're not always going to hit them all. Chances are if you hit them all, something's going to be out of tune eventually. Now, don't misconstrue this as a "you don't need to be good" speech. If you know me, you know that I'm (sort of) a perfectionist. I believe that if it's worth doing, then it's worth doing right.  I'm merely pointing out that even if you're not the most technically skilled musician, there is so much to learn just by playing music for people. I think this is the most valuable lesson that I've learned these past four years. My ears have developed quite a bit recently and I think that I'm an adequate musician to go into the world and help others be too.

Never, never, never give up.