This piece by Johann Sebastian Bach needs no introduction. There are other sections that are not as well known, but this segment is the most popular. It was one of the first of many simplified Bach pieces I learned as an early piano student. I still enjoy playing it, more than 26 years later.
I hope you enjoy this arrangement played first as a duet on alto recorder, then on lyre, next on zither, and ending with the recorder duet!
I would have waited to post this hymn closer to Easter, if I had realized before recording it that it’s an Easter hymn. However, it’s also an Advent hymn, which I knew, entitled “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.” In either case, the tune is a traditional Welsh melody called “Hyfrydol.”
Today you can clearly hear the difference between Oriole (soprano) and alto recorder. I play the melody as a solo on each of these instruments, then on viola, and end with zither.
Please feel free to share in the comments whether you prefer one recorder over the other! I prefer the warmer sound of the alto myself, but the Oriole is easier to play, with a shorter finger stretch. They’re also in different keys, with the Oriole in C and the alto in F.
I hope you enjoy this arrangement!
This traditional folk song is also known as “One Morning in May,” “The Bold Grenadier,” and other titles. The tune is an Irish air, appearing in print in Stanford’s 1905 edition of George Petrie’s song collection.
I hope you enjoy this tune on Oriole (soprano) recorder, viola, and zither!
I first heard this 17th-century folk song as a child. Believe it or not, it was part of an Elementary School book and CD set we often used in music class. The version on the CD was sung a cappella by a solo tenor voice. It was hauntingly done, but I found the song disturbing, because of the
lyrics.
While I still think the song tells a bittersweet story, it’s a beautiful melody that never left me.
I hope you enjoy hearing “Barbara Allen” on Oriole (soprano) recorder and zither!
“Sweet Hour of Prayer” was written by William W. Walford, who lived in England from 1772 to 1850.
This hymn is about private prayer, rather than congregational prayer in a church service or other setting. This is deep, intense, personal prayer of petition; thanksgiving; and again, petition, but from a waiting, faithful soul who is aware that God already knows what is needed.
American songwriter, William Bradbury, composed the fitting music for this hymn.
I hope you enjoy this beautiful, contemplative melody on zither!
It’s Burns Night once again! Every year on January 25th, many people in Scotland and other countries hold suppers in honor of the great poet, Robert Burns, born January 25, 1759.
This song is often known by its first line, “My Love is like a Red, Red Rose.” Burns did not write it, but based his poem on traditional sources. We owe Burns a debt of gratitude, because if it were not for his desire to transcribe traditional Scottish tunes, many beautiful melodies like this one would be lost to time.
I hope you enjoy my zither arrangement!
It seems I post these hymns later and later every Sunday! I apologize for this. I do my very best to abide by the International Metaphysical Ministry Ordination Vows and Code of Ethics, which contain a requirement that says (my paraphrase), “I vow not to let my personal struggles and problems interfere with my work.” I have always taken my Ordination Vows and Code of Ethics seriously, and I am deeply committed to the work I’ve chosen. But lately, it’s been extremely difficult! I thank all of you for your patience and continued support!
Today’s hymn is entitled “Praise Him Praise Him!” It was written by the incomparable Fanny (Frances Jane) Crosby in 1869. I sang this in church as a child, but this is the first time I’ve played it. I hope you enjoy listening to this hymn on zither!
I wish each and every one of you peace, health, strength, and above all, both the knowing and feeling that you are loved!
Here is another traditional Scottish folk song, called “The Bluebells of Scotland.” Dora Jordan, an English actress and writer, wrote this song, which was first published in 1801. It remains popular today, both in Scotland and elsewhere.
I hope you enjoy hearing this lovely melody on zither!
There are times when we could all use a filter, especially when we feel tired and run down or in pain.
Maybe it’s a coffee filter; these days it’s probably a mask, or even a mask with a filtering element.
Whatever you use and whatever you need, I pray that yours is a filter of hope!
Not to prevent hope–oh no–but to prevent some negativity from entering your heart, mind, soul, and outlook!
Here is a medley of two pieces I composed years ago, “Hard Times” and “Hope.”
May this meditation with zither, alto recorder, and Oriole soprano recorder be a hopeful filter for you during these difficult times!
—
Written for
#SixSentenceStories: Filter
and
Tale Weaver #310: Tired and Run Down.
Yes, I know that Christmas is either over, or hasn’t arrived yet, depending on how you look at it! But, today is Three Kings Day, when the Adoration of the Magi is celebrated in many countries. Children wake up this morning to find they have received gifts from the Three Kings. It sounds like a fun celebration to me!
This well-known carol was written in 1857. The melody and lyrics were both written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr., with the lyrics based on Matthew 2:1, which reads: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,[.]”
–King James Version (KJV)
I love the refrain! I also hope you enjoy listening to “We Three Kings” played on alto recorder, viola, and zither!
Mystical Strings 
You must be logged in to post a comment.