SKU: GI.G-CD-887
In his new CD, Prayers of Hope and Healing, Liam Lawton combines selections from his popular book The Hope Prayer (G-7823, $21.95) with his original melodies, newly orchestrated by Mark Cahill. The prayers and reflections included on this recording deal with many of life's recurrent themes—joy, sorrow, growing old, birth, death, and loss, to name but a few. Each of these prayers is an invitation to enter into the beauty of God's presence, encouraging the listener to persist in prayer beyond the final notes of each supplication into their own distinctive dialogue with God. This CD makes a great gift for anyone in need of healing prayer. It is perfect for reflection in the different “sanctuaries” of our lives-places like the car, the office, or even amidst nature during a quiet walk or respite under a tree, a blanket of stars, or the sun-drenched sky. Reflect on one prayer everyday. Use them in prayer services, private devotions, public prayer, or small Christian communities. Author and composer Lawton reads each reflection himself, his gentle delivery and rich vocal timbre breathe compassion and life into these expressive words of inspiration and hope—lighting a pathway to peace and shepherding the soul toward rest.
SKU: HL.49047037
ISBN 9781705182024. UPC: 842819116998. 9.0x12.0x0.123 inches.
My father, Y. “Raghu” Raghunathan, came from India to the U.S. in 1963, followed soon after by my mother Sita. Dad enjoyed a substantial career as a pharmaceutical chemist, but he drew satisfaction from a simple life among family and friends, never allowing professional demands to overshadow his devotion to loved ones. Modest, compassionate, and ardently egalitarian, he was careful not to take anything too seriously, especially himself. He embraced his own ordinariness because it connected him to everyone else; it made him no better or worse than his neighbor, no more or less deserving of friendship or kindness than any of his fellow human beings. He showed us how to live with dignity, compassion, grace, and boundless love. His last piece of advice to me: “Go slow.” Several weeks after his passing, I happened upon a recording of Shostakovichs 24 Preludes and Fugues, opus 87. I couldnt understand why at the time, but the sixteenth prelude and fugue took hold of me and would not let go. I completely immersed myself in that piece for ten days, until it became a mystical conduit for something else: in this semi-trance state I produced a prelude and fugue of my own, in prayer (orison) and in praise (upastuti). It shadows Shostakovichs form, but it somehow expresses my fathers unhurried, loving spirit. Ive come to believe that he sent me this piece as a blessing. I hope you feel his presence in it as I do. Vijay Iyer.
SKU: HL.14028004
ISBN 9788759860984. 12.0x16.5x0.438 inches.
Full score for this work for Guitar and Small Ensemble. Ruders writes: The word has its origin in ancient Greek: Psalmoidia i.e. 'singing to the harp', and we find the word again in Psalter, derived from Psallein 'playing the strings with the fingers'. 'Psalmodies' written for and dedicated to David Starobin, has no specific religious content or aim; the collection of eleven pieces forms a concert-suite, displaying a wide range of emotions; from the jubilant to the dismal, the guitar playing the natural leading part 'inside' a chorus of woodwinds and strings. The title and each movement mirrors the variety of moods, from the secular feast of A Fanfare for All to the sacred introversion of A Prayer with Halo. 'Psalmodies' opens with a guitar-solo and closes down with one: the rejoicing Entrance for One and the hushed, melancholy Exit for One, thus exemplifying the emotional compass, which I, in an essay on my first symphony; 'Himmelhoch Jauchsend-zum Tode betrubt' entitle: Of Joy and Grief. Of Worship and Oblivion.
