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Review by Alejandro Clavijo González from reviewsnewage.com
This
I Know
~
Ageless Hymns of Faith ~
Jeff
Bjorck
2007
1.2 hours
This
I Know is the fourth CD of the versatile pianist Jeff Björck. A work that
includes fifteen traditional hymns, six of them unpublished. Melodies with which
Jeff has lived since childhood and has provided a new approach. Varying the
melodies and deflecting slightly the classic style of these hymns has managed to
approach the listener, in order to calm your heart and transfer you from this
hectic world, to one, where the word "Peace" lives up to its name.
"Come
Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is the warm adaptation that Jeff does of the
popular hymn which in his day wrote the Pastor Robert Robinson. The popular
melody is played by a happy hand right. A more energetic piece than the original
hymn, with a touch of freshness that fills the heart of peace and of welfare of
the listener. Stirring piece!.
"'Tis
So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" is an hymn endowed with great beauty, sweet,
delicate. A alternated touch of notes from the left hand is the subtle and
perfect accompaniment to the right hand. These are moments of calm, a melody
that invites evasion, close the eyes, to breathe deeply and draw a smile.
Beautiful piece!.
"Day
By Day" is part of his previous album Impressions In Black And White, a
piece which invade to the artist of good memories, besides being the favorite
hymn of his parents. "Day By Day" is warm, friendly, where both hands
give life to an exciting melody, able to stop time and get the listener to enjoy
a few precious minutes of peace. Exciting!.
"Fairest
Lord Jesus" is one of the first hymns that Jeff learned in his childhood. A
blow sharp of chord as introduction and A graceful melody reproduced by high
notes, They make way for a piece that flows slow, chord progressions played by
the left hand and high notes played by the right hand they give life to one of
the most tender and beautiful tracks.
"Holy,
Holy, Holy" is an hymn already published in Pure Piano Panoramas. This is
one of the most important hymns in the life of Jeff, it was used for her wedding
day. With quiet tone, this piece plunges to the listener into his ideal world, a
world where there is only the peace and quiet. The slow flow of melody and the
silences, as important as the melody, provides a unique sensibility to this
hymn. Pure delicacy!.
A
comings and goings of notes from low chords are the introduction of "When I
Survey The Wondrous Cross", a beautiful and hopeful piece. The chords well
marked by the right hand and the continued comings and goings of chords played
by the left hand, creating a moment of complete stillness, but a powerful and
energetic melody at its zenith draws attention of the listener, an exciting
instant in which it is easy imagine the moment of resurrection, a lonely cross
stands empty at the top of a mountain.
"It
Is Well With My Soul" is a very popular hymn, of which there have been
countless adaptations, in this case, this hymn is parsimonious. A broken and
simple melody played by the right hand and marked chords played on the left
hand, give life to a melancholy piece, until a fast arpeggio in the lower chords
of the piano accompanying the popular melody, give it strength and a great joy
to the track. An exciting piece!.
One
of the most powerful pieces of this album is entitled "
"O,
The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus'. A swing of chords played by the left hand and a
quick right hand creates a lament or a prayer addressed to the top of the
heaven. A piece that in some moments, is mesmerizing and sometimes shows sad.
One theme that immerses the listener in their deepest thoughts, a piece ideal
for moments of reflection. This hymn is included in one of Jeff's previous
albums, Pure Piano Panoramas.
"Give
to the Wind Thy Fears" is a song full of optimism. A beautiful and
energetic melody that gives life the right hand and invites the listener to
launch his fears to the air and move forward. A marvelous piece, with a huge
sentimental value to Jeff. A hymn that gives confidence to the listener. Pure
energy!.
"Be
Still My Soul" is the album's longest piece, more than seven minutes, a
familiar hymn, Jeff gives it a unique sensibility creating a choppy melody,
where the hands of artists flowing calmly on the piano, feeling every note, each
chord. Pure delicacy!.
"All
Creatures Of Our God And King" is a hymn composed in the thirteenth century
by St. Francis of
Jeff's
favorite hymn is "Be Thou My Vision", a lively and rhythmic piece, a
subtle rhythm of quick notes by the right hand and the progressions of left hand
. A cheerful and hopeful hymn that shows the listener a different view, unique
and pure, the God vision. A cheerful piece!.
"Softly
And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling" is a delicate and pleasant song, a sweet
dream come to life in the hands of Jeff. The melody draws a tender moment, a
whisper of voices in a quiet moment, a dialogue in which can to distinguished
the words Love, Peace and Faith. The hands of Jeff walk gently on the keyboard
giving life to this beautiful piece.
"Jesus
Love Me" is the piece that inspired the title of this work, "Jesus
Loves Me" to which Jeff replies, "Eso Lo Sé" or what is the same
"This I Know." A sensitive adaptation, where the Jeff wields feeling
to give life to the popular hymn, attest to the importance that the pianist
gives the meaning of the title track. A perfect piece to round off this
wonderful work.
Rating:
5 / 5
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