Jeff Bjorck grew up with the grand old hymns. They rang out from the record player and radio at home, and he sang them every week in church. His deep love for these classic melodies has inspired his fourth Pure Piano CD, T... more »his I Know: Ageless Hymns of Faith. With nine new hymn arrangements and six returning favorites, this CD features almost 75 minutes of Bjorck's interpretations of the music that helped to shape his faith in Christ. He states, "Each of these pieces is a personal favorite, anchored in rich history, relevant for today, and pointing me to a 'hope and a future' (Jeremiah 29:11)." The six tracks previously released on earlier CDs were recorded between 1995 and 2005, as were "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus," "It Is Well With My Soul," and "Jesus Loves Me." The remaining six new pieces were recorded in 2007. This I Know provides more of Jeff's signature quiet music to calm the heart in a noisy world. A number of the arrangements can also be enjoyed with the volume turned up way up reflecting their heritage as rousing anthems. While developing these pieces, Jeff became aware of musical influences planted during his childhood that reemerged as he played. "Our church pianist was a student of Rudy Atwood, renowned accompanist for Charles E. Fuller s Old Fashioned Revival Hour radio broadcast. Mr. Atwood even came and played at our church once when I was a boy. As I composed these hymns, I was surprised to hear hints of his style in my own playing. It is no small coincidence that I would grow up to become a professor at the seminary founded by Charles Fuller. That s quite an interesting full circle!" Fittingly, this CD is being released in the very same year that Fuller Seminary celebrates its 60th birthday. Although Jeff acknowledges the influence of old-time religion, the arrangements on This I Know represent a fresh approach to these classic hymns. In fact, some hymn lovers may be challenged to recognize all fifteen pieces in their current forms, each of which present variations of the original themes. Bjorck insists, however, that "While I play these arrangements, I hear the old hymns clearly at least in my head!" Whereas most hymns are typically associated with the authors who penned their lyrics, the composers of the melodies are generally less well known. With this in mind, Jeff views this CD as a tribute, first and foremost, to the composers. "Although I know at least some lyrics to all of these hymns, it is their melodies that are indelibly carved in my consciousness. I would not be surprised if the same were true for many listeners!"« less
Jeff Bjorck grew up with the grand old hymns. They rang out from the record player and radio at home, and he sang them every week in church. His deep love for these classic melodies has inspired his fourth Pure Piano CD, This I Know: Ageless Hymns of Faith. With nine new hymn arrangements and six returning favorites, this CD features almost 75 minutes of Bjorck's interpretations of the music that helped to shape his faith in Christ. He states, "Each of these pieces is a personal favorite, anchored in rich history, relevant for today, and pointing me to a 'hope and a future' (Jeremiah 29:11)." The six tracks previously released on earlier CDs were recorded between 1995 and 2005, as were "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus," "It Is Well With My Soul," and "Jesus Loves Me." The remaining six new pieces were recorded in 2007. This I Know provides more of Jeff's signature quiet music to calm the heart in a noisy world. A number of the arrangements can also be enjoyed with the volume turned up way up reflecting their heritage as rousing anthems. While developing these pieces, Jeff became aware of musical influences planted during his childhood that reemerged as he played. "Our church pianist was a student of Rudy Atwood, renowned accompanist for Charles E. Fuller s Old Fashioned Revival Hour radio broadcast. Mr. Atwood even came and played at our church once when I was a boy. As I composed these hymns, I was surprised to hear hints of his style in my own playing. It is no small coincidence that I would grow up to become a professor at the seminary founded by Charles Fuller. That s quite an interesting full circle!" Fittingly, this CD is being released in the very same year that Fuller Seminary celebrates its 60th birthday. Although Jeff acknowledges the influence of old-time religion, the arrangements on This I Know represent a fresh approach to these classic hymns. In fact, some hymn lovers may be challenged to recognize all fifteen pieces in their current forms, each of which present variations of the original themes. Bjorck insists, however, that "While I play these arrangements, I hear the old hymns clearly at least in my head!" Whereas most hymns are typically associated with the authors who penned their lyrics, the composers of the melodies are generally less well known. With this in mind, Jeff views this CD as a tribute, first and foremost, to the composers. "Although I know at least some lyrics to all of these hymns, it is their melodies that are indelibly carved in my consciousness. I would not be surprised if the same were true for many listeners!"
CD Reviews
A Soothing Balm
S. Pearson | 05/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is my favorite birthday gift. I've been going through a stressful time in my life and the music of these beautiful hymns, seeps into my heart like a soothing balm. I often listen before going to sleep at night. I highly recommend this CD to anyone who needs a few moments of peace, and an extra assurance of God's love."
Great performance - great production...GREAT CD !!!
R. Hendee | Norcross, GA USA | 02/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I found out about this CD in one of the recording forums on the web. I'd never heard of Jeff but feel fortunate to have happened upon his music. After listening to several soundbytes of this disc that were posted on the gearslutz forum, I knew immediately it was something I wanted to add to my collection. The songs on the disc are billed as a collection of hymns, though many won't be recognized as such due to Jeff's creative interpretations. The production, engineering and recording of this CD will blow you away...it's as if you're sitting in the room with Jeff as he plays. The only thing that overshadows what producer Bill Pearson did in the studio with the knobs is what Jeff Bjorck did in the studio on the piano. This is just a great collection of soothing solo piano music played by a very talented musician and captured by a top notch producer. And it keeps my blood pressure down while sitting in traffic in Atlanta! Truly the best $15 bucks I've spent in awhile."
Thrills My Very Soul!
Nancy Taylor | HAINES CITY, FL USA | 02/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My first glorious experience with Jeff's magnificent talent was "Day by Day" on a piano music website. I had to stop my work and find out the name of the artist thrilling my soul with this treasured hymn. With tears in my eyes from being drawn so close to Heaven by Jeff's spirit-filled rendition, I immediately ordered "This I Know: Ageless Hymns of Faith" via priority mail. As an Easter gift, I am ordering 3 more CD's so that my children and their families can be blessed by this beautiful music.
All of the hymns are favorites of mine, for I also grew up with this music a major part of my family's life. My very favorite of all of the hymns has always been "It Is Well With My Soul." The tragedy that inspired this wonderful hymn shows God's grace in a way few people ever experience. I weep unashamedly when I listen to Jeff play it.
Jeff's love of our Lord and sweet spirit come free with every CD, and he willingly shares them with the world. Thank you Jeff!"
This Timeless, Evocative Album Takes You Places
Garden State Critic | 02/09/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've listened to Jeff Bjorck's latest instrumental piano album, "This I Know: Ancient Hymns of Faith," several times over the last month or so. While this veteran artist's lovely renditions of classics such as "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" haven't yet failed to set a mellow, meditative mood, this collection of 15 tracks (nearly 75 minutes total) somehow turned even more poignant and alive during a recent Sunday afternoon car trip through central Connecticut.
Passing through the snow-covered New England landscape as the sun shined upon huddled neighborhoods, gray smoke exiting chimneys and tall church steeples casting long shadows across bare trees, Bjorck's music was akin to a time machine. I found the emotion of his playing (and even more crucially, the very rustic, timeless quality of his tone and composition) filled my mind with images of the countless people who've worshiped to these hymns over the centuries. Passing by Thomaston I wondered what it might have sounded like inside the town's Covenant Church during its first Sunday service in 1890 as the founding congregants heard the opening strains of "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling"---then only a decade old. Bjorck's melodies come about as close as you can to answering such questions.
Given this album's considerable evocative qualities, the highlights are unsurprisingly numerous: There's the incredibly gentle interpretation of "Fairest Lord Jesus" in which Bjorck easily drifts in and out of the familiar melody, offering pleasant flourishes and a beautiful high-to-low cascading coda; Bjorck deftly captures the hard emotions of "It Is Well with My Soul" (the lyrics of which were penned by Horatio Spafford in 1873 after he lost his four daughters in a shipwreck), beginning the tune quietly with single, reverberating notes before the melody builds and Bjorck plays the Yamaha C7 grand with greater and greater strength, and then returning to a thoughtful, meditative place as it closes---a well-done musical reflection of the wavelike feelings that so often follow tragedy; perhaps my favorite track is "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus," as Bjorck finds a wonderful dissonant note in his introductory phrasing that immediately invites me into the sweetness of the hymn; the fitting end to "This I Know" is a lullaby-like, upper-note version of "Jesus Loves Me"---and while not an ancient hymn, it smartly sums up the music and deep theology of the hymns Bjorck interprets here (and don't forget its memorable lyric takes its place in the title of this album).
Other pluses that must be mentioned include the artwork---especially the graphics on the disc itself (created originally by Bjorck's late father) and the very apropos stained-glass window depiction on the cover---and the detailed liner notes that not only introduce listeners to the history of these hymns, but also help us get to know the composer and his faith that gave wings to this project in the first place.
"This I Know: Ancient Hymns of Faith" is indeed timeless---but don't let that fact dissuade you from immediately letting it enrich your present reality.
"
This I Know: (and you can too!)
J. Covington | Los Angeles, CA | 02/09/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is so much that I appreciate about the "This I Know: Ageless Hymns of Faith" CD. Jeff Bjorck summed it up best with the line "47 years in the making" and it shows in the music and all the little extras. The explanation in the credits on the selection of artwork and photos was meaningful. His reflective "thank-you" as well as the "personal stories" about the music add to the beauty of this CD and give us a glimpse of the heart behind the hands.
But it is the music that shines. The selection of hymns is prime. The arrangements have that classic "Bjorck" stamp -- tender and thoughtful movements that invite a heartfelt response. I especially enjoy listening to this CD (and others Jeff has produced) because I find his compositions rejuvenating. In fact, I think that "encouraging" is also an apt description of all of Jeff Bjorck's music!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1