More inspirational music from the Jesuits

I find it so heartening that the Jesuits Music Ministry continues to come up with albums of beautiful inspirational music. Of course, I believe that one of the reasons must be that these quiet, introspective albums must be selling well. But then, I guess that the fact that they do also says a lot about the greater search for spirituality by many people these days.

And they do get a lot out of this by listening to these Jesuit albums. Experiencing the music they make is almost like being in deep prayer. The effect of the songs is so calming that you cannot help but feel refreshed and ready to meet the cares of the world again after listening to one of these albums. More so, when the tunes included are familiar ones that evoke comforting memories of innocent childhood.

Mostly familiar is the music found in the latest album release from the Jesuit Music Ministry. This is Be Not Afraid, a new collection in the successful Lauds series which now number six volumes. Featured performer is pianist Arnel Aquino, S.J., who is already a familiar name as artist and composer in those Jesuit albums. Aquino performs music from the St. Louis Jesuits.

Anybody who went through childhood in a Catholic school should discover a lot of memories with this album. You are Near, Here I Am, Lord, Sing to the Mountains which are all inspired by quotations from the Bible, are some of these well-remembered songs. What I didn’t know then and only found out now is that those songs came from the St. Louis Jesuits. Thanks to the album, instrumental versions of these old favorites are available on CDs and can be listened to again and again. And I am glad that the composers are now given their due credit.

Let’s get the contents of the album all down and also the names of those composers responsible for these beautiful songs. Here I Am Lord, Yahweh, The Faithful One, You are Near, City of God, and Sing a New Song all by Dan Schutte; I Lift Up My Soul by Tim Manion; Dwelling Place, Earthen Vessels, Take, Lord, Receive, I Rejoiced, and One Bread, One Body by John Foley, SJ; Be Not Afraid, Like a Shepherd, Father, Mercy, Play Before the Lord, Let Heaven Rejoice and Sing to the Mountains by Bob J. Dufford, S.J.

Lauds, Be Not Afraid will be launched at the Church of the Gesu at the Ateneo de Manila University on Friday, Sept.13 at 5:45 p.m. This is no ordinary launch for the performance will take the form of Evening Prayer according to the ancient tradition of the Catholic Church. The prayers will be punctuated by musical numbers from Bro. Arnel and the Himig Heswita. The event is open to the public.

Now that it is only 104 days to go until Christmas Day, you might want to take note of other Lauds albums now available in the market. These are the first volume which contains Anima Christi and Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas-Palad, Lauds, a 2 journey of faith to Bethany and Jerusalem, First Prayers with songs of childhood faith, A Lonely Place to Pray which is the best of the Lauds collection and for the Holiday Season, a sweet collection of favorite carols, A Lauds Christmas. There is also Hangad A Capella! which features a cappella renditions of some famous religious songs like Papuri, Panalangin Sa Pagiging Bukas-Palad, Kahanga-hanga, Anima Christi, You are Near and others.

The music of Willy Cruz

Also scheduled on Friday, Sept. 13 and also concerning another album of soothing instrumental music. Willy Cruz, composer of hit songs like Bituing Walang Ningning, Kahit Na, Sana’y Wala ng Wakas and Never Ever Say Goodbye will perform selections from his album titled Got to Believe in Magic at the second floor of The Podium in Mandaluyong at 6 p.m.

Willy’s album is the new hit release from Viva Records. It features Willy on the piano performing current favorites like Got to Believe in Magic, Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang, She, Warrior is a Child, There Were You, Forevermore, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan and many others. Willy will also perform at the Podium on two more Saturdays, Sept. 21 and 28.