6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I really liked this..., Aug 30 2007
By D. R. Brown "Lola1618ut" - Published on Amazon.com
My father is a pastor, but we dont have a pianist as of yet, so we need to use prerecorded hymn tracks. We were getting tired of the same old ones that we had, so I ordered this CD. Unfortunately, it wasn't what I expected, but I still really enjoyed the music. This music is like symphony orchestra styled music, so it's nothing that you can time words and chorus' to. The music is beautiful and I find it very relaxing and enjoyable to listen to.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A RICH TREASURY OF GREAT HYMNS, May 16 2010
By Betsy Heimbuch - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: 102 Instrumental Hymns (Audio CD)
This 3 cd set features all of the "old" hymns that most of heard in Church since we were small. Yes, they do not rise to the talent of Anthony Burger or some of the great pianists but they feature many of the instruments and are easy to listen to. I use them to relax and nap!! It is like having the hymnal played. I recommend them if you want some of the great hymns played softly & tenderly.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very nice collection - great background music, April 13 2012
By Mark V. - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: 102 Instrumental Hymns (Audio CD)
Wow, some of you are a tough crowd.
I played organ and piano in church for about 35 years, and have composed or improvised, and played, both solo and duet arrangements of nearly every one of these hymns during that time. In my view, these are very good arrangements. They make skillful use of the basic arranging toolkit...chord subsitutions, harmonies and countermelodies, key changes, rhythm and cadence variations, and some nice instrumental flourishes, for example, strings, chime and bell effects, but with piano being the primary instrument.
What I really like about both the arrangements and instrumentation is that although they're interesting and pleasant, they're generally not overbearing or ostentatious. And they are nicely balanced...within all their arrangments, you still hear the melody and chord progressions distinctly throughout--which is not always the case with performers who tend toward more bombastic arrangements; sometimes you forget just what it was they were playing.
Admittedly, these don't sound as if played on a 9-foot Yamaha concert grand, or recorded in a professional studio or hall. But the sound is clean and crisp, and they make the best use of the electronic keyboards without overdoing it. They don't try to squeeze every possible instrument sound the keyboard can make into each arrangement. And they're not using electronic effects and rhythms to mask a lack of musicianship, that's for sure. These ladies know what they're doing on keyboards. Twin Sisters has a website that describes their emphasis on music in education, and lists other collections they've done. Good info.
These are not meant to karaoke tracks, folks. Some of the arrangements by nature would be tough to sing along with, or use to accompany congretational singing, as other reviewers noted. But it is great and inspiring music to have on while reading, working, or in the car.
My recommendation would be to shop around though, because the prices for this collection on Amazon seem a little out of whack.