Most weeks on Sunday, you can hear me at Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, often playing piano arrangements during Offertories. I decided to record a wide variety of these arrangements for this CD. The original intent was to have something to sell at the Church's annual Crafts Bazaar. Some of these arrangements have an "antique" quality reminiscent of silent movie days. Some are modern, or employ the full range of sonority and technique required of concert pianists. Some combine the hymn with classical tunes. Some are jazz oriented.
One reviewer said the CD is "Both relaxing and uplifting."
I employ the full dynamic range of the instrument, from loud to soft. In a way, I like to think I invite or coax listeners to participate in the auditory experience. Buy the CD. Sing along with the Hymns, or relax with them as you drive your car. You may be surprised as to how much easier rush hour will seem. Send one to the troops in Iraq so that they can have something inspiring. Enjoy.
Pianist John Carpenter is Music Director of Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati. He hosted a classical show in Cincinnati called "Concert-Kibitz" for two seasons. His Master's degree in Piano was earned at Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He had further studies privately in New York and, later, as a Scholarship student at College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. In New York he played at Carnegie Recital Hall, the Long Island Beethoven Festival, on WQXR and WOR radio, and in concert with his teacher and mentor the late Eugene List. His other main teachers were Robert Goldsand, Sascha Gorodnitzki and Louis Crowder.
He appeared on stage with the Cincinnati Ballet at the Aronoff Center, and on Classical WGUC. He has won several awards. (Kalamazoo Bach Festival Young Artist Competition; University of Connecticut Concerto Competition; Silver Medal, International Piano Recording Competition; Merit Scholarship, Manhattan School of Music; Full scholarship and Teaching Assistantship, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati).
John has been a church Music Director and Pianist for several churches over the past decade. He is also a published writer, especially on musical subjects and of short plays. He is not to his knowledge related to the movie director of the same name.
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