Album Notes

Matthew Chupp commenced his piano journey at age twelve, with formal studies beginning a year later. His other musical interests include composition, violin, organ, and vocal. Chupp resides in Virginia, where he teaches piano and continues personal music development.

“I had always dreamed of making an album but I thought that it would be to difficult or I might not be good enough. But then the opportunity came along and I thought ‘Here’s your chance, Matt.’ So I embarked on one of the most challenging experiences of my life. There were a lot of bumps along the way, but I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, this has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have a friend who once told me, ‘Musicians don’t do what they do because of money. They do what they do because the LOVE it!’ I have found that to be true for me as well. Making music is my passion. God has given me a talent that I do not want to waste!” --Matt


How Beautiful - This song was an excruciating process to record because my style was different than the style of the arrangers, and so I would be reading the music and trying to record and then I would notice that something I played wasn’t quite right…

To A Wild Rose - I thought this song needed a little dressing up from what it was originally so I added a few frills.

“Moonlight” Sonata 1st Mov. - A joy to listen to but what a headache to record when you are trying to get dynamics down perfectly, when you are exhausted, when distractions abound, etc.

Jewish Town (Schindler’s List) - A tribute to everyone who suffered and lost their peace through the Holocaust. I stumbled across this song on day as I was surfing the web… I fell in love with it!

Finlandia - Everyone cheer for Jeffery Bjorck! An arrangement anyone would be proud of! I like how this song moves you along, but still lets you walk.

Stars and Butterflies (Pride and Prejudice) - The day after Thanksgiving 2008, my cousin and I were shopping at the mall and I went into a music store and saw the soundtrack to the movie. I had been hearing a lot of good things about the score so I bought it. Now I know why fans rage about it. After I became familiar with “Stars and Butterflies” there wasn’t a doubt. It just had to be on my recording.

In Dreams - I had known about this song for several years and I had purposed that if I ever made a recording this was going to be one of my selections. The arrangement that I had just wasn’t up to my requirements so I modified. On evening as I was working on it I decided to record and see what I came up with. Amazingly what you hear was only my second take. I was a bit tired and as I was finishing the song I actually started drifting off but the music was still coming. It was such an awesome feeling to just let the music do what it wanted to do.

Melody’s Song - AHHHHHH! My sister helped me with the background vocals… I have just this one thing left to say: We came out alive!

Prelude from (Wohltemperierte Klavier I no.1) - I’ve known about this song since the beginning of my musical experience. I know it’s simple… but sometimes simple things are the sweetest things.

Russian Waltz - I don’t have a clue as to what the origin of this song is but I really liked how it rippled across the piano. I made up my own arrangement and there you have it.

Melody, op.68 - This song reminds of a music box in a dusty, old, forgotten attic. Schumann mastered the art of beautiful simplicity.

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - I deliberated long and hard about including this song. It’s a common wedding processional, and I thought maybe it wouldn’t fit well on the recording. But I think a touch of J.S. Bach makes everything a little more complete.

The Rose - This song has always been my special song ever since my piano teacher introduced it in piano form to me. I have a friend who had this song sung at her wedding, and when she heard that I knew it she asked me to play it for her. I never got the chance to perform it live but I did make a recording of it, which I gave to her. I knew if I was ever going to make an album this would be on it. I didn’t stick with my original arrangement, but I did try to keep the same “feeling”. This song is the heartbeat of this recording. My theme.