As someone who practices and records piano only in my free-time, I'm especially excited when I reach "milestone" achievements that didn't feel possible at the beginning of the year (like releasing my first album, or reaching 20,000 subscribers on Youtube, or donating 25 CDs to memory-care and medical-rehab facilities). This week's newsletter is a tad different than the normal magical, music reflection because I just reached 2 FULL HOURS of digitally-remastered music available in The Sound Sanctuary. Newsletter Subscribers who contribute to the Music Heals Newsletter (with even just $1.00), are granted unlimited access to this ever-evolving catalog of ad-free, digitally-remastered music, before anyone else hears it. I hope you'll consider stoking the flame with a direct donation (👇 see the bottom of the email to contribute🔥). 

Either way, you will still continue to receive music included in the weekly (ish) newsletters, so please do not feel pressured to contribute if you do not feel inspired.

This past month alone, four recordings (2 of which feature Beth Anderson) were added. Here’s a few personal thoughts about these additions (pssst: the Schubert Serenade you're hearing now is a sneak peak of the quality of other recordings available in the Sound Sanctuary):

• Chopin Prelude Op. 28 No. 4 - The typical run-time for this piece hovers at about 2 minutes, but I felt like it needed to be TWO TIMES SLOWER, to be closer to our heartbeat. I hope it gives the impression of the listener BEGGING for the next note (and also having extended resolution), RATHER than the typical listening experience for this piece, which is more passive (because it is pushed toward the listener at a quicker speed).

• Chopin Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 “Raindrop” - Beth Anderson (my Mom), approaches this piece thoughtfully while maintaining the structure of a rain shower. This piece is deceivingly tricky BECAUSE of the repetitive nature of those rain drops; to draw out a melody AND maintain a rhythmic, soft harmony behind it takes incredible focus and vision.

• Schubert Serenade (the one featured at the top of this post) - Another piece played by my Mom - yay! This piece is especially haunting for some reason (let me know if you agree). Pay special attention to the way she develops the melody from the first note, as you will hear it repeat throughout several times, but in different octaves and with various ornamentations.

• Chopin Nocturne Op. 48 No. 1 - A defining one for me because it was played at my Grandfather's funeral 33 years ago. This is another piece which I extended the run-time significantly (from typically around 6 minutes, to a run-time of just over 8 minutes). The way in which Chopin develops the simple melody over, and over, and over again in 3 distinct sections is addictive, and I think you will especially appreciate the final development (the last 2 minutes).