Liszt Chorale: Meine Seel' Erhebt Den Hernn (Psalm 67)

Published on Jul 26, 2018 Kris Lennox

"Not to everyone's taste, but this certainy shows a completely different side to the Obi. I'm going to record the entire Chorale - but not one video after another, as that would likely be quite dull for my subscribers, and also for myself.

The edition I'm playing from is the Editio Musica Budapest new edition of the complete works. Really great edition. You'll know it as the blue hardback set with the gold writing.

When a teenager, I saved my pocket money to buy these editions. The local music shop was the long-gone Mackays music in Ayr - I'm sure many locals remember it. I'd phone Mrs. Mackay almost every two weeks and ask her to order me a new edition. I think the process became quite tiring for her!

This was back in the pre-internet days, where music awareness was through magazines, and whatever was on the shelf. I remember at the time, when purchasing these books, wondering why almost every Liszt CD was Mephisto Waltz/Hungarian Rhapsody etc when clearly he had composed a huge volume of music - with the scores easily available. Nothing much has changed in this respect i.e. most Liszt recordings are of the standard works.

I always had an affinity for late Liszt. Many of his late works still remain quite obscure.

The Chorale is vocal - but it translates well to the synth. As anyone with an Obi will know, the Obi is 6-voice. The Chorale will be fully translatable to the synth - bar one work - where there are a few 7-note chords. With the exception of that specific piece, the set will be faithful to the score.

I couldn't sleep last night, hence an early morning recording. I also wanted to get my run in before Scotland once again becomes an oven. Running in our present daytime heat is madness.

I though specifically of the Chorale as I'm presently having a good debate with a friend RE certain aspects of the Bible. Most of my conversations end up on the topic of religion/philosophy, and most of my free time (when not playing music or running up mountains) is spent arguing with pastors/ministers/anyone who is open enough to the discussions.

I'm trying to win him over to the idea that the 'glory' ('kevod') of god is a vehicle/craft i.e. spacecraft. Hence Moses came down from the mountain with a burnt face i.e radiation burns, no different from sunburn. And hence the animals had to be cleared i.e. the engine would have roasted them. Which also explains the 'roaring like the sea'. But he's having none of it.

I'll win him over eventually :)

The OB6 actually works well as an organ. Perhaps churches should get them as alternatives. And if the congregation drift off, they can be woke up with a highly authentic rendition of Van Halen. That'll inject some life into the old dogs. Follow that with a sermon on Genesis 6:4 i.e. aliens having sex with the local women, and I guarantee you're on to a winner.

Van Halen + alien/human sex as mentioned in the Bible = bums on seats, for sure.

All best
Kris"