Think Outside Your Box

A little bit of Bach

10/1/2015

I will never forget the first time I heard my first complete St. John Passion.

I was in Leipzig, Germany at St. Nicholas Church, (pictured below) just a few blocks from where Bach lived and worked.... and hearing this piece in this space- was easily among one of my top five most musical thrilling experiences in my life.

Just being in Leipzig during the Bach festival was a highlight enough- and then to listen to this 7 minute aria of heartbreak and the plaintive longing expressed between the soprano and the oboe...in such an acoustic and historical place... It was unforgettable. Here, yesterday I re-lived that moment just a little bit when the insanely talented coach/harpsichordist Jory Vinikour played this little hit with me,
and we decided to record it.

German / English Text:

Zerfließe, mein Herze, in Fluten der Zähren
Dem Höchsten zu Ehren!

Erzähle der Welt und dem Himmel die Not: Dein Jesus ist tot!

Dissolve, my heart, in floods of tears
To honour the Most High.

Tell earth and heaven of your distress:
Your Jesus is dead!

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Rachel Sparrow is a professional singer, musician,(violin, piano, ukulele) actor, teacher, arranger, writer. Rachel also leads a private education community focused on nature + fine arts, for her children. She shares performance experiences here, as well as musings on other topics. She earned her Master's degree in Voice Performance from Northwestern University, and also holds two Bachelor's degrees in Voice, and Music Education (certified to teach k-12 vocal & instrumental music) from Idaho State University. She is also a certified Music Together Director for early childhood music. Read more about Rachel.

"Think Outside Your Box" means 3 things:

1. Be Selfless - think beyond your own "box". (and for singers, there's more to life than your voice box!) You're capable of helping and healing others.

2. Feel Empowered to bust out of the proverbial
"box" made of societally-induced-parameters.

3. Be Bold. Innovate. Stretch yourself. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.

A little bit of Bach

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