I have been using Rutters Gloria and Brahms Requiem as the music for my Classical Yoga Class every week.
The class is a weekly “Community Outreach” type of thing, free and open to the public. When I asked my boss if she would be willing for me to teach a class using Classical Music she said that would be great.
I cannot stand New Age music, it just sounds so whiny and although I have meditated to eastern music in some of the finest Yoga Studios in Colorado, I would always ache to use my music while attempting transcendence instead of the twangy repetitive “Ya Ya” music of India.
The beauty of being the teacher is I get to pick the music.
A few months ago I uploaded both major classical works to The 528 Site to change the frequency from 440 to 528 hertz. To learn more about 528 click HERE.
The mp3s were both recordings from professional choirs that I sang with in Colorado. So my voice is in this music.
Ever since obtaining the CD’s after the concerts I have thought of this music as my own personal medicine.
An exquisite joy pours through my body every time I listen and by upping the frequency, it is that much more medicinal in the healing energy contained therein.
The text of John Rutters Gloria is in latin, but it is an ode to Jesus Christ written in the finest tradition of classical music.
Movement One of Rutters Gloria:
Movement Two of Rutters Gloria:
To listen to a complete recording of Gloria Click HERE
A German Requiem generously quotes from some of my favorite biblical texts. I love the whole thing from beginning to end, but my all time favorite portion is a text from Isaiah chapter 35. Brahms used this text over and over again all throughout the work.
Movement One of Brahms Requiem:
Movement Two of Brahms Requiem:
Movement Three of Brahms Requiem:
Movement Four of Brahms Requiem:
Movement Five of Brahms Requiem:
Movement Six of Brahms Requiem:
Movement Seven of Brahms Requiem:
To Listen to Movements one through six click HEREÂ and Movement seven is HERE
The chapter is sprinkled liberally through the whole requiem, (as a side note, this chapter is also used in my favorite portion of the Messiah), I won’t quote the whole chapter, but I would like to encourage those who have felt defeated by the many scandals that are overwhelming the country right now to click over to that section of Isaiah and read the whole thing. Click HERE to read.
“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing:”
Isaiah 35:1-2
Brahms used the final verse in chapter 35 as the text for the final part at the end of movement 2 of the requiem. It is my favorite part of the whole work.
I have timed this music to be the accompanyment to a specific portion of my Yoga Class where we really energize our bodies using a variety of techniques including Reiki and Reflexology enhanced with essential oils.
Here is the text:
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Isaiah 35:10
Here is a clip from my choir singing this text (I am on the top row furthest to the left).
If anyone reading this post today is overwhelmed by current events, I would like to encourage you to spend some time pondering, praying, and listening to these amazing choral works today. Doing so will lift your spirits and chase away any fear that may have engulfed your heart.
I would love to hear from you in the comment section. Do you have a favorite scriptural text that comforts and consoles when life overwhelmes?
Please share!
Jenny Expecting Andrew Conrad Hatch in 1996
PS Â More of Jenny’s thoughts on Brahms Requiem are found HERE!
