Inspiring solo-piano arrangements and medleys of sacred hymns and songs. Spiritual themes and well-known hymns are magically woven together in a unique and fresh style of music. A definite favorite Sunday listening album! Available in both CD and Songbook.
Also features Michael’s original composition “The Savior’s Love” with vocals by John Canaan.
This is Michael’s debut album.
Listen to a sample of To Satisfy The Law:
Notes from Mike
I began arranging hymns shortly before leaving on an LDS mission to the California, Santa Rosa Mission. I found a love for taking hymns that have common themes and working them together into medleys. Occasionally I associated with people while in California who would ask me to make a tape of a few of my arrangements, so on my preparation day I would take a little tape recorder to the local church and record myself. These kinds of things continued after my mission, so I decided to fulfill one of my dreams of producing my own CD.
When I arrange hymns, I will often read through the lyrics to internalize the message of the song. I then mold my arrangement around the feelings and impressions I feel so that whoever listens to it will hopefully receive the same message through my solo piano arrangement.
In the medley, Praying More Earnestly, I take the hymn that tells Joseph Smith’s story and tie it into a song that pulls out a principle I feel strongly about – prayer. I see Joseph going through struggles trying to figure out which church to join. Then, one day he was taught an important principle in James 1:5. And his story teaches us an important principle when we have questions: Did You Think To Pray?
Most hymns are reverent and somber, but there are a few that are upbeat and highly motivating. I arranged the hymn Choose the Right to inspire confidence in what D&C 21:4-6 promises—that the Heavens Will Shake for your good when you obey the commandments. I think you’ll feel that power when you hear this arrangement.