Robert & Robin Kochis: Voices From Heaven
Written: Jan 10 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The Entire CD
Cons: Not A One
The Bottom Line: My final recommendation without a doubt is GET this CD/Album
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| SurgRN911's Full Review: Suggest Products |
I have waited as long as I am willing for Epinions to add this CD to their database. So it will just have to snuggle it in right here as a suggested product. Most of the music I have written about so far has been available, but this is such a wonderful CD I had to share it with you all.
This recording has been owned by me for almost a year, and I have to say I'm not sure when the last time I heard such beautiful music from a husband and wife team. Their names are Robert and Robin Kochis, they began recording in 1991. "How Great Thou Art" was an immediate success, and remains the bestseller in the Catholic market. Their genre is sacred music both traditional and contemporary, they have recorded nine albums and are often asked to perform at Catholic conferences. Their music however can be enjoyed by anyone just seeking some refuge and serenity.
1. Sing Of Mary - Playing Time: 4:12
A soft introduction of violin and piano, added is strings, harps, and cellos. One can imagine birds in flight on a clear day as they soar up towards the Heavens. The music alone will carry you on that journey. After the wonderful musical opening the voice of Robert can be heard singing the first verse, each word sung with a reverence that is quite noticeable. Robin's sweet voice delivers the second stanza as Robert can be heard softly humming in the background. It is on the third and last stanza their voices join in a joyful sound.
"Sing of Mary meek and lowly, Virgin mother pure and mild
Sing of God's own Son most holy, Who became her little child."
2. On Eagle's Wings - Playing Time: 4:38
Opening with a faint low hum, added to the sound of organ and piano sounds to me like the lightest beat of a dulcimer. This song has intermediate sounds of a triangle throughout. Robin begins the lyrics on this number in a voice so high I'd need a ladder to reach it. The clarity of the sung word is impeccable. No guessing at the lyrics on this number. Robert sings the second stanza on this number, and it is magnificent, however the true beauty lies when their voices are joined together. Absolutely, stunning.
"You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord: My refuge, my rock in whom I trust
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the
Breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand."
3. Be Not Afraid - Playing Time: 2:44
Opening a little livelier, even though it is a basic solo piano introduction. This tune also has me hearing some brass muted in the background. I would only be repeating myself each and every song trying to explain the overwhelming feeling that comes over me as I listen, and feel the power of Grace and Love in this duo's voices. A very serene and comforting place is where I find myself. As I listen to the words, fear of life does dissolve some.
"You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst
You shall wander far in safety, though you do not know the way
You shall speak your words in foreign lands, and all will understand
You shall see the face of God and live.
REFRAIN Be not afraid, I go before you always
Come follow me, and I will give you rest."
4. Panis Angelicus - Playing Time: 3:09
This is a very beautiful song sung in Latin. As my brothers and I met with the priest that was to preside over my Mom's funeral he asked us what music we would like. Mom only had one sister and we asked her if she had any requests. This is the song she choose. The nun that sang it had a very beautiful voice, the church was a hushed silence. Robert and Robin with their voices and the sad cry of strings as background brings that day back so clear. My wish is that you all could hear this tune. I will share both some Latin verse with the English under. Translation is basically Heavenly Bread
"Pains Angelicus Fit Panis hominum; Dat Panis coelicus Figuris terminum O resmirabilis Manducat Dominum Pauper, Pauper Sevus et humilis. Heavenly Bread that becomes the bread for all mankind; Bread from the angelic host. That is the end of all imaginings Oh, miraculous thing! This body of God will nourish even the poorest, the most humble of servants. Even the poorest, the most humble of servants. "
5. Here I Am Lord - Playing Time: 3:43
Flute and keyboard opening. A song of faith, one that lends the listener to know that someone has picked up the cross without question or debate and just followed what was in their heart. No doubts, no deals, no fears.
REFRAIN
"Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my hand."
6. Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All - Playing Time: 3:36
Robin begins this hymn, with the faintest sound of a harp as her accompaniment.
Instrumentation throughout this number is limited. As Robert joins in raising his voice in praise a small section of strings can be heard entering.
"Jesus, My Lord, My God, My all. How can I love thee as I am?"
I only used one line above, from this tune. In hopes of answering that question as I see it. We can love as we are because that is exactly how we were created.
7. O Sanctissima - Playing Time: 3:04
This has been a favorite hymn of mine since grade school. I recall many mornings before school sitting in church as the nuns voices could be heard raised in song of praise. I grew up in a time where Latin was the everyday language used in church and in many of the songs. Still to this day, when I hear God praised in Latin I develop that tiny shiver down my spine. Or perhaps I am recalling Sister #$% yardstick. I love this song as it is played in the Christmas movie "The Bells Of Saint Mary's"
"O sanctissima, O piissima, Dulcis virgo maria.
O thou joyful day, O thou blessed day, Virgin Mary."
8. How Great Thou Art - Playing Time: 5:53
Traditional pipe organ opening sound. Repeated again, this pair has voices that have been blessed by God's own hands to be sure. Most of you are probably familiar with this tune. Recall the words see the power, beauty and love.
"O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy pow'r thru-out the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art."
9. Ave Maria Medley - Playing Time: 7:21
Hard choice but this has to be my five ***** star pick for this CD. The opening is a chant of haunting beauty and mystery. Brings to mind medieval times. A lone voice crying out in the wilderness, dropping to their knees, as the face glistens with perspiration, and eyes are cast upward. I decline here to list the words, for the music has my total attention. I will say it was another request we made for my Mom's funeral services, I will merely say Ave Maria/Holy Mother, nothing more to say.
10. Blest Are They - Playing Time: 4:55
Wonderful soulful flute opening, the sound of a brush lightly passing over a drum, triangles and cymbals. The ever present piano and organ, but the percussion session is most prominent. Towards the middle of the song horns can be heard, adding to the total wonder of this number.
"Blest are they, the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of God
Blest are they full of sorrow, they shall be consoled
Rejoice and be glad, Blessed are you, holy are you
Rejoice and be glad, Yours is the kingdom of Heaven."
11. Prayer Of St. Francis - Playing Time: 3:54
Long before hearing this version by Robert and Robin, this has been a favorite church hymn of mine. Another we had played at Mom's service. Long before that time however, it has been listed as one of the songs I want played when I make that last trip from church. Actually when you listen to the words it is more of a song for the living than the dead, but it reminds me of how I should be attempting to live my life, and hopefully at judgment I can say I tried. Simple music, simple words, some times very difficult to achieve.
"Make me a channel of your peace, where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon, and Lord where there is doubt true faith in You.
Oh Master grant that I may never seek, So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love with all my heart."
12. O Lord I Am Not Worthy - Playing Time: 2:27
The musical opening reminds me of all those movies or TV shows where it showed a child sleeping soundly, in the safety of their crib, as the little colorful mobile turned above their heads, projecting a sweet lullaby.
"O Lord I am not worthy, that thou shall come to me
God speak the words of comfort."
13. Regina Coeli - Playing Time: 3:55
Yikes how to explain the opening of this song. Think of the most glorious musical introduction presented in a large Cathedral, pipe organs, background choir, it emulates a serene, calming, and holy feeling.
"Regina caeli laetare, alleluia
O Queen of Heaven, be joyful alleluia
Qui a quemmeruisti portare, alleluia
For he whom you have humbly borne for us, alleluia
Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia
Has risen as he promised, alleluia."
14. Hail Mary, Gentle Woman - Playing Time: 3:36
Basically this song is one of the many prayers all Catholics have learned. " The Hail Mary" I have had many friends of various denominations ask me why "we" put so much emphasis on Mary? My answer is always the same, she is the Mother of Jesus, and all Mothers should be honored.
"Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you
Blessed are you among women and
Blessed is the fruit of your womb
Jesus!"
15. How Can I Keep From Singing - Playing Time: 4:56
A song of joy and praise. Music grows a little louder and faster as the song progresses, the happiness can be heard in the voices, indeed as they sing of calm, it is obvious they truly feel it.
"My life flows on in endless song, Above the earth's lamentation
I hear the real though far-off hymn, That hails a new creation
No storm can shake my inmost calm, While to that rock I'm clinging
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?"
Sorry about the length of this review, but put Surg and music together and the outcome is usually long. This is one CD that really leads me to a special peacefulness, and I just wanted to share it with you. Music is so much a part of my life, I almost find it impossible not to share the really good ones. If you made it through this entire review you deserve a cold one. Thanks so much for your visits, comments and friendships these past two years.
Recommended:
Yes
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SurgRN911
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