Wednesday, January 27, 2010

For the Love.

Today on a fellow musicians blog I found this old video in which Canadian pianist Glen Gould speaks on the intense musicianship he sees in one of his own peers, fellow pianist Sviatoslav Richter. Once again, I'm reminded that everyday we come to the same crossroad of decision within whatever craft or work we're engaged in. We can work for control and mastery over the "object", thereby exploiting it for our own gain and recognition, or, we can enter into the love of the work for it's own sake, exploring the mystery with open hands, thereby inviting others to enter into our joy. The latter is what makes good art: Art that's not dependent on recognition, yet conversely art that proves to be the greatest service to mankind. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” writes Howard Thurman. These old mentors have somehow helped to renew my mind and focus in regards to my own relationship with music and how I approach it.

6 comments:

Gman and Julz said...

Ahhhh! I couldn't say it better! thanks for the reminder and encouragement! Yikes, I love it! And I love your gift to the world... namely, you... God's best and keep diving in.

Anonymous said...

Your music blesses me GREATLY. I pray that you, in turn, are GREATLY blessed.

The Worker Bee said...

Beautiful. I get what you are saying. I relate it to preaching. As long as I can preach to myself, I know that God can deal with the audience. I never dreamed I would fine someone comparable to Phil Wickham, but Josh Garrels...WOW! I need 4 ears. What a blessing. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it. I know, "For the Love". God Bless you Brother.

mch said...

I love this:: "or, we can enter into the love of the work for it's own sake, exploring the mystery with open hands, thereby inviting others to enter into our joy. The latter is what makes good art"
You definitely are a true artist exploring the musical lands with a true and huge passion for God and honoring him :) Thank you so much for sharing your gift with us :D
PS: I recieved yesterday my 3cd package and also a beutiful Jacaranda postcard with your signature! ^^ Thanks a lot! Now i know that you personally read the special ordering suggestions! hahaha. God bless you and your family!

Matthew said...

I've been in the Asbury Lenten Reader lately which is contrasting the mind of Adam to the mind of Christ. This fell into place with an idea discussed there:

Hero VS Saint

The Hero lives so that the explanation for his greatness is in himself... (he saves his life and loses it)

The Saint lives so that there is no explanation for his life but the transcendence of Jesus... (he loses his life to save it)

Also, the Hero stands alone in his greatness but the Saint is always inviting others into the story he's found. Art is a kind of hospitality.

Anonymous said...

Josh, you're one of my favorite artists. Have you ever heard of The Rabbit Room? That's where a bunch of my other favorite artists hang out, and I think you'd enjoy it.