The Selah Meditations Project
In the manner of Mendelsohn's Songs Without Words, here are dozens of songs that comprise
quiet melodies without words. I have composed these pieces over the years., and have recently cataloged the majority of them
into a collection that I have called, the Selahs. Selah is a word used frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in the Psalms,
and is a difficult concept to translate. (It should not be confused with the Hebrew word sela which means "rock.")
It is probably either a liturgico-musical mark or an instruction on the reading of the text, something like "stop and
listen". Selah can also be used to indicate that there is to be a musical interlude at that point in the Psalm. The Amplified
Bible states Selah as "pause, and think of that."
I like the description of to "pause and think..."
Another source says "it may have been intended to indicate a pause in the vocal music while the instruments rendered
an interlude. Now that sounds like what I do all the time with my piano improvisation!! I have always felt that this is a
special and direct communication that I have with God when I "get lost in the fluid essence" of the notes that seem
to just flow out of my fingers. It is a source of comfort for me when I am lonely...sad...happy...any emotion really... A
peace that passes all understanding seems to flow through me and wash over me as I experience a very real and powerful understanding
of God.
Click below to hear samples from the various CDs that Marc has recorded...
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Selah #217
Composers Notes
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Selah Meditations Volume 1
A collection
of quiet piano music recorded with Reason software. Various original compositions by Marc Witmer with a diverse mixture of
accompanying woodwinds and strings. Each one of these compositions was a response to the Word of God or the Spirit of
God at specific moments in my life...
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Selah #4
Selah #47
Selah #71
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Selah Meditations Volume 2
A collection of quiet piano music recorded with my dear friend, Tom Jeannett. Various original compositions by Marc
Witmer with Tom's beautiful soprano sax. Also featuring oboist Kevin Berg, who played several of these Selah compositions
with me at St. Matthews Episcopal Church during Lent 2011. Each one of these compositions was a response to the Word of God or the Spirit of
God at specific moments in my life... |
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Selah #10
Selah #101
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Selah Meditations Volume 3
The Jazz Collection
Due out
in the Summer of 2011!! A collection of quiet piano music recorded with long time friend and mentor, saxophonist Tom
Jeannett. Also included will be dear friend and principal violist for Austin Symphony Orchestra and The Artisan String Quartet, Bruce Williams. Also featured is Kevin Berg on the oboe along with Bruce in some unique jazz sounds
of piano, bass, viola, and oboe.
Various Selah compositions that have a jazzier flair, yet still quiet and reflective
in nature...
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What Child Is This?
O Come O Come Emmanuel
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Selah Meditations. The Christmas Volume
Due out in December
of 2011... Once again Marc and Kevin Berg have collaborated to create some beautiful music together.
Quiet and
reflective interpretations of wonderful ancient hymns that will bring a joy to the season as you listen to these songs...
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Prayer Meditations Volume Two
Due out in the Spring of 2012!!
A collection of quiet piano music recorded with long time friend Tom Jeannett on saxophone. Like the first Prayer Meditations
CD, this collection of hymns will give you a contempletive space to enjoy some of the ancient and "tried & true"
hymns from over the centuries...
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