Garth W. Smith, an LDS musician/pianist who specializes in original arrangements of LDS hymns on the piano, released his third full-length album titled Behold the Great Redeemer, Sacred Hymns, Vol. III on 1 September 2016. The album comprises a collection of familiar Christ-centered hymns with fresh new arrangements which are an outward expression of the emotional and passionate connection that Garth has with the original works.
Speaking of Garth’s music, David Lindes in a recent LDS Living.com article wrote, “Smith’s music is soothing and peaceful, and the performance can be just as useful in providing inspirational background music for the home, studying the scriptures, or in a focused listening experience by the user to draw closer to the Savior.”
J. Reuben Clark, a prominent leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught, “We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.” And as Landes points out in his article, “Smith’s music takes you to a place of serenity, an escape from the world for a moment, and provides the listener with beautiful arrangements that point to the Savior.”
The 11-track inspirational album is available through GarthSmithMusic.com, Deseret Book, YourLDSMusicStore.com, and other LDS music outlets. The album is also available for download from iTunes and Amazon.com. Garth has also entered into an agreement with Jackman Music to publish a book of selections from Behold the Great Redeemer, Sacred Hymns, Vol. III. The publication will be available in late 2016. And for the first time, he is offering sheet music of his album arrangements which can be found on his website.
On 28 August 2016, Garth released the first video single from the album, “Lead, Kindly Light,” the fourth track on the album, on his YouTube channel. The video has garnered over 600 views thus far. The message of the beautiful video is one of forgiveness, hope, and turning oneself to God after making mistakes in life.
In his bio on his website, Garth comments, “Every hymn from me is an original arrangement, prayerfully considered. I hope you feel my testimony of Christ in each performance. I wholeheartedly believe that these sacred hymns can enhance your Sabbath experience, drive-time to the temple, as well as any other time that you feel a need to “escape” the world and listen to music that uplifts the soul.”
I had the privilege of hearing and seeing him in person as well as working with him on a night of entertainment for LDS Booksellers. Awesome music, awesome performance and AWESOME PERSON.
Thanks Garth for reminding us how the spirit can work.
The hymns you play is so inspirational.. it brings you in a different dimension, it enhance inner spirituality and you can really feel the spirit as you listen to the music.