Combining classical chamber music with traditional folk elements, Wondrous Love features the original compositions of John Beall. Inspiration for the music ranges from gospel music to the majestic mountain Spruce Knob, portrayed in Beall's second symphony. The pieces, performed by ensembles ranging from two to six in number, all draw upon Appalachian folksongs or southern hymn tunes as melodic material. Among the hymns represented are ?Trust and Obey? and the beloved ?Amazing Grace? as well as selections from the 1815 hymnbook Kentucky Harmony and the Southern Harmony hymnbook from 1835. The booklet accompanying these CDs offers notes by Penn State professor of piano, Steven H. Smith, who discusses concert notes and provides analyses of the pieces presented here.
