The Quiet Harvest Thursday, October 24, 2019
recommended by Caryn G. and Judy S., Sacred Piano Music Specialists
In the winter of 2016 and 2017, composer Thomas Keesecker composed a set of piano pieces, which would go on to grow into a hugely popular series. Keesecker saw a need for 
uncomplicated introspective, hymn-based pieces that would serve to help us reflect on the themes of the season.
With that need in mind, The Quiet Center, a collection of pieces for Advent and Christmas, became the inaugural book in this series. Most of the pieces are about three minutes long, and several combine two hymn tunes or a hymn tune and folk tune together. Titles include: “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns,” “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night,” “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say,” “Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,” “Creator of the Stars of Night,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” and “The Quiet Center.”
It was followed closely by The Quiet Night, which features music from Christmas and Epiphany, and even includes an optional piano and violin duet. Titles include: “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “What Child Is This,” “‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime,” “Silent Night and Wexford Carol,” “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow,” “What Star Is This,” “Epiphany Waltz,” and “The Quiet Night.”
Following suit, The Quiet Journey came next, with particularly expressive – but not intrusive or busy – settings for Lent and Easter. The composer also included a few “Easter eggs” in one of the pieces. Titles include: “On My Heart Imprint Your Image/Bless Now, O God, the Journey,” “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley,” “A Celtic Set for Lent,” “Attende Domine,” “Go to Dark Gethsemane,” “In the Cross,” “What Wondrous Love Is This,” “Ah, Holy Jesus,” “Were You There,” “Jesus, Priceless Treasure,” and “The Quiet Journey.”
The fourth volume, The Quiet Harvest, features music for praise and Thanksgiving, and, as in earlier cases, the book does a wonderful job of combining tunes together. The composer takes care to give a musical voice to the elements of travel, gathering, and celebration that are integral to the fall season. Titles include: “Praise and Thanksgiving/Morning Has Broken,” “We Plow the Fields and Scatter,” “For the Fruit of All Creation,” “We Gather Together,” “Let All Things Now Living,” “Beautiful Savior,” “Come, Ye Thankful People Come and Now Thank We All Our God,” “Over the River and Through the Wood,” “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need and O God Beyond All Praising,” and “The Quiet Harvest.”
Watch Jay Rouse’s presentation of “The Quiet Harvest” below, or contact us for more information on this valuable series. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Authors:
Caryn G. has over 21 years of experience working at Stanton’s in both the Piano and Choral departments. During her career, she has been a church pianist/accompanist and a piano teacher. Her experience makes her a valuable connection for anybody who calls the piano department.
Judy S. has 30 years of private piano teaching experience and 40 years as a church pianist. Her experience makes her a valuable connection for anybody who calls the piano department.