A NOTE FROM MARTHA
I began this hymn project in June of 2004. On this CD,
Classic Hymns and Worship from the Heart, you will find
some of the most profoundly moving hymns of the past two centuries arranged for two violins, solo violin, and
also violin and piano.
With respect to the CD, there are two interwoven parts:
Classic Hymns and Worship from the Heart.
Classic Hymns consists of thirteen well-known hymns arranged by Martha Yasuda. (For a complete
listing of these hymns, scroll to the end of this narrative.) Verses one and three are arranged
for two violins (played by Patrick Walker [melody] and Martha Yasuda [harmony - double stop
accompaniment]). Verse two is arranged for solo violin (played by Martha Yasuda [double stop solo]).
Worship from the Heart, consists of five of the same hymns previously played in Classic Hymns. However,
they are now arranged for violin and piano (played by Martha Yasuda and Michael Crow, respectively). Two
verses of each hymn are played, followed by a section of
inspired improvisational worship. During this
worship portion, there is no "musical score" for the violin or piano. Each player relies on the Spirit
of God to play through them, the Holy Spirit providing "His" musical score. This section is intentionally
left unedited in an effort not to disturb the flow of the Spirit.
Please be open to receiving from the Lord
personally as you listen to the worship in the Spirit. Lastly, each hymn is completed by a return to the melody.
It is my deepest desire that your heart and spirit be touched by God as you listen to each of these arrangements.
THE MUSICIANS
Violinist and arranger Martha Yasuda is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and resides in Atlanta, GA
with her husband Ken and their two grown children, Kenny and Hannah. She is a Suzuki violin teacher, freelance
violinist and music arranger. Traveling across the country, she has ministered on the violin for over twenty-five
years. Please contact her at
marthayasuda300@hotmail.com.
Violinist Patrick Walker is a high school senior who will begin attending the United States Military Academy
at West Point, NY as a freshman in 2005. He has been a student of Martha Yasuda for the past five
years. Patrick's beautiful tone and musical expressiveness are always apparent. Even more special is
his gentle and humble spirit.
Pianist Michael Crow is a graduate of Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. Michael is a professional
piano tuner-technician and resides in Clarksville, TN with his wife Brenda. He has been ministering on the
piano throughout the country for over twenty years. Michael's endless creative flow and sensitivity to the
Spirit of God leave listeners feeling that they have been in the very presence of the Lord. As a human being,
Michael is one of the kindest and most sensitive to be found. He can be contacted at
pianotech1@bellsouth.net
SPECIAL THANKS
I give thanks to God for supplying me with the inspiration and skills needed to arrange the hymns and to
minister on this CD. Jesus is the source of all my creativity. I also thank the Lord for His financial
provision for this project.
I thank my husband, Ken Yasuda. His unwavering belief in this endeavor and his steady flow of encouragement
were crucially vital ingredients that enabled me to persevere until its completion. Thanks for everything, Ken!
I also would like to thank Brenda Crow, wife of pianist Michael Crow, for her creative input regarding the
violin and piano tracks and for her prayerful support of this project.
Ken and I would like to express our heart-felt appreciation to The Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, GA for
the use of their sanctuary and grand piano for the recording of this CD.
Special thanks go to David Scott for being available on such short notice and for providing expert sound
engineering.
I thank my friend Terry Mayfield for updating my website to accommodate the sale of these CDs.
Ken and I would like to thank all those who have joined with us in prayer regarding this CD
undertaking. There are too many to acknowledge separately, but we thank Jesus for each of you. Your
encouragement and support have always been very timely and on the mark.
