Paul Cardall “Four-time billboard chart pianist”

 Born April 24,  Was born with congenital heart disease.  8-10, of every 1,00 children are born with this disease.  He would die without a heart transplant.

 His first memories of music was the music he sang in Primary.  During college he played in places like Nordstrom to make extra money.  Eventually people wanted a copy of his music.  Music helped Cardall through his suffering.  Music brought him hope a comfort.

 Cardall had many surgeries to fix his heart as he grew up.  He needed a heart transplant or he would die.  He started a blog to let others know how he was doing.

“Living for Eden”  His blog was named after his daughter.  His blog wasn’t negative or about dying.  This blog talked about the importance of family.  The blog was named after his daughter, and so was one of his CD’S.

 On September 9, 2009 Cardall received his heart transplant.  He waited in the hospital for a year, before he got it.  He only wrote one song during that period: “Gracie's Theme”  He chance for survival was small, but he lived.

“Gracie’s Theme”  Composed by Paul Cardall  There are about 3 published versions.  Newest version was performed on February,  Dedicated to those who have or are suffering from Congenital Heart Disease.  Also dedicated to Gracie, who was an infant that died after a heart transplant.

 Cardall hiked up mount Olympus one year after his heart transplant.  It was a hike dedicated to his brother he lost one year before.  He was able to hike with his new heart for the first time.

Celebrate Life  Cardall has performed two celebrate life concerts since his surgery.  Performed on February 15, 2010, and February 14,  He wrote the book “before my heart stops” since his surgery as well.

Composition History  Gracie’s Theme  Life and Death  Come thou Fount  Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

“Life and Death”  Composed by Paul Cardall  Released on February 14,  Performed the first time on February 14,  The song is about Cardalls thoughts of life and death as he sat in the hospital.

“Come Thou Fount”  Composed by Robert Robinson, in  Robinson was only 22 years old.  The tune of the song was composed by Asahel Nettleton.  Paul Cardall did his own rendition.

“Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring”  Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in  Bach’s most loved work.  Originally wrote to be played on the Sunday before Christmas.  Paul Cardall did an amazing rendition of the song.

Listening Guide

Gracie’s Theme  0:00- Piano begins playing slowly and softly in duple meter.  0:14 – Verse 1 begins. He continues to play the same melody with his left hand, with slight variations. The verse (which I will call the right hand) is constantly changing, bringing the hearer feelings of peace.  0:48 – Three violins enter playing peacefully, adding to the already peaceful tune.  1:22 – The melody changes as he begins to play different notes with his left hand. The violins continue to play, constantly adding to the suspense of the song.  1:38 – The intensity of the song increases. It gets louder and plays a little faster. Two cellos and a bass enter the song.  2:06 – The piano, violins, cellos, and bass begin to wind down.  2:25 – Verse 2 begins. This verse is completely different from the first verse. It is the climax of the performance. The strings play. The song quickly increases in volume and speed.  3:10 – The final peak of the performance. Drums, two bass, guitar, and keyboard enter the song. Making the conclusion truly amazing.  3:47 – Cardall concludes on the piano, the remaining instruments play.  3:52 – The remaining instruments end.

Life and Death – This song is from his brand new CD. “New Life”  0:00 – Piano begins very slowly. It plays a note and there there is a fairly long pause between notes. This melody is played for most of the song.  0:08 – The cello enters and it plays on the second note that the piano plays. It does that a few times. The piano then continues to play slowly  0:46 – It sounds as if a cello starts to play with the piano. Possibly more than one cello. It is more deeper than a violin. The play low at first than go higher, and fade out.  1:06 – The song continues to play in this manner.  1:31 – A french horn plays very lightly at this point. Coming in just like the cello. Playing just a small portion than fading out. 1:43 – The violin(s) and cellos re-enter. The violins sound high at first and than they are played much lower after.  2:01 – Here the violins and cello's are being played in a constant note, instead of fading in and out in a low than high note like before.  2:21 – The piano plays lower here, which makes the violins sound like they went higher. They continue to play a constant note.

Cont ;  2:32 – The violins and cellos crescendo. They go from playing quite to higher. A bass also starts playing.  2:36 – At this point the strings take over the melody of the piano. The piano stops playing. This part of the song is played much louder than the first half of the song. It is much more intensified and brings a feeling of awe to the listener.  3:11 – The piano re-enters to song. It takes back the melody. The strings return to playing low again, fading in and out with the piano.  3:44 – The piano and strings begin to play in harmony. Playing a separate melody. The piano plays faster than it had been previously in the song.  4:10 – Here it sounds like the song is winding down, and it almost stops completely.  4:16 – The music starts back up playing as they did before, with the violins, cellos, bass, french horn, and the piano playing in harmony.  4:48 – The song begins to make its final ending. It returns to how the song first started. With the piano playing slowly and the strings coming in and out of the song.  5:20 – The piano hits its final note which is a very high note. The strings continue to play.  5:27 – The string instruments finish.

Come Thou Fount  0:00 – Violin begins playing in duple meter. The violin is playing a solo and it is a very  beautiful melody. 0:21 – A cello joins the violin. The violin continues to play the melody. It is being played  very high.  0:53 – The remaining orchestra joins in. It sounds like more violins, cellos, and a bass. The  string instruments.  1:05 – The peak of the song for the string instruments. They play the melody higher to give it  the feel of ultimate joy and peace.  1:30 – The piano takes over the melody and continues to play the same rendition of the song.  You can hear the string instruments playing very lightly in the background.  1:52 – This is the ultimate climax of the song. The piano continues to play the same beat, at the  same volume. The strings start playing loudly to bring an amazing melody to the song. It makes  the listener have a sense of awe.  2:14 – The piano and the strings fade out at the end of the song. Making the end very nice.

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring  0:00 – An acoustic guitar starts to play the song in duple meter. It is playing a beat over and  over in major mode.  0:17 – piano joins in playing the melody as the guitar continues to play the same beat. It is a very happy melody.  0:51 – The piano starts to play the melody lower and a cello joins in. The melody is repeated for  a while. Going a little higher as it is played. The guitar stops playing.  1:51 – The piano slows down how it is playing the melody. You can faintly hear some drums  start to play a few notes. The cello continues to play on and off during this part.  2:25 – The remainder of the song is played in the same manner. The melody continues to repeat  in a loop. The piano plays and the cello plays along too. It is still in major mode and duple  meter.  4:00 – The volume of the song drops. The piano slows down. The cello goes quite, and the  song slowly fades out as they play.

References and Bibliography  disease/guide/congenital-heart-disease.) disease/guide/congenital-heart-disease.)   Cardall, Paul. Before My Heart Stops:Memoir. Utah.,  expert=Duane_Shinn  Music/hymns-the-songs-and-the-stories/come-thou- fount-of-every-blessing-the-song-and-the-story.html Music/hymns-the-songs-and-the-stories/come-thou- fount-of-every-blessing-the-song-and-the-story.html