Love and Grace
By Dan Schutte
ACP 2020 Excellence in Publishing Award winner
Dan's newest collection marks 50 years of composing music for prayer and worship
These Alone Are Enough
These Alone Are Enough
These Alone Are Enough
These Alone Are Enough
These Alone Are Enough
These Alone Are Enough
With a musical legacy of 50 years, the music of Dan Schutte has played an integral role in shaping the liturgical life of the English-speaking Church. His songs have lifted the hearts of generations of faithful into deeper prayer and worship of God. His new collection, Love and Grace, featuring beautiful melodies and compelling lyrics, continues that legacy.
Unique Pieces Creating a Whole
Containing a variety of musical styles and topics, Love and Grace not only provides a treasury of music for the celebration of Eucharist, but also offers a perfect resource for retreats, workshops and personal prayer. Dan employs the richness of guitar, piano and organ, along with string, wind and brass instruments, to create music that is welcoming and accessible. Each song is intertwined with the next as the collection moves from themes of praise and worship to prayer and quiet reflection.
Gifts from God
Dan honors the rich musical tradition of the past by employing a striking rendition of the "Kyrie" from Palestrina's Missa pro Defunctis to introduce "Saints and Beloved of God," a piece that honors all the saintly men and women who have walked the path of faith before us. Peaceful and angelic, this song calls us to recognize the guiding inspiration of the holy ones who live now in eternity but still accompany us on our journey home to God.
"I Found the Treasure" recalls Dan's early work with his St. Louis Jesuits companions. This re-recording of a melody from those years reminds us of how integral sacred Scripture has been to his faith and to his music. Dan masterfully weaves together two gospel stories that stir our recognition that the real treasure of our faith is the person of Jesus.
Like Pope Francis' papal encyclical, Laudato Si', Dan's "Canticle of Creation" was inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi's "Canticle of the Creatures," where the saint perceives all creation to be a reflection of the beauty of God. Joyful and uplifting, Dan's hymn gently urges us to see with Saint Francis' conviction that all creation, including our own selves, is holy and, therefore, deserving of our utmost care and reverence.
Learning the Music
With Dan's signature melodies and supporting instrumentation, beginning musicians will love the accessibility of this collection, while the more experienced will appreciate its liturgical versatility. Explore the music in this collection in the individual octavos for piano, guitar and solo instrument, or in the songbook containing the entire collection of music.
Need a little help getting started? Go here to learn how to play "Saints and Beloved of God" on guitar.