2000 years ago in Jerusalem
Christian Piano Jazz

2000 Years Ago In Jerusalem

8 piano pieces that seek to portray the last days and hours of the life of Jesus of Nazarath on earth and what happened afterwards. The pieces combine European classical tradition and African-American jazz. They utilize seldom-used time signatures.

Click the titles below to hear a short excerpt. A CD and score are in the works.

  1. showing up
  2. the chief priests on thin ice
  3. the Last Supper
  4. Gethsemane
  5. torture and crucifixion
  6. loss, grief, despair, fear, shame
  7. first light of the new week
  8. "I am with you always"

Album Art (Final Version)

Richard C Allen - 8 Original Jazz Solo Piano Pieces

click here to see New Testament verses for each piece

I believe these pieces are a gift from God. I hope they point toward what I believe is the ultimate truth and hope of Jesus' resurrection. This truth is, for me, supported by three facts:

  1. the shared experience of 500 followers (and Paul at a later time) that encountered the resurrected Jesus. There is no evidence of disagreement, discrepancies, or conflict among the followers. They had the same experience..
  2. the galactic change of the followers from hiding behind locked doors (not even accompanying the women to the tomb) to going forth to bring this message to the world with unequaled courage, faith, and determination.
  3. the suddenly empty tomb that was itself in a public place, that had been sealed shut, and that was guarded by Roman troops.

 

Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you.   - Matthew 6:14


Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.  -  Matthew 7:7

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.    - Matthew 5:6


Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  -Matthew 6:20-21


Private and public performances can be arranged for my eight original compositions. Please call Richard Allen at 770-985-0476 to make arrangements for piano performances for your special occasion, party, event or gathering.

In this venture into Christian music, via jazz piano, I seek to portray the last days and moments of the life of Jesus Christ on earth, and the hope of Jesus’ resurrection.  I believe   these pieces have come through me as a gift from God.  I feel what they portray is the journey of Christ to the cross, the despair and grief of his followers, and ultimately the journey of everyone to the redemption found only in God.  I wanted the pieces to reflect the solitude of Christ’s sufferings alongside the ultimate hope and grace of His resurrection, a hope I believe is both universal and profoundly personal. Jesus shows me the way to the redemption and grace of God.

I hope that, in some small way, these eight pieces are an offering of love that is pleasing to God.  Thank you for your interest in my venture into Christian piano jazz.  May God be glorified!

Album Art (First Draft)

Richard C Allen: Give-Forgive-Get-Forget