“You raise me up,” piano duet

May 20, 2020 | 90 comments

Recently, a commenter on SpiritView mentioned a piano duet she found of me playing 4-hands with another pianist, and since then, I’ve been getting emails from people wondering where to find it. So, here it is. “You Raise Me Up.”

Olin Ensley and I played this piece at a concert held at our church in March 2019. The concert was a big success with vocalists and musicians that sing and play at our services, however, it was not recorded. So, Olin and I recorded this piece a few days later for memories’ sake.

Olin is the regular pianist at the branch church I attend, and an inspiring musician and piano teacher. We frequently play duets together and have more planned for the future. Enjoy!

90 thoughts on ““You raise me up,” piano duet”

  1. Absolutely beautiful Evan and Olin! What a gorgeous start to a day!

    Much love and thanks xx

    1. Wow! Love the 4-hand piano rendition of a favorite song, and as a pianist, I REALLY appreciate the work and talent that went into this. Thanks so much for sharing with all of us!

  2. I agree! A great start to the day and what a lovely piano too. That song is so inspiring and here are the lyrics for everyone to sing along to!! Thank you both.

    When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
    When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
    Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
    Until you come and sit awhile with me

    You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
    You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
    I am strong when I am on your shoulders
    You raise me up to more than I can be.

    1. Linda, Thank you for these beautiful lyrics that are so fitting to the music. Evan, you and Olin, especially on the crescendo of this piece moved me to tears, played with such strength. What a treat!

      Humbly, the countless times God has raised me up, with equal countless times of genuine gratitude. And in this SIP, I am asking God to stand on his shoulders to raise me up again. For the poise needed to still a situation where it would appear I am weak. Oh how subtle is the serpent finding where I am vulnerable. I trust God’s Love will raise me up and protect me, giving me the peace I need. (The aggressive mental suggestions must be silenced.) above all mortal strife.
      Aren’t we always in a duet with our Father Mother LOVE? Our oneness, our All.

      My dad was a jazz pianist and my mother a jazz singer, both very talented. My love of music, esp. the piano is throughout my day.

  3. Wow! What a joy and treat! More! Even,your life is so inspiring. You express such joy and love.

  4. Thank you so very much for this ……love love love piano….and much love to you for
    sharing this with us!!!

  5. very nice. My Dad liked this song. I wove it into his funeral music. No idea you played the piano.
    how nice. The pianists I hire are coming more and more with extra large iPads for their music. No more flying pages but sometimes the iPad can jump ahead. thank you.

  6. That was awesome. It is one of my favorite songs. I so greatly appreciate all that you are sharing.

  7. Beautiful, Evan and Olin, thank you! Thanks for sharing the lyrics, Linda, it was so thoughtful of you. Such an inspiring and generous gift from you all to bless all – my gratitude!

  8. “You raise me up” was our wedding song and a foundation thought when Peter and I were married! Beautiful! Thank you!

  9. Sooooo wonderful!
    With the fullness of that duet I can hear Josh Groban applauding in the wings. And speaking of wings, thanks for yours and how broad your span!

    1. Beautiful!! And Caroline, Josh Groban is one of my favorite artists also. He, like, Evan and Olin put their heart and soul into their performance, as does Brian Ashley, the Mother Church organist… all God-given treasures, each expressing such harmony.

  10. Thank you Evan and Olin. It reminds me of the time you lectured in Perth West Australia and the couple who were closing the church were given a treat by your playing of the organ.
    In fact your whole visit was treat.

  11. Thank you Evan and Olin for a great way to begin the day- with joyous music. Appreciate having the lyrics, Linda, as they add to the experience of hearing the music.

  12. Bravo!!! What a great way to start the day. And thanks to Linda for sharing the lyrics.
    “Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
    Until you come and sit awhile with me..”

  13. I have to add, I was so glad to be able to share this with my family to uplift their day! I know it will ripple from there to many others! So thank you Evan for sharing your many talents and great love and joy! It is far reaching!

  14. Evan and Olin your duet was inspiring.
    You Raise Me Up & On Eagle’s Wings are my favorite church solos. Thank You for today’s gift!

  15. How beautiful. Thank you for sharing, and for the effort you out into your daily inspirations.

  16. Evan, I had no idea you are such an accomplished musician! And I’m fascinated by the use of the iPad instead of so many taped together sheets of music. I have to get with that! It was inspiring, comforting, and so beautifully Soul-filled. Thank you!

  17. Olin was the musician at the Wenatchee church when we joined in 2011! We love his artistry! The two of you are so inspiring and beautiful! This is one of my favorite pieces ❤️
    Tell Olin Hi and send our deepest appreciation for his talents and moving music!! It touches the soul!
    from Ken and Cindy Snowden

  18. I looked up the hymn numbers posted on the wall behind you: #318,539 and 563. Felt like I was right there sharing such a special day of inspiration. Thank you.

  19. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration this morning. It reminds me of happy times when a church friend and I played piano and organ duets.

  20. Gill
    Thank you Evan. Your playing is beautiful. You may have seen the two Chinese children singing this
    282-CECILE-YOU RAISE ME UP.mp4

  21. Much gratitude for all the beauty and harmony shared this morning. I feel as though everyday that I open and read SpiritView is like finding a buried chest of silver and gold. Today was exceptionally great but finding the the writings of Mr. Kimball the other day have been
    awe inspiring also. We are so blessed and enriched by this wonderful blog . Thank you Evan and all you that contribute daily. My cup runneth over with gratitude.

  22. Thank you Evan and Mr. Ensley for a beautiful duet. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. It was just beautiful . May God continue to bless you both

  23. Thank you for this beautiful Gift Evan and Olin. This will be playing in my thought all day.
    Live Love, CayDee

  24. Very inspiring to you both and thank you Monique for Josh Groban’s rendition!
    I am very grateful to you Evan for your dedication to this blog! You raise us up!!!!!

  25. What an inspiration from you both! And your selection of the the song …that song always blesses me!
    Thank you for the blessing!

  26. Thank you for this morning inspiration from you both! And your selection of the the song …that song always blesses me!
    Thank you for the blessing!

  27. Thank you Evan. This beautiful music from you this morning is such a soul enriching blessing!! Inspiration to start a harmonious Love filled day!! So grateful.

  28. This added much Joy to my day. The choirs I used to sing with alwaysAdded this beautiful song . We sang aT Extended Care homes
    And it was so appreciated, Your duet was uplifting as was the rendition by Josh. Thanks so much. MuSic is such a soother!

  29. What a great way to start the day! I appreciate so much the inspiration you give us each day!

  30. This was a special treat Evan and Olin. Thank you so much for this inspiring performance.

  31. Dear Evan and Olin,
    What a wonderful, inspiring, and beautiful arrangement of a favorite hymn–thank you both so much. We can indeed “leave our dreams for joyful waking”!

  32. This is absolutely precious and touches my heart greatly. Thank you so much for recording it and sharing it with us.

  33. Thank you, dear Evan and Olin, for blessing my day with such beautiful harmony. So appreciated.

  34. Evan and Olin: Thank you for the beautifully=played music and inspiring words. It was a real treat!

  35. Just think, folks: We all have as much talent as these two do!
    God is not a partial-Giver-of-Good!

    Uplifting, Evan and buddy! Thanks.

    Sue

  36. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful moment. Do you know the number of this hymn in our hymnal ? I don’t think we sing it in our CS church here but I will recommend to !

  37. Dear Evan That was wonderful! Thank you for sharing your musical talent as well as your daily spiritual insights. Your blog is so helpful along with generating all the inspired comments from readers worldwide. I’m a long time reader and am so grateful for this blog.Thanks again!

  38. Martine, Paris, France

    Friend, I only know You Raise Me Up as a church solo.
    It isn’t in the Hymnal or Supplement, as far as I know.
    It is most uplifting & perhaps your church could enjoy it as a solo?
    Much love from Houston to Paris “ the city of lights” I’ve had the privilege to see!

  39. Dear Shirley,
    Thanks a lot for this information! I will try to get it selected for a solo, for sure everyone will enjoy listening and be grateful to Evan and Spiritview community.

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