“I think the “signature” Fred Bock piano arrangement is his setting of JESUS LOVES ME that is blended with Debussy’s Clair de Lune. Quite frankly, I’m rarely a fan of these “hybrid” settings which combine a classic melody with a familiar hymn tune. I think they often feel contrived and rarely enhance either tune. But I found Fred Bock’s arrangement to be so well-crafted and it felt very organic to me. I still think it is one of the best arrangements ever done in this genre.”

It’s hard to say which particular arrangement is my absolute favorite, but ANY standard hymn where Fred breathed life and fresh harmonies into it is a winner in my book. “Through It All” (Volume 1: 50 Outstanding Hymns and Gospel Songs) stands out as one favorite with its chromatically moving chords, and I’m a fan and performer of gospel music. This piece is creative in its arrangement and both calming and reflective at the same time.

My first exposure to Fred’s piano music was in my early teens when I was a a music store browsing for music to play at church. I saw a piano book with such a striking cover, I think I would have bought it without looking inside. The cover art, as I recall, was a picture of a piano constructed of nuts and bolts and other industrial bits and pieces. But the real treat was inside. The arrangements were stunningly creative – outside the box – yet not extremely difficult. My favorite, which I played often, and even once on a recital, was PEACE LIKE A RIVER. There was a cool factor that was stylistically hard to describe, which is what made me love it. My sister has that book still and plays from it at her church from time to time. Fred’s creativity is unsurpassed.