For Valentine’s Day — an eclectic collection of my favorite love and love-inspired songs, in no particular order.

Ben Folds, The Luckiest
I like the imaginative romanticism of the lyrics, particularly in verses 2-3.

Rachmaninoff, Lilacs
Rachmaninoff composed his twelve Romances, Op. 21 (originally for voice and piano) as a wedding present for his wife Nataliya. He later transcribed number 5, Lilacs, for piano solo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZctDEfyT20

Andrew Peterson, Dancing in the Minefields
I’ve posted about this song before, but it’s so worth re-posting. An honest and touching expression of marriage that acknowledges both its difficulties and joy.

Brahms, Piano Concerto No. 1, Movement 2
The nature of the relationship between Brahms and Clara Schumann is one of classical music’s enduring mysteries; at the very least we know they shared a close lifelong friendship. Whether their love was romantic or not, it inspired some marvelous music. Brahms called this movement from his first piano concerto a “gentle portrait” of Clara.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voV–MQLBsc

Michael Bublé, Haven’t Met You Yet
This one kind of speaks for itself.

Wagner, Prelude & Liebestod
Wagner’s orchestral arrangement of Tristan and Isolde’s overture and Isolde’s Act 3 aria, “Mild und leise.” Tragic storyline, but glorious music (and a great harp part, too!).

Keith & Kristyn Getty, Ribbon Roads
Sweet and simple.

Bach, Goldberg Aria
This aria, which later became the theme for the famed Goldberg Variations, numbers among the compositions in the notebooks Bach compiled for his second wife, Anna Magdelena.

Stuart Townend, How Deep the Father’s Love For Us
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

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Weekly roundup of (mostly) arts-related chatter around the web:

• Lights Out: Sadly, the show Friday Night Lights ended this week. It’s one of the few shows I followed, for reasons similar to the ones Brett McCracken lists.
• Freedom Friday: Egypt is, rightly, at the top of all our minds and prayers right now. Beautiful first images following Murabak’s resignation announcement.
• Perfect for Good Friday: Keith & Kristyn Getty just released a new hymn entitled Gethsemane. It’s available as a free download via their Facebook page.
• 16 activities for creatives: Beautiful illustrations and useful tips from Frank Chimero.
• Throwing water: This is just amazing. There’s more via this article on the artist, Shinchi Maruyama.

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Kingsway Songs is offering a free song by one of my favorite songwriting teams: Stuart Townend and Keith & Kristyn Getty (of In Christ Alone fame). You can download the sheet music or mp3 for By Faith now through August 25th (site sign-up is required, but free).

Update: while this offer no longer exists, you can download the chords for By Faith from Getty Music here.

As the title suggests, this particular song speaks about the common faith of Christians in past, present, and future generations. The chorus reads:

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight