This performance of this gorgeous piece by Lauridsen is so moving, so expressively sung, so full of clarity and diction, that it transcends the location and the singers. THIS is what choral music MUST and SHOULD be. I was in tears when I heard the LAMC premiere his" O Magnum Mysterium" in 1993, and I am almost in tears to hear another one of Lauridsen's works sung so beautifully.
Every once in a while words meet the musical note and something tremendously significant happens. I knew of Agee's words over forty years ago. But, when I heard this performed the first time I was totally overcome with emotion. It is sometimes that way these days, too. Thanks to Maestroz25 for loading this. Musically, chorally, this is as good as it gets.
The accompanist is first class, the choir is first rate,, Laurinsens melody is ethereal and the lyrics on which all were built is from a poem by James Agee imo the most spectacular of all.
I have always been so touched by Agee's words as he basically drank himself to an early death and I have been in recovery for 30 years now. What a genius lost too soon! And then another genius such as Morten Lauridsen pens this magnificent choral arrangement. I can read those words and listen to this arrangement and meditate often. It is so completely cathartic to the soul. Magnificent.
Brian Baumgarn Agee’s poem has penetrated my bone marrow. How someone so gifted could come to such an end is beyond my understanding. Thank you Dr. Lauridsen for setting to music James Agee’s sublime poem.
For more about Morten Lauridsen and his music, see 'Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauriden', "a heartening rarity" (Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal), winner of three Best Documentary awards, DVD available at www.shiningnightfilm.net The Singers recording of 'Sure On This Shining Night', conducted by Matthew Culloton, is included in the soundtrack of the film. A National Medal of Arts recipient, Morten Lauridsen is recognized as the most-performed American choral composer. www.mortenlauridsen.net
I've listened to a lot of versions of this piece, my favorite short choral work. This is only the second performance I've come across, the other being the University of Utah Singers, in which the pianist fully satisfies me. A lot of accompanists seem choppy to me even while the chorus is gorgeous. The degree of legato to be utilized is surely a stylistic choice, but personally I prefer the piano line with a lot of legato. Others will feel differently.
I've had the pleasure of performing this setting Lauridsen with a fantastic accompanist. She was attentive to every nuance our conductor brought out of the piece and her playing was sensitive and artistic. So rare to find an accompanist who truly breathes the phrases with the singers. The accompanist for this group plays nicely but sometimes lacks that element of phrasing with the breath, playing ahead of the singers and the conductor when the line wants to be stretched more fully for expression.
@@robertramon6410 you are right, the accompaniment is good, but her phrasing sometimes goes ahead of the choir. "The singers" has recorded "Sure on this shining night" with Lauridsen playing the piano, and he gives a different flow for the solo parts.
@@yordankaacosta2849 Thank you, Yordanka. I have that recording of Lauridsen accompanying this group and his playing brings out much more expressive singing from them. It's one of my favorite recordings to listen to.
Yes, this is a fine performance - but then the words and the music are of course the main elements of the quality of such a presentation. There is also an interesting performance by a group called the Chamber Choir of Europe, with Lauridsen himself at the piano. Check it out.
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This performance of this gorgeous piece by Lauridsen is so moving, so expressively sung, so full of clarity and diction, that it transcends the location and the singers. THIS is what choral music MUST and SHOULD be. I was in tears when I heard the LAMC premiere his" O Magnum Mysterium" in 1993, and I am almost in tears to hear another one of Lauridsen's works sung so beautifully.
Beautiful
I don’t know of a more beautiful marriage of words and music. Stunning transcendence!
Every once in a while words meet the musical note and something tremendously significant happens. I knew of Agee's words over forty years ago. But, when I heard this performed the first time I was totally overcome with emotion. It is sometimes that way these days, too. Thanks to Maestroz25 for loading this. Musically, chorally, this is as good as it gets.
This piece is absolutely beautiful...
I too have sung this song with a 21 member a capella group and can say this was a very lovely performance, thank you.
The accompanist is first class, the choir is first rate,, Laurinsens melody is ethereal and the lyrics on which all were built is from a poem by James Agee imo the most spectacular of all.
Lauridsen. Sorry.
I have always been so touched by Agee's words as he basically drank himself to an early death and I have been in recovery for 30 years now. What a genius lost too soon! And then another genius such as Morten Lauridsen pens this magnificent choral arrangement. I can read those words and listen to this arrangement and meditate often. It is so completely cathartic to the soul. Magnificent.
8-)
Brian Baumgarn Agee’s poem has penetrated my bone marrow. How someone so gifted could come to such an end is beyond my understanding. Thank you Dr. Lauridsen for setting to music James Agee’s sublime poem.
For more about Morten Lauridsen and his music, see 'Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauriden', "a heartening rarity" (Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal), winner of three Best Documentary awards, DVD available at www.shiningnightfilm.net
The Singers recording of 'Sure On This Shining Night', conducted by Matthew Culloton, is included in the soundtrack of the film.
A National Medal of Arts recipient, Morten Lauridsen is recognized as the most-performed American choral composer. www.mortenlauridsen.net
Magical
beautiful.
Beautiful interpretation!!
The accompanist is first class!
I've listened to a lot of versions of this piece, my favorite short choral work. This is only the second performance I've come across, the other being the University of Utah Singers, in which the pianist fully satisfies me. A lot of accompanists seem choppy to me even while the chorus is gorgeous. The degree of legato to be utilized is surely a stylistic choice, but personally I prefer the piano line with a lot of legato. Others will feel differently.
I've had the pleasure of performing this setting Lauridsen with a fantastic accompanist. She was attentive to every nuance our conductor brought out of the piece and her playing was sensitive and artistic. So rare to find an accompanist who truly breathes the phrases with the singers. The accompanist for this group plays nicely but sometimes lacks that element of phrasing with the breath, playing ahead of the singers and the conductor when the line wants to be stretched more fully for expression.
@@robertramon6410 you are right, the accompaniment is good, but her phrasing sometimes goes ahead of the choir. "The singers" has recorded "Sure on this shining night" with Lauridsen playing the piano, and he gives a different flow for the solo parts.
@@yordankaacosta2849 Thank you, Yordanka. I have that recording of Lauridsen accompanying this group and his playing brings out much more expressive singing from them. It's one of my favorite recordings to listen to.
We'll be performing it soon during the USh choral week end of June 2017 in Longueuil. Looking forward to it.
Yes, this is a fine performance - but then the words and the music are of course the main elements of the quality of such a presentation. There is also an interesting performance by a group called the Chamber Choir of Europe, with Lauridsen himself at the piano. Check it out.