Everything; the music, the choral singing, and the orchestra in this recording is fantastic. This choir and director are the best I have ever heard from BYU. I hope Professor Wells is a permanent fixture.
My husband, Mike, was moved to tears by this musical number. Earlier this spring, he wrote: "Eight little children - just a few generations ago Harriet, Polly, and Lula (my great grandmothers) lost eight little children to early graves. Their graves sit silently in Oregon, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Imagine the grief, the weeping, and the heartache! They were left with empty cribs and empty hearts. That emptiness and grief is captured in this wonderful musical number called, 'Under the Willow She's Sleeping' by the BYU Concert Choir. These little children will once again be held in their mother's arms - for Christ has power to raise them up on the morning of the first resurrection. And, through the sealing keys restored in the Kirtland Temple, those children are forever sealed to their mothers, never to be parted. This is why we celebrate Easter."
It was absolutely incredible to be able to record this stunning piece of work. About 3 years ago, I lost a baby cousin, who was almost a year old, to a rare disease called Vanishing White Matter. Every time I sang this song, I thought about my aunt burying her son. He had golden hair. ❤️ The funeral was the first time that I saw him in person, due to the pandemic. This song was very healing because it gave me peace that he was in a better place and that grief is a natural process that follows loss. Thank you to Dr. Wells for mindfully arranging these words. It is such a masterpiece that will help many grieving parents find a space to sit with their deep felt emotions. It was an honor to sing this piece with Concert Choir and our wonderful orchestra !! It’s such a privilege to sing with such expressive, masterful musicians.🎶
As a BYU alum I am always so proud to see the BYU Choirs perform. What a beautiful performance! Thank you for sharing your talents and letting your light so shine. The years I spent at BYU are truly treasured times and cherished memories.
Wow. I was not expecting to sob into my breakfast burrito this morning, yet here we are. 14 years ago, I sang another arrangement of this piece with Jean Applonie and the BYU Women's Chorus. I remember a story being shared during a rehearsal that was just gut-wrenching of a young life lost far too early. It was hard to make it through the piece sometimes. I still remember doing all I could not to cry on stage during the concert, and failing. And now, a mother myself with three dear children who are "fair, fair with golden hair", it hits in a new way. I love seeing BYU Concert Choir (and all the other BYU choirs!) and the amazing music they continue making.
Beautiful. ❤️ Very angelic.
Incredibly beautiful! Professor Wells,, your arrangement is inspiring and emotive, and your conducting is perfection! Well done sir!
Everything; the music, the choral singing, and the orchestra in this recording is fantastic. This choir and director are the best I have ever heard from BYU. I hope Professor Wells is a permanent fixture.
Beautiful and melancholy. Almost a Pavane, as by Ravel or Faure. Yet we can have hope that the sorrow will one day be replaced with joy again.
My husband, Mike, was moved to tears by this musical number. Earlier this spring, he wrote: "Eight little children - just a few generations ago Harriet, Polly, and Lula (my great grandmothers) lost eight little children to early graves. Their graves sit silently in Oregon, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Imagine the grief, the weeping, and the heartache! They were left with empty cribs and empty hearts. That emptiness and grief is captured in this wonderful musical number called, 'Under the Willow She's Sleeping' by the BYU Concert Choir. These little children will once again be held in their mother's arms - for Christ has power to raise them up on the morning of the first resurrection. And, through the sealing keys restored in the Kirtland Temple, those children are forever sealed to their mothers, never to be parted. This is why we celebrate Easter."
It was absolutely incredible to be able to record this stunning piece of work. About 3 years ago, I lost a baby cousin, who was almost a year old, to a rare disease called Vanishing White Matter. Every time I sang this song, I thought about my aunt burying her son. He had golden hair. ❤️
The funeral was the first time that I saw him in person, due to the pandemic. This song was very healing because it gave me peace that he was in a better place and that grief is a natural process that follows loss.
Thank you to Dr. Wells for mindfully arranging these words. It is such a masterpiece that will help many grieving parents find a space to sit with their deep felt emotions. It was an honor to sing this piece with Concert Choir and our wonderful orchestra !! It’s such a privilege to sing with such expressive, masterful musicians.🎶
As a BYU alum I am always so proud to see the BYU Choirs perform. What a beautiful performance! Thank you for sharing your talents and letting your light so shine.
The years I spent at BYU are truly treasured times and cherished memories.
Wow. I was not expecting to sob into my breakfast burrito this morning, yet here we are.
14 years ago, I sang another arrangement of this piece with Jean Applonie and the BYU Women's Chorus. I remember a story being shared during a rehearsal that was just gut-wrenching of a young life lost far too early. It was hard to make it through the piece sometimes. I still remember doing all I could not to cry on stage during the concert, and failing.
And now, a mother myself with three dear children who are "fair, fair with golden hair", it hits in a new way.
I love seeing BYU Concert Choir (and all the other BYU choirs!) and the amazing music they continue making.
So beautiful. I am amazed again each time I watch.
Masterpiece. I can’t describe it any other way.
Transcendent arrangement! 🕊️ I'd never before heard it in a minor key-now I understand what the lyrics are inferring. 😢 Beautifully performed! 🙏🏻
❤❤
Que maravilha, uma benção
Incredibly poignant.