This poem, this composition, this ensemble, this performance, this recording is the absolute pinnacle of choral music. Unforgettable. Transporting. Celestial.
Rene Clausen directing and the Concordia Concert Choir performing this beautiful piece are simply the best. I listen to their rich celestial sound while the leaves turn and the mystery of the season unfolds. Takes me back to my years at Concordia.
This arrangement really shows off the Bass section, which thrills me to pieces (as a Bass that often gets tired of singing foundational chords only). This arrangement is so inventive and wonderful.
Rene Clausen arrangements always take me to a heavenly place. I believe he could make me cry with Yankee Doodle - or just about anything he arranges. He inspires the best in his choirs. What a gifted man.
This is a Morten Lauridsen composition to the poem by James Agee. Clausen does create a beautiful performance, no question. NOT his arrangement though.
The choir did a really stellar job here, but I wish to talk about the piano accomp. Polyphony with Director Stephen Layton did this piece with Morten Lauridsen at the piano as did The Singers with Lauridsen also at the piano. Yet this is THE best accompanist that I have heard play this piece. So ABSOLUTELY musical, even more so than the composer. Concordia is lucky to have such a talent. He should play MORE for people. Like a Bach at Midnight concert again;) Great job Dr. Clausen!
@@magnificatanimamea2353 Luther College Nordic Choir is the gold standard of this piece. It's here on TH-cam. One of the best choir colleges in the world.
Composers are not always the best performers of their music; Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and Ravel come to mind (and I love their music, but their own playing of it was not as good as some performers). And I love Lauridsen; Los Angeles Master Chorale best recordings of his music, to my ear (especially O Magnum Mysterium-- gorgeous).
I attended Concordia from 1975-79 while the legendary Christiansen was directing the choir. I am always so proud to hear this choir perform -- they are the very best. The Agee poem upon which this piece is based always makes me think of the north country. Gorgeous stuff.
That was one really fine choir! I had the pleasure of hearing a performance in Chicago i '78 or '79. Maestro Christiansen's 'Prayers of Steel' is still riveted in my soul.
Our choir is singing this at a service honoring in our search for a new minister. It is an extraordinary musical statement of the awe our Congregation is beginning to feel in finding a spiritual leader for our church. Barber's piece is so profoundly mystical and yet conveys, for me, a community response that is so universal to the mysteries all around us. John Marohn, Co-chair UUCB Ministerial Search Committee
@Evan McKinney On the final 5 measures of the section, you are supposed to sing and sustain without taking a breath, even before the final "night", which has an eighth note rest just before it. Slow tempos can be challenging in that way. Also, it is a solo section part for the basses, so there's no hiding behind the higher voices. ;)
Okay, so this was a GORGEOUS rendition, the choir is incredible, and I love Rene Clausen, but did anyone catch the amazing bit of camera work and choral cooperation that covered up when the girl in the front row got dizzy and sat down, and the girls around her covered for her so there wasn't a hole in the row? (Around 2:30)
You don't see her go down, but you see her come back at the end. My sister was in Nordic Choir at Luther College and told me once that's one reason they hold hand the way they do.
I absolutely love the Concordia Choir - have seen them in concert on more than one occasion. For the purposes of "Best Lauridsen", I'd also like to suggest the version of this piece by the University of Utah Singers. Also fabulous!
This is north country music. Vast, breath of steam, black and white landscape forever and a sky canvas splashed with magnets. Thank you Mr. Lauridsen and the poem by Agee on which all was built.
Absolutely lovely and beautiful! Lovely and rich men's section. We are singing this in my church choir for our Christmas Eve carols and candlelight service.
I am pretty big on Rene Clausen and the stuff Concordia does. The music is just a perfect mix with those 57 words Agee penned. I return to this piece and "Prayer" now that they are on here. Both exquisite as is this performance.
I've never been to this Concordia College but I am a graduate of Concordia University in Chicago where I graduated in church music and organ with a Master's.
So incredibly beautiful! I love all of Lauridsen's pieces but this is my very favorite, as are the words of Agee's poem. Thank you! I listen to this over and over again on a regular basis.
very perceptive by Robert. I shared this with some friends in my recovery program after telling them James Agee's history and how alcohol probably contributed to is passing. There were no dry eyes. It is a secular piece but it should be canon. In a few short words Agee comments on all of life's journey. Morten Lauridsen is such a genius as to add his voice and only enhance and make more magnificent the mood of the poem. I am in tears reflecting again, this a.m.
Love expressed through music that brings a tear to my eye is never anything less than perfection. My only criticism is with the corrective commentaries. Live performances set their own tempo, are never without blemish and must be heard to be appreciated. The audience cannot turn up the volume.
Sure on this shining night Of starmade shadows round, Kindness must watch for me This side the ground. The late year lies down the north. All is healed, all is health. High summer holds the earth. Hearts all whole. Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder Wandering far alone Of shadows on the stars.
Thank you, Tim! Having the written lyrics to follow adds so much to this and any other beautiful piece of music, and are especially appreciated by non-English-speaking viewers.
Did you notice the redhead in front insert herself at 5'? She was there at the beginning, but then at 2:42, you see the front row discreetly shuffle to the right to fill in her spot? Odd...
Kerry Drake That's a tradition at Concordia and I am sure of many HS or college choirs - cover up any empty windows. One must realize that those gowns are velvet and very warm. Put that together with stage lights, if you haven't drank and eaten properly, you will get light headed. I believe this was recorded in Orchestral Hall in Minneapolis, MN.
This is such an awesome piece, I am only disappointed to find that was was not written as a Christmas piece, although I know some choirs have used it as such, and I can see why they would want to. It was not even written as a spiritual piece, but rather secular, according to the cover of the sheet music. Nonetheless, it just sounds like something that would be incredibly beautiful in a church setting.
A Christmas Lyric: Sure...a babe from maid was born. Though wrapped in swaddling clothes was yet adorned, On this... The angels tell them to go forth .Peace, All is well, In all the Earth. Yet Mary holds it in her heart. Sure... They seek the babe who's coming was foretold. The Magi following the Star...Sure...a babe from maid was born. Though wrapped in swaddling clothes was yet adorned...Sure...
maestroz25 Wow, that is awesome. Can I get your permission to give them to our church choir director? She wants us to sing them at the Christmas Eve service. Let me know if this is OK. Thanks, man!
One of the better recordings of this I've seen/heard! There are, however, 3 things that (in my opinion) would've made this better: 1) The tone quality was superb - from the ladies and basses. The tenors sounded a little bright a few times. 2) This song is supposed to sound somewhat mysterious and awe-inspiring. You can't really make that kind of magic when it's sung mezzo forte most of the time. SHH!!! 3) In addition, you can't make that magic when you speed through it. I almost felt like it was rushed a bit. Take it slower. Let it sink in. Other than these things, this was a great performance :)
Brian Gruenewald I actually like it from the perspective of our chorus using it to learn the piece. Very easy to hear. Too quiet and we can’t pick out our parts. JMO
You guys sound great, I would rather it be at a slower tempo for more flow of those notes that have to be held and more flow of each part. This may also help with those with poor breathing. But you guys sound great.
Tempo was a little too fast most of the time. Rubato was a bit much. Beautiful tone, as usual. Tenors rocked! This is truly one of Morten Lauridsen's best pieces. Lovely!
Excellent version of this fabulous song........but........ in my humble opinion I think the version by the Nordic choir on You Tube is better. It is lighter in tone and has clearer part singing.
Nicely sung, but it was too aggressively approached in terms of dynamics and tempo. The singers are all fine and capable, but more tenderness and a tempo that is not rushed would have better served the beautiful poetry and Lauridsen's lovely arrangement.
Well done. But they are shouting not singing. The piece is contemplative not declarative. They are paying little attention to the words. The Utah group captures the essence of the text and the music, understanding that singing softly is often difficult but quite magnificent when done well, as here.
This poem, this composition, this ensemble, this performance, this recording is the absolute pinnacle of choral music. Unforgettable. Transporting. Celestial.
Rene Clausen directing and the Concordia Concert Choir performing this beautiful piece are simply the best. I listen to their rich celestial sound while the leaves turn and the mystery of the season unfolds. Takes me back to my years at Concordia.
I appreciate the strong male start and through the entire piece that enfolds the female parts throughout.Wonderfull!
This arrangement really shows off the Bass section, which thrills me to pieces (as a Bass that often gets tired of singing foundational chords only). This arrangement is so inventive and wonderful.
It's good to hear a virile "mature" sound out of college students. Lovely. Well done!
Rene Clausen arrangements always take me to a heavenly place. I believe he could make me cry with Yankee Doodle - or just about anything he arranges. He inspires the best in his choirs. What a gifted man.
This is a Morten Lauridsen composition to the poem by James Agee. Clausen does create a beautiful performance, no question. NOT his arrangement though.
Such an amazing well grounded bass section
@Phillip Manuel yup, I have been using flixzone for since december myself :)
Great choir, Great pianist, Great conductor, Great composer!!!
The choir did a really stellar job here, but I wish to talk about the piano accomp. Polyphony with Director Stephen Layton did this piece with Morten Lauridsen at the piano as did The Singers with Lauridsen also at the piano. Yet this is THE best accompanist that I have heard play this piece. So ABSOLUTELY musical, even more so than the composer. Concordia is lucky to have such a talent. He should play MORE for people. Like a Bach at Midnight concert again;) Great job Dr. Clausen!
I think univ utah choir did it better, in accompanimen, the choral sound and rendetion in general.
@@magnificatanimamea2353 Luther College Nordic Choir is the gold standard of this piece. It's here on TH-cam. One of the best choir colleges in the world.
Composers are not always the best performers of their music; Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and Ravel come to mind (and I love their music, but their own playing of it was not as good as some performers). And I love Lauridsen; Los Angeles Master Chorale best recordings of his music, to my ear (especially O Magnum Mysterium-- gorgeous).
Unfortunately, the pianist is deceased! But there will be more musical renditions of this piece
@@warrenbeckmusic Nordic Choir Very Good, but Concordia Bass Section is Exceptional in this recorded version
I attended Concordia from 1975-79 while the legendary Christiansen was directing the choir. I am always so proud to hear this choir perform -- they are the very best. The Agee poem upon which this piece is based always makes me think of the north country. Gorgeous stuff.
That was one really fine choir! I had the pleasure of hearing a performance in Chicago i '78 or '79. Maestro Christiansen's 'Prayers of Steel' is still riveted in my soul.
How blessed I am to not be cursed with a trained ear that just seeks perfection so I can just enjoy the pure beauty of this.
Our choir is singing this at a service honoring in our search for a new minister. It is an extraordinary musical statement of the awe our Congregation is beginning to feel in finding a spiritual leader for our church. Barber's piece is so profoundly mystical and yet conveys, for me, a community response that is so universal to the mysteries all around us. John Marohn, Co-chair UUCB Ministerial Search Committee
that opening phrase is one of the most difficult ive ever had to sing... they nailed it.
@Evan McKinney On the final 5 measures of the section, you are supposed to sing and sustain without taking a breath, even before the final "night", which has an eighth note rest just before it. Slow tempos can be challenging in that way. Also, it is a solo section part for the basses, so there's no hiding behind the higher voices. ;)
I got the privilege of singing this song twice last weekend..with the group i sing with.(115 of us..).i am so Blessed...
The bass and tenor section were quite lovely!
Okay, so this was a GORGEOUS rendition, the choir is incredible, and I love Rene Clausen, but did anyone catch the amazing bit of camera work and choral cooperation that covered up when the girl in the front row got dizzy and sat down, and the girls around her covered for her so there wasn't a hole in the row? (Around 2:30)
You don't see her go down, but you see her come back at the end. My sister was in Nordic Choir at Luther College and told me once that's one reason they hold hand the way they do.
I absolutely love the Concordia Choir - have seen them in concert on more than one occasion. For the purposes of "Best Lauridsen", I'd also like to suggest the version of this piece by the University of Utah Singers. Also fabulous!
This is north country music. Vast, breath of steam, black and white landscape forever and a sky canvas splashed with magnets. Thank you Mr. Lauridsen and the poem by Agee on which all was built.
I was expecting the Samuel Barber setting, and this is magnificent! "Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder..."
im going to singing this in my high school choir. i hope we sound this glorious.
The tempo to me is superb I am also able to hear everything.The sound is crisp and dynamic.
Achingly beautiful!
Absolutely magnificent! Thank you so much!!!
This is truly lovely! the blend is exquisite, thanks for posting!
This piece is deeply moving and not of this world,.I think it is a small slice of paradise!
Absolutely lovely and beautiful! Lovely and rich men's section. We are singing this in my church choir for our Christmas Eve carols and candlelight service.
Just amazing. Thank you for sharing Maestro.
Pure perfection...
Really beautiful. Nice work! Men's voices sounded amazing.
I am pretty big on Rene Clausen and the stuff Concordia does. The music is just a perfect mix with those 57 words Agee penned. I return to this piece and "Prayer" now that they are on here. Both exquisite as is this performance.
I've never been to this Concordia College but I am a graduate of Concordia University in Chicago where I graduated in church music and organ with a Master's.
So incredibly beautiful! I love all of Lauridsen's pieces but this is my very favorite, as are the words of Agee's poem. Thank you! I listen to this over and over again on a regular basis.
Absolutely beautiful!!
awesome⭐️
Morten is pure genius....
very perceptive by Robert. I shared this with some friends in my recovery program after telling them James Agee's history and how alcohol probably contributed to is passing. There were no dry eyes. It is a secular piece but it should be canon. In a few short words Agee comments on all of life's journey. Morten Lauridsen is such a genius as to add his voice and only enhance and make more magnificent the mood of the poem. I am in tears reflecting again, this a.m.
a tingle performance. shivers.
Beautifully done! So inspiring.
Love expressed through music that brings a tear to my eye is never anything less than perfection. My only criticism is with the corrective commentaries. Live performances set their own tempo, are never without blemish and must be heard to be appreciated. The audience cannot turn up the volume.
Sure on this shining night
Of starmade shadows round,
Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground.
The late year lies down the north.
All is healed, all is health.
High summer holds the earth.
Hearts all whole.
Sure on this shining night
I weep for wonder
Wandering far alone
Of shadows on the stars.
Thank you, Tim! Having the written lyrics to follow adds so much to this and any other beautiful piece of music, and are especially appreciated by non-English-speaking viewers.
Love this interpretation.
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you.
Masterful performance!!!
Magnificent !!!
Millikin University Choir does the best rendition of this song, in my opinion. It is perfection!
Beautiful
Beautiful......
Incredible!
Fantastic rendition - inspired me to program this great piece again!
So beautiful
I love this vibrant performance.
Fantástico, muito bom
Did you notice the redhead in front insert herself at 5'? She was there at the beginning, but then at 2:42, you see the front row discreetly shuffle to the right to fill in her spot?
Odd...
The performances are long if a singer is faint they may sit and the choir covers them. She arises for the next number in the concert.
Thanks for info! I saw a performance of that and Lux Aeterna last night in Sarasota, awesome show!
Kerry Drake That's a tradition at Concordia and I am sure of many HS or college choirs - cover up any empty windows. One must realize that those gowns are velvet and very warm. Put that together with stage lights, if you haven't drank and eaten properly, you will get light headed. I believe this was recorded in Orchestral Hall in Minneapolis, MN.
luther894 I stand corrected - this was not recorded in Orchesta Hall.
Kerry Drake heh... the chorus protects its members, like a phalanx.
Lovely!
Love it
im gonna sing this in church ; P
Well done!
this is music
sigh❤️
This is such an awesome piece, I am only disappointed to find that was was not written as a Christmas piece, although I know some choirs have used it as such, and I can see why they would want to. It was not even written as a spiritual piece, but rather secular, according to the cover of the sheet music. Nonetheless, it just sounds like something that would be incredibly beautiful in a church setting.
A Christmas Lyric: Sure...a babe from maid was born. Though wrapped in swaddling clothes was yet adorned, On this... The angels tell them to go forth .Peace, All is well, In all the Earth. Yet Mary holds it in her heart. Sure... They seek the babe who's coming was foretold. The Magi following the Star...Sure...a babe from maid was born. Though wrapped in swaddling clothes was yet adorned...Sure...
maestroz25 Do you by chance know the source of the Christmas lyrics?
ME, I wrote them.
maestroz25 Wow, that is awesome. Can I get your permission to give them to our church choir director? She wants us to sing them at the Christmas Eve service. Let me know if this is OK. Thanks, man!
Thats why I shared them with you
One of the better recordings of this I've seen/heard! There are, however, 3 things that (in my opinion) would've made this better:
1) The tone quality was superb - from the ladies and basses. The tenors sounded a little bright a few times.
2) This song is supposed to sound somewhat mysterious and awe-inspiring. You can't really make that kind of magic when it's sung mezzo forte most of the time. SHH!!!
3) In addition, you can't make that magic when you speed through it. I almost felt like it was rushed a bit. Take it slower. Let it sink in.
Other than these things, this was a great performance :)
Brian Gruenewald I actually like it from the perspective of our chorus using it to learn the piece. Very easy to hear. Too quiet and we can’t pick out our parts. JMO
You guys sound great, I would rather it be at a slower tempo for more flow of those notes that have to be held and more flow of each part. This may also help with those with poor breathing. But you guys sound great.
Tempo was a little too fast most of the time. Rubato was a bit much. Beautiful tone, as usual. Tenors rocked! This is truly one of Morten Lauridsen's best pieces. Lovely!
agreed -- too fast in general. but gorgeous anyway
Excellent version of this fabulous song........but........ in my humble opinion I think the version by the Nordic choir on You Tube is better. It is lighter in tone and has clearer part singing.
We wish you a merry christmas art as need dewahtere SS
Long live the tonic pedal point. Who needs sharps and flats?
💕
Lighten up choir. This is not a heavy but a rather delicate piece.
Nicely sung, but it was too aggressively approached in terms of dynamics and tempo. The singers are all fine and capable, but more tenderness and a tempo that is not rushed would have better served the beautiful poetry and Lauridsen's lovely arrangement.
Oh gimme a break.
I like this performance, but I don't feel any dynamic levels other than forte.
GOD DOES EXIST INDEED
@gr14632 Amen to that. lol
Well done. But they are shouting not singing. The piece is contemplative not declarative. They are paying little attention to the words. The Utah group captures the essence of the text and the music, understanding that singing softly is often difficult but quite magnificent when done well, as here.
Wonderful.