I was in a choir some time ago and we had the chance to preform this beautiful song. This beautiful preformance brings back memories of times spent with friends making music together, Thank-you for sharing this with us,
For a non-religious person the St. Olaf concerts reach deep into my soul. Their renditions and repertoire not only present the most beautiful of Christmas music but reinforce the fact that music is a vital part of life.
What a heart felt rendition of this wonderful music presented by my favorite Collegiate Choral program. Their passion for music shows through their sincere expressions. May GOD continue to bless this university, their music, and each of these young men and women
This is the performance which made me hope to one day travel to Minnesota at Christmas and see the St. Olaf choir perform their Christmas concert. I'd hoped to do it after I retired. Now, I'm not sure if I'll get the chance to, but I hope and pray that we will be free from this virus and able to congregate together again in the mutual love of this ethereal music and gifted choral singers. Until then, I will watch this performance every Christmas as I have done for the last three years, my heart swelling. Thank you St. Olaf Choir.
@@laramiedtaylor That's too bad. The St. Olaf website did say that even when sold out, random tickets could possibly be available, but since I'm from out of the country I'm not sure what my chances would be. I might try next year and see whether I could chance get to see the concert. I wish this uploaded carol had a performance date listed. If the choral concert was recorded in full, I would purchase it. Blessings on the upcoming Christmas season.
i remember to in 9th grade with our concert choir. We rocked the heck out of this song. I still know my part as if were yesterday I sang this, where it was nearly 12 years ago. It brings tears to my eyes when I hear it; cause it came from such a memorable time.
So pleasing to see younger people engaging with John Rutter and clearly understanding it with this beautifully phrased and executed performance. Bravo.
It was music like this that inspired me to write in 2007 the Lady of the House at Buckingham Palace in London to nominate composer John Rutter for British knighthood. Her Majesty's correspondence officer replied to me that my letter had reached the Queen's desk and that she enjoyed reading all the reasons I supported my knighthood suggestion. In less than a week I received two acknowledgments from British agencies involved with knighthood issues. Mr. Rutter told me he was content being awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) the year before.
This is a very lovely Christmas Carol and the St Olaf Choir gives it a heavenly sound. The conductor is great also. I have always liked to sing for a conductor who mouths the words like that. Don't have to look down at the sheet music as often.
This is the Chapel Choir - still wonderful!! We had to memorize all music for Christmas Fest. I remember writing lyrics to songs on index cards when I was in school there and putting them all over my dorm room. Most precious time of my youth.
I think that it is great that US singers show they have enough culture to sing music that is considered classic. It shows that they are well rounded. Of course, I can't sing some of the more popular songs of the day. I stick to this kind of this stuff. I do like some contemporary music.
The performers, here, have allowed the music supersede all and envelope them.. Indeed, what sweeter music could one hear? Faces translate genuine intimacy. Thanks so much for sharing.
I am taken back to the magic memories that John Rutter’s music holds one’s attention to those things that God would have us think and hold us to His great love for us.
Sensitivity is a hard thing to achieve and this group certainly makes it there. The choir director seems to emote such a reverent feeling that the choir can imitate. Inspiring performance. It made me go and order the album.
This (or a very similar performance) was the first version of "What Sweeter Music" that I recall ever hearing. Strangely, it was part of a TV commercial for car insurance about ten years ago, and the music is the only thing I recall clearly about it. But it gave me a strong wish to hear the entire recording. Fortunately, when I searched recently it was here on TH-cam, and it remains a great favorite of mine. How lovely it is.
I remember that tv commercial. It was for Volvo. They showed a Volvo with a Christmas tree on top on a snow covered country road. It took me years to find out what the music was.
I think I've watched this at least 50 times over the years. It remains my favorite of the wonderful St. Olaf concerts owing to the choice of music, the quality of the singing, and the wonderful camera work. The focus and commitment on the faces of the young performers is a joy to behold and, at 3:15 in this piece, you get an idea about the pleasures of conducting. Just inspirational stuff. I swear, if I had to do it over, this is where I would've gone to school.
I love that particular moment as well. Great moment in the composition as well. Dr. Bob's beautiful spirit really shines through in his face. (I was in the Viking Chorus that year).
Music can certainly reach depths of the soul where nothing else can. It must surely be a gift to us from God and another way He communicates with us. I had an atheist professor once who taught music analysis of lots of religious music. I often wonder if he ever became a believer. It's really not that hard and besides, what's the alternative. Nothing. Blank.
John Rutter, the composer, was not religious. The alternative is finding beauty in the world and value in yourself and others, because your choices, not dictates from outside, give life meaning. Music is an example of the riches humans can give ourselves.
It was a Volvo commercial, showing a bunch of survivors of horrendous crashes, and saying that your chances of survival were greater if you were in a Volvo. Completely random connection to the music by the Cambridge Singers, but a wonderful sharing of the setting of a 17th century carol by Robert Herrick. I don't think that John Rutter has ever done anything better than this. It brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it, even when it's a Volvo commercial.
It was a 1995 Volvo commercial to which I awoke after falling asleep with the TV on and I was not able to identify it until Sun. Feb 23, 2014. In the mean time I hummed what I remembered and enjoyed it. So you can imagine how I felt when I first heard all of it. I have listened to it many times during each day since and have shared it with friends and relatives. It's beautiful and inspiring.
It seems like people looked different back before 2000. The century turned and all of a sudden people started looking... different, in an almost indescribable way. Maybe kids looking younger at older ages. Is it in the water? Vaccinations?
I was in a choir some time ago and we had the chance to preform this beautiful song. This beautiful preformance brings back memories of times spent with friends making music together, Thank-you for sharing this with us,
I listen to this each year.
For a non-religious person the St. Olaf concerts reach deep into my soul. Their renditions and repertoire not only present the most beautiful of Christmas music but reinforce the fact that music is a vital part of life.
What a heart felt rendition of this wonderful music presented by my favorite Collegiate Choral program. Their passion for music shows through their sincere expressions. May GOD continue to bless this university, their music, and each of these young men and women
AMEN,MAY GOD GIVE ABUNDANT BLESSINGS TO THIS WONDERFUL LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS A BEACON OF LIGHT IN THIS DARK WORLD.
This is the performance which made me hope to one day travel to Minnesota at Christmas and see the St. Olaf choir perform their Christmas concert. I'd hoped to do it after I retired. Now, I'm not sure if I'll get the chance to, but I hope and pray that we will be free from this virus and able to congregate together again in the mutual love of this ethereal music and gifted choral singers. Until then, I will watch this performance every Christmas as I have done for the last three years, my heart swelling. Thank you St. Olaf Choir.
I have the same goal, but it turns out if you're not a student, family member, or alumnus, it's more or less impossible to get tickets.
@@laramiedtaylor That's too bad. The St. Olaf website did say that even when sold out, random tickets could possibly be available, but since I'm from out of the country I'm not sure what my chances would be. I might try next year and see whether I could chance get to see the concert.
I wish this uploaded carol had a performance date listed. If the choral concert was recorded in full, I would purchase it.
Blessings on the upcoming Christmas season.
i remember to in 9th grade with our concert choir. We rocked the heck out of this song. I still know my part as if were yesterday I sang this, where it was nearly 12 years ago. It brings tears to my eyes when I hear it; cause it came from such a memorable time.
Sehr hübsch. Höre und sehe ich mir jedes Jahr zur Weihnachtszeit an. Danke !
So pleasing to see younger people engaging with John Rutter and clearly understanding it with this beautifully phrased and executed performance. Bravo.
Ppppp
Celestial voices and Peaceful music spreads calming Peace to my Heart.
There is no sweeter music than this.
It was music like this that inspired me to write in 2007 the Lady of the House at Buckingham Palace in London to nominate composer John Rutter for British knighthood. Her Majesty's correspondence officer replied to me that my letter had reached the Queen's desk and that she enjoyed reading all the reasons I supported my knighthood suggestion. In less than a week I received two acknowledgments from British agencies involved with knighthood issues. Mr. Rutter told me he was content being awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) the year before.
lovely and relaxing and profoundly a different experience for our youth than what they are getting in the cities in America
I’m in Chapel choir now and I love seeing former chapel choir performances.
This is a very lovely Christmas Carol and the St Olaf Choir gives it a heavenly sound. The conductor is great also. I have always liked to sing for a conductor who mouths the words like that. Don't have to look down at the sheet music as often.
This is the Chapel Choir - still wonderful!!
We had to memorize all music for Christmas Fest. I remember writing lyrics to songs on index cards when I was in school there and putting them all over my dorm room. Most precious time of my youth.
One of the very best performances of "What Sweeter Music" I've ever seen! John Rutter would be happy I guess!
I think that it is great that US singers show they have enough culture to sing music that is considered classic. It shows that they are well rounded. Of course, I can't sing some of the more popular songs of the day. I stick to this kind of this stuff. I do like some contemporary music.
The performers, here, have allowed the music supersede all and envelope them..
Indeed, what sweeter music could one hear? Faces translate genuine intimacy.
Thanks so much for sharing.
I am taken back to the magic memories that John Rutter’s music holds one’s attention to those things that God would have us think and hold us to His great love for us.
Sensitivity is a hard thing to achieve and this group certainly makes it there. The choir director seems to emote such a reverent feeling that the choir can imitate. Inspiring performance. It made me go and order the album.
This (or a very similar performance) was the first version of "What Sweeter Music" that I recall ever hearing. Strangely, it was part of a TV commercial for car insurance about ten years ago, and the music is the only thing I recall clearly about it. But it gave me a strong wish to hear the entire recording. Fortunately, when I searched recently it was here on TH-cam, and it remains a great favorite of mine.
How lovely it is.
th-cam.com/video/34oJmFVAVFY/w-d-xo.html
I remember that tv commercial. It was for Volvo. They showed a Volvo with a Christmas tree on top on a snow covered country road. It took me years to find out what the music was.
I think I've watched this at least 50 times over the years. It remains my favorite of the wonderful St. Olaf concerts owing to the choice of music, the quality of the singing, and the wonderful camera work. The focus and commitment on the faces of the young performers is a joy to behold and, at 3:15 in this piece, you get an idea about the pleasures of conducting. Just inspirational stuff. I swear, if I had to do it over, this is where I would've gone to school.
I love that particular moment as well. Great moment in the composition as well. Dr. Bob's beautiful spirit really shines through in his face. (I was in the Viking Chorus that year).
WISH I WOULD HAVE GONE TO ST.OLAF INSTEAD OF G.A.C. I HAD A CHOICE, MADE A MISTAKE THAT WAS IN FALL OF 1961.SUCH A WONDERFUL COLLEGE
Music can certainly reach depths of the soul where nothing else can. It must surely be a gift to us from God and another way He communicates with us. I had an atheist professor once who taught music analysis of lots of religious music. I often wonder if he ever became a believer. It's really not that hard and besides, what's the alternative. Nothing. Blank.
tennotes he probably wonder if you came to your senses also.... it's been 5 years..so what is it?
John Rutter, the composer, was not religious. The alternative is finding beauty in the world and value in yourself and others, because your choices, not dictates from outside, give life meaning. Music is an example of the riches humans can give ourselves.
Indeed what sweeter music sung!!
You can't compare this with Vocalessence! They are adults, these are kids. So beautiful!
It was a Volvo commercial, showing a bunch of survivors of horrendous crashes, and saying that your chances of survival were greater if you were in a Volvo. Completely random connection to the music by the Cambridge Singers, but a wonderful sharing of the setting of a 17th century carol by Robert Herrick. I don't think that John Rutter has ever done anything better than this. It brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it, even when it's a Volvo commercial.
It was a 1995 Volvo commercial to which I awoke after falling asleep with the TV on and I was not able to identify it until Sun. Feb 23, 2014. In the mean time I hummed what I remembered and enjoyed it. So you can imagine how I felt when I first heard all of it. I have listened to it many times during each day since and have shared it with friends and relatives. It's beautiful and inspiring.
Especially love this beautiful piece by John Rutter!
I Love the Conductor. He's so involved.
Very beautiful.
Beautiful! Wish I was there.
This is better than King's College--the tones are remarkably pure and clean.
Beautiful!
Lovely!
Beautiful
Christmas!!!
it's from 1997.
@Eurofrank1 Look up the VocalEssence version on TH-cam. In my opinion it is better than both.
It seems like people looked different back before 2000. The century turned and all of a sudden people started looking... different, in an almost indescribable way. Maybe kids looking younger at older ages. Is it in the water? Vaccinations?
It was an effect of the Worldwide Web. I have no proof. But it has changed us fundamentally, in a way that we are only now only beginning to realise.