Hope you guys are excited for day 2 of this Pentatonix Pentathlon -- 5 days for 5 of PTX's greatest Christmas hits! You'll have to let me know in the comments which Xmas songs from PTX I still need to make videos for!
Otherwise known as the song where Mitch doesn’t breathe. 🤪. I love the story they tell about this video. How they got lost in the woods, carrying heavy equipment and finally just stopping to film at a random spot. I try not to look too closely at the technical quality of the early videos. I just enjoy their sound. I love hearing them do this live as well. I love that you’re doing five days of Pentatonix. Since you understand the music so well it really gives us greater insight to their techniques and capabilities.
If you go to the BYU STATION, Pentatonix has a Christmas concert on there, and it's called Christmas Under the Stars. And you can hear them sing Carol of the bells live and many other. I like how mitch sings Frosty the Snowman. Please watch and enjoy. Have a Merry christmas.
This song by PTX never ceases to amaze me and impress me. I never tire of watching/listening to it. You talked about the early sound quality and microphones, but I don't notice those things, lol. My untrained ears just don't recognize that stuff. I just choose to let the magicians continue to create magic for me. This one is right up there as a top song ever by PTX. Thanks for breaking it down and explaining the genius behind the music.
As a fellow bass fan, I like your reactions because you pick out the bass notes, as a huge Avi fan, I appreciate the older videos. Yes, Matt is awesome, but older fans will still appreciate the Avi years. I feel like a lot of other reactors, focus more on Mitch or Scott or Kevin. I appreciate them as well, because they're all amazing! Your bass focus is great!
I remember about a tenth of my music theory lessons from HS/College and this one boggles my mind every time I listen to it. The precision..in tempo.. staying on pitch…five people…Holy sh-! Great breakdown. Really enjoyed it. Seriously, find the live version from the BYU concert because the way they shot the video, you can see them all very clearly as they absolutely blow this away live (w/Matt!). It’s jaw dropping. eta: They did a BTS video of them recording their Evergreen Christmas album a few years back. Shows them working things out in-studio. You’d really enjoy it. It clocks in just under 20 min. If you react to it, Pentaholics will come. 🫡
Me too! At least, ditto to the first half. I actually waited quite a long time to watch Daft Punk because I was afraid I wouldn't like it. (Please forgive. I was a fool.)
Such a classic early Pentatonix piece. They still perform it live on the regular. If I'm not mistaken, I think they open their current tour with it? Little kids indeed! I love the contrast with last years profile picture of them in glam gold showing up at the end screen there! They just had one of their biggest shows ever with 18 000 people in the audience!! What a story for all these talents (past & present)
Looking forward to this one. This is my favorite "traditional" Christmas carol. I just listened to a history about the song and learned so much about it.
I wish I had known you were going to react to this one… they did a live performance at the BYU performance center. I think it has a name. I’m not sure what it is, but it was live and it was awesome! It had Matt in it so it was a newer version. But amazing! If you are interested in reacting to it - There’s a recording of it on the BYU site. I think the performance was called Christmas under the stars. Love your reactions! ❤
Finally got to see them live on December 5th in Nashville Tennessee and Kevin and Matt performed this on the cello and the drums and it was the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life❤
I'm pretty sure Avi is double tracked in octaves for those portions of the song you were looking at. At that point in their development I'm pretty sure Scott never had the range for that lower part.
Peter, you disappointed me. I was so sure you would be the one to explain how Mitch was able to sing the melody without appearing to breathe. I know instrumentalists can do circular breathing on several wind instruments but how can that be a thing for singers?
In autumn of 2011, when #Pentatonix was on _The Sing-Off,_ the trio were all 19. I'm not sure when in 2013 this was shot; there's a fairly long lead up time for albums so even though this would have been released in late autumn or early winter it *may* have been shot early enough that Mitch was just 20, but since Mitch's birthday is in July I'd bet that all three of the trio were 21.
I would love to know what note Avi hits at the beginning of AHA live from the Star Vista Singapore. It's amazing but I haven't heard anyone comment what note it is that he hits? You can feel it!
Theres a live version as well and they sound almost the same. Including no breathing from mitch. Lol theyre babytonix in tbese early videos. Theyve evolved so much since these days but i admit to missing the simplicity of their early work.
They won the Sign Off and got the Sony contact. 2 weeks later dropped them. They went to social media to keep them in the public eye. Scott, Kristen and Mitch were 19/20. Kevin had graduated from undergrad, so 22-24. He was to go to med school. He's crazy smart. Avi was a friend of a friend. He was around 22 at the Sing Off. Maybe 23-24 at this video. They didn't have a label for this video.
They signed with Madison Gate Records on January 2022. This MV was at the end of 2022 and also part of their second EP. Both EPs were released by Madison Gate Records.
Great reaction, thank you! I loved watching your face in amazement! Yes, Bach. It is possible for Scott to bottom out! This should help! Carol; live: th-cam.com/video/JtS58SE8HAg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_hl5XSKbsSfA4xih Carol, live cell phone: th-cam.com/video/4cD7tNzP_s8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=qz7YEPZ7IcFhgfV6 If you truly want to hear Scott's, most likely full range in one song, try this one (Scott does his own layering): Mad About You, cinematic version- th-cam.com/video/GK0LyhXCboc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_IdzEGBBZR6R28ps (I apologize if you did it and I missed it, I didn't go back to check your play lists, but I need to because I want to see if you did the new version of Hallelujuh! 🤯)
Always loved Carol of the Bells since my brother was learning it on the piano 15+ years ago, and I remember being so excited when PTX dropped this version. Looking forward to this--and to seeing what songs will round out the PTX pentathlon! (Shame we didn't get them last year--boo copyright-- but I know they will be worth the wait.)
#Pentatonix has released an official recording of "The First Noel" twice. The first time was in 2012 on their first Christmas album, "PTXmas," and the second time was in 2023 on their most recent album "Greatest Christmas Hits," which had a new arrangement that took full advantage of Matt's larger range. IMO, the 2023 recording is better.
This is an official video, which means they're lip-synching to the studio recording that they released on an album. #Pentatonix decided early on that for studio recordings it was worth a tiny "cheat" to improve the quality. So when they're making the recording, the bass, whether Avi or Matt, records two tracks, one with his underlying bass line and a second with whatever solos he may need to sing, and they layer it together. Scott takes over the underlying bass line during bass solos only in live performances. Also, he's gotten better at it over the years; Scott's range is now *extremely* close to matching Matt's range, which is huge. Check out this recent live performance of "Hallelujah": th-cam.com/video/Se0BmDdZuX0/w-d-xo.html As for Kevin, he's a tenor. The lowest I've ever heard from him is at the very top of a baritone range, in "Run To You." But the rhythm section has two parts: percussion and bass. The bass typically provides the really low component that makes Kevin's beatboxing sound more like real drums. Matt especially excels at this.
Off topic, but I completely agree with you that Pirates of the Caribbean and the Caribbean as a place are pronounced differently - I do them the same as you! hahaha
Also, Mitch's breath control in this song is some of the best I've ever heard, especially if you go watch a live version. It's ridiculously impressive.
You mentioned the Picardy third at the end, but what about Kirstie with whatever you call the opposite of a Picardy third? A little after 20:34 she turns a major-key section to a minor, with her last note of the piece, before the final 3-voice minor fugue by Avi, Mitch, and Scott. Is there a name for what she sang?
You need to reac to "Liberation of the soul" by TwoSet Violin (this is the song that is singing by one of youtubers and he is singing it as Beethoven) He is not a professional singer he is violinist, but i think he did great job there for amatour. Also he sings in another song of theirs " Love like that" when he sings as Tchaikovsky, it's also amazing
Hope you guys are excited for day 2 of this Pentatonix Pentathlon -- 5 days for 5 of PTX's greatest Christmas hits! You'll have to let me know in the comments which Xmas songs from PTX I still need to make videos for!
Will you or have you reacted to their cover Little Drummer Boy and/or Hallelujah??
O Holy Night from last year. Matt absolutely slays. It’s incredible.
Their original, Please Santa Please.
Otherwise known as the song where Mitch doesn’t breathe. 🤪. I love the story they tell about this video. How they got lost in the woods, carrying heavy equipment and finally just stopping to film at a random spot.
I try not to look too closely at the technical quality of the early videos. I just enjoy their sound. I love hearing them do this live as well.
I love that you’re doing five days of Pentatonix. Since you understand the music so well it really gives us greater insight to their techniques and capabilities.
Avi is definitely multi-tracked for some of this.
He recently said on a live stream he'd be down to appear on a podcast. Get him on yours!
I would love to see that!
They actually sing it very well live, they did a couple years ago. What they are capable of is so impressive.
If you go to the BYU STATION, Pentatonix has a Christmas concert on there, and it's called Christmas Under the Stars. And you can hear them sing Carol of the bells live and many other. I like how mitch sings Frosty the Snowman. Please watch and enjoy. Have a Merry christmas.
This song by PTX never ceases to amaze me and impress me. I never tire of watching/listening to it. You talked about the early sound quality and microphones, but I don't notice those things, lol. My untrained ears just don't recognize that stuff. I just choose to let the magicians continue to create magic for me. This one is right up there as a top song ever by PTX. Thanks for breaking it down and explaining the genius behind the music.
As a fellow bass fan, I like your reactions because you pick out the bass notes, as a huge Avi fan, I appreciate the older videos. Yes, Matt is awesome, but older fans will still appreciate the Avi years. I feel like a lot of other reactors, focus more on Mitch or Scott or Kevin. I appreciate them as well, because they're all amazing! Your bass focus is great!
I remember about a tenth of my music theory lessons from HS/College and this one boggles my mind every time I listen to it. The precision..in tempo.. staying on pitch…five people…Holy sh-! Great breakdown. Really enjoyed it. Seriously, find the live version from the BYU concert because the way they shot the video, you can see them all very clearly as they absolutely blow this away live (w/Matt!). It’s jaw dropping.
eta: They did a BTS video of them recording their Evergreen Christmas album a few years back. Shows them working things out in-studio. You’d really enjoy it. It clocks in just under 20 min. If you react to it, Pentaholics will come. 🫡
3:23 Avi is double tracked for the low notes, Avi starts at a C and Scott starts at an E flat for the lower harmony, wth Avi doing the lower register.
This song was my very first intro to Pentatonix; after this I watched their Daft Punk Medley and haven't looked back since
Me too! At least, ditto to the first half. I actually waited quite a long time to watch Daft Punk because I was afraid I wouldn't like it. (Please forgive. I was a fool.)
Such a classic early Pentatonix piece. They still perform it live on the regular. If I'm not mistaken, I think they open their current tour with it? Little kids indeed! I love the contrast with last years profile picture of them in glam gold showing up at the end screen there! They just had one of their biggest shows ever with 18 000 people in the audience!! What a story for all these talents (past & present)
Looking forward to this one. This is my favorite "traditional" Christmas carol. I just listened to a history about the song and learned so much about it.
Doing the 'stank face' while bopping your head is what's done when listening to PTX. Especially when Kevin comes in hard with the beat.
I wish I had known you were going to react to this one… they did a live performance at the BYU performance center. I think it has a name. I’m not sure what it is, but it was live and it was awesome! It had Matt in it so it was a newer version. But amazing! If you are interested in reacting to it - There’s a recording of it on the BYU site. I think the performance was called Christmas under the stars. Love your reactions! ❤
Avi’s solo single All is Well is incredible, especially the live version
There is an awesome live version of this on TH-cam..I think it's Christmas Under the Stars.
I have seen it live and it is AWESOME haha
Finally got to see them live on December 5th in Nashville Tennessee and Kevin and Matt performed this on the cello and the drums and it was the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life❤
Have you heard their release last year of Oh Holy Night? Amazing!
He reacted to it last year actually! That one is so amazing
"It's really hard to find time to pause!" Yep. Always.
I'm pretty sure Avi is double tracked in octaves for those portions of the song you were looking at. At that point in their development I'm pretty sure Scott never had the range for that lower part.
Agreed
Perfectly beautiful! But that’s what we all expect from Pentatonix, the masters! Thank you Peter.
Peter, you disappointed me. I was so sure you would be the one to explain how Mitch was able to sing the melody without appearing to breathe. I know instrumentalists can do circular breathing on several wind instruments but how can that be a thing for singers?
I heard the shades of Bach when you first mentioned the fugue sections. Yes!
In autumn of 2011, when #Pentatonix was on _The Sing-Off,_ the trio were all 19. I'm not sure when in 2013 this was shot; there's a fairly long lead up time for albums so even though this would have been released in late autumn or early winter it *may* have been shot early enough that Mitch was just 20, but since Mitch's birthday is in July I'd bet that all three of the trio were 21.
You just made a carol I love by a group I love lots better. Thanks, Peter. Merry Christmas!
It felt weird when I realized that Avi has been out of the group for a longer amount of time than he was in the group...
Another great reaction! Definitely giving me a greater appreciation for Penatonix!
*AKA* *BREATHE Mitch BREATHE!*
I vote 1000 times for Silent Night!!!
They performed this for a special called "Christmas Under the Stars" a couple of years ago. Here is the link: th-cam.com/video/JtS58SE8HAg/w-d-xo.html
Breathe, Mitch! Breathe!
I would love to know what note Avi hits at the beginning of AHA live from the Star Vista Singapore. It's amazing but I haven't heard anyone comment what note it is that he hits? You can feel it!
Peter, when they won the Sing Off in 2011, the Tri were just 19 years old. If this video was filmed in 2013, they were just 21 years old
Didn't Scott have to stand in a hole they dug so he was at a similar height to Avi?
Theres a live version as well and they sound almost the same. Including no breathing from mitch. Lol theyre babytonix in tbese early videos. Theyve evolved so much since these days but i admit to missing the simplicity of their early work.
They won the Sign Off and got the Sony contact. 2 weeks later dropped them. They went to social media to keep them in the public eye. Scott, Kristen and Mitch were 19/20. Kevin had graduated from undergrad, so 22-24. He was to go to med school. He's crazy smart. Avi was a friend of a friend. He was around 22 at the Sing Off. Maybe 23-24 at this video. They didn't have a label for this video.
They signed with Madison Gate Records on January 2022. This MV was at the end of 2022 and also part of their second EP. Both EPs were released by Madison Gate Records.
Ben Bram is the person who got Avi to join Pentatonix for the Sing off.
Great reaction, thank you! I loved watching your face in amazement! Yes, Bach. It is possible for Scott to bottom out! This should help! Carol; live: th-cam.com/video/JtS58SE8HAg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_hl5XSKbsSfA4xih Carol, live cell phone: th-cam.com/video/4cD7tNzP_s8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=qz7YEPZ7IcFhgfV6 If you truly want to hear Scott's, most likely full range in one song, try this one (Scott does his own layering): Mad About You, cinematic version- th-cam.com/video/GK0LyhXCboc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_IdzEGBBZR6R28ps (I apologize if you did it and I missed it, I didn't go back to check your play lists, but I need to because I want to see if you did the new version of Hallelujuh! 🤯)
Поздравляю с наступающим Рождеством и Новым годом. Здоровья, счастья, хорошего настроения и удачи во всем тебе и твоим друзьям!!! 😊😊😊😊😊😊
Always loved Carol of the Bells since my brother was learning it on the piano 15+ years ago, and I remember being so excited when PTX dropped this version. Looking forward to this--and to seeing what songs will round out the PTX pentathlon! (Shame we didn't get them last year--boo copyright-- but I know they will be worth the wait.)
You have to react to O Holy Night and Pure Imagination/ Christmas Time Is Here. Their most impressive work in my opinion.
#Pentatonix has released an official recording of "The First Noel" twice. The first time was in 2012 on their first Christmas album, "PTXmas," and the second time was in 2023 on their most recent album "Greatest Christmas Hits," which had a new arrangement that took full advantage of Matt's larger range. IMO, the 2023 recording is better.
This is an official video, which means they're lip-synching to the studio recording that they released on an album.
#Pentatonix decided early on that for studio recordings it was worth a tiny "cheat" to improve the quality. So when they're making the recording, the bass, whether Avi or Matt, records two tracks, one with his underlying bass line and a second with whatever solos he may need to sing, and they layer it together.
Scott takes over the underlying bass line during bass solos only in live performances. Also, he's gotten better at it over the years; Scott's range is now *extremely* close to matching Matt's range, which is huge. Check out this recent live performance of "Hallelujah": th-cam.com/video/Se0BmDdZuX0/w-d-xo.html
As for Kevin, he's a tenor. The lowest I've ever heard from him is at the very top of a baritone range, in "Run To You." But the rhythm section has two parts: percussion and bass. The bass typically provides the really low component that makes Kevin's beatboxing sound more like real drums. Matt especially excels at this.
Off topic, but I completely agree with you that Pirates of the Caribbean and the Caribbean as a place are pronounced differently - I do them the same as you! hahaha
Also, Mitch's breath control in this song is some of the best I've ever heard, especially if you go watch a live version. It's ridiculously impressive.
Please react to Oh Holy Night!!!!!!!! Masterpiece
Conterpoint - Sudoku for Western Classical Composers.
Facts!
Recommend their original, Please Santa Please.
🩵🖤🩵🖤
You mentioned the Picardy third at the end, but what about Kirstie with whatever you call the opposite of a Picardy third? A little after 20:34 she turns a major-key section to a minor, with her last note of the piece, before the final 3-voice minor fugue by Avi, Mitch, and Scott. Is there a name for what she sang?
You need to reac to "Liberation of the soul" by TwoSet Violin (this is the song that is singing by one of youtubers and he is singing it as Beethoven) He is not a professional singer he is violinist, but i think he did great job there for amatour. Also he sings in another song of theirs " Love like that" when he sings as Tchaikovsky, it's also amazing
Did you do O Holy Night yet?
Yes. He did it last year.
Quit interrupting and then comment!