I was surprised you thought this was simple or "not enough". The complexity, especially at the end, with 5 different parts going all at once. The amount of coordination, tempo control, breath control...its insane. But to each their own I suppose...
Wait until you watch the live version from Christmas Under The Stars affectionately known as "Mitch, BREATHE!" His breathe control is stunning & he's just as nonchalant live cuz it's really easy for that alien/unicorn!
What you missed was that when Mitch first started singing, he went nearly one minute before taking a breath....he's an AMAZING talent (actually they all are). !!!!!!
I am surprised no one has mentioned this in the comments - Scott, in this one, is standing in a literal hole to keep from towering over everyone else. Scott is like 6'4", Mitch I believe is 5'10", Kirstie is the shortest at I believe 5'4" but she has a tendency of wearing tall high heels or platform shoes/boots to appear taller.
This song really shows the classical background they all have (especially Avi, who was an opera/classical major in college). They did this in the iconic madrigal style, which relates closely to the original.
I sure wish the live version from last year’s Christmas Under the Stars concert was still available 😔! It really points out Mitch’s absolute mastery of breath control!!
Love watching your faces when you are watching them...especially Amanda's!! "It's November 3rd, it's alright" made me chuckle because you need more time to little to all the Christmas music they have done!! Mary Did You Know, Little Drummer Boy, Grinch and First Noel are a must! Oh and Silent night from a few years back!! Sigh...just watch them all...we will be there 🤪
Heres my must see Pentatonix Christmas video list: Winter Wonderland/Don't Worry Be Happy mashup, Coldest Winter, That's Christmas To Me, Little Drummer Boy, Mary Did You Know, Evergreen, White Winter Hymnal and My Favorite Things. There is so much more to check out than that but I think any one of those you two would love!
Unfortunately the version of this song from Christmas Under the Stars has been taken down for some reason. It's known affectionately as "For God's sake, Mitch, breathe!" Carol of the Bells was originally written in 1914, based on a Ukrainian folk chant - so, while it might be based on something from the 15th century, no, the version from Home Alone isn't the original.
Origin of the Carol of the Bells: The traditional Ukrainian Bell Carol has become an essential part of the American Christmas tradition. "Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914 with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on a Ukrainian folk chant called "Shchedryk." - from VOA News. I have loved this song from my childhood, but the first time I heard it performed at a Christmas concert at my university with a full handbell choir, a 60 voice choir and and Epic pipe organ utterly blew me away. arrangement
This was their first song to get radio play. Avi and Kevin were driving to rehearsals for a performance they were doing before the AMAs when they heard themselves on the radio for the first time (in a non-interview situation): th-cam.com/video/fOxrFoobYEk/w-d-xo.html
This is actually a Ukrainian song and the original lyrics are a New Years folk song called "The Little Swallow" (but in Ukrainian), set to music about 100 years ago. The "bells" lyrics are by a Ukrainian-American composer. I like the symphonic / rock version you are talking about, but as a singer I have done the choral version way too often and the Pentatonix version is a blessed upgrade.
Enjoyed your reaction; although, I think this wasn't as simple as they make it sound. Sorry to say that, no, Avi is not currently in the group. He was the original bass from 2011 to 2017. Matt replaced him for the Christmas tour in 2017 and then as a permanent member in 2018. The rest of the members have not changed. Watch it again and try to figure out when Mitch breathes.
Jody, you are describing Christmas Eve in Sarajevo by TSO and I highly suggest you check it out: th-cam.com/video/MLVq4Z5L93k/w-d-xo.html It's a medley of Carol of the Bells and God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman with rock instrumentation over it and I try to avoid superlatives whenever possible, so I'll just say it is in the conversation for being my favorite piece of Christmas music of all time.
Carol of the Bells is my absolute favorite Xmas song. I love PTX's, but I have tons of versions on my Xmas playlist. Another version I really like is the one by Destiny's Child. One I think Jody will like as it's a rock one is by August Burns Red. It's great!
Jody, when you are talking about the two beatboxers, maybe you saw part of Kevin's solo section in Pentatonix's recent concert at the Hollywood Bowl? Except he was the only beatboxer, Matt was playing drums and they had a guest who did breakdancing. Video is here th-cam.com/video/jcx31ZSsMcg/w-d-xo.html and the beatboxing starts around 2:10 If the link doesn't work, search "playing the cello by kevin olusola"
You need to see it live. The best live version from last year seems to have been deleted but here's a good-quality version from 9 years ago (except Kevin's mic isn't loud enough) -- th-cam.com/video/u2PlmnolP34/w-d-xo.html
Umm. This is Pentatonix, not the Trans-Siberian orchestra. You need to react the Trans-Siberian orchestra version of Carol of the bells. You'd like that one.
Jody, I am sooo unimpressed with YOUR reactions to Pentatonix’s music. It seems you have no sophisticated knowledge of music, nor do you appear to have any true feelings for the emotion PTX brings to their music masterpieces. As a composer-jazz pianist with decades of experience I can tell when someone really deeply feels something emotionally and it surely seems you are not moved by PTX’s art! Do you have any idea how difficult it is for an a cappella group to vocalize a section like the coda of this piece where each member does canonic entries which are one step away from a fugue? Probably not, but this technique is very difficult to articulate and stay in tune with! I get it; you have a harder-edged love of music. You should stick to that when you react because for probably a great number of people who watch your reactions, they can sense a feeling of boredom coming from you. Too bad because I feel your partner feels this music more than you! Sorry, but reactors wish people to comment, so this is mine.
I was surprised you thought this was simple or "not enough". The complexity, especially at the end, with 5 different parts going all at once. The amount of coordination, tempo control, breath control...its insane. But to each their own I suppose...
Wait until you watch the live version from Christmas Under The Stars affectionately known as "Mitch, BREATHE!" His breathe control is stunning & he's just as nonchalant live cuz it's really easy for that alien/unicorn!
What you missed was that when Mitch first started singing, he went nearly one minute before taking a breath....he's an AMAZING talent (actually they all are). !!!!!!
A beautiful christmas song would be Thank You. They use a piano that Scott plays and a cello by Kevin. One of my favorites and an original by them
Mary Did You Know, The Little Drummer Boy, and O Come All Ye Faithful are videos you HAVE to watch in the coming month+!
Such a stunning arrangement and performance. On a live recording of this, Mitch sings full on and doesn't seem to breathe for way to long.
I am surprised no one has mentioned this in the comments - Scott, in this one, is standing in a literal hole to keep from towering over everyone else. Scott is like 6'4", Mitch I believe is 5'10", Kirstie is the shortest at I believe 5'4" but she has a tendency of wearing tall high heels or platform shoes/boots to appear taller.
Since you're doing Christmas: PTX O Come All Ye Faithful!
Ok, time to take it up a notch and do "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy". Another Grammy award winner for them.
This song really shows the classical background they all have (especially Avi, who was an opera/classical major in college). They did this in the iconic madrigal style, which relates closely to the original.
And Madrigal sounds easier than it is! Not easy AT ALL!
"Mary did you know", "Little drummer Boy" are a must listen
I sure wish the live version from last year’s Christmas Under the Stars concert was still available 😔! It really points out Mitch’s absolute mastery of breath control!!
There are some reaction videos for the live version.
They were super young and I believe this is before they had a recording contract so they were doing it all on their own with little resources.
That is the cutest dog EVER!!!!
Love watching your faces when you are watching them...especially Amanda's!! "It's November 3rd, it's alright" made me chuckle because you need more time to little to all the Christmas music they have done!! Mary Did You Know, Little Drummer Boy, Grinch and First Noel are a must! Oh and Silent night from a few years back!! Sigh...just watch them all...we will be there 🤪
Now you guys NEED to watch the live version, with Matt, from their 2021 Christmas tour
Heres my must see Pentatonix Christmas video list: Winter Wonderland/Don't Worry Be Happy mashup, Coldest Winter,
That's Christmas To Me, Little Drummer Boy, Mary Did You Know, Evergreen, White Winter Hymnal and My Favorite Things. There is so much more to check out than that but I think any one of those you two would love!
Check out their Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. They won their second Grammy for it.
Unfortunately the version of this song from Christmas Under the Stars has been taken down for some reason. It's known affectionately as "For God's sake, Mitch, breathe!"
Carol of the Bells was originally written in 1914, based on a Ukrainian folk chant - so, while it might be based on something from the 15th century, no, the version from Home Alone isn't the original.
Hope we get Mary did you know next!!
There was a Sci Fi series on TV (the name is not coming to me) but they played this during one episode.
I think Mitch breathes through his ears
Loved your reaction! If you want another Christmas song that's upbeat, please react to their Oh Come All Ye Faithful. I think you'll really enjoy it!
I think that you need to watch PTX's "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy" from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite.
Origin of the Carol of the Bells:
The traditional Ukrainian Bell Carol has become an essential part of the American Christmas tradition. "Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914 with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on a Ukrainian folk chant called "Shchedryk." - from VOA News.
I have loved this song from my childhood, but the first time I heard it performed at a Christmas concert at my university with a full handbell choir, a 60 voice choir and and Epic pipe organ utterly blew me away.
arrangement
I'm still trying to figure out when Mitch takes a breath!!?
This was their first song to get radio play. Avi and Kevin were driving to rehearsals for a performance they were doing before the AMAs when they heard themselves on the radio for the first time (in a non-interview situation): th-cam.com/video/fOxrFoobYEk/w-d-xo.html
great reaction !!!, love your videos , maybe try this next ? Pentatonix - La La Latch (Sam Smith/Disclosure/Naughty Boy Mashup)
FYI when I watched There was no audio on you talking from the end of the music as 5:15 to around 6:30
Same for me
While it seems to be mostly corrected, there's still a small gap between about 6:07 - 6:15.
There is a live version on their YT channel.
The beautiful Amanda has a real need to hear Rise, by Superfruit. Don’t you think ?
This is actually a Ukrainian song and the original lyrics are a New Years folk song called "The Little Swallow" (but in Ukrainian), set to music about 100 years ago. The "bells" lyrics are by a Ukrainian-American composer. I like the symphonic / rock version you are talking about, but as a singer I have done the choral version way too often and the Pentatonix version is a blessed upgrade.
Enjoyed your reaction; although, I think this wasn't as simple as they make it sound. Sorry to say that, no, Avi is not currently in the group. He was the original bass from 2011 to 2017. Matt replaced him for the Christmas tour in 2017 and then as a permanent member in 2018. The rest of the members have not changed. Watch it again and try to figure out when Mitch breathes.
Jody, you are describing Christmas Eve in Sarajevo by TSO and I highly suggest you check it out: th-cam.com/video/MLVq4Z5L93k/w-d-xo.html
It's a medley of Carol of the Bells and God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman with rock instrumentation over it and I try to avoid superlatives whenever possible, so I'll just say it is in the conversation for being my favorite piece of Christmas music of all time.
Carol of the Bells is my absolute favorite Xmas song. I love PTX's, but I have tons of versions on my Xmas playlist. Another version I really like is the one by Destiny's Child. One I think Jody will like as it's a rock one is by August Burns Red. It's great!
If you want any rock Xmas song recommendations let me know. If not, I'm perfectly happy watching you guys react to PTX. :)
Jody, when you are talking about the two beatboxers, maybe you saw part of Kevin's solo section in Pentatonix's recent concert at the Hollywood Bowl? Except he was the only beatboxer, Matt was playing drums and they had a guest who did breakdancing. Video is here th-cam.com/video/jcx31ZSsMcg/w-d-xo.html and the beatboxing starts around 2:10 If the link doesn't work, search "playing the cello by kevin olusola"
you would definitely enjoy the Mantikor version of carol of the bells if you enjoy electric guitars
Amazing Grace do please...
You need to see it live. The best live version from last year seems to have been deleted but here's a good-quality version from 9 years ago (except Kevin's mic isn't loud enough) -- th-cam.com/video/u2PlmnolP34/w-d-xo.html
Oops
Umm. This is Pentatonix, not the Trans-Siberian orchestra. You need to react the Trans-Siberian orchestra version of Carol of the bells. You'd like that one.
Jody, I am sooo unimpressed with YOUR reactions to Pentatonix’s music. It seems you have no sophisticated knowledge of music, nor do you appear to have any true feelings for the emotion PTX brings to their music masterpieces. As a composer-jazz pianist with decades of experience I can tell when someone really deeply feels something emotionally and it surely seems you are not moved by PTX’s art! Do you have any idea how difficult it is for an a cappella group to vocalize a section like the coda of this piece where each member does canonic entries which are one step away from a fugue? Probably not, but this technique is very difficult to articulate and stay in tune with!
I get it; you have a harder-edged love of music. You should stick to that when you react because for probably a great number of people who watch your reactions, they can sense a feeling of boredom coming from you. Too bad because I feel your partner feels this music more than you! Sorry, but reactors wish people to comment, so this is mine.