Every hair on body stands up and every molecule in it polarizes to the heavens. Absolutely the most moving song I have ever heard. And believe me, I listen to an excessive amount of music. This music seems to come from a heavenly realm.
Beautiful. Beautiful, Beautiful! I so wish I could visit this splendid Church in action! Couldn't keep from bawling like a baby. Sing! Praise Him on the Organ, Praise Him on the Harp, Praise Him all His people! Thanks again!!....
Mark DeYoung The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is on every Sunday at 9:30 am in Utah, and California (8:30)...My wife and I attended the 25th MTC anniversary, the 50th and the 75th...hope to be alive for the 100th...if you go to Salt Lake, you have to attend the MTC playing in the 20,000 seat Conference Center...good luck.
J'aime mon pays sa culture ses organistes ayant joué aux grandes orgues de Notre-Dame de Paris quand j'étais jeune. Vous avez fait un extraordinaire arrangement de la cinquième de Widor bravo!
I had the pleasure of seeing this live back in 2013. It's hard to describe the feeling you have listening to this in the tabernacle. Truly something I wish everyone could experience.
Can't get enough of this "INCREDIBLE" rendition. The Choir, Organ & Orchestra was "PERFECT". And what a beautiful color arrangement of the Choir, participants & building. The "BEST" rendition I've heard so far... BRAVO... BELLISSIMO...
Wonderful and so Cool ~ I never thought I would hear this piece being sung by a choir ~ and I totally loved it!!! Thank you so much David Willcocks and wonderful Organist Richard Elliott!!! And thank you the incomparable "Mormon Tabernacle Choir"!!! .....Love and Big Hugs to All.....
I had the honour of premiering this in the very first performance with the late Sir David Wilcocks. So ot certainly brings back fond memories. This is a lovely rendition by this well known choir.
I have been familiar with Widor's Toccata for a long time, but was not aware of there being a 'choral version' until hearing it on a radio programme. I was completely gobsmacked. This choral version of Widor's Toccata was phenomenal. Love it.
This really brought back some memories. I premiered this SING to data with David Wilcox shortly after he originally composed it and it was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall In London. It was SUCH an occasion I'll NEVER forget it.
Quite the contrary. The organ number is magnificent but the choral addition adds another level of depth to the music. One of the things I like about classical music is the depth and complexity and this simply magnifies this number and makes it that much better.
I never thought that anyone could "top" the original for organ. But, they did! It was interesting how the choir part fit perfectly with the organ part every step of the way. Wonderful arangement, flawlessly performed with the organ, the orchestra, and the choir.
Really Austin, you jest. That was wonderful and musical playing. I still prefer the organ solo, but for an interesting and sumptious sound, I loved it.
I can´t understand the critics! I like this piece played on an organ very much, but this version is absolutely stunning! I´m sure Widor would have been pleased!
Widor would have said it was to fast. There is a video of him actually playing it. It is much slower than this. He said that he hated organists playing it too fast.
Organ: Check Large Choir: Check Full Orchestra: Check This is the most beautiful rendition of this I have ever seen on TH-cam. Three years ago, the community chorus in which I sing did this but with the organ accompaniment. The Widor Toccata stands up very well on its own but adding a choir and orchestra takes an excellent piece and makes it better. Thank you for posting this!
Willcocks is an elite composer and arranger. If it passes his test, then it should not offend anyone. In addition, this choir is superlative. These singers would never engage in anything that is tasteless. I tend to be a bit more conservative as a rule, but I really enjoyed this performance.
The Widor Toccata was on of the most difficult works I had performed many years ago. Widor never wrote words which were added by Willcocks. The organist Richard Elliiott is quite excellent. Most persons do not know that one must wear a special pair of shoes to perform on the pedals as proficiently as possible. . All organ shoes such as my had the soles converted to wood and polished (both heel and toe) . All accomplished classical pipe organists keep their "organ shoes" at the organ as I would change my shoes each time I performed or practiced.
I first heard this when it was played on Classic FM just after Willcocks died. To be honest I don't think it's being taken significantly faster then I have usually heard the Widor. I will gladly listen to this on organ alone and have done so many, many times, but there is nothing wrong with this arrangement.
I last heard this played on St.Paul's Cathedral organ in London. There is nothing like a perfect example of this Widor piece, played solo and on the organ, as it was meant to be played. This arrangement with chorus and orchestra is beyond the pale. The Organ is mostly muffled, and the piece gets lost in the circus of it all. Just my opinion.
+Scott Reader I don't mean to suggest that the MTC is beyond criticism, or that one shouldn't express one's opinion; but to do so as many times as you've done in just one place? And now you've used the word "circus"! Might you consider that you have hammered your point in, sir? Thank you.
+Scott Reader Apologies! You didn't deserve a snarky comment like that. Next time, I think I'll just wait the 5 hours (since I posted the last comment) before I respond to someone. Feeling rather silly now :(
If you are thinking that heaven is where the angels are those warm and fuzzy creachers floating around on clouds, singing a nice hymn and strumming their harps and all is quiet and peaceful, think again! If you read the first several verses of Isaiah 6, you will discover that the seraphim, who are angelic beings, are on fire and as they proclaim "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! The whole earth is full of His glory!", they are doing this in a voice so loud, that it shakes the temple to its foundation.
Stop with the complaints! If you read the title it says sigh, BASED on the toccata. It is an arrangement they can make it how ever they want. Plus it sounds better faster.
Beautiful choral parts. And to Willcocks' great credit, the organist plays the Widor absolutely straight and original. The lyrics are plain vanilla, but the overall effect is tremendous. I'd gladly sing a dog food commercial set to this, my favorite organ piece.
Can’t criticise the performances as the orchestra and the choral aspects are both stunning. I personally feel the arrangement could have explored the greater potential in making the choral element more technically challenging as opposed to following the pedal lines.
I love seeing people critique this piece. The reason he's probably playing this too fast is because of the time frame they have. They only have 30 minutes of airtime. Its not a concert, this is from the Music and the Spoken Word. This choir is probably the most famous choir in the world besides the choir at Westminster Abbey or St Pauls Cathedral. Grow up people. You all couldnt do anything like this.
But I have been overly harsh on this - I think it is quite fun, and if it gets people to hear Widor for the first time, then that can only be a good thing - and the organist does an excellent job of this. It's just that I'm a keyboard player (and not a very good one) so I always want to hear just the organ, especially for this piece ;)
This is an organ piece. I have heard it performed on many organs around the world...including my favorite performance at St. Pauls Catherdral. Adding a chorus and orchestra makes it a "show". I think it's awful.
I absolutely love this version with choir and symphony, but the organ is totally drowned out. I would love to hear it in the same setting but without the choir & orchestra. Bravo MTC!
lyrics and choral arrangement by David Willcocks ... most of these arrangements for voice or choir are unpublished, esp with these classical pieces by popular composers so not to have any possibility on to intrude on copyright laws even if the piece is in public domain. The TAB, in 2005 did a choral piece, written in 2001 for Gen'l Conference of Holst's Jupiter piece from "The Planets" with the lyrics of an LDS hymn, "The Iron Rod". This piece us also unpublished.
If Elliott added more stops in the reed section in the Pedal Division to the melody line in the pedals, it would have blown out the vocal arrangement of the choir - it was good reason to back off on the reeds to have the pedal and vocal arrangement in balance. This Schoenstein organ has more power in the lower reeds than the AeS in the Tabernacle since the Schoenstein has more powerful blowers in the basement.
I don't agree that the Snare Drum was a miscalculation. I think it was an "EXCELLENT" addition that fitted in perfectly at the end. Just wish they had a Kettle Drum at the end too, but regardless, IMO, it was an "ASTOUNDING" rendition.
Goodness gracious. Look at the snooty organ critics. It's a rendintion. A play, based on the piece written for organ. Get over it and yourselves, glass half empties.
I have never heard this arrangement before. I sort of liked it! The text is not so hot, and I could have done without the orchestra, but overall, great fun!
Widor's Toccata should be played slower, giving time for all the chords in the left hand to "speak through", especially on such a large organ. One thing I hate is the stoccato/piano playing effect coming through, although it might be the audio recording. As the performance of "Sing!" progresses it actually becomes better. I felt it was too "thin" in the beginning with the organ way too toned down. At the end the organ, choir and the orchestra blended really well and the sound become "full" and exciting. It is that fullness of sound that I would prefer in the beginning. Lastly, as an organist I think the registration in the base could have been better if a soft high pressure solo stop was added and on the manuals more 8' pipes since the manuals sounded a little "squeeky". Of course these are my feelings and observations based on the audio recording. Perhaps a live attendance of this performance would better represent this work for listening purposes than the recording. I will certainly purchase the DVD recording of this performance and play it on full in our church, with all its speakers to see whether that " fullness" comes through. At that point I will revise my comment.
"Spining" in his grave? Maybe "spinning." But the correct terminology is "turning over in his grave." But it was awesome. The organ might not have been set "deep" enough. He could have used a few more "16'" stops, for sure!
The performance was awesome, but I agree -- what's up with the snare drum at the end? It practically ruined it. And has anyone else noticed that the organist is so awesome that he is memorizing this. I can't even imagine. This song is very difficult to play WITH music and can't even fathom anyone, including myself trying to play it by memory. Can you imagine? Only one missed measure and it would have messed up the entire song.
5 years later.. I've seen several organists play Widor's Toccata from memory on TH-cam and I'm awestruck by everyone.. Not only can you play this heavenly piece of music, but from memory! WOW!
For the benefit of those who are only waiting for the snare drum to surface: It's shortly after 5:00 - I only kept watching the video to see it. Well done, choir and orchestra - but this really is a piece for organ solo. Really. This arrangement reduces the organ to a kind of negligible accompaniment. Sad.
:-( La symphonie No.5 de Charles-Marie WIDOR a été écrite pour orgue seul. L'instrument roi se suffit à lui-même et le chœur n'apporte vraiment rien de positif... de plus, la Toccata perd en intensité. Je n'aime pas !
Now don't get me wrong, I like to hear a good roll on the snare drum, but................. at least his mom thought it was well placed and musical, but for the rest of us...................
Every hair on body stands up and every molecule in it polarizes to the heavens. Absolutely the most moving song I have ever heard. And believe me, I listen to an excessive amount of music. This music seems to come from a heavenly realm.
The complete majesty of music from inspiration through God, the Father.
Mind blowing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never thought it was possible to ad something to this piece to make it more majestic. Well done.....!!
Beautiful. Beautiful, Beautiful! I so wish I could visit this splendid Church in action! Couldn't keep from bawling like a baby. Sing! Praise Him on the Organ, Praise Him on the Harp, Praise Him all His people! Thanks again!!....
Mark DeYoung The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is on every Sunday at 9:30 am in Utah, and California (8:30)...My wife and I attended the 25th MTC anniversary, the 50th and the 75th...hope to be alive for the 100th...if you go to Salt Lake, you have to attend the MTC playing in the 20,000 seat Conference Center...good luck.
J'aime mon pays sa culture ses organistes ayant joué aux grandes orgues de Notre-Dame de Paris quand j'étais jeune. Vous avez fait un extraordinaire arrangement de la cinquième de Widor bravo!
This rendition is so stirring with the choir added!
Heart stirring!
I had the pleasure of seeing this live back in 2013. It's hard to describe the feeling you have listening to this in the tabernacle. Truly something I wish everyone could experience.
I mirror the thoughts and words of Nelda......simply stunning.
I absolutely love this!~
It lifts my soul! My heart is at peace and I glory in God Almighty ever more!
Many thanks!~
Can't get enough of this "INCREDIBLE" rendition.
The Choir, Organ & Orchestra was "PERFECT". And what a beautiful color arrangement of the Choir, participants & building.
The "BEST" rendition I've heard so far... BRAVO... BELLISSIMO...
Wonderful and so Cool ~ I never thought I would hear this piece being sung by a choir ~ and I totally loved it!!! Thank you so much David Willcocks and wonderful Organist Richard Elliott!!! And thank you the incomparable "Mormon Tabernacle Choir"!!! .....Love and Big Hugs to All.....
Bravo!!!! This is a majestic arrangement. I have no choice but praise the Lord Almight! Thank you.
I had the honour of premiering this in the very first performance with the late Sir David Wilcocks. So ot certainly brings back fond memories. This is a lovely rendition by this well known choir.
Wonderful organist.
Most beautiful performance.
Outstanding performance!!!
I have been familiar with Widor's Toccata for a long time, but was not aware of there being a 'choral version' until hearing it on a radio programme. I was completely gobsmacked. This choral version of Widor's Toccata was phenomenal. Love it.
Fantastic rendition of an organ classic!! Kudos!
One of my new favorites!!
This really brought back some memories. I premiered this SING to data with David Wilcox shortly after he originally composed it and it was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall In London. It was SUCH
an occasion I'll NEVER forget it.
Thank you for sharing that, LIZ !!
I love this as well as all the organ music!
I have played this toccata many times and it is even more wonderful with the choir rendition!
Great Job, Glory be to god.
Wonderful, I liked so very much. A BEAUTIFUL AND ABSOLUTE CHOIR!
Goosebump stuff! Thank you for sharing
← (Stunned for a while...)
WOW. Just WOW.
The word majestic comes to mind.
OMG! My favorite toccata AND the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? It's more than I can stand! Wonderful. I prefer the faster tempo.
I love your comment, Leslie. And, I concur.
What an amazing organ!
I love this song.
The organ plays third fiddle to the chorus and orchestra. This is an ORGAN piece.
Bravo!!!
Love this Widor organ piece, and it works well as a choral number here. Very interesting.
Magnificent
Quite the contrary. The organ number is magnificent but the choral addition adds another level of depth to the music. One of the things I like about classical music is the depth and complexity and this simply magnifies this number and makes it that much better.
I don't know why , but Richard Elliott looks just like my 5th grade PE teacher . Great playing and singing y'all! Keep up the good work !
I never thought that anyone could "top" the original for organ. But, they did! It was interesting how the choir part fit perfectly with the organ part every step of the way. Wonderful arangement, flawlessly performed with the organ, the orchestra, and the choir.
This would be a blast to sing in a choir someday!!
I close my eyes and seize it.
Enjoyable, energetic and triumphant.!!! I used "Saddle shoes" to play the pedals, but that was a long time ago.
increíble!!!!!
Brilliant!
Really Austin, you jest. That was wonderful and musical playing. I still prefer the organ solo, but for an interesting and sumptious sound, I loved it.
first time I've heard it, GREAT.
This is brilliant! I was unaware that there were words to accompany this great organ work!
I can´t understand the critics! I like this piece played on an organ very much, but this version is absolutely stunning! I´m sure Widor would have been pleased!
Widor would have said it was to fast. There is a video of him actually playing it. It is much slower than this. He said that he hated organists playing it too fast.
lukas russell 2 fast or too fast? If you listen to other organists play, right here on youtube, they play with the same timing...it is wonderful!
bellissimo!
wow.....this is amazing.....love it.....
Organ: Check
Large Choir: Check
Full Orchestra: Check
This is the most beautiful rendition of this I have ever seen on TH-cam. Three years ago, the community chorus in which I sing did this but with the organ accompaniment. The Widor Toccata stands up very well on its own but adding a choir and orchestra takes an excellent piece and makes it better. Thank you for posting this!
WOW!!!
composer Charles-Marie Widor Toccata from Symphony 5 organ and the Mormon tabernacle choir and organist Richard Elliott and the orchestra
Дмитрий Тяпушкин
Fab !
Willcocks is an elite composer and arranger. If it passes his test, then it should not offend anyone. In addition, this choir is superlative. These singers would never engage in anything that is tasteless. I tend to be a bit more conservative as a rule, but I really enjoyed this performance.
was...
La chorale du monde la deuxième plus grande que sa musique est merveilleuse!.
Aweswome!
The Widor Toccata was on of the most difficult works I had performed many years ago. Widor never wrote words which were added by Willcocks. The organist Richard Elliiott is quite excellent. Most persons do not know that one must wear a special pair of shoes to perform on the pedals as proficiently as possible. . All organ shoes such as my had the soles converted to wood and polished (both heel and toe) . All accomplished classical pipe organists keep their "organ shoes" at the organ as I would change my shoes each time I performed or practiced.
Wow! Thanks
I first heard this when it was played on Classic FM just after Willcocks died. To be honest I don't think it's being taken significantly faster then I have usually heard the Widor. I will gladly listen to this on organ alone and have done so many, many times, but there is nothing wrong with this arrangement.
I last heard this played on St.Paul's Cathedral organ in London. There is nothing like a perfect example of this Widor piece, played solo and on the organ, as it was meant to be played. This arrangement with chorus and orchestra is beyond the pale. The Organ is mostly muffled, and the piece gets lost in the circus of it all. Just my opinion.
+Scott Reader I don't mean to suggest that the MTC is beyond criticism, or that one shouldn't express one's opinion; but to do so as many times as you've done in just one place? And now you've used the word "circus"! Might you consider that you have hammered your point in, sir? Thank you.
+Scott Reader Apologies! You didn't deserve a snarky comment like that. Next time, I think I'll just wait the 5 hours (since I posted the last comment) before I respond to someone. Feeling rather silly now :(
It is a great man that can admit he was wrong.
I never knew this actually had words until I heard this during Music and the Spoken Word.
almost heaven
If you are thinking that heaven is where the angels are those warm and fuzzy creachers floating around on clouds, singing a nice hymn and strumming their harps and all is quiet and peaceful, think again!
If you read the first several verses of Isaiah 6, you will discover that the seraphim, who are angelic beings, are on fire and as they proclaim "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! The whole earth is full of His glory!", they are doing this in a voice so loud, that it shakes the temple to its foundation.
thats a phenomenal ending I don't really care what anyone says!!!!!!
Amen to that.
Stop with the complaints! If you read the title it says sigh, BASED on the toccata. It is an arrangement they can make it how ever they want. Plus it sounds better faster.
Amen to that. Thank you for standing up to the people that are bulling the choir, orchestra and organist.
Beautiful choral parts. And to Willcocks' great credit, the organist plays the Widor absolutely straight and original. The lyrics are plain vanilla, but the overall effect is tremendous. I'd gladly sing a dog food commercial set to this, my favorite organ piece.
Can’t criticise the performances as the orchestra and the choral aspects are both stunning. I personally feel the arrangement could have explored the greater potential in making the choral element more technically challenging as opposed to following the pedal lines.
This is really good I will suggest it to the high man.
I love seeing people critique this piece. The reason he's probably playing this too fast is because of the time frame they have. They only have 30 minutes of airtime. Its not a concert, this is from the Music and the Spoken Word. This choir is probably the most famous choir in the world besides the choir at Westminster Abbey or St Pauls Cathedral. Grow up people. You all couldnt do anything like this.
Fame does not equal quality.
Bradonomous Amen to that.
But I have been overly harsh on this - I think it is quite fun, and if it gets people to hear Widor for the first time, then that can only be a good thing - and the organist does an excellent job of this. It's just that I'm a keyboard player (and not a very good one) so I always want to hear just the organ, especially for this piece ;)
This is an organ piece. I have heard it performed on many organs around the world...including my favorite performance at St. Pauls Catherdral. Adding a chorus and orchestra makes it a "show". I think it's awful.
That's YOUR opinion. Nothing more.
@UCiAkukrUIRCwaLaFx_MJq7Q
I need the sheet music, & yes I can play that on a Pedal Harpsichord & even a Pedal Piano.
I absolutely love this version with choir and symphony, but the organ is totally drowned out. I would love to hear it in the same setting but without the choir & orchestra. Bravo MTC!
lyrics and choral arrangement by David Willcocks ... most of these arrangements for voice or choir are unpublished, esp with these classical pieces by popular composers so not to have any possibility on to intrude on copyright laws even if the piece is in public domain. The TAB, in 2005 did a choral piece, written in 2001 for Gen'l Conference of Holst's Jupiter piece from "The Planets" with the lyrics of an LDS hymn, "The Iron Rod". This piece us also unpublished.
Awesome!
Could the Orchestra and Choir try an Alexander Scriabin piece.
Where's Ethel Smith?
If Elliott added more stops in the reed section in the Pedal Division to the melody line in the pedals, it would have blown out the vocal arrangement of the choir - it was good reason to back off on the reeds to have the pedal and vocal arrangement in balance.
This Schoenstein organ has more power in the lower reeds than the AeS in the Tabernacle since the Schoenstein has more powerful blowers in the basement.
Блестящий!
Could someone provide me with the lyrics that are sung? I cannot find them anywhere on the internet.
You are going to have to get the words by the choir director Mack Wilberg or one of the choir staff. (If that is any helpful at all.)
It's because no words were really written for this piece.
I don't agree that the Snare Drum was a miscalculation.
I think it was an "EXCELLENT" addition that fitted in perfectly at the end.
Just wish they had a Kettle Drum at the end too, but regardless, IMO, it was an "ASTOUNDING" rendition.
good
I wish Widor himself could have heard this.
+Mark Hall Yeah... He is my absolute favourite organ composer...
He did! Everytime they've performed it!
My stars! Those white folks sure know how to get giggy with it!
Goodness gracious. Look at the snooty organ critics. It's a rendintion. A play, based on the piece written for organ. Get over it and yourselves, glass half empties.
I actually agree with this comment. If you take it as a bit of fun, this is ok. :)
Funniest thing, so far I haven't found one Snootie!
I have never heard this arrangement before. I sort of liked it! The text is not so hot, and I could have done without the orchestra, but overall, great fun!
Widor's Toccata should be played slower, giving time for all the chords in the left hand to "speak through", especially on such a large organ. One thing I hate is the stoccato/piano playing effect coming through, although it might be the audio recording. As the performance of "Sing!" progresses it actually becomes better. I felt it was too "thin" in the beginning with the organ way too toned down. At the end the organ, choir and the orchestra blended really well and the sound become "full" and exciting. It is that fullness of sound that I would prefer in the beginning. Lastly, as an organist I think the registration in the base could have been better if a soft high pressure solo stop was added and on the manuals more 8' pipes since the manuals sounded a little "squeeky". Of course these are my feelings and observations based on the audio recording. Perhaps a live attendance of this performance would better represent this work for listening purposes than the recording. I will certainly purchase the DVD recording of this performance and play it on full in our church, with all its speakers to see whether that " fullness" comes through. At that point I will revise my comment.
Jaundré Scheltema Thanks
It is the anthem "Sing!" based on Toccata, from Organ Symphony No.5 by Charles-Marie Widor, not just the organ.
please, i need all the words of this song
The snare drum was a miscalculation. I laughed out loud.
Totally agree - snared by a drum. whYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?
et pourquoi pas, ça sonne bien avec les chœurs...
"Spining" in his grave? Maybe "spinning." But the correct terminology is "turning over in his grave." But it was awesome. The organ might not have been set "deep" enough. He could have used a few more "16'" stops, for sure!
The performance was awesome, but I agree -- what's up with the snare drum at the end? It practically ruined it. And has anyone else noticed that the organist is so awesome that he is memorizing this. I can't even imagine. This song is very difficult to play WITH music and can't even fathom anyone, including myself trying to play it by memory. Can you imagine? Only one missed measure and it would have messed up the entire song.
5 years later.. I've seen several organists play Widor's Toccata from memory on TH-cam and I'm awestruck by everyone.. Not only can you play this heavenly piece of music, but from memory! WOW!
Why so many dislikes? Do they want to get struck by lightning?
If you look at the score, the snare drum was right on cue.
For the benefit of those who are only waiting for the snare drum to surface: It's shortly after 5:00 - I only kept watching the video to see it. Well done, choir and orchestra - but this really is a piece for organ solo. Really. This arrangement reduces the organ to a kind of negligible accompaniment. Sad.
Close to perfect...
Without the choir and orchestra.
Oxford University Press...
:-( La symphonie No.5 de Charles-Marie WIDOR a été écrite pour orgue seul. L'instrument roi se suffit à lui-même et le chœur n'apporte vraiment rien de positif... de plus, la Toccata perd en intensité. Je n'aime pas !
Now don't get me wrong, I like to hear a good roll on the snare drum, but................. at least his mom thought it was well placed and musical, but for the rest of us...................
"Concur".
Wow! Those white folks sho are get tin' giggy wit it!
Take a rembrant, compress it to half size, and paint a clown on top. Yes it's still a painting - of sorts.
The organist did not do justice to Widor's master work. :(
too fast
Trop rapide...beaucoup trop.
No, I don't like this version with latin lyrics
What Latin lyrics¿ They are singing in English.
There are zero Latin lyrics in this.
Agreed with mudgebauer and SingerGuy59.