Basingstoke and Pontypridd MVCs sing Morte Christe

[stvandy1]

I salute the choirs. reminds me of Treorchy broadcast on BBC's songs of praise in the

1980's. The organ sounded a little bit off on the last 2 notes before the second verse. Nonetheless,stupendous.I give it a 5 out of 5 especially the singers.

[1504trevor]

I must agree with Fidochap. For the definitive version of this tune, try and listen to the performance recorded at "The Festival Of 1000 Welsh Male Voices" The addition of the organ makes all the difference.

[joeyjones12]

The best to sing and rouse the audiences especially the crescendo at the end.

[fidochap]

I could hear "demands" - not a bad performance but to hear that last verse at its best listen to massed choirs in the Albert hall complete with its organ at really full blast./

[caronjob]

Lovely appart from the shouting match in the last verse. Is it "Demons my soul" or "Demands my soul"?? Have a listen guys.

[balmesh]

"Demands my soul" is the correct version. Others might call it a vocal emphasis! Whispering is not very edifying when you want to leave a lasting impression?

Alan

[MrsBloomsburyBarton]

...but there's a subtle difference between singing and shouting and this tends just a little too much towards the latter. However, I know from experience that it is very difficult for an amateur using a small camera to capture for us what you felt in the church and I'm sure it sounded marvellous on the night. Thank you for sharing with us. (I have just posted a version of this with me in it which goes the opposite direction and the last verse goes kind of damp squib!)

[balmesh]

I have recorded this choir in the past with a very expensive high-end camera, and it's amazing the lack of any real difference between that and the little "squirters" we use nowadays! It comes down to position of the mike, i think, and the end result to the speakers!

Balmesh

[MrsBloomsburyBarton]

Point taken - and it's imposiible to find the right position for the camera in an ordinary church. You're either of to one side, miles away or stuck behind the conductor!

[balmesh]

Agreed - do you know the besy position in a church? I don't, but usually find a galery is better than the floor if there is one. Then it depends on the positioning of the choir - if all the tenors are together, and they are powerful, I go towards the bass sections!

Balmesh

[MrsBloomsburyBarton]

Well I'm normally singing, so I set the camera up for my daughter beforehand then realise it's wrong but it's too late. I think you could do with being up a ladder in the nave but nobody else in the church would thank you for that! Perhaps the camera zooming in from the gallery and a mike nearer the choir to pick up the sound, but then we're getting a bit technical! There are certain people in most choirs near whom you wouldn't want the mike;-)

[balmesh]

I reckon that normally the sound is best when slightly "blended" and not too "individual" as you can get when a mike is too close. but with most choirs I think you really need to know whee the best sound is to be found, and try and be there (hanging from the cieling!!)

Balmesh

[dakry]

hmm we did this, lol. Did it at a 5 choir concert in st just about 2years ago i believe, Even have it on cd. Its good to here it online by another choir though tbh.

Brings back memories of trying to learn it as i never knew it but learnt it by ear lol and it wasnt easy to do.

Dak's

[Solstaro]

Wondeful rendition of a beautiful hymn

[balmesh]

Thank you for your comment - it's my favourite hymn, and sadly, no one outside of male choirs, sings it to that tune!

Alan

[elmstreet158]

Beautiful and heartlifting, thankyou.

[balmesh]

Thank you. It has long been a favourite of mine, since I used to sing with the Basingstoke.

Alan