National Lutheran Choir - At the Round Earth's Imagined Corners

[ElsaPeterson]

Maybe it's my speakers, but the choir seemed very unbalanced. I could hardly hear the women's voices. I'm also sorry to see that the National Lutheran Choir could not find any qualified nonwhite singers. How sad that an entire Christian denomination is represented by only white people. OTOH, it's great to hear this wonderful piece. My high school choir sang it and I had a "hankering" to hear it again so was glad to find this on YouTube.

[cdbaxte]

wow.....

[csmith747]

I'm proud to say that Williameta Spencer was my theory teacher and one tough teacher. She also put my feet on high ground and I owe some of my career as a college conductor to her marvelous talent as a composer and a teacher. One of my favorite choral works. Yes, and I agree about the tempi! Energy? yes! Rushed? no!

[TheInnerMuse]

I always have to wonder why every single recording of this there is, the beginning is rushed into obscurity. When my choir sang this, we took it slow enough so you could understand all of the words and still get the same point across. In fact, it sounds more deliberate when you slow it down a bit and really accent those first measures. That speed thing also goes for the men's part: All whom the flood did and fire shall overthrow." It's rushed. The whole piece is rushed. It's a bit disappointing.

[TheInnerMuse]

I always have to wonder why every single recording of this there is, the beginning is rushed into obscurity. When my choir sang this, we took it slow enough so you could understand all of the words and still get the same point across. In fact, it sounds more deliberate when you slow it down a bit and really accent those first measures.

[ddavino]

I agree, the piece is beautifully sung, but why on earth does EVERYONE RUSH the opening? Spencer never intended that. You get to "you numberless infinities" and everyone is tripping overthemselves to rush it out and it becomes incoherent staccato jack hammering... too bad.

[afroman1419]

This is a great performance of the song but I find it really hard to pick out the tenor part, all I hear is bass

[flyinggeese426]

The Lutherans do make the most beautiful music (she said with pride). :) Stunning! Can't wait to repeat it at this year's convention in just a few days!!!

[kabaltwo]

The musicians are exceptional, and it is nice, but... (I know this is artistic preference) Why does everyone sing this so dang FAST? Great intro, but then, it's like they don't know how to slow down.

At 1:22 "When we are there, here on this lowly ground... " Perfect tempo and reverence again. Then all of a sudden, it's as if the director looked at a timer and realized they had only 15 seconds to finish the song!

It's a prayer as much as it is a poem, and you don't boat race a prayer.

[TheMashusama]

This is by far the most beautiful performance of this piece that I have been able to find. No other choir has been able to compete thus far, and many were riddled with tuning issues due to excessive vibrato (this song's harmonies sound a lot better straight tone). The Prairie Voices performance was earsplitting at parts, and not always in tune, and a lot of the other pieces have lacked phrasing and good enunciation. This is a perfect balance. Kudos to this choir for their beautiful sound.

[BrOhAwK540]

This is one of my facorite versions on youtube. I love the tempo and dynamic contrast. We're doing this in my school's chamber choir. I hope we can be this good

[PolarParhelion]

I find this performance to be absolutely wonderful! I feel, however, that very few of the singers showed any expression at all - that is they all were 'dead faced' as we call it in my choir. It seemed as if none of them were emotionally invested in this song. Apart from that, this is stunning, especially the harmonies of "here on this lowly ground' until the end.

[mundymanor]

@PolarParhelion -- Lutherans aren't particularly expressive that way. Lutherans aren't especially emotional about worship either, which I appreciate a lot more than all the hand waving, head shaking junk I witness these days in church. Lack of expression doesn't mean lack of spirituality.

[PolarParhelion]

@mundymanor Well it wasn't a lack of worship, but a lack of emotions at all. Even a solemn expression of understanding would have made the audience connect better with the piece, but all I see are faces that seem to be wanting to be any place but there. They all just look bored, which is possibly the worst visual thing a choir can do.

[mundymanor]

@PolarParhelion -- yeah, you've got a point there. Looks like some of them need a nap.

[PolarParhelion]

@mundymanor Haha yeah :)

[parkerct2]

On another note, I've yet to find a choir that can properly pronounce "agues." HAHA

[midnitebone]

I thought it started way too fast, however, as they approached the end, I thought was perfect. I, too, would have liked a longer ending note.

[parkerct2]

@midnitebone I kind of love how the ending note isn't held forever here. Very poignant!

[lilmenno21]

YES!!! I did this song at my high school's choir festival over ten years ago and I loved it so much and always wanted to hear it again. Thanks so much and God bless!

[StevenShields29]

Oh, my goodness, that is a wonderful choir! Listen to the men at 0:32 ! Absolutely gorgeous!

[breepal]

I've sung this with several directors over the years. I can't imagine why a slower tempo would be preferable.

[14coldplay]

i do like the fast tempo, but I think that they may have ended it to sudden. i would have i like them to hold that last note out a little longer. but other than that, a perfect performance. :)

[torifan2]

Wy too fast, sang this in Choir in High school. It's suppose to be much more serene, but it sounds great nonetheless!

[toddabearsf]

A perfect performance by a masterful choir. IMHO, the director got the tempi just right throughout the piece. Slower at the beginning and the following section would drag abysmally. There needs to be the contrast from one tempo to the other. Dr. Spencer knew what she was doing.

[robertchoward]

The music is at the opening is quite clearly imitating the sounds of trumpets at judgment day and the quick tempo "paints" that scene extremely well. The slower tempo in the middle underscores the reticence of the sinner who is all out of time for repentance and renewal. Forgiveness is announced triumphantly. If I could give this wonderful performance 10 stars instead of 5, I would not hesitate to do so.

[Ysaedda]

This is slightly bizarre... I know this only as a sonnet by John Donne, I had no idea there was a musical adaptation.

[jschultz4]

An excellent, sensitive performance with a great choral sound. All the words are understandable, so tempo is really just a matter of taste and not a critical thing with this piece.

[dreliz16]

this is performed WAY too fast!!

[OHSCC]

You don't even know what you're talking about.

[rubix0110]

Well that's what tempo the music indicates. It can definitely be overwhelming to follow, let alone sing.

[orr333]

I sang this in college and like JAnthony, I think the beginning and end are significantly too fast. There is so much richness in those parts and they blew right threw it. Even if it is written that way, that is the beauty of choral music (or ANY music) - that the conductor interpret it for the best impact and effect.

[modelo81292]

we are singing this song in my choir

[JAnthony37]

A fabulous performance. For me however, the tempo is too fast in the beginning and end....it leaves me wanting. The middle section is just phenomenal in every way!

[crunchygranolax]

thats how it is written in the music.

[JAnthony37]

Even so, I find it too fast. I would take a slower tempo, regardless of the indication....which I am aware of.

[Luv4thegame9]

talk about experience...they were perfect.

[BlauBaerHerthaFreak]

thats m favorit choir ssong i love the end

[AlwaysACoGirl]

ahhhh 1:32

[Cybrokat]

LOL I knew what you were talking about immediately. We refer to it as "THE chord"

[Cybrokat]

Sang this in high school, received 1s as advanced at state. I love this piece and here it is given justice.

[casualclicks]

This choir has a long and distinguished history of choral excellence. I have many of their CDs and their musicality is always top form. I sang this in 1972-72 CA high school honor choir.