If you removed women from a chorus, it might as well not be called a chorus at all. It's that traditional SATB you'd be losing. That's why they have specific men's choirs.
I've realized that women can be over-powering in choirs. However, the mark of a good choir is one that can use phrasing, and blend well together.
Actually it was written in 1906 - I doubt it was intended for Castrati. The tenor parts are not that high, just for regular tenors. It was, however, written for a men's choir. Some pieces work better when translating them for a different choir, but I agree this piece works better for men only. I also have no idea why someone would arrange the piece without going all three times through. Abridging it really destroys the structure and the composer's intentions.
The reason it was originally desigened form men is because of the concept of "catrati". Most choir's during the period were all men so the composer had no choice but to follow with the norm and make the piece fit all men voices. Truly this piece is meant for an SATB Chamber Choir of about 30 to 40 people. Maybe even lower than 30....
When Herr Biebl was organist/choirmaster in a parish church near Munich he had in his church choir a fireman. It was common for factories, police and fire departments, etc. to sponsor an employees' choir, which often would participate in competitions and festivals with other similar choirs. This fireman asked Biebl to please compose something for his fireman's choir for such an occasion. The result was the Ave Maria. It was composed in 1964-the last Castrato died in 1922.
Originally scored for male voices, after it became popular, the composer himself rearranged Ave Maria for SATB and SSA choir as well. Guess Biebl meant it for more than just men's voices.
I disagree. I think the natural octave difference between the men and women helps bring out the different parts. And it's nice to hear the distinct parts, each one being so beautifully written. Especially in the "Sancta Maria"s. The chords are more open, but they're not changed.
Good song choice. Trio needs better work on blending. Choir needs to step WAY back in dynamic markings. At least from a forte to a pianissimo. Horrible tenor solo. Under pitch, bad vowel shape, terrible Latin pronunciation. Just to name a few. Rushing through the piece does not make it better. Take your time when singing something as serious as this. Amen section should be the most serious and beautiful part of the piece. Consider it as a revelation has just been given to you. Overall 4th grade.
our choir sang this last year and i cry every every time i hear it. this is the best song in the world and its my sophomore year anthem. Me and my girlfriend are going to post our version on youtube if you want to hear the best version of this song search everywhere you can for Bishop Hartley High School's rendition. this choir in this video is such a beautiful choir and you all have amazing voices. i love you all.
I guess the one thing i have to say about this group singing this is the fact that there is no dynamic contrast between any of the verses. It's a wonderful tone, but I could have liked a little more dynamically.
Dude, lotta technical comments underneath this vid. I don't disagree with almost any of them, but isn't this a great choir nonetheless?
glibbergloop 3 months ago
you need more sopranos to sing the descant. right now, that is what you are lacking severely.
YunmiAZN 1 year ago
Comment removed
DontfuckwithElton 1 year ago
@DontfuckwithElton
If you removed women from a chorus, it might as well not be called a chorus at all. It's that traditional SATB you'd be losing. That's why they have specific men's choirs.
I've realized that women can be over-powering in choirs. However, the mark of a good choir is one that can use phrasing, and blend well together.
xjroseexxo 1 year ago
I just wish it were slowed down a bit, the tempo is too fast for me to enjoy the beauty of it. Especially the amen's at the end.
futzymuf 1 year ago
Actually it was written in 1906 - I doubt it was intended for Castrati. The tenor parts are not that high, just for regular tenors. It was, however, written for a men's choir. Some pieces work better when translating them for a different choir, but I agree this piece works better for men only. I also have no idea why someone would arrange the piece without going all three times through. Abridging it really destroys the structure and the composer's intentions.
schnico 2 years ago
The reason it was originally desigened form men is because of the concept of "catrati". Most choir's during the period were all men so the composer had no choice but to follow with the norm and make the piece fit all men voices. Truly this piece is meant for an SATB Chamber Choir of about 30 to 40 people. Maybe even lower than 30....
hurst401 2 years ago
@hurst401
When Herr Biebl was organist/choirmaster in a parish church near Munich he had in his church choir a fireman. It was common for factories, police and fire departments, etc. to sponsor an employees' choir, which often would participate in competitions and festivals with other similar choirs. This fireman asked Biebl to please compose something for his fireman's choir for such an occasion. The result was the Ave Maria. It was composed in 1964-the last Castrato died in 1922.
rwilson626 1 year ago
Ya'll sound flat, sorry:P
It is a beautiful song though, I sang the 2nd Alto, my favorite:]] Tenors did pretty good:]
RayGonzalez2472 2 years ago
Jajaja, ya escuché esta versión en diez tonalidades distintas, por lo menos!
violunera88 2 years ago
ok performance, there are a couple of parts that don´t sound completely fine
genarraga 2 years ago
Comment removed
genarraga 2 years ago
Beautiful song, but it's meant for men's voices only. Not being sexist, but you lose a lot of the beauty of the chords when you add alto and soprano.
Great job though!
sparbj 2 years ago
i disagree.
heavily.
but hey.. everyone's different right?
6118loren 2 years ago
Originally scored for male voices, after it became popular, the composer himself rearranged Ave Maria for SATB and SSA choir as well. Guess Biebl meant it for more than just men's voices.
soulseul 2 years ago 2
I disagree. I think the natural octave difference between the men and women helps bring out the different parts. And it's nice to hear the distinct parts, each one being so beautifully written. Especially in the "Sancta Maria"s. The chords are more open, but they're not changed.
miggtorr 2 years ago
Good song choice. Trio needs better work on blending. Choir needs to step WAY back in dynamic markings. At least from a forte to a pianissimo. Horrible tenor solo. Under pitch, bad vowel shape, terrible Latin pronunciation. Just to name a few. Rushing through the piece does not make it better. Take your time when singing something as serious as this. Amen section should be the most serious and beautiful part of the piece. Consider it as a revelation has just been given to you. Overall 4th grade.
MUSICGENIUS0011 2 years ago 2
mmm. doucher.
cglanders36 2 years ago
we sung this in a contest and got a 12 out of 12 on it :) ya'll are pretty good...keep up the hard work
codyroberts1991 2 years ago
omg guys.
i cry to this song every night i listen to it.
our choir sang this last year and i cry every every time i hear it. this is the best song in the world and its my sophomore year anthem. Me and my girlfriend are going to post our version on youtube if you want to hear the best version of this song search everywhere you can for Bishop Hartley High School's rendition. this choir in this video is such a beautiful choir and you all have amazing voices. i love you all.
xHITxTHExLIGHTSx 3 years ago
beautiful
Cvmenina 3 years ago
I guess the one thing i have to say about this group singing this is the fact that there is no dynamic contrast between any of the verses. It's a wonderful tone, but I could have liked a little more dynamically.
Crystalbellvoice 3 years ago 2