Libera Lacrymosa 2007

[TommyIsH080625]

Absolutely beautiful.

Only pathetic people praise someone different than the soloist. Unfortunately we have a lot of pathetic people on this earth.

[t4705mb6]

I like it.

[BalletCava]

Which album is this version by Mini Ben from?

[BalletCava]

Which album is this version sung by Mini Ben from? Eternal? (Luminosa's one is by Big Ben)

[robotentity]

Ben also sings this on the newest Libera album, 'Libera,' and his voice is much stronger and developed. Check it out!

[Miri4Christ]

I love the solo! :)

[atenean4life]

tis is really beautiful sounds pleasing huanting but beautiful just like Libera36 said

[atenean4life]

i like this song it's like haunted but at the same time pleasing

[richie99788]

doesn't anyone think that it is a bit ironic that miniben was chosen for this particular song when big ben was chosen for a similar song???

[IlluminosaImmortalis]

Mini Ben was so....MINI!!!!xx

[EvenstarEllessar]

Oh this is gorgeous. The little pattern the rest of the choir are singing is exactly the same as Aquarium from the Carnival of the Animals. But who cares it's still so very haunting!!

[voyager3333]

it is Based upon Aquarium from Saint-Saens Carnaval Des Animaux

[AndreasFilius]

Pulchritudo in statu sonoro.

[hananusubito841016]

なぜか、ハリーポッター（映画）の第一話を思い出してしまいまし­た。

ホグワーツ魔法魔術学校の情景を。。。

[kcdrew69]

good God (and I don't believe in God) that was magnificent

[Libera36]

The most popular phrase to describe this song is "hauntingly beautiful"... You agree??

[mazefinger]

I really love this song. The very first time I heard it on the CD (Ben Crawley's version), I wasn't really paying attention and I guess it wasn't a favorite for a very long time. But I've heard it many times since then. It is a very unique song because it's slower, and at the same time very melodic, and haunting.

In response to previous comments, some songs are just meant to be sung by certain soloists. Mini-Ben's voice is very innocent and light, and it is perfect for this song :D

[RJEtan]

Beautiful, as all Libera is!

[pink0921libera]

ﾗｸﾘﾓｻの悲しげなところが好きです。

ﾍﾞﾝはかわいい♡ﾙﾝﾙﾝ♪ﾟ.+:｡((o(･ω･)人(･­ω･)o))ﾟ.+:｡ﾙﾝﾙﾝ♪

[snaffoooooo]

YEAH, I AGREE

[picardythirds]

can't we just sit back and admire the work that mini-ben has done? how would you feel if you worked hard on a solo and all everyone else did was complain how it should've been someone elses?

Ben is wonderful here. I'm always amazed by his great tuning and ear for hard to hear notes.

[plumpuff6]

I agree! Mini-Ben did an admirable job with a song that I imagine would not be the easiest to sing, and he did it magnificently. I have heard that he is singing the solo for "Secret" now as Libera is currently on their Celtic tour, and I think he'd sound great on that too; his voice is so light and clear.

[picardythirds]

Have you heard his solo in the latest video? it's called "Time" and it's amazing!

[minitop1]

I Think, Tom's time is forever, hes voice isnt as good as for years. There are other boys who sing now a lot better than Tom (Liam, Ben)

[klipsch3]

Tom Cully is a Libera legend, always has been, always will be. No boy will ever equal what Tom has done for Libera over the past 7 years, and still he continues both on and off the stage to capture the hearts of new Libera fans. He is a vocal genius.

[contrarymotion]

I don't know, some might argue that Ben Crawley or Liam O'Kane also did great great things for Libera (in fact, tom took over from them). And not so long ago, the same things were said about Michael Horncastle.

Libera has never focused just on one boy, but on the many as a whole. If you don't believe me, ask the boys themselves! (or watch the DVD)

[TEMPLAR606]

You miss Steven Geraghty...

[contrarymotion]

I don't know about better, but certainly Tom's voice has matured and changed over the years (not broken yet). His contribution now is more in the way of excellent phrasing and interpretation, as well as impossibly amazing breath control.

[cabbalistic]

I disagree.

I wasn't especially a Tom Cully fan (I did think he was very good with a pretty voice, but not particularly better than other Libera soloists)before New Dawn, but this new album is a perfect showcase of how much his voice has matured and filled out. His high notes are even more beautiful than before, but best of all is how much strength his voice now shows when singing lower than his trademark notes :P. I think he did a brilliant job on New Dawn:no wonder he got so many solos on it!

[picardythirds]

At any rate, why are we discussing Tom on a video with Ben? Personally I like both boys' voices. Ben does very well here. Let's enjoy the music!

[R0B0P0P]

Does this mean "freedom to cry"?

:]

[kelly199218]

im surprised tom didn't do this solo

[klipsch3]

Why because the whole of Libera is centrally focused around Tom, that nobody else matters, and dare not be given the chance of singing a solo? Your considerably flawed infatuation with image and what's on the cover of the book, rather than reading through the chapters of life, to appreciate the bigger picture is clear for all to see.

[dannylomas25]

I don't think the second part of your reply, about her being taken more by image than substance was called for, and I think your opening sentence was put a little harsh, but I can see where you're coming from. There are other boys in Libera, and they deserve a chance to sing solo. That said, Tom is an amazing Libera soloist, and a lot of people behind Libera including EMI owe a great deal of debt to that boy for his contributions over the years.

[lonewolf4612]

Tom is great but he has to give the other boys a chance to chine too. I think Ben did a fantastic job here.

[cabbalistic]

It's not up to him! The boys don't choose what solos to sing, they're picked according to their experience and skill. Tom is quite the singer, he can hit whatever notes he wants, which is probably why he gets so many solos!

And some songs are written with a particular boy's voice in mind. Joe Platt's particularly 'clear' voice earned him 'Stay with me', and Tom had 'Always with you' written with him in mind!

[Libera36]

I don't think that Libera is focused on Tom, I think that they use all the boys for solos, a remarkable thing seeing as lots of other choirs pick their favorites and use them repetitively!

It is possible that Tom is getting more solos right now because he is getting older and his voice could change any time!!

[kelly199218]

geez people...im not saying tom HAS to do the solo and that the choir is about him...never said that..never meant that...im just saying that he's a good soloist, and he does do a lot of the choir solos..no need to get offended...i mean nothing bad lol

[contrarymotion]

you were fine, it was the other guy that started the ahem, "discussion".

In reply to your original response, this is not typical "tom cully" song - it is not high nor a unaccompanied melody. That said, I'm sure Tom would do a great job if he did do this. However, Ben has to get practice somehow! :)

[anna4sb2hp]

and he does it soooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better LIVE!

[mblataric]

Yes, chorus is Aquarium with no doubts. Perhaps Libera's composers are not as good as boy's voices? :)

But, overall "lacrimosa" mood is here (tearfull, mornfull), so combination of Aquarium with this boy solo did the job :).

[xDuchessx]

He is good and this song is beautiful! But the chords sound exactly like Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals. Does anyone know why?

[elentarivarda]

This piece is listed as "based on Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals". It was purposeful. Many pieces, classical and modern alike, are variations on the themes of other pieces.

[picardythirds]

I believe that was done on purpose - Robert Prizeman likes to take old melodies/chords and put a new melodies with it. Look at Libera's Sanctus (Pachebel's Cannon) and he also know he used pergolesi's stabat mater (the song escapes me right now).  All great pieces with new melodies, yet the old is clearly there. :)

[xDuchessx]

Does anyone know why the boys singing those chords in the background are singing the tune from Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns?

[Mordecaliath]

How old is he?

[anna4sb2hp]

i think he is 11 or 12 :)

[Mordecaliath]

What age is he, does anyone know?

[anna4sb2hp]

i think i read somewhere that he is only nine.. which would be amazing !

[Tomoliena]

He is a new member. Ben

[contrarymotion]

hmm...new soloist? what is his name? the opening really high chord is eerie...in a good way. This boy is on his way to being great...he just needs relax that jaw...when he does it is wonderul, like in the lower sections...great tone!

[hawkfan1521]

Wow. Excellent video quality!!! Is this Ben's first solo? He's got a sweet voice. It's amazing to see how much Libera has progressed since the group first started! Thanks for posting.

[anna4sb2hp]

it might have been his first solo.. im not sure but i know he did a solo in the newest version of "Going Home" with Josh Madine and Tom Cully :P

He was really good then too :P