Bach, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, from Cantata 147 (sung by alien robots)

[misslanvin]

Through the way where hope is guiding,

Hark, what peaceful music rings;

Where the flock, in Thee confiding,

Drink of joy from deathless springs.

Theirs is beauty's fairest pleasure;

Theirs is wisdom's holiest treasure.

Thou dost ever lead Thine own

In the love of joys unknown.

[misslanvin]

Jesu, joy of man's desiring,

Holy wisdom, love most bright;

Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring

Soar to uncreated light.

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,

With the fire of life impassioned,

Striving still to truth unknown,

Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

[potpourri360]

... You're weird... like an artist should be!

[marsarium]

Lady Linda, Beach Boys :p

[Troxxity]

Why is the German title generally Jesus while the English title is Jesu? I am uneducated.

[smalin]

@Troxxity  The original title (in German) is Jesu bleibet meine Freude.

[paulthebob]

@smalin Actually, the original title is Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life)

[TheRegulated]

I want lyrics!, I dont care if its german I want LYRICSSSS

[smalin]

@TheRegulated Okay, I've added them to the FAQ.

[FREEASTHESTARS]

Those alien robot voices sound like one of those animated voices from the computer kids game Kid Pix Studio Deluxe- but it sounds so awesome that way! :D

[mahj]

I dig the alien robots, and I really wouldn't mind if you brought them around for another performance.

[afawbf]

And Beethoven and Mozart.

[sdg3x7]

"Bach's music is the only argument proving that the creation of the universe can not be regarded a total failure" - E.M. Cioran

I whole heartedly agree!

[whooper4199]

asome video! needs more pizaz

[b43xoit]

There used to be a program in BASIC that would play this on the Amiga.

[connorjcw1008]

Absolutely amazing! Thanks, smalin!

[spiritlevel8]

this is really lovely

[uj888n]

Can you teach the alien robots how to sing Palestrina? :-)

[ssw166]

I must say, this is really bad. It tickles my conscience. Computers singing? Really? Where has the real music gone? It's in the expression as well, not just composition.  We need real players, not a computer program, to make beautiful music.

[pseudonymlifts2]

@ssw166 If you take a quick look around youtube you'll see there is no lack of real players ,uploader included, if those are what you want to see...

[Re5Hunters]

absolutely beautiful (: thank you smalin i love you XD

[the81stviewer]

Disgusting. Now that computers can sing, and play instruments we no longer need people. Welp. Looking for another job now.

[MPCvideostuff]

0:00

[Austjoe]

I love this! Just the soothing sound of the music fills me up with calm.

[akiddlydivy2]

Alien Robots! LMaO

[grandepittore]

Dreadful!

[AlmostAGamer]

@grandepittore Can't tell of troll...

Or just really stupid/has bad taste.

[grandepittore]

@AlmostAGamer 'can't tell of troll' ? go away and learn english properly before you start using it to offend people!

[amt253]

I love to imagine aliens singing this as a peace offering to the planet earth when they arrive. If they did, I think all humankind would agree that they couldn't have picked a better piece.

Let Bach be our ambassador to the cosmos... this melody will never die.

[TheFlipSide08]

Amazing i love ot, so peaceful

[kitkattt9]

I've read through most of the comments, and have realized I have a couple of "simple" reasons why I'm enjoying this. The first one is, this takes me back to my youth, when I sang this piece in choir. The second is, watching the video, I'm happy to see the different parts (I am primarily an alto), so humming along, I can see the alto and not move off into my own remembered version. Geez, did that make any sense? :) Anyway, I think it's great. Thanks, Stephen!

[smalin]

@kitkattt9 You're welcome, kk. Sounds like you're enjoying it for good reasons.

[BigBiff88]

@smalin great vocal choice! Although would have preferred ancient aztec uniks.

[H1J9D7V9]

Normally I really dislike vocal parts in music (exept some death metal and Frank Zappa), but these alien robots; I love them!

[smalin]

@H1J9D7V9  I'll tell them you said so.

[jefkec]

germans like bach

[cjlm95]

Fact: Aliens love classical music

[smalin]

@cjlm95 Oh, come on, there's no need to over-generalize. SOME aliens love classical music.

[sophsdtr]

@smalin GOOD POINT!  LOL

[darklordfry]

@smalin no, 'classical' music is so great that ALL aliens love it... that is why if aliens attack, give them gifts of Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn.

[pootubeftw]

@smalin

you are funny smalin. can i marry you? i want you to reach me humour :)

[AlmostAGamer]

@cjlm95 And apparently the trend is arising in robots as well...

[DJAlexChester1]

this sounds like a vocoder , almos a Roland VP 550

[smalin]

@DJAlexChester1  Not surprising, since that's what I used (see the FAQ/Description above).

[DJAlexChester1]

@smalin ahahahahaha true, had not seen it sorry !!!!!!!

[Rowlph77]

@smalin LOL "almost" a VP550 - good guess though!

Nice rendition too :-)

[barakiji]

Muy a la Wendy Carlos ¿no? nice work.

[PTR131]

The score looks like hell.

[nutsocket]

beautiful

[griekgek]

Haha even the aliens know our Good Lord. this is beautiful,

[jfcc9086]

People, how can't you realize that this is Wendy Carlos musical Plagiarism?

[johnyprestige]

@jfcc9086 can't you realize that Wendy Carlos is music plagiarism? I do hope your being ironic.

[Peace5ify]

Beautiful.

[St33leReserve]

People, how cant you realize that this was MIDI?? not only does it say it in the description, but theres a damn piano roll in the video. a computer is playing this.

[JamesMeager27]

Send me to the planet on which these aliens reside. I wish to meet their leader.

[smalin]

@JamesMeager27 You wanna take 'em out to dinner?

[JamesMeager27]

@smalin I suspect the exchange would go more like this: (Sorry, it won't let me post a link. Please Google "talkin alien abduction blues".)

[sammypark333]

this song is the reason i picked up the oboe! thank you smalin

[Thesilenthusk]

ahhh beautiful music! this is the kind of music i imagine would sooth a savage beast.

[PublicLibraryx]

haha! alien robots xD how did you make your voice like that?

[smalin]

@PublicLibraryx See the FAQ.

[TheKanga32]

Wasn't sure at first, but after a second listening i think this is rather cool!

[uemciicmeu]

Holy crap! You sang all the parts? I used to do that forty years ago using two tape players. Got a lot of background noise, but it was fun.

[ashleylynnjoan]

@smalin I did realize that after the fact (when I took the time to peer through the FAQ) but I was a bit embarrassed to comment twice. Your German is beautiful.

[smalin]

@ashleylynnjoan Thanks. It was vetted by my German girlfriend.

[ashleylynnjoan]

I just... I nearly passed out when I heard midi-generated German. You are a god.

[smalin]

@ashleylynnjoan Actually, the German itself was not MIDI generated; it's my voice (processed).

[MortiCarthago]

@ashleylynnjoan such heresies would undoubtedly make Bach cringe

[Bl00DN00B]

=')

[Martaguille]

What is the program with created this video

[smalin]

@Martaguille Music Animation Machine.

[tantoedge]

Those vocals are midi generated? Nice work Steph.

[smalin]

@tantoedge see the FAQ

[BigBiff88]

Ever since we sent that voyager spacecraft out containing bachs music the aliens have been raving about his music and making these choirs and stuff. Its really something !

[Dreadnoughtification]

I was sold when it said "Sung by alien robots."

[symir547]

souds like Wendy Carlos from Clockwork Orange soundtrack....

[mdpuente32]

Jesus, bleibet meine Freude,

Meines Herzens Trost und Saft,

Jesus wehret allem Leide,

Er ist meines Lebens Kraft,

Meiner Augen Lust und Sonne,

Meiner Seele Schatz und Wonne,

Darum la? ich Jesum nicht

Aus dem Herzen und Gesicht

[darkdood333]

for alien robots it had a soothing feel to it.

[bachinblack94]

Haha! Even aliens love Bach!

[ElhombreDuff84]

@bachinblack94 ha ha ha hilarious!!

[albertocarnicero]

I like it

[jlmadill]

How did you do the voices? Is this some kind of autotune?

[smalin]

@jlmadill  see the FAQ

[jlmadill]

@smalin Yeah yeah, but how did you get the vocals into the VP-550 vocoder and synched with the rest. I want more details.

[smalin]

@jlmadill Go to my web site, look up "Production Notes" and then "Synchronization of Animation and Audio."

[yesterdaysYOUTH]

yep. alien robots. just how bach originally intended!

[TheKsk1997]

Like like like !

[TobiOpfa]

wunderbar bis auf die stimmen :D

[Viplexify]

this is scary

[benz981]

I like it!! The voices don't have that annoying human tendency to go out of tune.

[chenierchenier]

smalin is really a great musian

[kerbal666]

Ever thought of doing some Elgar?

[BASilAndSAPhronyummy]

Hahaha alien voices... interesting on a classical song lol

[DYLAN102001]

@megaelliott Stop bashing? I'm not bashing at all. I just said that It expresses the love of GOD, if you're offended, then just ignore it. It is not meant to be offensive to any human, but unforturatly, the gospel is offensive.

[DYLAN102001]

This is one of my favorite songs because it expresses the love that the son of GOD gave on the cross for the wrongs we did. Thank for putting this up!

[Zeahftw]

Alien robots ftw

[amonkey98]

Does it have to be alien robots?

[rappst]

Nice, it has that haunting Wendy Carlos feel to it.

[asdf1234567889]

boahr das ist sooooo geil !!!!!!!

ich krieg da gleich wieder gänsehaut...

nice gemacht

[aleksozolins]

das richtig sheissechoir!

[parkerr0902]

this is sooo cool

[toyuyn]

Sounds like a bunch of Darth Vaders who recovered slightly o.o

[PercyandDuckfan94]

I like the alien robot effects. It sounds like a choir singing this music piece.

[jaumapons]

lol alien robots

[DougNederland]

incredible, Amazing and absolutely 1st Class

[rikacy]

what eneybody says dont matter i love it!!

[MortiCarthago]

Alien robots should sing the first movement of magnificat

[mostermaus]

whoaa...reminds me of Clockwork Orange

[LtChapa361]

eww it has words.

i prefer just instrumentals.

alien robots make it worse...

still absolutely beautiful song one of bachs best.

[jonnybeatnic]

AHHH reminds me of clockwork orange!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thevoteboy]

all of this alien voice starts to make me think that bach was a alien general or commander.....

[Calamaistr]

I want to hear the robot aliens sing kommt ihr töchter now. ;l

[Thiealze]

The alien robots should really tackle BWV230 Motet VI "Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden" next!

[Mystipaoniz]

Ho man that's great! :-))

Heaven on earth

I discovered your videos with Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which is in my favourites. I'll listen to your other videos. Thanks for sharing. \o/

I'd love one like these with the Brandenburg concerto #3 - III, but the version on Switched on Bach, by Wendy Carlos. Greatest version i ever heard Oo'

Peace

[smalin]

@supiluliumas15  In an exploratorium near you ...

[pieguyfry22]

those voices are awesome! :D

[Presidentjh]

I, for one, welcome our new alien robot overlords.

[ajako89]

I think the alien robots need to work on their pronunciations, The sound a little garbbled.

[smalin]

@ajako89 You think so?  I asked my German girlfriend to check it for me and she said it was okay.

[THX1449]

@smalin Oh that was German! Wow, for a second there I thought I was tripping. Any chance of an English version?

[smalin]

@THX1449 No chance.

[adamworth1979]

@THX1449 Given the fact that the original was written in German, why would anyone want an English version? I really hate any kind of vocal/choral music language translations (especially masterpieces such as this one). I only listen to choral/vocal works in their original language. Not everything has to be in English you know? If you're truly interested in a translation of the lyrics, use your friend Google.

[guzguz9]

@adamworth1979 Hey, why not? You can be creative and end up with something really great, maybe something that speakers of other languages can experience, almost as if they were Germans. Not everything has to be the original you know? :)

[adamworth1979]

@guzguz9 I disagree... When it comes to translating choral works or really any vocal music, a huge part of the work and its meaning is lost in translation. It does not fully convey the composers message. Often, vocal works contain idiomatic expressions which would not make sense when translated into any other language. Again, you can translate the lyrics if you wish to grasp some of its meaning as long as it is performed in the original language.

[adamworth1979]

@guzguz9 Just to follow up. Take for example, a simple song such as "Oh my Darling Clementine", try translating and singing the following lyrics in German and still convey any sort of meaning across. "Light she was and like a fairy, and her shoes were number nine. Herring boxes, without topses, Sandals were for Clementine"

[guzguz9]

@adamworth1979 Yes, I agree, much is lost in translation. But good translators have to make up for what is lost while still keeping some central elements of the original. I think if you REALLY wanted to experience it as it was meant to be, you should learn German to a near native level...

I look at it this way:

Looking at a translation = more authenticity, less experience

Hearing it in a language you know = less authenticity, more experience

[guzguz9]

@adamworth1979 Here is an example: you can watch a Hindi movie with subtitles, watch it dubbed, or watch it in its original language. The subtitles detract from the experience (the movie is not meant to be read); the dub is less authentic (linguistic intricacies substituted for another); the original one you don't understand (and the movie is meant to be understood). Whatever you choose, the movie might still be enjoyable in some way.

Haha... not the best example I guess. But do you understand?

[adamworth1979]

@guzguz9 Yes, I understand. I watch many foreign films which dubbed into English, while I do enjoy the movie, and catch the gist of the plot, I bet the film would be much more enjoyable/meaningful if i truly understood the original language. Not everyone has the time or desire to learn a foreign language, but I would encourage everyone to try it.

[Zeobit]

@smalin I'm Austrian, so german is my mother tongue. I'm able to understand most of the words, but the alien robots sound exactly like some American tourists, who are desperatly trying to speak german :-)

But I recongnize that it must be hard to get some german diction out of an "english speaking" synthesizer, and considering that it's very good overall.

[adamworth1979]

@smalin The German pronunciation is just fine.

[97aaroniscool97]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! exact;y what i was thinking!

[Zeppo3]

The Vocals give a very modernized feel to the song. Sounds great to me! =P

[RicSantiagoBrasil]

Looking at the image, I pictured myself looking at a forest at the distance and its reflection on a lake. Maybe it was was autumn, since some patches of the forest were reddish. I imagined me turning my head and scanning the lake border from left to right. See like the bass notes are as reflections of the trees/mountains.

[ForbiddenLove020]

i think those scary voices are fine but its freaking me out!!

ps good job!!

[midikeyboad]

I love it.

[kinsmed]

"I for one welcome our Robot Overlords."

[lehilario]

Smalin,

Great job! I don't know if I told about it before but I started to appreciate classical music after to your videos! Thank you so much

Hugs from Brazil

[ScribbleMouse]

ohhhhhhh i had this piece for school!!!

too bad we didn't perform it because of some stupid budget cut=(

[neroesko]

Even alien robots know it.

[ipwnallnubscuzirock]

No, the robots are taking over!!!!!!!!!!!!

[icshirkey]

Thank you Steve!

[cottonginchild]

The vocals remind me of those electronic 'hallelujah!'s in Yes's "Excerpts From Six Wives Of Henry The VIII" off of "Yessongs".

[Cthulu1985]

The voices sound so... spacely. I like the vibe they give!!

[dante96kpo]

This is just too weird.

[SamaCWNS]

The Borg singing...love it! Bach is the best.

[Treemeadow]

OMG, you have just given me the best idea for a Fanfic...

[SamaCWNS]

haha, that's awesome!

[Agodipino]

terrific!

[LauraArendt]

Ha, ha, ha ... great interpretation!

[42mins]

gosh, aliens OR robots! pick one! ;)

i really like your channel.

[rikacy]

i like this version.

it shows that classic can in an modern way.

[antipax00]

I love your videos, man. I really, really love them. Great job. 5 stars.

[JeOfFShAdOwSeEkEr07]

It`s pretty obvious that smalin`s favorite composer is Bach, he created lots of videos from Bach`s music. Nice video anyway, especially for having alien robot`s voice.

[blueshadowdude]

I love this!

[Nonplusser]

lol evangelion. good work man :)

[LuciusMare]

Wait, what?

[maroonone25]

this is fantastic!

[ricardopickman]

I love alien robots singing cantatas.

[Lilaan]

I love this channel, keep it coming! Classical music "rocks" *cough*

Video game music?

[Avishkush91]

Good, it's about time the filthy aliens' machines sing our songs instead of their alie masters :P

Very well performed, but I must ask-what vcoder did you use?

[kleenex3000]

Very interesting. I am amazed how well human voices can be imitated.

I truly enjoyed this version. I can not remember how often I sung it with the Neander Church Choir in Duesseldorf...

BURNT into my brain like an alien implant LOL!

THANK YOU for this Compilation!!!

[123pelerin]

nice, except for the robot voices.

did you disable ratings (up/down)?

[Methwound]

Aliens singing a Religious piece... HIGHLY ironic...melikey.

[hipser]

title = amazing

[tacianobacteria]

Sounded like the Beethoven's Ninth Symphony of Clockwork Orange!

Great job!

=]

[Avishkush91]

The same one who composed that (Wendy Carlos) also did a synth randition to Jesu Joy of Men's Desiring on her debut album-Switched on Bach. But she didn't synthesize the voice, she just put a white noise instead :{

Still, worth listening.

[sukitrebek]

I think Bach would have loved the robot aliens :D

Great job.

[wenaolong]

Hahaha!!!! The best way to put it!!!

[Unicronomicon]

The Shroobs have learned how to sing! We're doomed!

[Thejin2027]

Perfect except for the vocals. Sounds too much like robots. Or aliens. Or alien-robots...

[smalin]

Does this mean I have to tell the alien robots that they don't get the job?

[MortiCarthago]

@smalin poor alien robots :(

[Zractor]

lol

[Jaydoggy531]

@smalin You may want to be careful: you don't want them abducting you (or worse!) for firing them.

[Cobat001]

Alien robots ftw!