"Early" music seldom has exact tempo designations, so it is up to the performers or conductors to take things at the speed they think fits a) the intent of the composer b) the setting of the performance (acoustics and such), and occasionally c) the abilities of the performers. (which in this case are quite good, i must add!! They COULD have sung this faster, but their conductor decided otherwise - this is part of what is called the "interpretation" of the piece.
The setting is extremely important: in very acoustically "live" places such as cathedrals with stone walls, you often have a long reverb time: everything you've sung in the past few seconds is still audibly bouncing off the walls. In this type of acoustic setting, which is typical of where these early polyphonic works would be sung, you have to take it slow accordingly! In most modern concert settings, however, faster is usually ok. Also, a modern audience is less tolerant of slow speeds.
Ok....amazing song but the director screwed it up by slowing it down...the kids couldn't make their faster counts match each other.
leahmarieherod 2 years ago
haha. midget, i second that. loves it.
elahroxursox 3 years ago
Is this slower than it was intended to be sung?
Either that or my choir sings it too fast!
roseface 3 years ago
"Early" music seldom has exact tempo designations, so it is up to the performers or conductors to take things at the speed they think fits a) the intent of the composer b) the setting of the performance (acoustics and such), and occasionally c) the abilities of the performers. (which in this case are quite good, i must add!! They COULD have sung this faster, but their conductor decided otherwise - this is part of what is called the "interpretation" of the piece.
HolyMotherofGrid 3 years ago
we sang this piece much faster.
aadair00 3 years ago
The setting is extremely important: in very acoustically "live" places such as cathedrals with stone walls, you often have a long reverb time: everything you've sung in the past few seconds is still audibly bouncing off the walls. In this type of acoustic setting, which is typical of where these early polyphonic works would be sung, you have to take it slow accordingly! In most modern concert settings, however, faster is usually ok. Also, a modern audience is less tolerant of slow speeds.
HolyMotherofGrid 3 years ago
p.s. This sounds really nice! Good job!
Waffle281 4 years ago
wow, we're singing this at the moment, we sang it at a wedding and we're sing it in competition. It's difficult, but so rewarding!
Waffle281 4 years ago
Love this song. Sung it in competition myself in high school choir in 1982.
hmencken 4 years ago
sometimes i say haec dies when someone says heck yes. i feel like the biggest loser at those moments.
kiwijece 4 years ago