no way, blondeboy666. The same amazing sound can be achieved without forced gyrations. This choir was amazing when the Christiansens and Jennings were at the helm. Anton is good and this video proves a good sound is possible WITHOUT a hokey bopping and swaying that draws attention to the individual rather than the ensemble. "Good choirs are 'we' not 'I'" said one F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf Choir.
This choir is phenomenal and that bourdon0774 person is an idiot. Getting into the music is what really empowers it. You know that a choir is good when they can feel the music and put themselves into it and still sound this absolutely amazing. They are definitely the best choir bar none. Beautiful performance. Thanks very much for posting!
I love the St. Olaf Choir and have seen several of the current choir's performances including this weekend's Christmas Festival. I totally disagree with those who say they sway too much. The movement I've seen flows with the music and is not distracting at all. In fact, I find it more natural than a static choir.
I agree that its a treat to see the swaying and headbanging at a minimum. I saw them at the F. Melius Christiansen 135th Anniversary Concert and their weaving and bopping on non-multicultural music like Mozart was out of control, distracting, and downright silly compared to the other college choirs which performed that day.
I sang this with a choir directed by a St. Olaf alumni who studied with the composer, Olaf Christiansen. Wonderful to hear it sung...brings back fond memories.
The St. Olaf Choir is beyond superb. Their sound is controlled, yet expressive, and they really are a model choir. Not to mention the wonderful round vowels. Just beautiful.
Ummmm....EXSCUSE ME....I own this DVD and I bought it Live from the very first public performance on PBS......I have watched it over 100 times and I promise you, this song is NOT on it...I would really like to know where you got this "version".....it is definitely from the same concert in Norway.......10000 percent positive....Thanks
@toycandyfiend On the main menu it should give you the main program and additional tracks. It should be there, do you have the dvd manual and track listing?
@toycandyfiend I have it as well. Check again, you are incorrect. Look on the additional tracks. 10,000% positive. Unless they found an identical church and drug the other choirs back for a separate performance. PBS ALWAYS edits the broadcast versions down. This is a one hour special cut down from a two hour long concert selection.
@A7Note the choir is made up of Sophomores through Seniors and there is a fairly even mix that will fluctuate a little bit every year based on need and how the voices of people trying out will blend with existing members of the choir. So the goal is not to have it be more senior people but is more based on the skill and blend of the students trying out.
I almost cried. My best friend is going to this school. We were talking about show choir vs. real choir and she linked this to me. I think I've listened to it at least 10 times now.
Are the majority of singer’s juniors and seniors? The sound is so well molded and shaped together. All of that pure vowel sound with consonants perfectly place. It sounds like they are a little on the top end of each note which…to me… is so pleasing … and that lovely emotion of youth. Sing on St Olaf! You’re like a little piece of a heavenly choir here on earth.
Well said. The choir under Dr Jennings was just right- appropriate movement and yet glorious sound coming from very relaxed looking bodies. Perhaps its even more distracting because the choir sings from memory. I do notice choirs that hold folders as the norm tend to do alot of "emotive movement". This video proves that St Olaf CAN stand still under Dr Armstrong. Otherwise, it almost seems he is chiding them for not swaying enough - it has become that overdone, in my small opinion.
@bshampton117 Thanks for mentioning the swaying situation. As a long time follower of the choir, I have noticed way too much of it in some performances. Sure, it's great to be able to feel the music and not be stiff, but when the pendulum swings too far, it can really be very distracting. It takes my attention away from what my ears are hearing! Moderation is in order.
no way, blondeboy666. The same amazing sound can be achieved without forced gyrations. This choir was amazing when the Christiansens and Jennings were at the helm. Anton is good and this video proves a good sound is possible WITHOUT a hokey bopping and swaying that draws attention to the individual rather than the ensemble. "Good choirs are 'we' not 'I'" said one F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf Choir.
bourdon0774 2 weeks ago
This choir is phenomenal and that bourdon0774 person is an idiot. Getting into the music is what really empowers it. You know that a choir is good when they can feel the music and put themselves into it and still sound this absolutely amazing. They are definitely the best choir bar none. Beautiful performance. Thanks very much for posting!
blondeboy666 2 weeks ago
Heavenly.
lemuelbach 2 months ago
I love the St. Olaf Choir and have seen several of the current choir's performances including this weekend's Christmas Festival. I totally disagree with those who say they sway too much. The movement I've seen flows with the music and is not distracting at all. In fact, I find it more natural than a static choir.
rosiereaurore 2 months ago
I agree that its a treat to see the swaying and headbanging at a minimum. I saw them at the F. Melius Christiansen 135th Anniversary Concert and their weaving and bopping on non-multicultural music like Mozart was out of control, distracting, and downright silly compared to the other college choirs which performed that day.
bourdon0774 3 months ago
I sang this with a choir directed by a St. Olaf alumni who studied with the composer, Olaf Christiansen. Wonderful to hear it sung...brings back fond memories.
JRProthero 3 months ago
The St. Olaf Choir is beyond superb. Their sound is controlled, yet expressive, and they really are a model choir. Not to mention the wonderful round vowels. Just beautiful.
gckk10 5 months ago
Ummmm....EXSCUSE ME....I own this DVD and I bought it Live from the very first public performance on PBS......I have watched it over 100 times and I promise you, this song is NOT on it...I would really like to know where you got this "version".....it is definitely from the same concert in Norway.......10000 percent positive....Thanks
toycandyfiend 5 months ago
@toycandyfiend On the main menu it should give you the main program and additional tracks. It should be there, do you have the dvd manual and track listing?
gamerfreak5665 5 months ago
@toycandyfiend I have it as well. Check again, you are incorrect. Look on the additional tracks. 10,000% positive. Unless they found an identical church and drug the other choirs back for a separate performance. PBS ALWAYS edits the broadcast versions down. This is a one hour special cut down from a two hour long concert selection.
opiewhizbang 3 weeks ago
@A7Note the choir is made up of Sophomores through Seniors and there is a fairly even mix that will fluctuate a little bit every year based on need and how the voices of people trying out will blend with existing members of the choir. So the goal is not to have it be more senior people but is more based on the skill and blend of the students trying out.
toddbowie719 6 months ago
I almost cried. My best friend is going to this school. We were talking about show choir vs. real choir and she linked this to me. I think I've listened to it at least 10 times now.
This is music. This is beautiful.
thatkidwhoplayspiano 6 months ago
Are the majority of singer’s juniors and seniors? The sound is so well molded and shaped together. All of that pure vowel sound with consonants perfectly place. It sounds like they are a little on the top end of each note which…to me… is so pleasing … and that lovely emotion of youth. Sing on St Olaf! You’re like a little piece of a heavenly choir here on earth.
A7Note 9 months ago
This is simply beautiful. Goosebumps!
allengelljeca 10 months ago
Well said. The choir under Dr Jennings was just right- appropriate movement and yet glorious sound coming from very relaxed looking bodies. Perhaps its even more distracting because the choir sings from memory. I do notice choirs that hold folders as the norm tend to do alot of "emotive movement". This video proves that St Olaf CAN stand still under Dr Armstrong. Otherwise, it almost seems he is chiding them for not swaying enough - it has become that overdone, in my small opinion.
bshampton117 1 year ago 2
Pleasing to see the swaying kept to am minimum. So gloriously beautiful!
bshampton117 1 year ago
@bshampton117 Thanks for mentioning the swaying situation. As a long time follower of the choir, I have noticed way too much of it in some performances. Sure, it's great to be able to feel the music and not be stiff, but when the pendulum swings too far, it can really be very distracting. It takes my attention away from what my ears are hearing! Moderation is in order.
Oaktownrob 1 year ago 2
Please post more of this DVD! Wonderful. The Trondjem Catherdral aint bad either!
bshampton117 1 year ago
There is no other choir like the St. Olaf Choir. They are simply the finest practitioners of acapella music on the planet.
opiewhizbang 1 year ago