Dancing Day

[alexelliottwelch]

#RIP John Gardener

[cantorisdecani]

@alexelliottwelch Ahh sad news. The 12th of this month. This piece of his is one of my all-time choral favourites.

[Erunestian]

@alexelliottwelch Indeed, sad news. This carol with his arrangement is one of my favourites!

[EdwardWouldNot]

Doing this in choir at the moment; you kind of have to ignore the key signature and just follow the line

[presbeaton36]

nobody sings all the stanzas because they are anti-Jewish

[YoGemmy]

still love listening to this. who cares if its April!

[choirboyfromhell1]

GLORIOUS!!! We did this a couple of Christmas's ago at Mr. Paul's/Akron and it was blast to sing as well. Yes, plenty of mixed metre, but it was worth it!

[alexisaboyhello1234]

Does anyone know where I can get the score for this?

[samlane218]

I am unsure whether I prefer this or Rutter's arrangements, having sung them both... they are so different, but both amazing :)

[basilorat]

My new favorite Christmas carol in arrangement, and performance.

[roverton67]

Cool state the song writer blows me away. Christ as a player, saying we are his love and his possessions. Wow

[all1rog]

John Gardner took two much loved Christmas carols (the other being The Holly and the Ivy) and produced two brilliant, totally different, compositions of his own: a rare achievement. This one is the devil to accompany, but great fun!

[rafikHany]

One of my favorites !

[serahmariie]

this song is ridiculous! we're working on it in chambers and the time signature changes 54 times. Try singing in 7/8 time

[stepharoo101]

this song is AMAZING. i love it so much. we are singing it in choir and i can't get it out of my head

[KateFan]

I'm not sure I like this version, I prefer the other arrangement of this song to be honest.

[olcorganist]

Has anyone else noticed the Post-it note on the organist's score? I thought I was the only one that did that, haha!

[gooseholla1]

Well they can't write on it! Think of the next organist who has to use it once they've left!

[thkn1]

This is one of my favorite songs.The choir at my church perormed this last night at Midnight Mass.

[nilesjunk]

Superb performance--full of verve and vitality! Is this available on DVD? As a music teacher/choral director, I'm always on the lookout for video recordings that model outstanding sound and technique for my students.

[sealforvr]

According to John Rutter, the actual song has close to 40 stanzas and tells the entire story of Christ. Has anyone actually performed the full version?

[cantorisdecani]

The version by Gustav Holst has far more verses - but not 40.

[sealforvr]

OK, I probably mis-remembered the quote- my bad.

[gooseholla1]

@sealforvr Some of these old songs did have a lot, but were split across the year, and not done in one sitting usually!

[Otley]

Carols from Kings College - one of the few things left which the UK can do better than anyone else in the world.

[violatione]

Word!!!

[acbulgin2]

The people of the British Isles have done so very many things better than anyone else in the world, but every time has its place, and the time for yours is gone. In fact, civilization as it were seems to have reached the end of its tether. Individualism is becoming terribly unpopular. The English language is a global triumph of your culture, and arguably the two very greatest scientific minds (Newton and Darwin) were English. And then there is Shakespeare. Don't be greedy now. :-)

[celzmccelz]

What?

[Eurofrank1]

acbulgin2.....cut the bullshit: read Otley´s comments slowly and carefully and then say if you agree or not.

[acbulgin2]

Now if what Otley meant was that the citizens of the UK do Christmas carols better than anyone else in the world, I am inclined to agree as no one does it better than King's, but I cannot be sure that that is what Otley meant, can I?

[Eurofrank1]

Well, I think Otley´s self-deprecating message is absolutely clear. He´s saying that the UK is no longer a leading light in most field, but carol singing is one of the FEW exceptions. Can we now agree on that and close the debate?

[acbulgin2]

I am fairly certain I interpreted Otley's statement correctly and therefore do not need it explained to me. I think the UK still does a great many things better than anyone else in the world, not just carols. As far as closing any debate is concerned, I can only say I was not aware that there was any debate to begin with. Some discretion and restraint on your part would have made this whole exchange unnecessary. You would do well not to append labels like "bullshit" to what people write.

[burtinaerni]

wow thats a really awesome way to sing it. my choir does everything exactly like it was written. it gets old. amazing job!

[OliverWinton]

this is how it written?

[violatione]

No this is an more recent arrangement of this piece.

[natsisee]

That's crazy anemenemily! I've never heard this song before the Boar's Head festival last night. It was beautiful. Great job!

[anemenemily]

we just sang this piece for our Boars Head festival. it was very fun to sing!

[rockclimber21]

favorite christmas carol ever :)

brings back so many memories...

[LastShilling]

It reminds me of jubilant old pop songs, as from the Crystals ('Da Doo Ron Ron') or Men Without Hats ('The Safety Dance'), and of the Peter Dawson classic, 'The Floral Dance'. Watch a raindrop as it falls down a windowpane...

[LastShilling]

I must have listened, enthralled and exalted, thirty-seven thousand times. Regarding the interesting comments on 'muddiness': yes, it is an odd beginning, quietly restrained, one of barely-contained glee - staccato, like tiptoes, candlelit in the hallway, ssssh! as we approach the Doorway - as a one before the grand procession begins. I agree that it is a hymn that builts towards its ecstatic climax, like a most fragile cathedral, an approaching or gathering procession.

[kapariz44]

Re gebbytoo's comment on muddiness: Perhaps it's meant to be that way, i.e., a quiet beginning steadily building up to the climax in the last verse. A similar model would be Tchaikovsky's setting of the Hymn to the Trinity (Holy, Holy, Holy), which starts off quietly (muddily?) and steadily builds, like an approaching procession.

[phoenix2frequent]

What a joy! The best recording I've heard of my favourite setting of this carol.

Can you keep from dancing while you listen to it? If I can manage to keep my toes still, my heart dances instead...=) Proof, if you need it, that this IS absolutely a true, traditional carol -- in the old medieval sense (meaning a dance).

BTW, do you know Gardner's version of The Holly and the Ivy? Great fun to sing, with the chorus dividing into canon, first by twos and then by threes. =D

[umopapisdn22]

just starting this in my choir. tricky as hell to learn but amazing if you can get it right.

[Millerbt12]

Organist needed a few 4' in the beginnning.

[gebbytoo]

I agree- it sounds a little muddy in the beginning. It probably sounded much different live, though.

I do like the sound of the stops he uses though. You can hear a lot of harmonics in the low register of the flute he's using- it think it sounds cool.

[nonezoner]

Wonderful recording that will help me a great deal to learn this piece, hopefully memorize it for Christmas.

Soprano of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Cathedral, Spokane, WA

[poodleman65]

Excellent Chorale work and GREAT sounds from the pipe organ! Bravo from Australia!

[ilovekklita]

beautifully done! best one i've found on youtube

[daveharries]

J.E Gardiner's version - this one - is my favourite rendition of this carol.

[v1x4g2]

Love the tempo and originality of this piece. Not a typical Christmas carol, but beautiful and fun!

[jessicalynnstrom]

damn if keeps bouncing around from 2/2 to/3/4!

[jcashlover63]

I did this in my Chamber choir. I love this song

[nonehasmyname]

and this choir did a fantastic job!

[nonehasmyname]

i'm doing this in the madrigal choir at my school. it's very tricky. but i love it! haha

[clickydowiz1]

Excellent but didn't come in together. Also "True" sounds like "Twue" from the younger kids.

[Composer1992]

I want to play the organ in this cathedral! The resonance is fantastic...

[gooseholla1]

It isn't a cathedral, it is only a chapel!!! I've played it and yes the resonance is fantastic in person.

[ds1868]

Yes, technically a private Chapel with the largest, tallest and most spectacular unsupported hand-carved stone fan-vaulting in the world. From an architectural, historical, and technical viewpoint, King's College Chapel is perhaps the finest building in the world.

[octavebasse8]

What is the difference between a chapel and a cathedral?

[Bassetenator]

size

[crazyjack876]

Both size, and the fact that a cathedral holds the seat of a bishop.

[olcorganist]

This is one of my favourite carols. The metre changes! I wish King's would do it more often for the Festival. This is a splendid performance, the CounterTenors and Boys are especially good. After reading some of the coments about this piece, its amazing to hear the controvercy surrounding the tempo. The tempo is fine; if it were any faster you'd just get a babble of noise and not much pleasure. The dance like quality is achieved through the use of staccato singing, not a rediculously fast tempo.

[olcorganist]

Wells Cathedral Choir starts at a similart tempo to this; but it seems to speed up - perhaps the fault of the percussionist? The unison(?) runs at the begining of Vs 3 (ca 1:30 in this recording) are not together, particularly the Trebles. This is a much better rendition, I think. But don't take my word for it - listen yourselves!

Also: is this published by OUP or Chester/Novello? I would love to do this for Christmas next year (2010)!

[gooseholla1]

OUP.

[RufusPrimeOwnz]

I'm glad I found this cuz I love this song and i would be very happy if you didnt remove it since every single time i find a song i like, it gets removed

[TheSaltyDogy]

it is constantly switching between i'm gonna say 2/2 3/2 3/4 2/4 maybe 4/4 you can realyy tell in the openeing between the verses it sounds like it changes like 4 or 5 times.

[cantorisdecani]

It's largely switching between 2/2 and 3/4 every other bar with the odd 2/4 thrown into the mix too.

OK I cheated - I have the sheet music here!

[nonezoner]

@TheSaltyDogy yes, that is true.....it has several time changes which makes it a real challenge to sing it....

[1BODGER95]

D major?

[chris191c]

one of my many favorites

[daveharries]

One of my favourite christmas carols. Good singing here.

[charburt]

Very beautiful! I almost sense a calypso beat.

[Oldmusiclover2]

We did this in School choir last week.

[kapariz44]

Richard Shephard's "Christ whoes Glory fills the Skies is another. Keeps one on one's toes.

[kapariz44]

Apologies for the typos.

[kapariz44]

Just remembered - Christ the Lord is Risen today.

[kapariz44]

I think this is great. We did something by John Rutter which seemed a bit like this rhythmically, i.e., lots of changes, sometimes 3 or 4 in as many bars, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was right now, tho' I think it was more Easter oriented. Breathing and articulation can be a bit of a bugger here & there.

In fact this sounds a bit like something Rutter could have composed, tho' I think Gardner is old enough to be Rutter's dad.

Challenging stuff but satisfying.

[zebendee]

too slow. This choir so often throws the fast notes as show at around 1:43.

[fergielova047]

do they have guys doing the soprano part!!!!! holly crap! the soprano part is like ubber hard and ubber hard in this song, i did it for district choir last year

[gooseholla1]

They use boys yes because generally boys can get more air out making their voice more powerful.

[flyingfairydust]

my school chamber choir is doing this for the carol service this year ^_^ it's a great song! the time signature is tricky, even with the music in front of ya , lol. thanks for uploading!

[CarlViola]

to slow presto presto lol

[randomthought6]

my highschool choir has to do this. its REALLY hard. lol

[cowhampshiremoo]

We're doing this in my high school concert choir and the time signature is INSANE! For the few music theory geeks in there (like me), that just makes it even better. I definitely agree that this is the best youtube video of this though.

[brantdhill]

OK - so what *are* the time signatures here?!?! I've been looking online, but I can't find the exact time signatures shown anywhere.

(Hey, I'm thrilled to learn more about music theory! I've already dabbled in writing a canon or round in 5/4 time [the only way it would work out] and a song in 7/8 time [used in Southern Indian liturgical music with which I am currently involved.])

This Gardner arrangement is my 2nd favourite Christmas carol of all time - behind "Jesus Christ The Apple Tree."

[cowhampshiremoo]

It switches between 3/4 and 2/2 with a few random measures of 2/4 thrown in. It's not difficult, but it can throw you off if you're not careful.

[handl20040173]

thank you so much for adding this. it is he only worthwile version on the whole of youtube!

[0800838383hello]

Extremely difficult peace and mastered just like that!

[bplatt1069]

What a poised and gentlemanly group giving a musically astute presentation of a most charming work! They are certainly a credit to their art and their Queen.

[Froogleplex]

yeah the Time Sig. is jumping around a bit hey!?

[pheebsaysc]

i love this song. our choir sang it when i was in fourth grade, and we sing it often enough just messing around, that i can remember it. its beautiful. i love the descant part at the end.

[1staltomom]

I am so excited to find this video. A stunning performance! I fell in love with this from a Christmas CD recorded by another group. I would love to find the sheet music. Can anyone help me? Is it possible to attempt with an amateur choir?

[hanjane25]

we tried it in school. We only had a month before carol service to practice it and it didnt turn out very well, but im sure if you had more time to do it would be very good. We had to learn this and about nine others so it didnt get the attention it deserves. Beautiful, beautiful peice especially in a cathedral.

[1staltomom]

Thanks. I'll try to get my hands on the music and see if we can try it this Christmas. Any idea where I can find it?

[PennTrafford]

Beautiful job! This is a very demanding song to sing, with long complex phrasing and sustained breath control. I agree the acoustics probably make it even more difficult. However, more experience singing at Kings will surely help with that.

[choirboyfromhell]

We took this at this speed for acoustics that we have (which like most, are poorer than King's) and it seemed right. But us tenors manage to foul it up on the last verse anyhow, but a thrill ride to sing!

[gooseholla]

As someone who had the chance to play the organ at kings, you think it is electrifying here the sound sitting at the organ is magnificant. Especially from the 32 ophicleide and great trombas.

[Otley]

When I am cast away on my desert island this will be one of the recordings I take. The ennunciation is perfect and the organ playing electrifying.

[brightonuk]

No; this is the correct speed. There is always a tendency with choral items for the choir to want to take them too quickly (largely because of a shortness of breath!). Any quicker and it would feel rushed.

You do not need to go quickly to achieve a dancing quality. King's choir create the dancing mood by staccato singing, very clear ennunciation and, most importantly of all, minimal musical accompaniment.

[ctgardner]

As far as the composer (my father) is concerned, this is pretty close to the right tempo, thoough I daresay he would prefer it a tad slower.

[forestowlforest]

'for my true love' around 2:00 is just amazing!

[ChoralSoprano]

i recently performed this with my choir with the royal philamonic orchestra. an amazing experience.

i prefer it with the percussion though.

[RanceNevada]

A dance indeed, we shuffle through life each day with wonder of the heavens and earth, planets spinning at each step. Jesus calls mankind on earth "My True Love". He stayed to little and left to quickly. A cruel trick in a world dominated by evil, death and the quicksand of science.

[edders05]

PS - Does anyone else think this is a bit too slow?

[cantorisdecani]

Yes, a little perhaps. My favourite recording of this (on CD) is from York in the mid 80s.

I've also heard it live with the percussion as originally scored but I prefer it without.

[edders05]

I've heard an excellent recording by Winchester Cathedral under David Hill - truly exquisite - My Præcentor & Director of Music stated that it was 'flawless'...! I haven't found any flaws yet...

[ctgardner]

The tempo is about right as far as the composer is concerned. Almost everyone takes it too fast.

[tinytimme]

i agree....its often done too fast

[Paschalboy]

Thank you! My impression too is too many groups sing way too fast, like it is a race! You lose the beauty of teh words! Percussion though is REALLY needed to bring out ALL its beauty!

[YKW2]

Agreed: a side drum and tambourine, both of which have parts written in the music, would complete the effect. Otherwise, a splendid rendition!

[mogemoets]

yep---it's a tad on the slow side

Martin

[pastorpainter]

Way too slow! And percussion really makes a difference. One of my favourite carols.

[mogemoets]

yes---it IS too slow (with regard to the acoustic King's is singing in)

it'll loose its dance quality at a slow tempe like this...

Martin

[Anglicantreble]

This is the correct speed. I have discussed the matter with John Scott. This is the tempo he takes it at. Any faster would lose the madrigal quality and be too muddy. I happen to agree with him.

[mogemoets]

Yes, it is a given---that John Scott's choral abilities are utterly superb and unmatched on a world-wide scale (with regards to the quality of the choral repertoire) always bear in mind, however, that Mr. Scott's choral skills and abilities, though stratopheric in nature, pale into insignigance when compared to my abilities as redards to SATB/+ descent choral renderings...

Martin

[QueenBess16]

Thank you for post this. It's a lovely Christmas anthem and I always enjoy watching Carols from Kings at Christmas. I've been lucky enough to go there for advent services, but the Christmas service must be something else!

[edders05]

It is indeed. I was lucky enough to get a ticket through a friend, who was a chorister there, and who's brother still is (his father was also Dean of King's at one time). Do you listen to the full service of Nine Lessons and Carols on the Radio, or watch the shorter Carols from King's, which is recorded in early December?