I am hooked on this. What I like most is the relaxed, spontaneous feel. So often, music of this type is performed very seriously and formally. It's meant to be a joyous song and this really comes across in an unforced way.
Beautiful singing. Being a Westminster Choir College graduate this is a piece that I know very well. Well done! Your tempo is great for the room and the diction is superb.
If you would allow me I would like to offer some constructive input to you. First; Try experimenting with the use of "Messa di Voce" The crescendo and decrescendo of anything longer than a quarter notes. Second, Try pitching this in Ab. There is some argument about pitch being lower then, I also think it sounds better there.
Wow! Fantastic singing that allows you to show your individual talents as well as singing as one. Great to hear and watch such a wonderful performance. Any more such performances?
This is a wonderful rendering of this enchanting piece by one of the great English composers. It takes me back to schooldays 50 years ago, when we sang madrigals and other pieces from the elizabethan/jacobean era.
Autun Cathedral in France. VOCES8 did a concert in the cathedral on the saturday night and the Priest asked the group to come and in again on the Sunday morning to perform to the congregation instead of the sermon at Mass.
Found this clip when I was trolling YouTube for Gibbons, and now come back every few weeks to listen again. Thrilling, thrilling, thrilling - THANK YOU! Looked around for more Voces8 in the same vein but found little Anglican church music; will there be more any time soon?
Sopranos sing sharp. In fact, they are the ones responsible for raising pitch. You can tell when you go back to the beginning. Don't like the bouncy affect.
Is this really Gibbons?! Ive heard and sang a lot of choral stuff but ill have to admit though the counterpoint of this piece is absolutely spectacular! And well done to the Voces8!!! You guys really give a show of sacred vocal music its magnificent! A capella music never sounded greater! You guys should try another Gibbons piece 'Hosanna to the Son' This peice is very contrapuntal. I think u would like it... LOL Well done though :)
Absolutely wonderful performance. I can't get enough of it. Perfect tempo, color, ensemble interaction, everything. You really manage to convey the text of this, my favorite Gibbons. Special kudos to the sopranos--the way you do the call and response sections is goosebump-inducing., and I especially love your pure tone, both of you. Bravi!!! :)
Oh wow. My director asked me to listen to this recording because my choir is performing this peice next year. This song is a BEAST! I am excited though, the Tenor One part is great, and I am singing Tenor for it (woo tenorettes!). Voices8, is such an amazing ensemble I might add!
Awesome piece - they certainly knew how to write church music in those days. Knocks 'Shine Jesus Shine' into a cocked hat...the Gloria is possibly one of the most beautiful I know of.
I'll admit I get a bit too excited by early music (and I assure you, I was under no impression this was "some pop site", as I've never willingly listened to any pop music in my life) but I'm sure Gibbons would have appreciated my sincere (if slightly profane) effusions more than your naive pontification, particularly since Byrd was alive for most of his lifetime, and I doubt Gibbons would have dared to compare himself to Byrd (as much as I like them both equally and in different ways).
Er, if English isn't your first language I suggest you invest in a dictionary - lest that sound disgustingly Anglocentric, it isn't mine and I had to learn it from scratch, so I feel perfectly justified in saying that. After all, the website's in English.
I'm not sure what you mean, but if any of my comments - or any of the opinions contained therein - did cause anyone any harm, I think it's more of a reflection on the offended party, frankly, than on myself.
In any case, it never crossed my mind to utter or type the words "that you didn't mean any harm" in your direction. It's slightly hard to take you seriously, I have to say, when you can't muster enough logic to put two simple punctuation marks in the right place.
I would gently suggest that it is people who utter profanities for want of an ability to express themselves in civilised terms who badly need to mature into adulthood.
Just went to listen to this again and noticed some of the comments. Nothing to add, except, er, "moderate your language"? "not some pop site"? "England's greatest renaissance composer"?
Superb singing and musicianship. More importantly though, the speed is perfect. If only this was not such an amateur recording, because it sure as hell beats any other that I know of.
if you like the speed you can get it on the Voces8 CD, Gibbons to Gershwin - if you just want this one track it will be on itunes in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for your very kind comments
@vocescantabilesmusic No. The tempo is much too fast for this very resonant acoustic. The singers' permanent vibrato (wrong for this music) adds to the confusion.
Well, yes, but trebles aren't what they used to be. Just compare even the best of the cathedral choirs with ensembles such as the Sixteen and the Tallis Scholars - no contest. Historically informed performance shouldn't be used as an excuse for an inferior sound. It's a bit like insisting the Tchaikovsky concerto be played on a 19th century violin rather than a Strad, even though it clearly wouldn't sound as good.
I think you underestimate our best cathedral/collegiate choirs. I'd say that Wesminster Cathedral and St John's Cambridge hold their own against the two mixed ensembles that you mention (certainly in this repertoire), and there are some amazing foreign boychoirs too.
P.S. I only take issue with "Gibbons' masterpiece", whoever's comment that is. His best full anthem, perhaps - but his verse stuff is definitely not inferior!
F*** me. That was orgasmic. I've heard Magdalen and New College do this and neither was half as good - I think sopranos work better than trebles for this sort of stuff anyway. Plus you're all better looking than either (I suppose it's not fair to compare sops with trebles...) Oxford Camerata comes close, but considering that this is poorly recorded I'd listen to a proper recording of this over the others any day!
Hmm, I disagree...I think a solid, pure treble line makes this perfect - and, after all, that's what it was intended for! Personally, I think this is an amazing performance, albeit perhaps a touch fast.
Please moderate your language Sir. This is not some pop site but a piece of wonderful polyphony by England's greatest renaissance composer. Have a little respect
I am hooked on this. What I like most is the relaxed, spontaneous feel. So often, music of this type is performed very seriously and formally. It's meant to be a joyous song and this really comes across in an unforced way.
Londonfogey 1 month ago
This is how music of this era should be performed...it's so spontaneous and gloriously free...pure bliss!! :D
practicecrazypianist 4 months ago
soooooo awesome!!!! wow
TheMeThomas 6 months ago
Is that Bradley Smith of John's????!!!
choirboyfromhell1 9 months ago
Beautiful singing. Being a Westminster Choir College graduate this is a piece that I know very well. Well done! Your tempo is great for the room and the diction is superb.
If you would allow me I would like to offer some constructive input to you. First; Try experimenting with the use of "Messa di Voce" The crescendo and decrescendo of anything longer than a quarter notes. Second, Try pitching this in Ab. There is some argument about pitch being lower then, I also think it sounds better there.
ATLKapellmeister 1 year ago
Beautiful song, and beutiful voices. That was wonderful!!! :D
nathleop 1 year ago
Wow! Fantastic singing that allows you to show your individual talents as well as singing as one. Great to hear and watch such a wonderful performance. Any more such performances?
Naschef 1 year ago
<3 first soprano...
molealto 1 year ago
This is a wonderful rendering of this enchanting piece by one of the great English composers. It takes me back to schooldays 50 years ago, when we sang madrigals and other pieces from the elizabethan/jacobean era.
dwrenched 2 years ago 3
this group i totally amazing...hope u can post some more of their performances... i cant help but love this 8..
maya2009mia 2 years ago
da wir gerade an dieser Musik mit einem kleinen Chor proben ist es sehr anregend diese präzise Art zu singen zu entdecken
haboreda 2 years ago
Glen Gould the great pianist considered Gibbons to be the greatest composer in history, even over Bach.
shnimmuc 2 years ago
Thanks for your reply , brilliant stuff , and I can't wait for more .
jimbo5009 3 years ago
Superb , thankyou . Where was it recorded please ?
jimbo5009 3 years ago
Autun Cathedral in France. VOCES8 did a concert in the cathedral on the saturday night and the Priest asked the group to come and in again on the Sunday morning to perform to the congregation instead of the sermon at Mass.
vocescantabilesmusic 3 years ago
Found this clip when I was trolling YouTube for Gibbons, and now come back every few weeks to listen again. Thrilling, thrilling, thrilling - THANK YOU! Looked around for more Voces8 in the same vein but found little Anglican church music; will there be more any time soon?
MMenkov 3 years ago
Comment removed
baldwalrus7 3 years ago
I love it that you have gate-crashed a Mass. I hate to think what kind of music they normally have on Sunday Mornings at Autun!
dak4321 3 years ago
Sopranos sing sharp. In fact, they are the ones responsible for raising pitch. You can tell when you go back to the beginning. Don't like the bouncy affect.
markdavinobenza 3 years ago
TOO FAST!!!
SlawekWilczek 3 years ago
Is this really Gibbons?! Ive heard and sang a lot of choral stuff but ill have to admit though the counterpoint of this piece is absolutely spectacular! And well done to the Voces8!!! You guys really give a show of sacred vocal music its magnificent! A capella music never sounded greater! You guys should try another Gibbons piece 'Hosanna to the Son' This peice is very contrapuntal. I think u would like it... LOL Well done though :)
ogbechiekiki 3 years ago 2
Yep, really Tallis and written in 8 parts.
More accents on initial consonants would underline better the imitations.
1401JSC 2 years ago
Absolutely wonderful performance. I can't get enough of it. Perfect tempo, color, ensemble interaction, everything. You really manage to convey the text of this, my favorite Gibbons. Special kudos to the sopranos--the way you do the call and response sections is goosebump-inducing., and I especially love your pure tone, both of you. Bravi!!! :)
FraAngelico440 3 years ago
Gorgeous.
ScurvyOaks 3 years ago
Oh wow. My director asked me to listen to this recording because my choir is performing this peice next year. This song is a BEAST! I am excited though, the Tenor One part is great, and I am singing Tenor for it (woo tenorettes!). Voices8, is such an amazing ensemble I might add!
SFSdragon 3 years ago
Awesome piece - they certainly knew how to write church music in those days. Knocks 'Shine Jesus Shine' into a cocked hat...the Gloria is possibly one of the most beautiful I know of.
Londonfogey 3 years ago
I'll admit I get a bit too excited by early music (and I assure you, I was under no impression this was "some pop site", as I've never willingly listened to any pop music in my life) but I'm sure Gibbons would have appreciated my sincere (if slightly profane) effusions more than your naive pontification, particularly since Byrd was alive for most of his lifetime, and I doubt Gibbons would have dared to compare himself to Byrd (as much as I like them both equally and in different ways).
vicfrankenstein 3 years ago
Care to translate that into simple English?
ingiboo 3 years ago
in response to vicfrankenstein's comment, that is. sorry!
ingiboo 3 years ago
Er, if English isn't your first language I suggest you invest in a dictionary - lest that sound disgustingly Anglocentric, it isn't mine and I had to learn it from scratch, so I feel perfectly justified in saying that. After all, the website's in English.
vicfrankenstein 3 years ago
You'll be telling me "that you didn't mean any harm" next!
WJCairns 3 years ago
I'm not sure what you mean, but if any of my comments - or any of the opinions contained therein - did cause anyone any harm, I think it's more of a reflection on the offended party, frankly, than on myself.
In any case, it never crossed my mind to utter or type the words "that you didn't mean any harm" in your direction. It's slightly hard to take you seriously, I have to say, when you can't muster enough logic to put two simple punctuation marks in the right place.
vicfrankenstein 3 years ago
Also, if you're still on my case for the profanity, grow up.
vicfrankenstein 3 years ago
I would gently suggest that it is people who utter profanities for want of an ability to express themselves in civilised terms who badly need to mature into adulthood.
WJCairns 3 years ago
I would gently suggest that it is people who are offended by a single profanity who need to get over themselves.
LegalDuck 3 years ago
Just went to listen to this again and noticed some of the comments. Nothing to add, except, er, "moderate your language"? "not some pop site"? "England's greatest renaissance composer"?
vicfrankenstein 3 years ago
High polyphony, I love it!
musicadei 4 years ago
Superb singing and musicianship. More importantly though, the speed is perfect. If only this was not such an amateur recording, because it sure as hell beats any other that I know of.
dak4321 4 years ago
if you like the speed you can get it on the Voces8 CD, Gibbons to Gershwin - if you just want this one track it will be on itunes in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for your very kind comments
vocescantabilesmusic 4 years ago
@vocescantabilesmusic No. The tempo is much too fast for this very resonant acoustic. The singers' permanent vibrato (wrong for this music) adds to the confusion.
Camreals 3 months ago
Anyone know where can I get their audio CD in USA?
helenahn 4 years ago
love the cathedral, there is nothig to say about the voices, too good...
141407078989 4 years ago
truely amazing! when i did it we took it a lil faster but i even love it at the tempo you guys did it.
Msubound07 4 years ago
that was beautiful
xocharlottexo3 4 years ago
I have to give kudos to the women...lovely pure tone... as good as any boys or sporanists. Wonderful performance... where are you from?
gay4play 4 years ago
Truly wonderful! Not an easy piece to pull off at the best of times with a full choir, let alone 8 voices!! Excellent
riaryan 4 years ago
Fit!
philiplawton 4 years ago
Well, yes, but trebles aren't what they used to be. Just compare even the best of the cathedral choirs with ensembles such as the Sixteen and the Tallis Scholars - no contest. Historically informed performance shouldn't be used as an excuse for an inferior sound. It's a bit like insisting the Tchaikovsky concerto be played on a 19th century violin rather than a Strad, even though it clearly wouldn't sound as good.
vicfrankenstein 4 years ago
Let's agree to disagree!
edders05 4 years ago
I think you underestimate our best cathedral/collegiate choirs. I'd say that Wesminster Cathedral and St John's Cambridge hold their own against the two mixed ensembles that you mention (certainly in this repertoire), and there are some amazing foreign boychoirs too.
johnstdominic 4 years ago
wow that was great. you guys have CD's of any kind?
footballitis05 4 years ago
Wow that was very good...
I was just about to ask "who are you?"
but then i thought i recognised somebody and low and behold i did. then another!
Very good to see/hear you especially on youtube. By pure random thought i decided to look for Gibbons on here.
I used to sing at RHUL for a term or so until I left and decided I wanted to be a pilot.
Once again, really good to hear that.
Best wishes if you are reading this.
Tom Gabriel
gabers99 4 years ago
P.S. I only take issue with "Gibbons' masterpiece", whoever's comment that is. His best full anthem, perhaps - but his verse stuff is definitely not inferior!
vicfrankenstein 4 years ago
F*** me. That was orgasmic. I've heard Magdalen and New College do this and neither was half as good - I think sopranos work better than trebles for this sort of stuff anyway. Plus you're all better looking than either (I suppose it's not fair to compare sops with trebles...) Oxford Camerata comes close, but considering that this is poorly recorded I'd listen to a proper recording of this over the others any day!
vicfrankenstein 4 years ago
Hmm, I disagree...I think a solid, pure treble line makes this perfect - and, after all, that's what it was intended for! Personally, I think this is an amazing performance, albeit perhaps a touch fast.
edders05 4 years ago
Please moderate your language Sir. This is not some pop site but a piece of wonderful polyphony by England's greatest renaissance composer. Have a little respect
WalterCairns 4 years ago
who are you saying this to?
141407078989 4 years ago