Wow. It's VERY rare that you see a choir sing WITHOUT looking at their music, even so-called Masters Chorales...but when you do find a rare one like this; you can always tell by the way they sound. These guys are fantastic. I was lucky enough to be in choirs where we HAD to memorize our music. I'm so grateful for that. You can harmonize and work the nuance of the music SO much more if your eyes are always on the director and you're listening to your fellow singers. I'd love to get a CD.
While I would agree that this is pretty phenomenal...I think there is a certain quality and timbre that the female voice adds to this piece and will always be partial to it being present. @fretboardtoash, check out the Polyphony version. It's definitely not flat and will, at least in my mind, always be the standard for Eric Whitacre performances.
Thank you guibox3, your explanation helps me understand. I never heard of that before, and having the face making part of the performing, then I have nothing to say about. They sound great.
Really? do you have to make all those faces to sound good?... You guys sound good but at the same time, faces are too funny... try working on that so it doesn't look cheese... other than that... GREAT!
@todoutah That's Barbershop, tedoutah. It works. It makes a big difference in your sound and in your pitch. If it doesn't look good, it won't sound good. Westminster Chorus is a 2-time gold medal champion Barbershop chorus for a reason. Barbershop is about visual as much as the sound. One enhances the other. What you call 'cheese' is what helps make the sound so amazing.
@todoutah Personally, I like the faces. They may be a little overly dramatic, but they show how into the music they are. Also, multiple scientific studies suggest that making a certain facial expressions can actually make one feel the emotion that the facial expression conveys. So by making expressions of enjoyment, the performers may enjoy the music even more.
Awesome! I didn't know Westminster sang this! Best of both my worlds! Choral music and Barbershop music (as I do both) rolled into one. I really like the TTBB of this song! For those complaining about the movement. That is what a good performance based chorus does. It makes a HUGE difference in the sound, in capturing the emotions of a song and nobody does it better than Barbershop choruses. Many choruses young and old can learn vast amounts of what performance and sound is from Barbershop.
They do a fantastic job with whatever the arranger has given them. But this is like listening to half of what eric whitacre created. It's like taking a greeeat sandwich that is perfectly built with so many different flavors and then taking out half of what's inside.
@skylerbutenshon Actually Eric Whitacre arranged the TTBB version himself, so it's all his creation. Just working with what he gave them. Hopefully that was helpful.
@timpani101 The Westminster Chorus and The Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus are two separate groups and are unaffiliated with one another. Look up the LAGMC version of Lux Aurumque, it is very different.
@jcirmsa Curious: Eric "the monster bass" Orr is mentioned in the video of Bogoriditse Devo by Westminster. Could you point him out? Was he at this performance?
I don't know if it's just the bad audio quality of the recording, but I have to say that even with the exceptional musicianship displayed here, I think I prefer the mixed voices arrangement more. It doesn't seem like the music really gets the chance to truly shimmer and float like it can with some female voices in the mix (and this is coming from a guy who prefers all-male choirs to pretty much any other form of music).
@abydosianchulac2 well interestingly i came to this piece through this performance, and having heard both now i find the all-male version infinitely more beautiful. :)
@davidoski001 I actually had to look at the sheet music to see what you were talking about! I figured it was just part of the music. It's Eric Whitacre, passing minor 2nds just seem normal with his stuff. Good ear, though!
i think every choir singer should take a lesson from this choir!!! every single one of them is singing with a ton of expression making them look as if they want to be there which makes the performance that much better and makes there voices sound better! i can't stand it when choirs just stand there like "duh idk why i'm here i'd rather be getting drunk!!" lol good job westminster chorus!!!!!
Okay. This really is a fantastic, incredible recording.
HOWEVER, did they decide ahead of time to make their expressions (and hand movements - guy toward back around 1:53) like those of the Backstreet Boys when singing a love ballad or something? XD
well okay I was informed that the whole smiling thing and teeth showing help with various things while singing, so ..fine. that doesn't explain the swaying and hand movements and bedroom eyes.
Well, okay, I was informed that smiling/showing your teeth? can be useful when singing. That still doesn't explain the swaying bodies, hand movements, and bedroom eyes, though.
@nofattyindapatty Well, they're a barbershop group (a champion one, at that), so physicality and facial expressions are kind of ingrained in them. They use it to try and get emotion more easily conveyed to an audience, and when a room is that large, everything has to be over-exaggerated so that everyone in the room can see.
I love this version, these guys are enjoying every note. The swaying is very organic and in my opinion does not distract from the sound. As a 1st Soprano ,I love the difference in sound in the tenor solo. Well done!
fantastic, simply fantastic. I didn't think I would like the TTBB version of this song. You guys really captured the pure emotion of this piece, great job!
This is a Barbershop Choir singing a Whitacre piece. The moving around and emoting is brought over from their Barbershop showmanship. I think it's an impressive bit of crossing over that they've done.
Concordia did it better, but it might just be that it doesn't sound as good with so many low voices. well according to my taste. Its good, but it being so low just doesn't sound as good as it can be. With that said, this isn't bad by any means.
they're a choir, you don't need to be watching them anyways. free swaying allows them to truly use their entire bodies in making music, there's nothing wrong with it if it's only making them sound better.
I've done a lot of singing in my life and I've never really seen or heard about the moving thing that's going on here. However, it does not seem to affect their singing in a negative way, and I do not see how it would be considered "unprofessional". That was very beautiful.
@MickDargan I'm a huge barbershop fan and have sung in the local chorus where I live. I believe movement and swaying has it's place. But not for a song such as this.
@ironjones We can't... It's what we do. When your body has freedom to move it helps your voice so much more... It's hard to explain. I'm sorry that our movement seemed "unprofessional" for you though.
@ironjones I totally understand where you're coming from with that, but I know (having done this song a few times myself) that the movement and expression from the choir actually does something to the sound of the song. A singer smiling and a singer straight-faced don't make quite the same sound. If it takes some distracting swaying to make it more beautiful, I say close your eyes, y'know?
another thing that is just completely different to me, is that they're like, singing with every inch of their bodies. moving around is something my choir does too, but not like this. its like relaxing movement. we tell a story while we sing, but these boys do the wholeee thing. they sing with their eyes, their smiles, their hands, their body language, everything. sdlhdfdsflh gahhh love it
this is ridiculous, in a freaking amazingggg way. i can't even believe this. these boys are staying in their comfortable ranges, but at the same time its craaaazy beautiful. wow. blending is amazing, everything is amazing.
As a member of a Barbershop chorus that has competed on the International stage numerous times is one that has NEVER heard of a judge or chorus director to tell you to stand still even once for a performance. When you stand still you go flat almost 100% of the time. The Westminster chorus chorus set the bar very high in the BHS in 2007(I was there) and did a phenomenal job representing the BHS and America at the Choir Of The World competition. Look forward to seeing you guys in Philly :)
@Vokalharmony If you go flat JUST because you are standing still, sounds more of a personal problem. I've heard guys go flat while they were moving. As long as you have correct posture and breath control you should be good.
Moving with the music and showing emotions on our face is what we know and believe in as barbershoppers. We want our emotional energy to reach the back of the audience. Close ups don't do that justice. The arrangement is Whitacre himself, and we did our best to capture the essence of this majestic, and very positive and powerful song. Our positive faces were encouraged. That was our interpretation.
Whether or not it is perfect for you, I hope you enjoyed some part of it.
Music isn't about perfection, its about connection. Connection to the audience, and within the group. If you felt moved by it in ANY way (as we did on stage), then we've done well. Granted, the pronunciations and diction aren't the best, but achieving perfection in every aspect is impossible. So is pleasing every palette, though we try our best to do so.
All the comments about jaws sticking out is kinda funny. I'd say the majority are not doing so. However as the song begins and ends, the camera hones in on one person who is (me), very prominently! I have since corrected this bad habit.
so beautiful. were barbershoppers the faces come along with us so just enjoy the music this is beautiful! and in my opinion the movements and faces make it better i would rather see this than a statue with music in his/her hand.
I want to say the sound is superb, but I can hardly pay attention to it due to the theatric movement of each individual singing. Visuals are basic to a good performance but frankly this is bordering a distraction. after listening to it without video, its better. Not the best Lux Aurumque on Youtube though.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I don't know what that director was thinking. Their facial expressions do not match the lyrics at all. True you should emote the music, but the emotions are rooted in the text. These people obviously do not have that connection. They look like they're crooning. Not to mention they're singing is completely incorrect. I can tell almost all of them are off-balance and can see the tension that is causing them to sing incorrectly.
Thats the nature of music, which a highly subjective field. True they sang well, but they are not in any way in touch with the emotions of this piece, at least it doesn't seem so to me. There's also a huge difference in being judgmental and simply stating what they're doing wrong.
"Light. Heavy as pure gold. Angels sing to the new born savior."---- This is the English translation to this song. I Think they nailed it musically and emotionally. Don't hate! 5 stars*****
Well this shows yet another facet of music, subjectivity. In my opinion, they did not perform this piece well, emotionally. Apparently I'm the only one, but nevertheless I have my own opinion and you have yours.
@lcsingin4christ If you understood the difference between noise and music then would you not consider your own comments noise? Music is what sounds good to the individuals ear. If the ear does not like it it becomes noise.
If you sing. You are a performer. Standing still just doesn't cut it. They entertained the audience BY MOVING and with the facial expressions!! Also they sang the crap out of this piece. I know, I was in the audience with RCC competing against them in choir of the world this year.
@dannypurtell Objection, Your Honor! I rather have a chorus perform like Westminster does so I can see the inner movements and am not - on the contrary - put off by performers singing like a statue with the arrangements in their hands. That to me is offputting! Just my 10 Cents! :-)
That's a lot of smiles for a song like this... :) But quite nicely sung most of the time. At some points you can notice a kind-of-pop singing style that maybe isnt really suitable. THe pronounciation is also a bit too aspired at some points (that's what the English does). But it sounds very nice nonetheless. Bravo.
Their faces are a little weird. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that some of them have their jaws sticking out while they sing - which is not only ugly, but also wrong techique. Then again, I may be wrong.
Maybe it doesn't matter, though, because the sound they create is lovely. It's just as beautiful as the SATB arrangement. And such a wonderful competition to be at, too! I was there in 2008 and loved the Eisteddfod like no other competition.
hmm, from some things i've picked over the years as a barbershopper. we sometimes push the jaw forward on certain vowels to get a larger space inside the mouth creating a rounder sound. Everything we do; the faces, the mouth shapes etc... are to get that perfect "one voice" sound that SATB choirs rarely seem to get. but correct me if i'm wrong anyone, i'm not an expert :)
Ooh. Haha interesting. I sing solo, but I also sing in a choir - and sometimes some of my choir technique accidentally enters my solo singing. Whenever my jaw starts sticking out, my voice teacher flares up like there's no tomorrow. It tenses up the jaw quite badly; the sound isn't as free as it should be.
You're right, though. I'm from the Victoria Junior College choir, and while I do think we ain't bad at all, we don't really have that 'one voice' sort of sound quality. Lovely sound though :)
Wow, fantastic. It's odd that barbershoppers would be doing a piece like this, but I've got to admit the results are impressive. Whitacre Chord clusters with barbershop purity-- helluva concept! Outstanding.
Wow. It's VERY rare that you see a choir sing WITHOUT looking at their music, even so-called Masters Chorales...but when you do find a rare one like this; you can always tell by the way they sound. These guys are fantastic. I was lucky enough to be in choirs where we HAD to memorize our music. I'm so grateful for that. You can harmonize and work the nuance of the music SO much more if your eyes are always on the director and you're listening to your fellow singers. I'd love to get a CD.
lcowles 4 days ago
I like this piece better with females
MzSoBomb 1 week ago
While I would agree that this is pretty phenomenal...I think there is a certain quality and timbre that the female voice adds to this piece and will always be partial to it being present. @fretboardtoash, check out the Polyphony version. It's definitely not flat and will, at least in my mind, always be the standard for Eric Whitacre performances.
ClutchZ28 2 weeks ago
This is gorgeous. What a beautiful rendition!
abbyisdabomb1 1 month ago
This is awesome.
stripedpajamas273 1 month ago
=O
elfsmelf 1 month ago
what happened to the tenor part?
MrWonton1212 1 month ago
@MrWonton1212 They're still holding that note!
MickDargan 1 month ago
Best version I've found on here so far, the rest is horribly out of tune. These guys are true professionals.
FretboardToAsh 3 months ago 2
@FretboardToAsh watch?v=5sBZ4-pk8Nc&feature
there,now you have it ;)
ShadowlandCRO 1 month ago
kippenvel !!
MARCLEBENS 3 months ago 2
The bass is just epic in this!! I Love it!!
mommaboy011 3 months ago
Thank you guibox3, your explanation helps me understand. I never heard of that before, and having the face making part of the performing, then I have nothing to say about. They sound great.
todoutah 4 months ago
The fact that it was an all man group is astounding, they all did a WONDERFUL job, bravo!
PixieChic447 4 months ago
2:04 now thats a low bass note xD
iliketoscreamLOUD 4 months ago
wow great job guys! Well done on all parts!
FRBABandMan 5 months ago
Really? do you have to make all those faces to sound good?... You guys sound good but at the same time, faces are too funny... try working on that so it doesn't look cheese... other than that... GREAT!
todoutah 5 months ago
@todoutah That's Barbershop, tedoutah. It works. It makes a big difference in your sound and in your pitch. If it doesn't look good, it won't sound good. Westminster Chorus is a 2-time gold medal champion Barbershop chorus for a reason. Barbershop is about visual as much as the sound. One enhances the other. What you call 'cheese' is what helps make the sound so amazing.
guibox3 4 months ago
@todoutah Personally, I like the faces. They may be a little overly dramatic, but they show how into the music they are. Also, multiple scientific studies suggest that making a certain facial expressions can actually make one feel the emotion that the facial expression conveys. So by making expressions of enjoyment, the performers may enjoy the music even more.
clauclau33 2 months ago
:O
shoot100strait 5 months ago 5
ocean of harmonics
juancillo 6 months ago
Awesome! I didn't know Westminster sang this! Best of both my worlds! Choral music and Barbershop music (as I do both) rolled into one. I really like the TTBB of this song! For those complaining about the movement. That is what a good performance based chorus does. It makes a HUGE difference in the sound, in capturing the emotions of a song and nobody does it better than Barbershop choruses. Many choruses young and old can learn vast amounts of what performance and sound is from Barbershop.
guibox3 6 months ago 2
Comment removed
guibox3 6 months ago
Amazing other than the tenor in second 54 who standed out horribly.
dbrawn2011 6 months ago
They do a fantastic job with whatever the arranger has given them. But this is like listening to half of what eric whitacre created. It's like taking a greeeat sandwich that is perfectly built with so many different flavors and then taking out half of what's inside.
skylerbutenshon 7 months ago
@skylerbutenshon Actually Eric Whitacre arranged the TTBB version himself, so it's all his creation. Just working with what he gave them. Hopefully that was helpful.
JJayHawk9 6 months ago
wow.. its so diffrent from the way its trditionally sang.. i really like it.. =) wow
iloveredsox7020 8 months ago
For those who don't know, Westminster won the choir of the world competition in 2009. They know what they are doing.
applesauc3 8 months ago
this is the all gay mens choir of los angeles i think.
timpani101 9 months ago
@timpani101 The Westminster Chorus and The Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus are two separate groups and are unaffiliated with one another. Look up the LAGMC version of Lux Aurumque, it is very different.
jmiller823 8 months ago
Pat Claypool are you singing bass?
Jastro88 9 months ago
@Jastro88 no, he sings bari 2 in this song. I know, i sang next to him for some performances. :)
jcirmsa 7 months ago
@jcirmsa Curious: Eric "the monster bass" Orr is mentioned in the video of Bogoriditse Devo by Westminster. Could you point him out? Was he at this performance?
Jastro88 7 months ago
@Jastro88 at 1:39 he's the guy in the top right corner of the screen with no hair. Next to Pat Claypool.
jcirmsa 7 months ago
@jcirmsa Very good. I'll keep my eye out for him on the contest stage.
Jastro88 7 months ago
for the first two lux-es, i think the ending x could be softened just a little!!
iwanabana 9 months ago
did he died
jimmatt2311 9 months ago
I always tear up at the resolution of the piece....amazing!
gerardo523 10 months ago
Amazing beyond all measures of amazing. I've seen other choirs perform this but these guys do it amazingly
GUITARGUY5367 11 months ago
I don't know if it's just the bad audio quality of the recording, but I have to say that even with the exceptional musicianship displayed here, I think I prefer the mixed voices arrangement more. It doesn't seem like the music really gets the chance to truly shimmer and float like it can with some female voices in the mix (and this is coming from a guy who prefers all-male choirs to pretty much any other form of music).
abydosianchulac2 11 months ago
@abydosianchulac2 well interestingly i came to this piece through this performance, and having heard both now i find the all-male version infinitely more beautiful. :)
jd7x7jd 11 months ago
I sang a few times, is just the note the tenors do on second 58-59 there is someone who enters on 57 ;)
I am a singer and I sang a lot of music from him!
davidoski001 1 year ago
Ups, 0:57 uncomfortable mistake ;)
Sometimes happens!
davidoski001 1 year ago
@davidoski001 Uh...what's the mistake? I listened to it a bunch of times to try and find what you're talking about, I didn't notice anything.
supersingerevan 1 year ago
@supersingerevan
Dont listen the tenor who enter alone? one black before the others?
Is quite clear if you know the part of course. 0:57
davidoski001 1 year ago
@davidoski001 I actually had to look at the sheet music to see what you were talking about! I figured it was just part of the music. It's Eric Whitacre, passing minor 2nds just seem normal with his stuff. Good ear, though!
supersingerevan 1 year ago
@davidoski001 Although, I wouldn't necessarily call it "uncomfortable". Again, Whitacre's music almost allows for those kinds of mistakes.
supersingerevan 1 year ago
Ups, 0:56 uncomfortable mistake ;)
Sometimes happens!
davidoski001 1 year ago
i think every choir singer should take a lesson from this choir!!! every single one of them is singing with a ton of expression making them look as if they want to be there which makes the performance that much better and makes there voices sound better! i can't stand it when choirs just stand there like "duh idk why i'm here i'd rather be getting drunk!!" lol good job westminster chorus!!!!!
xbcg9489x 1 year ago
Okay. This really is a fantastic, incredible recording.
HOWEVER, did they decide ahead of time to make their expressions (and hand movements - guy toward back around 1:53) like those of the Backstreet Boys when singing a love ballad or something? XD
nofattyindapatty 1 year ago
@nofattyindapatty
well okay I was informed that the whole smiling thing and teeth showing help with various things while singing, so ..fine. that doesn't explain the swaying and hand movements and bedroom eyes.
nofattyindapatty 1 year ago
@nofattyindapatty
Well, okay, I was informed that smiling/showing your teeth? can be useful when singing. That still doesn't explain the swaying bodies, hand movements, and bedroom eyes, though.
nofattyindapatty 1 year ago
@nofattyindapatty Well, they're a barbershop group (a champion one, at that), so physicality and facial expressions are kind of ingrained in them. They use it to try and get emotion more easily conveyed to an audience, and when a room is that large, everything has to be over-exaggerated so that everyone in the room can see.
supersingerevan 1 year ago
@supersingerevan
Oh okay, that makes sense. Works for me!
nofattyindapatty 1 year ago
@supersingerevan i LOVE the intensity of the facial expressions. it's fantastic to see a bunch of guys so inside the music :)
jd7x7jd 11 months ago
FANTASTIC
Gazjh1973 1 year ago
I love this version, these guys are enjoying every note. The swaying is very organic and in my opinion does not distract from the sound. As a 1st Soprano ,I love the difference in sound in the tenor solo. Well done!
jacquidic 1 year ago
They're like freaking sentinels!! So uniform!! D:
mystermerry 1 year ago
I feel like I would just up and marry any of these dudes.
whitetiefilms 1 year ago 2
very expresive
anayanuarsih 1 year ago
MICAH SLOAT from Paranormal Activity @2:09!!! picked him out a mile away
hollabigT 1 year ago
@hollabigT That does look like him!
BariDWT 1 year ago
fantastic, simply fantastic. I didn't think I would like the TTBB version of this song. You guys really captured the pure emotion of this piece, great job!
sweetJesus1234 1 year ago
This is a Barbershop Choir singing a Whitacre piece. The moving around and emoting is brought over from their Barbershop showmanship. I think it's an impressive bit of crossing over that they've done.
buzzaki 1 year ago 26
This is the most honest performance of Lux Aurumque I've ever heard. They mean every single word they say and every note they sing....you can tell
Brivixxycej8 1 year ago
i love the emotion in their faces =]
denyingreality 1 year ago
as for the swaying, it seems like they do it based on personal preference. Some people just like to really get into it, and really feel the tempo.
suckafreeSHORTS 1 year ago
Concordia did it better, but it might just be that it doesn't sound as good with so many low voices. well according to my taste. Its good, but it being so low just doesn't sound as good as it can be. With that said, this isn't bad by any means.
suckafreeSHORTS 1 year ago
they're a choir, you don't need to be watching them anyways. free swaying allows them to truly use their entire bodies in making music, there's nothing wrong with it if it's only making them sound better.
XxNeonFirexX 1 year ago
absolutely beautiful.
angelicurrr 1 year ago
I've done a lot of singing in my life and I've never really seen or heard about the moving thing that's going on here. However, it does not seem to affect their singing in a negative way, and I do not see how it would be considered "unprofessional". That was very beautiful.
lebertus1 1 year ago
DAMN that's hot!! :D
DeathlySorrow 1 year ago 2
THe moving around is distracting and seems almost unprofessional to me.
I get it, they're a barbershop chorus, but they should try to maybe stand still for this song.
ironjones 1 year ago
@ironjones Right, I get it. You are used to the constraints of singing in a MVC where movement and expression is fround upon. Not so in Barbershop.
Tell you what, find your local barbershop chapter and give it a go. I promise you'll 'get it' after not very long.
MickDargan 1 year ago
@MickDargan or frowned, even!
MickDargan 1 year ago
@MickDargan I'm a huge barbershop fan and have sung in the local chorus where I live. I believe movement and swaying has it's place. But not for a song such as this.
ironjones 1 year ago
@ironjones We can't... It's what we do. When your body has freedom to move it helps your voice so much more... It's hard to explain. I'm sorry that our movement seemed "unprofessional" for you though.
jcirmsa 1 year ago
@ironjones I totally understand where you're coming from with that, but I know (having done this song a few times myself) that the movement and expression from the choir actually does something to the sound of the song. A singer smiling and a singer straight-faced don't make quite the same sound. If it takes some distracting swaying to make it more beautiful, I say close your eyes, y'know?
Conuai 1 year ago
@ironjones i couldnt agree more and it wouldnt be so bad if they swayed in unison but they do not its all just a mess
musicman0900 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I- I-...
I WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS
falstocat 1 year ago
fantastic.
amistrymister 1 year ago
this is fantastic!!
blexicana2 1 year ago
another thing that is just completely different to me, is that they're like, singing with every inch of their bodies. moving around is something my choir does too, but not like this. its like relaxing movement. we tell a story while we sing, but these boys do the wholeee thing. they sing with their eyes, their smiles, their hands, their body language, everything. sdlhdfdsflh gahhh love it
jayce2728 1 year ago
this is ridiculous, in a freaking amazingggg way. i can't even believe this. these boys are staying in their comfortable ranges, but at the same time its craaaazy beautiful. wow. blending is amazing, everything is amazing.
jayce2728 1 year ago
As a member of a Barbershop chorus that has competed on the International stage numerous times is one that has NEVER heard of a judge or chorus director to tell you to stand still even once for a performance. When you stand still you go flat almost 100% of the time. The Westminster chorus chorus set the bar very high in the BHS in 2007(I was there) and did a phenomenal job representing the BHS and America at the Choir Of The World competition. Look forward to seeing you guys in Philly :)
Vokalharmony 1 year ago
@Vokalharmony If you go flat JUST because you are standing still, sounds more of a personal problem. I've heard guys go flat while they were moving. As long as you have correct posture and breath control you should be good.
mcpicklejar 1 year ago
@mcpicklejar Standing still is not the CAUSE of going flat, meaning you have a greater chance because your sound is stagnant
Vokalharmony 1 year ago
Moving with the music and showing emotions on our face is what we know and believe in as barbershoppers. We want our emotional energy to reach the back of the audience. Close ups don't do that justice. The arrangement is Whitacre himself, and we did our best to capture the essence of this majestic, and very positive and powerful song. Our positive faces were encouraged. That was our interpretation.
Whether or not it is perfect for you, I hope you enjoyed some part of it.
madmosse 1 year ago
Music isn't about perfection, its about connection. Connection to the audience, and within the group. If you felt moved by it in ANY way (as we did on stage), then we've done well. Granted, the pronunciations and diction aren't the best, but achieving perfection in every aspect is impossible. So is pleasing every palette, though we try our best to do so.
madmosse 1 year ago
All the comments about jaws sticking out is kinda funny. I'd say the majority are not doing so. However as the song begins and ends, the camera hones in on one person who is (me), very prominently! I have since corrected this bad habit.
madmosse 1 year ago
so beautiful. were barbershoppers the faces come along with us so just enjoy the music this is beautiful! and in my opinion the movements and faces make it better i would rather see this than a statue with music in his/her hand.
Rubano5428 1 year ago
The chord at 2:01 is a major IV in a minor key. F# Major in C# minor.
jbower3 1 year ago
what chord is that at 2:01 ??
petsoukos 1 year ago
The conductor is living it !! awesome!
petsoukos 1 year ago
They look like they're trying to be seductive with this song. And it doesn't look good. They sound great, but just look awkward.
TheSqurt 1 year ago
The tone is really, really nice, but the dental "D" and "T" consonants are incorrect for the Latin text.
ricksfloyd 1 year ago
ugh this was painful to watch, not to listen to
they looked like a barbershop chorus with the gesturing and facial expression, and they had the "douchebag D" sound that isnt soft like it should be
ugh
they sounded fine tho
YellowCakeKid 1 year ago
I want to say the sound is superb, but I can hardly pay attention to it due to the theatric movement of each individual singing. Visuals are basic to a good performance but frankly this is bordering a distraction. after listening to it without video, its better. Not the best Lux Aurumque on Youtube though.
pigfacesme 1 year ago
At 0:57 it sounds like someone didn't hold the note long enough.
ItsJamesOBrien 1 year ago
10000000 stars
kutlessdiv 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I don't know what that director was thinking. Their facial expressions do not match the lyrics at all. True you should emote the music, but the emotions are rooted in the text. These people obviously do not have that connection. They look like they're crooning. Not to mention they're singing is completely incorrect. I can tell almost all of them are off-balance and can see the tension that is causing them to sing incorrectly.
lcsingin4christ 1 year ago
@lcsingin4christ How Christlike of you. How about you quit judging. "Let he who is without sin..." Ring a bell?
ItsJamesOBrien 1 year ago
Thats the nature of music, which a highly subjective field. True they sang well, but they are not in any way in touch with the emotions of this piece, at least it doesn't seem so to me. There's also a huge difference in being judgmental and simply stating what they're doing wrong.
lcsingin4christ 1 year ago
"Light. Heavy as pure gold. Angels sing to the new born savior."---- This is the English translation to this song. I Think they nailed it musically and emotionally. Don't hate! 5 stars*****
Th3seGuys 1 year ago
Well this shows yet another facet of music, subjectivity. In my opinion, they did not perform this piece well, emotionally. Apparently I'm the only one, but nevertheless I have my own opinion and you have yours.
lcsingin4christ 1 year ago
@lcsingin4christ wow, if these guys really sang that bad, I want to hear the choruses that lost to them.
mcpicklejar 1 year ago
@mcpicklejar I didn't say they sounded bad, just that they are singing incorrectly.
lcsingin4christ 1 year ago
Some of you people are definitely not singers because you definitely do not know what you are talking about.
lcsingin4christ 1 year ago
@lcsingin4christ If you understood the difference between noise and music then would you not consider your own comments noise? Music is what sounds good to the individuals ear. If the ear does not like it it becomes noise.
storemanagersystems 8 months ago
i love this masterpiece. always get a gooseflesh by the sound of "natum"......
cewbeagappic 1 year ago
If you sing. You are a performer. Standing still just doesn't cut it. They entertained the audience BY MOVING and with the facial expressions!! Also they sang the crap out of this piece. I know, I was in the audience with RCC competing against them in choir of the world this year.
pikurmurf 1 year ago
Very well done indeed!
Mosine1 2 years ago
lol well they sure did have the facial expressions and they sound good.
RyGil91 2 years ago
like could you clarify standing still? what do you mean by that?
RyGil91 2 years ago
@thisisthedeadgirl
Well music comes from dance, and the fundamental expression is in movement, not sound. So a singer should be emoting as they sing, you're correct.
dimsimlord 2 years ago
Well as a member of a choir and someone who stands still, I'll have you know that I do 'give a flying fuck'.
dannypurtell 2 years ago
i like the band arrangement better
its got dif but better parts in it
katykat121 2 years ago
@katykat121
I agree, there are beautiful passages in the band arrangement that aren't in the choral one.
dimsimlord 2 years ago
just random quwstion question, is the swaying appropriate for the song? Other than that, the choir was amazing. an intresting arrangement as well.
hajilove1 2 years ago
This is really well done. Gave me the chills. I love the male arrangement so much more than the SSSAATTBB version.
zachk1290 2 years ago
this is really well done
the only grip i have
is at the begging
the hold the X out a little to long
lux
not luxxx
other than that its very spectacular
denzl11 2 years ago
I wish they would try Sleep... I can imagine it'd be pretty amazing.
skechid 2 years ago
It is phenomanal singing, i just wish they could keep still, its rather offputting!
dannypurtell 2 years ago
@dannypurtell Objection, Your Honor! I rather have a chorus perform like Westminster does so I can see the inner movements and am not - on the contrary - put off by performers singing like a statue with the arrangements in their hands. That to me is offputting! Just my 10 Cents! :-)
BarbershopTenor 2 years ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
wait but actually how come every single guy in this choir looks like a dbag? especially the conductor. they make me uncomfortable.
lubob444 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
boringggggggggggggggggggggg
lubob444 2 years ago
wow
TheCatcherkid 2 years ago
i watch this everyday. its beautiful.
bak2space 2 years ago
I don't think a day has gone by for 6 months where I haven't watched this...
BarbershopHero 2 years ago 29
every choir member is involved in the music. You just don't see that very often. I was quite moved by this performance.
penuchek 2 years ago
A 57 second tenor post! Great technique to get it to sound as though no breaths were taken.
MickDargan 2 years ago 2
That's a lot of smiles for a song like this... :) But quite nicely sung most of the time. At some points you can notice a kind-of-pop singing style that maybe isnt really suitable. THe pronounciation is also a bit too aspired at some points (that's what the English does). But it sounds very nice nonetheless. Bravo.
Segis84 2 years ago
Listen to them sing "didn't my lord deliver daniel" it is phenomenal!
JJayHawk9 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
okay good. i'm not the only one who didn't think this was perfect.
ibrian91 2 years ago
Their faces are a little weird. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that some of them have their jaws sticking out while they sing - which is not only ugly, but also wrong techique. Then again, I may be wrong.
Maybe it doesn't matter, though, because the sound they create is lovely. It's just as beautiful as the SATB arrangement. And such a wonderful competition to be at, too! I was there in 2008 and loved the Eisteddfod like no other competition.
ravebeat91 2 years ago
hmm, from some things i've picked over the years as a barbershopper. we sometimes push the jaw forward on certain vowels to get a larger space inside the mouth creating a rounder sound. Everything we do; the faces, the mouth shapes etc... are to get that perfect "one voice" sound that SATB choirs rarely seem to get. but correct me if i'm wrong anyone, i'm not an expert :)
timmylead 2 years ago
Ooh. Haha interesting. I sing solo, but I also sing in a choir - and sometimes some of my choir technique accidentally enters my solo singing. Whenever my jaw starts sticking out, my voice teacher flares up like there's no tomorrow. It tenses up the jaw quite badly; the sound isn't as free as it should be.
You're right, though. I'm from the Victoria Junior College choir, and while I do think we ain't bad at all, we don't really have that 'one voice' sort of sound quality. Lovely sound though :)
ravebeat91 2 years ago
Lovely sound from the Barbershoppers, I mean. ;D
ravebeat91 2 years ago
Wow, fantastic. It's odd that barbershoppers would be doing a piece like this, but I've got to admit the results are impressive. Whitacre Chord clusters with barbershop purity-- helluva concept! Outstanding.
MusikMajor 2 years ago
I love da expressions on "Calida"!!!!!!
breaux2000 2 years ago 2
this is better than the SATB version. love it.
DCTenorOne 2 years ago 2
The beginning is even more haunting than the SATB version. Fantastic job!
LwrncMJ 2 years ago 2
We are barbershoppers. Faces come with the territory.
BlakeyMoroni 2 years ago 2
Absolutely wonderful! They definitely did this piece justice.
Aubrodizzle 2 years ago 2
That's awesome!
I didn't know there was a men's arrangement. Very pretty.
zanimal91 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
They sound awesome, but the faces they are making are a little much for me. Maybe it would look ok from the audience, though.
mrmcdoodles 2 years ago
these guys are UNREAL
janeym 2 years ago 21