Added: 3 years ago
From: vaniljapulla
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  • I don't know why they made the key change after the beginning--- :(

  • It's amazing to think that this music is harmonized using the exact same harmonic rules employed by Bach, Mozart, Debussey, Gershwin and Paart. To put this in wine spectator terms, this has a bouquet of Herbert Howells, arrives on the palate with light overtones of jazz, with an utterly celestial finish. like all compositions of such sophistication, it won't be appreciated (or understood) by all. it's not meant to be popular...just perfect.

  • Beautifully arranged and performed. But the repeated key changes are jarring and follow no musical logic that I can perceive; they just seem like gratuitous showing off.

  • Divine music!

  • its not christmas tell oyu here this song. merry christmas!

  • Always loved male a Capella choruses and this is one of the sweetest versions of this songs I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. Well done!

  • Always loved male a Capella choruses and this is one of the sweetest versions of this songs I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. Well done!

  • It's beautiful to sing in a choir to this song, feels amazing=)

  • Is it wrong of me to love this piece (and any other) because I am an atheist?... It is such a sublime piece; I'd just like to stand up for us non-believers that we can and *do* appreciate the artistic gifts that those of you that do believe in something supernatural give to the rest of us. Thank you ever so much.

  • @vaniljapulla I want to mention to you and other readers that I do not believe in a presence which is "supernatural." As a mathematician and a musician, as well as a human, I see God in all that is natural and thus beautiful!

  • @vaniljapulla We didn't give it to you, He did!

  • @vaniljapulla

    You're welcome! And no, it's not wrong! But the person you really should be thanking is the one who gave you the ability to perceive and appreciate this and all beauty. He gives this common grace to all people, each of whom bear his image. In Him we all "live and move and have our being." We appreciate beauty because He is beautiful and the author of it. Friend, I hope you have a wonderful and BLESSED Christmas!

  • @vaniljapulla this is what G K Chesterton says in his book Orthodoxy: "Spiritual doctrines do not actually limit the mind as do materialistic denials. Even if I believe in immortality I need not think about it. But if I disbelieve in immortality I must not think about it. In the first case the road is open and I can go as far as I like; in the second the road is shut. "

  • @vaniljapulla - I agree!

    : )

  • @vaniljapulla No, it is wrong of you to be an atheist.

  • @TheGingerellas :p ;D (At least I'm hoping that you're being sarcastic!...)

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  • @TheGingerellas ya...

    

  • Comment removed

  • @Blados3rd

    Put simply: whoever this guy is, he is musically illiterate. "Pros never want to play his music?"

    His contention that Julliard " is the most over-rated school for music ever" doesn't even pass the laugh test. Alumni include Van Cliburn, Miles Davis,Renee Fleming, Philip Glass, Marvin Hamlisch, Kevin Kline, Robin Williams, James Levine, Yo Yo Ma, Henry Mancini, and Itzhak Perlman,

    This guy was probably one of the 95% who couldn't get admitted with Vito Corleone's help.

  • @Blados3rd thank you, i was unaware of holst's lack of formal indoctrination. perhaps it was that "lack" that allowed such creativity to manifest itself. for certain he was the most successful c 20th composer and, for my humble tastes, rightly so. i suspect you may find yourself with few friends should you seek to find support from any "respected professor" for your preposterous and arrogant assertions. should you be unable to find beauty here then feel free to fuck off.

  • I wish the beach boys sang this one too..

    

  • I think this is gorgeous... do you know where and when this was recorded? A friend of mine was in Chanticleer...

  • This is what warms even the coldest of hearts to feel purpose and love

  • Too 'pretty' - too much harmony - too varied - too much syrup. Sung straight, it's a beautiful song.

  • @snevets123 said "Sung straight, it's a beautiful song." So, see v=vM_tzWLEbCU for a girls choir in a library. As lovely as such an intentionally dreary song might be, imo, yet with an imaginative twist, too.

  • @snevets123 i disagree mate, it makes it seem more meaningful and touching like this :)

  • @snevets123

    How can something be "too pretty'?

    Whatever.

    I'm guessing you never heard Chanticleer's Christmas concert at the Metropolitan Museum's Hall ofMedievalHall of Sculpture. I haven't missed one in seven years and I can attest that the sound you are hearing is NOTHING like the live voices in what may be one of the most accoustically perfect venues in the world. The sound you are hearing, comparitvely, is like hearing a voice through a soup can tied to a string--or a 78rpm record.

  • @YD8189 If I had to explain it to you, the point would be missed; like a joke. Just in the same way, I would need an explanation for your "whatever"

    We're both in the same boat, but at opposite ends

  • Again, simply stunning, by arguably the best or one of the best male vocal ensembles of our time! Just listen and melt into the rich, flowing harmonies! Brava!

  • Superb. Thanks for posting.

  • Eric Whitacre is definitely not for everyone. The first time I heard Cloudburst I about wanted to tear my hair out. But then getting the opportunity to hear it live? Changed that opinion big time. People may have some funky opinions about his music, but I've never come across a single singer/musician, professional or amateur, that doesn't think the man is doing some amazing things with music these days. That Blados3rd is speaking from quite the cloistered pedastal.

  • @Blados3rd Read Dr. Dennis Shrock's book, Choral Repertoire, then tell me that Eric Whitacre is not well respected by the academic community.

  • @kirbybandnerd I happen to be a musician who does not personally enjoy Eric Whitacre's works... but that couldn't be less related to this video. Chanticleer is one of the world's best male ensembles (King's Singers is the only legitimate competition i can think of, and both groups do very different repertoire.) Let's marvel at their fantastic performance and let's thank the wonderful arranger and most of all, let's thank Holst for his gorgeous melody which has permeated Christmases for years.

  • @Blados3rd

    Let me start by saying this. I know Chanticleer personally and they are some of the greatest musicians that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing and I would like to ask who you are, sir, to be criticizing a group like Chanticleer. Second of all, I would like to point out that you have not mentioned any music degree to your name, so once again, who are you to throw stones? So why don't you go watch videos and listen to music that you like to listen to instead of hating on ours?

  • @stonestage1

    You got it, bro!

  • @Blados3rd

    Who are you? (Besides a pretentious douche who thinks he can represent all professional musicians, that is). You're listening to the world's greatest male ensemble, and saying that the music they are singing is only good for high schools, and the must be struggling if they want to perform it? Really? REALLY?

    I suggest a piece of humble pie for dinner.

  • 6 people have no heart to give

  • Wish I could actually hear the words they were singing... Beautiful harmony and beautiful choral arrangement..

  • @Blados3rd He earned his masters degree from julliard, trust me he can read music.

  • @davidleepriest

    This is an arrangement of the Holst "In the Bleak Midwinter," but this arrangement was written by Joseph Jennings, a former member of the choir and the main arranger of Chanticleer pieces that are originals. I don't think many other choirs could pull off the impressive key changes in this piece; they seem to come out of nowhere.

    I definitely agree that the Darke version is beautiful, it is one of my favorite pieces. I'm trying to get my choir director to let us sing it :)

  • I can´t say I like this version...

    they perform great, no discussion.

    But it ain´t coming to me :-/

  • One of my favorite Christmas carols sang by one of my favorite groups.

  • 2 person hates Christmas songs.

  • I am wondering about the arrangement, it's not the Darke version often sung by choirs here in England, and although it seems similar to the original Holst one- there are differences verse on verse- does anyone know? For my money the harmonic progression that Holst uses is far more moving and evocative than Darke's arrangement - which is more intricate and definitely has its place also, although it does peev me a little when the Holst arrangement is never used!

  • @davidleepriest We'd switch each year to give both versions their chance.

  • @kinkkink If you went to my church, you'll hear our version. It's so cool and very peaceful then any other version on YouTube.

  • I Love this Song. I am a Senior in High school, and I have been in a Choir called the Vocal Dimension for my whole career in High school. We sang this song last year at a Christmas concert, and it really found a place in my soul. I was privileged to sing this song once again while caroling this year. Since the seniors from last year graduated, it was not the same group, but the power the song presents was the same. I am very happy I had the chance to sing it, with my friends from then and now :)

  • Choral music doesn't get a whole lot better than this. A timeless song done in the very best style.

  • sehr verträumt

  • Indescribably beautiful! From another place, timeless and perfect.

  • On a better note, what an exquisite recording. Chanticleer is a group of extraordinarily talented singers with top notch repertoire. I'm glad the use of countertenors has become more widespread than before. Chanticleer and the King's Singers used to be very much alone in terms of professional ensembles that did this kind of stuff. I'm glad to see that other ensembles are following suit and noticing the beauty of the "countertenor sound."

  • @drumstk724

    Actually, Eric Whitacre is becoming a widely acclaimed and recognized composer in his own right. His music *is* beautiful, and it is expertly composed as well. (An approachable analysis of Water Night is presented on wikipedia; check it out.)

    It may not fit your tastes, but I wouldn't be so quick to trash it on that account.

  • @84lgill err.... all assessments based on the quality of music are opinions, whether they be positive or negative. Your statement that his music *is* beautiful is just as biased as his statement that his music isn't very good. You're discussing a matter of taste. I'm not a huge fan of Whitacre's personally, but i appreciate the fact that others very much enjoy it. As someone wise (don't remember who) once said, "one mustn't argue over questions of taste."

  • @leo44patriot hahaha thats so weird but AWESOME!!! :P

  • singin this for choir. :P

  • i bought their album when I was about 12, first album I bought since I loved Gregorian Chants back then.

    Funny they came up in my search all these years later :D

  • This is SO beautiful.. These guys are unbelievably good.. Such fantastic music - and yet totally acappella. I hear instruments which isn't there.

  • It must be part of God's Blessing to us, if from the bleakest of times, Christina Rossetti could pen these beautiful words. According to Wikipedia: Although the lyrics were written as a poem by English poet Christina Rossetti before 1872, it was published posthumously in Rossetti's Poetic Works in 1904 and became a Christmas carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906 with a setting by Holst.

  • Cool meditation Houston TX 95 degrees in August, this song sends needed chills

  • This song is great, Its easy to listen to anytime of the year. Very Well done.

  • Once again, Chanticleer pours some of MY beloved SUNshine all over me and my Winter-worn heart. Cannot find words to express the pure bleakness which snow brings to millions of us who detest it, in any form... ever, always. It's just "Not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things." -- For sure. -- Thank you, vaniljapulla... =J.

  • This makes me want to fall asleep, and I mean that in the best possible way. It's just so peaceful and soothing.

  • GETTING A CLINIC BY THEM TOMMOROW!

  • only the Finest in the world could have done it as well. oh wait they are.

  • seamless!

  • thanks kelly

  • Lovely carol. Merry Christmas to all readers.

  • encore!

  • goorgeous

  • Sublime. "Yet what I can, I give Him . . . give Him my Heart" . A sublime message presented beautifully here . . . always leaves me choked up, and looking inward.

  • Absolutely, Baron... The last line of the last verse has always made me a bit verklempt myself! Ever since I was a kid and played this on the piano from a hymnal, I always felt this song, and particularly the last verse, was totally underrated. Still can't sing the last verse without choking up. BTW, just in case you haven't heard it, check out Chanticleer singing the Franz Biebl Ave Maria.

  • @masonjar333 Oh my goodness, the Biebl is sublime. It's so good. This piece is amazing by itself; when performed by a group as skilled as Chanticleer, its simply transcendent.

  • I agree, their Biebl Ave Maria is brilliant.

  • I believe that this is the most beautiful Christmas carol EVER--for both its words and its music.

  • @briarcliffbaron

    My thoughts exactly. One of my MOST favorite songs, Christmas or otherwise.

  • I love the harmony! Very tranquil and lovely.

  • Totally agree....the harmonies are very special. I absolutely treasure the base part....such a joy to sing. Tranquil is a great description. Long may such music be sung. Norm. of Victoria

  • Esse é meu grupo coral favorito, amo muito chanticleer.

  • sounds really beautiful... but I can't understand a word of it.

  • I think part of it is being hummed

  • Does anyone know the composer of this arrangement?

  • I may be mistaken, but I think its Joseph Jennings' arrangement

  • composer is Gustav Holst

  • music=peace

  • audio valium

    bee stee

  • waow. . .its beautiful , , ,

  • you guys should check out these songs

    Water Night composed by Eric Whitecre

    Sleep composed by Eric Whitecre

  • Oh, I agree.

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE Eric Whitacre.

    Cloudburst is another gorgeous one by him.

  • Cloudburst is astounding, next semester chamber in my school is also doing with a lily in your hand, this semester they are doing water night, and last semester they did sleep. haha our teacher love him.

  • You're so lucky you get to do so many Whitacre songs!

    My Chamber spent the day with Chanticleer yesterday. Best day ever! :)

  • @Yomanx25k5 I Love those songs!! You made my day with that comment :D

  • @Yomanx25k5 Whitacre ;)

    But I totally agree those songs are wonderful!

  • @Yomanx25k5

    Eric Whitacre**

    if you're going to recommend music (and i hate to be a snob, but this just riles me), recommend real music. Sure it's reallll pretty. but as far as actually music quality, it's very poor indeed.

  • @Yomanx25k5

    Most definitely. Those are some of the best choral pieces ever composed.

  • If there ever was a sound that represented Heaven, this is it. Utterly amazing and virtually perfect. So ethereal

    it puts me in an altered state of total peace.

  • its not christmas, but i can listen to this arrangement anytime. Absolutely lovely. *Tear*

  • Absolutely perfect

  • The vocal harmony can't get any better, I've heard them live many times, it just makes you want to close your eyes and listen, stunning.

  • Does vocal harmony get any better than this?

  • Boys 2 Men (Silent Night).

  • perfect...simply perfect

  • We sang this song in Chorale this past winter. Our conductor says this is what Heaven will sound like! I have to agree with him!

  • Really a lovely rendition.

  • So haunting and amazing!

  • Most beautiful arrangement ever.

  • Ahhhh... Chanticleer is amazing. This American group does a delightful job of an English carol.

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