VU-Kamerkoor: Eric Whitacre - i thank you god

[CoDUltimate19]

So great! I got to sing this at my high school for a choir concert, and it instantly became my favorite coral piece of all time. Another great piece is one called Afternoon On A Hill. It has some epic chords and great tenor parts much like this song and all of Eric Whitacre's music.

[Mynameisnumber5]

Thanks so to mcouzijn for posting this :)

[Mynameisnumber5]

Oh my god. This is un-fucking-real. So many emotions coming at you at once. As soon as you press play, you know your about to hear something amazing.

[orvtimlaw]

Simply AMAZING performance of this beautiful piece which requires great control and musicality. Congratulations on such a fine performance.

[hminkema]

@orvtimlaw Thanks, Orvtimlaw! It's been 4 years since we performed this piece, yet it still 'resonates' with us. I find it astonishing that over 30.000 people found us here singing Whitaker's magnificent piece, regarding that like any small choir, we have to work hard to attract a substantial audience to our concerts. But the music and the singing and the togetherness is the greatest reward of all. BTW we've just completed the season with an Ardbeg-filled night BBQ-ing on our director's farm :-)

[AnHourInAMinuteLG]

thumbs up if John's tumbler sent you here! HooHaa nerdfighters!

[Joestn77]

you know you did well when the composer posts your video on his own website

[mcouzijn]

@Joestn77 Thanks for the hint, Joestn77! This is indeed a BIG compliment - never dreamed of it when we performed Eric's fabulous piece. Still, our happy performance of 'i thank you god' is in itself the biggest compliment for our efforts, as with any choir.

Presently, we are studying Joep Franssens' "Harmony of the spheres" - a challenge if there ever was one. 75 minutes of sheer beauty, ethereal acapella harmonies, rhythms & modulations. And every week we discover more of its promises.

[LauraRochelleWB]

Holy Crap...the acoustics are AWESOME....and your choir sounds spectacular. It makes me proud that your sound has such a rich color to it. Bravo!

[mcouzijn]

@LauraRochelleWB Thank you, Laura! Isn't it astonishing how even the acoustics of a choral performance may transfer to other parts of the world? Choosing a location for a particular performance isn't easy. But in Amsterdam we are blessed with a wide choice of churches, and choose them according to the needs of the programme. For Franssens' "Harmony of the Spheres" we will move to Utrecht's Pieterskerk, a sumptuous historical space. Wait for the YouTube vid!

[montgomecd15]

this is wonderful

[mcouzijn]

@montgomecd15 Thanks, Montgomecd15! We think likewise.

[sookeebearispretty]

this is about the best performance of i thank you god ive seen online so far. The solo has a beautiful voice, and for a choir so small you guys are amazingly substantial. ILY!!!

[mcouzijn]

@sookeebearispretty Thank you, Sookibear! Funny that you mention the size of our choir. Personally, I find it touching that such small groups of people can create such beauty. We're a group of 32 people, 8 basses, 8 tenors and so on, with no formal musical training (apart from singing lessons for some), just a bunch of physicists, linguists, economists and so on - but by giving it our very best and challenged by a great director, we accomplish more than everyone of us dreamed of.

[Kayteeshay]

I was lucky enough to perform this song with the University of North Dakota Concert Choir and it became an instant favorite! I find myself singing this song often and hearing this recording brought back many wonderful memories! Beautiful!

[mcouzijn]

@Kayteeshay Thanks, Katie! This is probably why music is called a 'universal language', and why people from Argentina, the Philiippines, North Dakota and Amsterdam rejoice in singing this splendid composition. By the way, not only thanks to Eric Whitacre, but also to e.e. cummings (but I'm into literature, so that's why).

[bjornerix2]

I was listening to this song on headphones and the first time I heard this part, 2:33 I stopped dead in my tracks. I almost had to sit down, I have never heard anything like this before, it was like discovering a colour you've never seen before or something. Unexpected and beautiful.

[mcouzijn]

@bjornerix2 Thanks for being so specific about what struck you, Bjorn. It is indeed a very special effect, as if beauty slaps you on the cheek. A iuxtaposition of the 'wings' that give us freedom and let us fly up to heaven - and the 'illimitably earth' to which we are bound but which gives us endless possibilities in our lifetime. What we *want* and what we *might do* - and this covered in music. Almost more important to me than brown bread - and that says something! :-)

[sufuturoesamor]

What is the name of the conductor and the choir and where is this choir from? Please answer ASAP

[hminkema]

@sufuturoesamor The name of this choir is 'VU-Kamerkoor' and the conductor is Boudewijn Jansen. We reside in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will find our website at the domain vukk.nl

[soro19]

This song makes me weep. It is unbearably beautiful. Eric Whitacre IS music. 

[mcouzijn]

@soro19 I agree, Soro19. I hope that composers are *sometimes* aware of the beauty that they present the world with. And the many musicians that share in that beauty.

[Penguinsrbetterthanu]

Finally, a choir that knows what ther're doing!

[mcouzijn]

@Penguinsrbetterthanu Ha! Thanks for your compliment. It rings so true. In the weeks or actually months, leading up to a performance we are constantly pondering, attempting, tearing apart, mending, re-working, re-considering the pieces that we're about to sing. A magical mix of emotion and cerebrality. Most of us are academics from fields like physics, medicine, arts etc. so we are used to 'know what we're doing'. Yet 'getting to know' is only a transition. The goal is to add magic to the music!

[dodocmom]

i thank You God for most this amazing choir! Oh, and for Eric Whitacre too. And for E. E. Cummings. And for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is Yes.

[xxlovablexemoxgirlxx]

We're doing this song for our holiday concert. The woman choir version wrote by David Brunner (or some name to that extent) and it's a pretty piece, but it's HARD.

[mcouzijn]

@xxlovablexemoxgirlxx Yes, it's HARD. And it's soft. And it's human, and it's life. That's why you are bound to love it, once you get the hang of it. How does e.e. cummings speak to us, to our souls, to what we long to be and do! This song of praise is a comfort and solace for believers and non-believers alike, I can tell you. For even if god is the work of man, and his works the result of nature, we can still praise and be astonished by what our world and the human condition offer to our lives.

[edwardgbell]

Perfect.

Beautiful.

[mcouzijn]

@edwardgbell: Thank you for your concise compliments! We still enjoy this recording too.

[CantoUcello]

I had the most amazing experience of my life listening to this song. Every time I hear it...God. It's stunning. I just have to cry.

[josejcserra]

this is an amazing interpretation! keep going, you're doing well. no critiques at all: what for? to keep us apart from this lovely piece of music? ;-)))) enjoy it, just say «yes»: «thank you god... for everything... which is yes» ;-)

[mcouzijn]

@josejcserra: Thanks, José, for your compliments and for connecting other people's responses with the lyrics to this magnificent choir piece. A very sharp observation!

[kitkatrinaa]

altos, where you at?

but anyway, this was beautiful! My choir is performing this for our hs graduation :)

[mcouzijn]

@kitkatrinaa wrote: "Altos, where you at?"

Yes, our alto's were at.

[plan09]

My God, that was beautiful! The only time a video has ever made me cry! Happy Easter, and God bless you!

[hminkema]

@plan09: Wow! Talking about compliments....

I am happy that some of the bliss with which we sang this great piece is transferring to you, and many other listeners.

Happy Easter indeed! Spring is icumen in, over here in Amsterdam.

[KworGirl10]

mcouzijn, I am truly enjoying your sense of humor! I appreciate your sassy response comments ALMOST as much as I enjoy your wonderful choir. It is obvious that you enjoy each other as well as making beautiful music together. Bravo and Brava to all!

[TheMusicality]

best recording i found on youtube for sure... great choir

[enterandeject]

I actually think that the sopranos are quite good. I actually think that this is one of the best amateur choirs I have heard singing this wonderful piece.

[mcouzijn]

I actually think yours is the nicest comment I have read in a while.

And no, I am not a soprano :-)

Funny thing is: we're just an ordinary choir made up of ordinary people who happen to love each other's company, happen to love our director, and happen to love the music that we sing.

Love is all you need.

(And technique, of course :-)

At this Tuesday's rehearsal, I'll pass on your compliment to our soprano's - some of whom have left the choir, replaced by other fabulous new choristers.

[mio309]

GENIAL!

[nichvegasplayaz]

Great Sound but Tempo is Off in 5 places.

[mcouzijn]

Please help`us out and tell us on which 5 places our tempo is off.

[thepianomaniac]

Wow, this is a WONDERFUL recording! So perfect in that church. The chords ring so greatly!

[MartyS3000]

pretty good... tenors aren't really there and sopranos could be a little more delicate.. but thats probly just the recording

[mcouzijn]

No no, it's not the recording, it is just the choir.

The tenors weren't really there because they hadn't yet returned from their McDonalds visit, and the soprano's aren't delicate-as-usual because they had just arrived after a much too heavy McDonalds Crispy Bacon meal.

I hoped that no one would hear that, but alas... you are the first one to have discovered our secret. All the rest who have complimented this performance must have really bad ears.

Anyway, thanks for all your compliments! :-)

[Twoey2E]

@mcouzijn Um, that's the funniest explanation you could have given for that critique. Having been a part of several choirs in my lifetime, it's also the most realistic explanation. I don't know how many times a performance would start with a few less members due to illness, hangover, ADD, etc. It's tough to corral a chorale. lol

[mcouzijn]

Thanks, Twoey! Of course I gave a realistic explanation, as only experienced choristers will know.

We've just completed a new string of concerts (Schnittke, Shostakovich, Mansurian) and I noticed a new hype replacing the McD visit

Pasta salads.

Suddenly, many S's an A's turned up with home-made bowls of spirali & rucola, or farfalle, iceberg & mozzarella, to be consumed during the break in between rehearsal and concert.

Add the obvious smoothie, and you have the secret to our healthy sound.

[Sbery101]

I can't stop playing this. This recording is beautiful!!

[u1zha]

Beautiful "yes" and "how should..."

[mcouzijn]

Such a weird comment from you is like getting a compliment from a normal person.

So thank you.

Now go play with your dolls.

[StingingSuzumebachi]

With what you say, you're disrespecting the art, God, and everything that has been given to you. It doesn't get better than this, good sir. What would you say if I told you that Fred Hamond sucked ass...? And how do you know what God likes? He likes what we like because we are made from him by his image and likeness. You should know that.

[thenephilim777]

your grammar and rhetoric explain it all....tupac and dre got nothin' on this man!! listen and learn for a change

[ksnyde85]

THen you have bad speakers, play it on good speakers and you get it

[morningtide]

This is by far the best recording of this piece on youtube. Great job!

[morgoniousmonk]

What a lovely performance. The blend is beautiful, diction is good, and interpretation is wonderful.

[meli325]

Wonderful sound! every part is balanced perfectly. Also, the acoustics are great for this piece. Kudos to you all to be able to pull off something so challenging and beautiful!

[CaNdZ24]

Simply beautiful......nothing more to say.....great job!!!!

[hardporecorn]

Wow wow wow! Great performance! Nice soprano :)

[ninjatenor17]

this was absolutely stunning ! is it 6 or 8 part arr.

[traanncce]

I covered this song as a multitrack and it breaks up into about 14 parts (near the end)

[christoperfect]

Haha... Eric Whitacre is a psychotic genius. The colors of some of his chords make you question his sanity, but when heard in context of the music they seem ungodly perfect... Otherworldly.

[commando23]

its 13 part

[welto1ge]

12 actually

[joninho22]

if you include the solo... eh... either way, its one of whitacre's best pieces, especially the recent revision to "now the ears of my ears awake"

But a very nice performance.

[mptoo]

this choir is marvelous. my high school choir is starting this piece tomorrow and I cannot wait. I've been listening to recordings over and over in anticipation...

[raffadizzle]

this is a brilliant performance. honestly, the college choir i was in tried this song but it totally failed. you have lesser numbers and all the parts come out. the acoustics were amazing. I would be extremely proud of this performance. Amazing

[mcouzijn]

Thank you so much for your BIG compliment! Yes, I'm proud of our performance of this song. I'll confess that I've been singing in this choir for 25 years - a terribly long time - and few pieces have moved me so much as this song has. And I've sung Bach, and Britten, and Monteverdi, and Poulenc, who I've all come to cherish. Searching for a choir who can *really* make you happy is worth the effort. You'll have that choir in your heart for the rest of your days (I'm the bass at the centre at 5:11)

[biggtk]

It's just so beautiful!

[maverik90]

Oh, thanks mcouzijn, I didn't know. And I'll listen to it again, try to hear those sweet overtones, christoperfect, thanks.

[maverik90]

very good. but the wiiiiings part (i assume you know what i mean) was kind of lost because the women never fully closed to the "n" which would just make it sound a lot cooler. sorry if that didnt make a lot of sense. what i mean to say is, it didn't do what polyphony did at that part. I know it's bad to get too wrapped up in a single version but they are amazing. but this group is one of the best i've heard of youtube. good job.

[mcouzijn]

Hi Maverik90, thanks for your comment and the compliment!

I guess Polyphony invented and added this 'special effect' themselves, because it is not part of Whitacre's composition (he delays the '-ngs' to the very end). I'm not orthodox, so I guess choirs are free to play around with the music to some exent.

(It's a bit tricky to compare us with Polyphony. We are amateurs, they professionals. Ours is a one-take live recording with a video camera, theirs a multiple-takes studio recording.)

[christoperfect]

Even so, you guys sound perfect on this... Really. I have the Polyphony CD but I keep coming back to this b/c I can't get enough of it. And I guess also the fact that you guys ARE amateurs makes me that much more amazed at the sound you've achieved! All the viewers should know his music is NOT easy... And you guys did the non-Whitacre-approved "now the ears of my ears" part!!! He re-published it b/c he said it was impossible to tune, but you guys did a pretty flipping good job!

[christoperfect]

At first I thought I preferred the way Polyphony did the "wings" part, but after listening to this more and more I prefer keeping the "I" vowel open. It lets those overtones ring out and really showcases Whitacre's GORGEOUS part-writing.

So Kudos to your choir for such a moving performance!

[UCMsinger]

my collegiate choir did this a few years ago. not many choirs do his early work. this is a beautiful piece. the dis chords in the belly of the song are just incredible.

[ramlihardiman]

great song

axcelent

[yuehchopin]

好作品

好唱團

[LumosNox]

They are good!

[mcouzijn]

Thanks, Lumos! We're trying, trying...

And it must be said: this is a great piece of music to try our very best!

[boomboom2009]

mindblowing... one of my favorite songs...

you guys made me cry && soo did CSU i believe that we should argue over who is better but just enjoy each others music.

[mcouzijn]

Thanks for you comment, BoomBoom! You are terribly right. We all take spouses not in order to have one big beauty contest, but in order to love them. We listen to music not in order to judge, but to be touched.

It may be typical of the younger generations that they cannot value experiences for what they are, but that they compulsively focus on what is *biggest*, *most popular* or 'best*.

They have no time for less than the *best* performance. They feel like jury members judging the world.

[jyoho44]

not as good as CSU Long Beach

[VideoBuck]

I think it's wonderful that there are very different well-sung renditions of this beautiful piece on YouTube, which has quickly become one of the world's foremost repositories of choral music.

[VideoBuck]

...meaning, it's not a competition; all of us choral music fans are winners!

[mcouzijn]

Hi Videobuck, you appear to understand the intention with which choristers put on their choir's performance on YouTube.

It seems that the likes of 'Idols' have poisoned many people's musical senses, in that they perceive all musical performances as part of a worldwide contest. For them, enjoyment has traded its position with concurrency.

Their loss.

[mcouzijn]

Thank you for your informative and uplifting commentary, jyoho44! Really worthwile. You provide us with a fabulous point of reference for us to aim at. I hope that one day, we will be able to perfectly imitate the CSU Long Beach and by doing so fulfil your deepest musical desires.

I read that you are 27 years old. Did it take you only 27 years to arrive at the wisdom by which you are able to discrminate between 'better' and 'worse' performances? You must be a true talent. Thank you for sharing.

[mcouzijn]

By the way: wasn't that you who sharply criticized the University of Kansas Chamber Choir for their performance of Whitacre's "A Boy And A Girl"?

Interesting. Specially because it is Eric Whitacre himself conducting that choir.

That fact puts your comment in a curious perspective.

My choir is happy to be in the same league of 'choirs criticized by jyoho44' as choirs directed by Eric Whitacre.

Enjoy!

[erikainzazubon]

the "now the ears" part is my FAVORITE. along with the "wiiiings". are the singers holding the "i" or going to an "n". I personally like the "n" better.

[jyoho44]

unless the composer calls for closing to the "n"... you typically hold the vowel and sing the ending consonant in most choral works

[EWSUnholy]

love this song, one of my favorite by Whitacre, I will be singing in Rome for the High Mass at the  Vatican next year, I don't know what songs yet, but probably Secular music. This is an excellent performance. Nice soprano 1 solo

[IrishEyes1929]

Somehow I highly doubt you will be singing secular music at the Vatican...especially with our current Pontiff, Benedict XVI.

[aiduhhh]

this is amazing,this is the reason i love singing and i love choir. this performance truly inspired me.

[mcouzijn]

Hi aiduhhh, thanks for your BIIIIG compliment! I found this Whitacre piece truly rewarding to sing. Choral singing is very much about 'togetherness' and individuals contributing to a whole; the harmony anmd variety of sounds in this piece gives way to both. It was marvellous to do. And I'm glad that some of that shines through at YouTube.

Cheers from rainy Amsterdam

[hpnimbles]

I recently had a concert with Ole Miss University... We all performed our songs, and for a high school choir we kicked ass and took no prisoners.. But then Ole Miss went up... After they sang this sone as their fist song, my friend looked at me and said, "That was only there first song -.-" They were phenomonal.. Our only song that could possibly hold a candle to their performance was Sleep, also by Eric Whitacre.. And my manly bass voice :P

[thedynamic2]

It's ridiculous how much I love this song. It definitely helps that it's ee cummings AND Eric Whitacre.

[ericksingkit]

UP singing Ambassadors also sang this...

[mcouzijn]

Although I have never heard this choir (the UP singing Ambassadors) personally or on record, I read that they are a fine and ambitious choir. So I guess I should take it as a compliment that we have performed the same kins of (ambitious) choral piece that they have! You don't happen to have a video recording of the UP singing Ambassadors lying around that you could put up on YouTube? ;-)

[DonRaphel]

This is very beautiful, the choir is very good. Are they professionals?

[mcouzijn]

Hi DonRaphel, no we're not professionals at all. At least, not at singing! :-) There is a number of medics in the choir, teachers, lawyers, artists, economists, the occasional theologist. Either still studying or having completed their studies (some of us looooooong ago). Only the conductor is a professional, assistant-conductor to De Nederlandse Opera. One of the choir members has recently changed from studying linguistics to the conservatory, so she is the most 'professional' of all.

[averynb1218]

Eric Whitacre is simply amazing.  His use of close tension in his voicings is fantastic. Definitely one of our age's greatest young composers.

[mcouzijn]

Well, we sang two pieces by Whitacre in this concert (the other being 'Leonardo dreams of his flying machine') and I must admit that I got really interested in this composer. It seems that he has gained some popularity in his native US, but over here in Europe his music does not occur regularly in concert programmes.

Can you explain what you mean by 'close tension' in his voicings? I've been singing in this choir for over two decades, but can't think of anything like 'close tensions'.

[averynb1218]

I mean he is very good at incorporating dissonance into the voicings he uses without it sounding overwhelming

[mcouzijn]

Aha! So then I immediately understand what you mean, and I agree. It has been almost 25 years ago that I took up singing in a choir, and when we got to Benjamin Britten's "Hymn to Saint Cecilia" it was the first time that I experienced the use of dissonant chords and 'strange' intervals. If your ears allow for such musical devices, they immediately open up a musical horizon you never dreamt of before.

And granted, some/many composers overdo this, as if it still fashionable to create noise.

[averynb1218]

I absolutely agree. If you have not already given it a listen, you should hear Eric Whitacre's "When David Heard."

[sorafb]

nice

[mcouzijn]

Thanks! We enjoyed it too.

[track9music2007]

I Absolutley loved this rendition of I Thank you god by Eric Whitacre, you guys need to record a CD, with this marvolous choir,

-RECORDING ARTIST, ROBERT ALEX MALLO

WHITE KEY RECORDS INC.

[plyxdex43]

Are there 2 sopranos singing the solo?

[mcouzijn]

With 'solo' you mean the single line 'I thank you god' from 3:02 to 3:12? Yes, there apparently are two or even three (first) soprano's singing there. Are you sure that it is supposed to be only one? IMNSHO, it would distract from the groupwise performance of the piece.

[ScreamDemon08]

That was wonderful! Great job!

Keep the love of music alive!! XD

[mcouzijn]

Thank you! And yes, we are keeping more music alive. At present we're working on a dramatic performance of Giancarlo Menotti's parabel (or madrigal comedy) "The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore", due May 2008. You might know that Menotti was the spouse of Samuel Barber (of 'Adagietto for strings' fame). A short opera that is interesting for both musical as lyrical reasons. I am sure we'll put it on videotape and in due time show some excerpts here on YouTube.

[beckabec]

This is beautifully performed. I'm so excited because my choir director just gave us this piece to sing in our Spring concert. e.e. cummings is my favorite poet, and I've been an Eric Whitacre fan since I sang "Water Night" at All-State one year. The man can certainly compose. Anyway, absolutely gorgeous and well done!

[mcouzijn]

Many thanks for your compliments and sympathy! Tell us how your choir is doing right now with this beautiful piece. Ain't it great? What other choral pieces do you combine it with?

[hahahollyrock2]

I love this choir's harmony! All of the voices blend in so well! Great job!

[HUComposer]

This is my all-time favorite Eric Whitacre, piece to date at least. I love this song so much. I'm so glad there is finally a recording of this on here. Thank you.

[mcouzijn]

Thank you - it is certainly my pleasure to offer this performance, and thus widen our audience!

32 amateur choristers investing, say, 15 three-hour rehearsals and 5 weekly hours of individual study per concert, that adds up to almost 4.000 hours of preparation for one two-hour concert. That's worth listening to!

I like the idea that more people and choirs can enjoy each other's performances by means of YouTube. I'd like to hear other choirs performing this great music.

[hakkinen001]

this is so heavenly!!. the choir is great!!! awesome!!!

[mcouzijn]

Thanks! We're only amateurs, but doing the best we can. Our conductor does not spare us.

For quite some time, I thought there were mainly two kinds of choir: ambitious choirs and choirs in which people want to have a good time. Fortunately, the VU-Kamerkoor has both virtues. Music first, and the booze (or chocolate, or mozzarella pizza) right after ;-)

[hakkinen001]

coool!!! my choir does the same thing too after rehearsals. this is the best recording of this song so far here in youtube.

you can view my video. theres a sample recording for my choir. we are not that good like your but we try our best. =p

[liesandsecretsx]

this was done so beautifully.

[mcouzijn]

Thanks for your compliment, LiesandSecretsX! I prefer to listen to this piece with headphones on, so as to shut off the rest of the world for a while, and concentrate on the wonderfully rich harmony in this fine Whitacre piece. And yes, I am actually quite proud of how we pulled it off. The church acoustics also helps, of course ;-)

(By the way, the movie from which you might have taken your alias is also 'done beautifully' :-)