I have to agree, Kiri Te Kanawa doesn't quite fit the aesthetic of this piece. I do genuinely like her singing and think she is a fine vocalist (she's probably one of top operatic sopranos of the 20th century in my opinion) but I don't think her voice shines in this rendition of the hymn tune "Forest Green." Her joining on the treble descant at the end sounds nice because it allows her powerful, operatic voice to soar above the foundation of the choir but her solo verse didn't move me.
I totally disagree to the critics about "the woman". Get it right guys we are talking about Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, New Zealands one and only soprano of world fame. If you would listen to the third part of the song, when she sings together with the choir you would honestly hear and understand how wonderfully she blends in. Check on Dame Kiri on youtube, you might change your mind.
I agree with you. Having seen KTK in opera and recital, her voice fits right in. As for the others, after reading these comments, I can humbly say that if they did check out the other KTK vids here, they wouldnt understand.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's to everyone...I just put up a Christmas Medley for the fun of it if anyone wants to check it ou...God Bless! <3 Gretchen
I don't know what in the heavens you all are complaining about. Dame Kiri is a soprano soloist with tremendous musicality. I don't think she's out of place in singing with this choir in the least. She does a remarkably beautiful job. Such a shame that people have to post mean comments on a Christmas video.
Of course Dame Kiri is a wonderful singer, but on this occasion her role is totally at odds with that of the choir. They sing the carol straight; she can't resist adding"interpretation" which in this case means tempo fluctuations, imprecise diction and the occasional slide. This is just a matter of two musical delivery styles clashing!
@baritonebynight I don't see the call for your sarcasm. I was just making an observation. I didn't say anything against Dame Kiri, and just said that Cook is doing something important now. I don't think the boys thought that she's ruining their song or anything of the sort, so please don't think that I'm insulting her. And inconsequentially, if Dame Kiri did play ODI cricket for England, yes, she would have to play under Cook. (Or under Taylor if she played for NZ).
I really like this melody even though it is about a fictional character from a fairy tale. I also like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Here Comes Santa Claus.
When you stand before the Child of Bethlehem as your judge, then you'll find out just how "fictional" He is. If we as believers in Christ are wrong, we've lost nothing. If you are wrong , friend, then you've lost everything.
@oldtimeway1 Now I know that your are a true gentleman and would respect my right to believe the way I feel. So I happen to believe that it was General George Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn who died for our sins. By the same token, if I am wrong, then I've lost nothing.
Yes, I do believe that everyone knows that; suffice to say it is of no relevance how famous somebody is in this respect; but thank you for reminding us.
How could I possibly justify my own rendition of a traditional Chinese love song, when I neither have little knowledge or understanding of the culture, nor the ability to identify with it ?
You do not become Britsh or suddenly culturally the same as the British or German peoples by donning ermine. The culture clash is staring you in the face. Unfortunately, only the listener has to suffer.
The Lord is graceful, sovereign and giving. HE has allowed so many versions so to suit mankind who has different preference, surely you are not going to voice out your dislike over different versions or origins and discourage others to reach HIM? Lord have mercy.
@philipcheong Yes. I will sing with the Spirit *AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO*. There is nothing wrong with being critical, whether in likes or dislikes. The woman soprano was misplaced. You remind me of what my late mother used to say. Some people are so spiritual that they're of no earthly use. So stop the shame on you Lord have mercy act. It won't work.
@organisten If i continue to response, it will built up hatred in urself. This is so by reading the way your response is put up. Whether it works or won't work on you doesn't matter or what your late mother used to say has nothing to do with me. Happy Birthday to you.
@philipcheong it's not my birthday. Secondly, stop patronizing us please. Don't presume to know how I shall react in order to maintain aloof. As for it not having anything to do with you, it became something to do with you, Sir, when you yourself chose to submit your opinion - to which of course you are entitled just as much as those you condemn for being critical to it. So, yes, on the contrary it does. Methinks the lady protesteth too much.
What special about this performance is how the tune and the words have inspired the choristers! Kiri and Krew are radiant! If you will, just freeze that frame at 1:54 , copy , paste, and cc to heaven!
Good performance. For a real treat, check out the original music and version of this beautiful carol also on Youtube. This version heard here is the altered music commonly known in England, but is not original. The original carol as written in Philadelphia in the 1800's is amazing!
@Waldo99-This poem was written by Phillips Brooks in 1867, after his visit to Bethlehem. It was debuted as a carol in 1868 by Episcopal Church in Boston, Massachusetts by its Sunday school children's choir. The music for this Christmas carol was titled St. Louis by the organist of the same church, Lewis Henry Redner; who composed it. This tune here is an English traditional melody named Forest Green and is more beautiful & much better than the original tune- St. Louis.
koroush7 - I agree with what you write except one part. Phillips Brooks who wrote the lyrics was an episcopal pastor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, not Boston. I have visited his church in Philadelphia where the carol was first performed. My point was that the music heard here is not original and is not the correct tune.
@ Waldo99- My apologies for my error, Brooks was the pastor and Render was his organist at the Holy Trinity Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is also sung on the tune Ephratah by Uzziah C. Burnap(in 1895) & here on Forest Green arranged by Sir Ralph Vaughan Williams(in 1906). I agree with you, this tune is not the original for this hymn but this tune is not incorrect as Forest Green (in melody, meter & tempo).Its also used for the hymn All beautiful the march of days.
koroush7: I think you are missing my point. When an artist creates a work he has created an original piece of art. Brooks and Render collaborated to create an original work of art with Brooks' lyrics and Redner's compositiont. Any alteration to that original work of art is unoriginal and inappropriate no matter how much some mike like the altered version.
Should we treat the other carols and hymns with altered tunes as suspect of perverting the original combination of words and music? I know you feel this way about O Little Town but other carols like Away in a Manger have had many different tunes, and I know you will probably say we need to respect the James R Murray tune as being the proper tune, and not the Kirkpatrick tune that others prefer. But surely we can still like the altered music even though it's not the proper tune?
snakeskin2in2 is totally at odds with any knowledge at all of choral music. The female voice is quite correctly identified as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, one of the finest opera singers of the 20th century.
snakeskin makes a vallid point, gazza. Furthermore, yes Dame Kiri may well be one of the finest opera singers in the 20th Century; this ISN'T opera. It's about time people understood that worship is not about *performance*... nor entertainment.
If the intent of the church was purely worship then why would they have bothered to invite a top performer & entertainer to sing wth their choir? Could it not just be that her presence enhanced the commercial value of their choral DVD? If the purpose was worship then I would suggest that it was worship of Mammon rather than JC.
Because their intent was not purely worship. Because many - like you - do not know what Holy Church is supposed to be about. You may well disagree with me; that's your right, but that is where the line is drawn here. Notwithstanding our philosophical opinions, musically the music of the church is something quite removed from Opera. Hence my agreement with snakeskin. It does not belong here, and what is right there is not so here.
@ Waldo99 - I did not say that the Church of England is affiliated to Rome or is under the see of Rome. I wrote that the Church of England is a Catholic Church. Which means that it is an independent church belonging to England having Traditional Episcopal Catholic Liturgy and Supreme Governor(ness) as the Monarch/Monarchess of England.
@walker58 - I do not know from where you people get your information and contradict me, I am an Anglican and I know that my church is a CATHOLIC church. How come it is not Catholic but Christian? Does your comment makes any sense? First go and read the Anglican Church history and the present statutes of Anglicanism and its liturgy & then debate with me.
It's youtube and I'm not apologizing to you... but do not take people on Youtube to seriously. You know what you know, believe what you believe and it doesn't matter to anyone else! I've removed my comment for this reason!
@walkerth58 I am very sorry if my commentaries hurt you in any manner. I respect your right of thought and expression and you are free to express it. I just gave my opinion on this matter. Have nice time and enjoy life.
@snakeskin2u2 totally disagree. I see no clash and think a powerful soprano is entirely legitimate as a rearrangement. but i appear to be in a minority.
Traditional music ceases to be traditional, (and memorable to a tradition) if it is intrinsically altered ; either in a way which makes it unidentifiable in it's spirit ; or in particular ; to accomodate the versatilities (or inabilities) of a prima donna , or indeed any re-arrangement that does not possess an equivalent ambience to it's original form.
In addition there would seem to be an understandable culture clash. For example, even the most talented and versatile Western chorister would be unsuitably placed, (and similarly disadvantaged) if they had been expected to perform a traditional Chinese or Indian song. Culture is not something that may be adopted on a whim.
@snakeskin2u2 oddly bipolar behaviour to say all that and then add me as a friend. First the culture point, both american singers and an english spoken carol come from liberal western democracies and the modes of state which preceded the UK and US. Im not sure where the cultural clash is. Irrespective of that, one recording or instance of a rendition is not going to kill off the original unless it is phenomenally good in which case it ought to, to insist on adherence to past scores is dogmatic.
@snakeskin2u2 I have an email from youtube saying you invited me but whatever. WRONG! I have lived my entire life in Britain and im not sure that it matters to an academic debate. my point was an odd one but i was driving at the development of our cultures. This song shows no culture clash. You could maybe argue tonality, timbre or stylistic clash but she's wearing christmas red and everything. All the lyrics are the same, what's so different from any 'original' concept which you hold so dear?
Balderdash and rubbish. You do not know the traditional carol obviously. If you think that it does nt matter, then you are not British by any manner or means. To think that British / German traditional carols can be prostituted at whim like this, shows you know little. You have no grasp whatsoever of what it means to be British, so I suggest you stop pestering me, because I shall not respond to such objectional trash as you have written.
The song has been totally ruined by someone from another cullture and style(not because of her race or sex), who, - after all is said and done, is extremely disadvantaged because she cannot possibly be expected to understand the essence of this traditional carol due to the clash of cultures. That is clear for all to hear.
What she is wearing makes no difference to the song. Her voice/manner/style/arrangement/imposition on the choir/etc.,etc., has had a seriously detrimental effect. Music should be listened to first and foremost, and this sounds disgusting, despite having a most able choir present.
You do not understand how the carol is meant to sound. That is evident.
@snakeskin2u2 Given you feel the need to consistently reply in three parts it's clear you are 'on one.' "Trash" clearly you're not truly British either. Incidentally you have you to clearly identify either the significance of local birth to understanding of traditional song, why said tradition matters or where the point of cultural clash is. Soloists take over from the choir in the finale of mahler's 8th - doesnt make it any less ethereal and compelling. perhaps less dogmatic arguments?
Absolute rubbish from someone who thinks that British culture is of no importance. Keep your verbal abuse to yourself. I do not have to justify MY heritage. It has been formed over thousands of years. I suggest you have a wake-up call from the marxist propaganda that you have been taught, and accept that British culture and tradition IS important to the British - (and always will be ) - to suggest otherwise, -and your inability to accept that, proves your disconnection from Britain.
Absolute rubbish from someone who believes that British culture is of no importance. i do not have to prove my heritage, as it has been formed over thousands of years. I suggest you have a wake-up call from the marxist propaganda that you may have been taught, and ACCEPT that British culture IS important to the British (and always will be). For you to suggest otherwise , together with your seeming inability to accept that fact , would suggest to me a certain hostility for that culture
@S20JLM -- I am. [Symphony chorus] But as a matter of personal taste I've never liked operatic singing. Even in actual operas, all the style and vibrato gets in the way of the music for me.
That said, I do fancy she's toned it down as befits the occasion, though it still may be a tad, I don't know, *rococo* to go with a boys' choir, IMO the purest sound in vocal music.
@S20JLM of course we know who she is... and the soprano and treble don't mix here. It is just poor taste. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is an excellent singer, and nobody would question that. This however, is chock ice and chips. The traditional boys and men rendering of this carol and the operatic solo voice are.... well, if you eat your Mars Bar with chicken and cabbage.... well perhaps you don't see my point.
I know both versions, but oddly enough as a Singaporean I tend to like this English version much more than the original Redner tune. I know that there will be some people up in arms when they think the American Christmas heritage has been ruined, but I like the way the words fit the tune here. Meanwhile, it's good that YouTube allows us to know the many varied melodies of this carol, and for other multi-setting carols such as Away in a Manger, complementing the Keyte & Parrott carol book.
Can you imagine the indignation had the roles been switched and some upstart American had altered an original British carol? LOL, There would be complaints that people don't respect the original work of art and intent of the writer, etc. It is quite amusing how folks can be so inconsistent!
You might be aware of the British tune for It Came Upon, and how the British prefer another tune for Away in a Manger to the original James R Murray tune. But there are American tunes to British hymns, like the Zundel tune for Love Divine. I think that music in hymns is a matter of preference and upbringing, and as a fan of King's and the English cathedral choirs I'm fond of this setting of O Little Town, and also the evocative Walford Davies setting of the text.
I agree, I just find the reaction when I pointed out that this is an altered and unoriginal version of the carol amusing. Had the roles been reversed, those folks' reactions would have been so different. It is very funny how pride and tradition get in the way of logic and facts. LOL
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I know some people, mainly the Americans, are fonder of the original Lewis Redner setting of the tune. While I know we must respect the wishes of the original creators of a work of art, I have never really liked the American version, and it just seemed to my ears at least, dull. This version just responds better to the text. I know there's a setting by Walford Davies that we can't find as yet on YouTube.
@kirinphoebe -- One thing that affects my hearing of this version (I'm American) is that I am very familiar with Forest Green as the melody to another (non-Christmas) hymn, "I sing the almighty power of God."
There is no such thing as "The original" in this case -- just this one and the American one. To be honest, I prefer this one if it is sang in a choir setting. The american one beats 'em all if it comes to a soloist performance...
Incorrect. The original version was the original music that was attached to the carol when it was written in Philadelphia. That is the "American" version only to distinguish it from this altered British version of the carol.
You are correct. What is being sung here is not the original music for this carol. In the UK they altered this classic and the original music is not known there. The version you hear in the US is the original music which matches the lyrics better in my opinion.
The original version of the carol uses the other music. That was my point. This is the unoriginal, altered music to the carol. Both are good, but the original fits the carol better as I see it. The carol was written near where I live, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Happy Holidays!
Which Cathedral in Britain was this filmed? I love this song - takes me back to the school nativity plays we used to do every year at Primary School and always gets me in the spirit of Christmas when it's sung when I attend Midnight Mass at my local church.
Personally, I prefer the version of the last verse that ends "Where Charity stands watching and Faith holds wide the door: The dark night wakes, the Glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more."
That verse isn't the last verse -- it's the original (yep, original -- I'm referring to the lyrics here) third verse. However, it's omitted in most hymn books, probably because there is some kind of sarcastic charge to it. It was never meant to be the last verse, though. That said, I'd LOVE to hear a recording that DOES have this verse on it...
@slashtiger1 Actually the second and the fourth verses have been omitted. In all old English hymnals like the Ancient & Modern Of 1899, Salisbury hymnal of 1901 & The English Hymnal of 1906 you will find those two verses on this very traditional English Melody- Forest green.
No, this is not the original version. The original uses a different musical tune. This is the British version that was changed from the original. You can find the original, composed by a pastor from Philadelphia on YouTube.
Most of the examples of this song on Youtube are in the original American version. The Elvis one is just one of the many examples. The British version was an adaptation of the original created by a Philadelphia pastor.
The woman did ruin it, this should be a quick pice for the congrigation to sing not just for chiors and the soloist ruins the descanct which is should be ace the chior its self it fantastic but not her she should go bk to USA ther is no place for her in that chior
Ali C is definately my favourite player. :)
megalv99 1 month ago
Awww Cooky!
MrHenners26 1 month ago
haha alastair cook, bless...
pompeyfc14 1 month ago
same here
Craig60535 1 month ago
Stuart Broad brought me here.
jacobc1995 1 month ago 22
Ali Ali Cook, Ali Cook, Ali Ali Cook, Na na na na na na na na na
howtobedead9 1 month ago 4
England opening batsman at 0:19 !!!
DWABoyden 1 month ago
I love her voice!
be3951 1 month ago in playlist Liked videos
I love Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's rendition, and further commend her for not donning that clown suit she wore for Charles' and Diana's wedding.
LaStriata 1 month ago
Jane Fonda nailed it !
aysteria4ever 2 months ago
I actually like the female voice, I think it contrasts well with the male voices.
omgBreakingDawn 5 months ago
I have to agree, Kiri Te Kanawa doesn't quite fit the aesthetic of this piece. I do genuinely like her singing and think she is a fine vocalist (she's probably one of top operatic sopranos of the 20th century in my opinion) but I don't think her voice shines in this rendition of the hymn tune "Forest Green." Her joining on the treble descant at the end sounds nice because it allows her powerful, operatic voice to soar above the foundation of the choir but her solo verse didn't move me.
bgw1690 6 months ago
Gracias por publicar este video!
veeerooniicaaa 6 months ago
I totally disagree to the critics about "the woman". Get it right guys we are talking about Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, New Zealands one and only soprano of world fame. If you would listen to the third part of the song, when she sings together with the choir you would honestly hear and understand how wonderfully she blends in. Check on Dame Kiri on youtube, you might change your mind.
felixrex20021 7 months ago
@felixrex20021
I agree with you. Having seen KTK in opera and recital, her voice fits right in. As for the others, after reading these comments, I can humbly say that if they did check out the other KTK vids here, they wouldnt understand.
RRydnew 1 month ago
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's to everyone...I just put up a Christmas Medley for the fun of it if anyone wants to check it ou...God Bless! <3 Gretchen
gmsam808girl 1 year ago
Great voice for oprea NOT for Christmas carols - sorry!! Have a great time y'all
meatloaf93 1 year ago
@meatloaf93
and what color is the crack that you smoke in your universe, yall?
RRydnew 1 month ago
The singers voice is beautiful and controlled. Only an untrained ear would not appreciate this.
clashdrifter 1 year ago
@clashdrifter
Totally agree with you!
RRydnew 1 month ago
I don't know what in the heavens you all are complaining about. Dame Kiri is a soprano soloist with tremendous musicality. I don't think she's out of place in singing with this choir in the least. She does a remarkably beautiful job. Such a shame that people have to post mean comments on a Christmas video.
tenorlovesasoprano 1 year ago
Of course Dame Kiri is a wonderful singer, but on this occasion her role is totally at odds with that of the choir. They sing the carol straight; she can't resist adding"interpretation" which in this case means tempo fluctuations, imprecise diction and the occasional slide. This is just a matter of two musical delivery styles clashing!
DickMorbey 1 year ago
i love how when the woman starts singing all the kids just look at each other as if to say "please get her off, she's ruining our song"
Hillezz 1 year ago
@Hillezz The difference is that the "woman" is Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the kids are nobody.
baritonebynight 1 month ago
@baritonebynight He maybe "nobody" in the world of music, but one of those kids is now the captain of the English cricket team.
SilverDarkHorse 1 month ago
@SilverDarkHorse That's nice to know. If Dame Kiri decides to play cricket, then she can defer to this kid.
baritonebynight 1 month ago
@baritonebynight I don't see the call for your sarcasm. I was just making an observation. I didn't say anything against Dame Kiri, and just said that Cook is doing something important now. I don't think the boys thought that she's ruining their song or anything of the sort, so please don't think that I'm insulting her. And inconsequentially, if Dame Kiri did play ODI cricket for England, yes, she would have to play under Cook. (Or under Taylor if she played for NZ).
SilverDarkHorse 1 week ago
I really like this melody even though it is about a fictional character from a fairy tale. I also like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Here Comes Santa Claus.
cobalt100 1 year ago
@cobalt100
When you stand before the Child of Bethlehem as your judge, then you'll find out just how "fictional" He is. If we as believers in Christ are wrong, we've lost nothing. If you are wrong , friend, then you've lost everything.
oldtimeway1 1 year ago
@oldtimeway1 Now I know that your are a true gentleman and would respect my right to believe the way I feel. So I happen to believe that it was General George Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn who died for our sins. By the same token, if I am wrong, then I've lost nothing.
cobalt100 1 year ago
@oldtimeway1
Amen to the excellent comment!!!!
sinoerking 1 year ago
@cobalt100 is that right
ballinora53 1 year ago
@MegaPepper123 - too right mate. fucking disgusting, that woman singing, ruining what was otherwise going to be a bloody good sing song
wiggymole01 1 year ago
did they change the tempo or is this another version??
GuardNerd17 1 year ago
oh dear, what happened here with her?!
the poor boys... ;-)
muellkoerbchen 1 year ago
Can't believe how many ignorant comments are on here about Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's solo!! She's only about the best soprano alive!!!
thewanderingkiwi1 1 year ago 3
@thewanderingkiwi1 Rubbish.
littleballofliv 1 year ago
@thewanderingkiwi1 It's not that she can't sing, it is that she is totally out of place in this arrangement and far too over the top.
seancoppinger 1 year ago
@thewanderingkiwi1 Nonsense
peterkar 1 month ago
Not to bash the woman who has a fine voice, but the choir should have sung the entire song.
They were excellent.
George Vreeland Hill
GeorgeVreelandHill 1 year ago
what an awful voice, that woman ruined a beautiful Christmas carol
AprillyMay 1 year ago
Uh, don't know if anyone cares, but I believe the woman is Kiri te Kanawa, the famous opera star.
PerkinsMary 1 year ago 8
@PerkinsMary
Yes, I do believe that everyone knows that; suffice to say it is of no relevance how famous somebody is in this respect; but thank you for reminding us.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
How could I possibly justify my own rendition of a traditional Chinese love song, when I neither have little knowledge or understanding of the culture, nor the ability to identify with it ?
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
It is an absolute shame that a most excellent choir has this imposition put upon them during a rendition of a much-loved traditional carol.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
This, unfortunately, is an excellent example of how Britain has been thoroughly trashed over the past thirty years.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
You do not become Britsh or suddenly culturally the same as the British or German peoples by donning ermine. The culture clash is staring you in the face. Unfortunately, only the listener has to suffer.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
Well they know the words .. but need to do it learn how the tune goes
Gitfidlpickr 1 year ago
I honestly think the clash makes a wonderful sound, but thats just my opinion
It does sound mismatched, but it also sounds like it should be there
theEmperorsTarot 1 year ago
The Lord is graceful, sovereign and giving. HE has allowed so many versions so to suit mankind who has different preference, surely you are not going to voice out your dislike over different versions or origins and discourage others to reach HIM? Lord have mercy.
philipcheong 1 year ago
@philipcheong Yes. I will sing with the Spirit *AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO*. There is nothing wrong with being critical, whether in likes or dislikes. The woman soprano was misplaced. You remind me of what my late mother used to say. Some people are so spiritual that they're of no earthly use. So stop the shame on you Lord have mercy act. It won't work.
organisten 1 year ago
@organisten If i continue to response, it will built up hatred in urself. This is so by reading the way your response is put up. Whether it works or won't work on you doesn't matter or what your late mother used to say has nothing to do with me. Happy Birthday to you.
philipcheong 1 year ago
@philipcheong it's not my birthday. Secondly, stop patronizing us please. Don't presume to know how I shall react in order to maintain aloof. As for it not having anything to do with you, it became something to do with you, Sir, when you yourself chose to submit your opinion - to which of course you are entitled just as much as those you condemn for being critical to it. So, yes, on the contrary it does. Methinks the lady protesteth too much.
organisten 1 year ago
What special about this performance is how the tune and the words have inspired the choristers! Kiri and Krew are radiant! If you will, just freeze that frame at 1:54 , copy , paste, and cc to heaven!
ThoughtTravel 1 year ago
That Choir was gorgeous, as was Dame Kiri Te Kanawa- an absolutely wonderful rendition!
JusticeRW 1 year ago 2
This is not the original version of O Little Town of Bethlehem, Jesus Christ!
RusiaCanal 1 year ago
@RusiaCanal - It is if you live in the UK
deb61uk 1 year ago
dame kiri here, looks a lot like Judge Judy..or Jane Fonda..i can't decide
theartoffugue 2 years ago
II omitted verse-
O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth, And Praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth; For Christ is born of Mary;
And, gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love.
koroush7 2 years ago
IV omitted verse- Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed Child, Where misery cries out to thee, Son of the mother mild; Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door,
The Dark night wakes, the glory breaks, And Christmas comes once more.
koroush7 2 years ago
PUXA SACO
cakacako 2 years ago
Good performance. For a real treat, check out the original music and version of this beautiful carol also on Youtube. This version heard here is the altered music commonly known in England, but is not original. The original carol as written in Philadelphia in the 1800's is amazing!
Waldo99 2 years ago
@Waldo99-This poem was written by Phillips Brooks in 1867, after his visit to Bethlehem. It was debuted as a carol in 1868 by Episcopal Church in Boston, Massachusetts by its Sunday school children's choir. The music for this Christmas carol was titled St. Louis by the organist of the same church, Lewis Henry Redner; who composed it. This tune here is an English traditional melody named Forest Green and is more beautiful & much better than the original tune- St. Louis.
koroush7 2 years ago
koroush7 - I agree with what you write except one part. Phillips Brooks who wrote the lyrics was an episcopal pastor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, not Boston. I have visited his church in Philadelphia where the carol was first performed. My point was that the music heard here is not original and is not the correct tune.
Waldo99 2 years ago
@ Waldo99- My apologies for my error, Brooks was the pastor and Render was his organist at the Holy Trinity Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is also sung on the tune Ephratah by Uzziah C. Burnap(in 1895) & here on Forest Green arranged by Sir Ralph Vaughan Williams(in 1906). I agree with you, this tune is not the original for this hymn but this tune is not incorrect as Forest Green (in melody, meter & tempo).Its also used for the hymn All beautiful the march of days.
koroush7 2 years ago
@Waldo99 & Myself- I mistakenly wrote Redner as Render. My apologies for the spelling mistake.
koroush7 2 years ago
koroush7: I think you are missing my point. When an artist creates a work he has created an original piece of art. Brooks and Render collaborated to create an original work of art with Brooks' lyrics and Redner's compositiont. Any alteration to that original work of art is unoriginal and inappropriate no matter how much some mike like the altered version.
Waldo99 2 years ago
@Waldo99
Should we treat the other carols and hymns with altered tunes as suspect of perverting the original combination of words and music? I know you feel this way about O Little Town but other carols like Away in a Manger have had many different tunes, and I know you will probably say we need to respect the James R Murray tune as being the proper tune, and not the Kirkpatrick tune that others prefer. But surely we can still like the altered music even though it's not the proper tune?
Yip1982 2 years ago
snakeskin2in2 is totally at odds with any knowledge at all of choral music. The female voice is quite correctly identified as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, one of the finest opera singers of the 20th century.
gazzaw5 2 years ago
snakeskin makes a vallid point, gazza. Furthermore, yes Dame Kiri may well be one of the finest opera singers in the 20th Century; this ISN'T opera. It's about time people understood that worship is not about *performance*... nor entertainment.
organisten 2 years ago
If the intent of the church was purely worship then why would they have bothered to invite a top performer & entertainer to sing wth their choir? Could it not just be that her presence enhanced the commercial value of their choral DVD? If the purpose was worship then I would suggest that it was worship of Mammon rather than JC.
gazzaw5 2 years ago
Because their intent was not purely worship. Because many - like you - do not know what Holy Church is supposed to be about. You may well disagree with me; that's your right, but that is where the line is drawn here. Notwithstanding our philosophical opinions, musically the music of the church is something quite removed from Opera. Hence my agreement with snakeskin. It does not belong here, and what is right there is not so here.
organisten 2 years ago
A articulação da criança é incrível !
Muito bonito ! :D
laiswind 2 years ago
What country does this choir represent?
pringo28 2 years ago
It's an english catholic cathedral choir.
Inn1t 2 years ago
@pringo28 . It's an ANGLICAN cathedral in London UK. The seat of the ANGLICAN bishop of London (C OF E).
brassspitoon 2 years ago
Yes! (I'm Episcopalian)
lydiadafferdunn 2 years ago
@brasspitoon Yes, indeed it is an Anglican Cathedral and the Anglican Church (Church of England) is a Catholic Church.
koroush7 2 years ago
The Church or England is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church which centered in Rome.
Waldo99 2 years ago
@ Waldo99 - I did not say that the Church of England is affiliated to Rome or is under the see of Rome. I wrote that the Church of England is a Catholic Church. Which means that it is an independent church belonging to England having Traditional Episcopal Catholic Liturgy and Supreme Governor(ness) as the Monarch/Monarchess of England.
koroush7 2 years ago
Comment removed
walkerth58 2 years ago
@walker58 - I do not know from where you people get your information and contradict me, I am an Anglican and I know that my church is a CATHOLIC church. How come it is not Catholic but Christian? Does your comment makes any sense? First go and read the Anglican Church history and the present statutes of Anglicanism and its liturgy & then debate with me.
koroush7 2 years ago
Comment removed
walkerth58 2 years ago
Are you in England... if that the case I apologize... I am in the United States where they do not consider it as a Catholic church! Take care!
walkerth58 2 years ago
It's youtube and I'm not apologizing to you... but do not take people on Youtube to seriously. You know what you know, believe what you believe and it doesn't matter to anyone else! I've removed my comment for this reason!
walkerth58 2 years ago
@walkerth58 I am very sorry if my commentaries hurt you in any manner. I respect your right of thought and expression and you are free to express it. I just gave my opinion on this matter. Have nice time and enjoy life.
koroush7 2 years ago
@walkerth58 Dear walk.,
I think it is important to take all people seriously; if it is a problem to do so, then that reflects a shortcoming in one's own self.
Fixable with therapy.
Cheers.
from,
del-boy.
YesYesYouAreRight 1 year ago
CORRECT!
peterkar 2 years ago
This was beautiful. Thank you.
pringo28 2 years ago
Her timing,her breathing, and her interpretation/rendering is totally at odds with the essence of the song.
snakeskin2u2 2 years ago
What was set to be an excellent rendition has been totally ruined by just one female voice.
snakeskin2u2 2 years ago 34
@snakeskin2u2 totally disagree. I see no clash and think a powerful soprano is entirely legitimate as a rearrangement. but i appear to be in a minority.
ukanian 1 year ago
@ukanian
You are obviously not familiar with the traditional rendition.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@ukanian
Traditional music ceases to be traditional, (and memorable to a tradition) if it is intrinsically altered ; either in a way which makes it unidentifiable in it's spirit ; or in particular ; to accomodate the versatilities (or inabilities) of a prima donna , or indeed any re-arrangement that does not possess an equivalent ambience to it's original form.
The song is the star, not the singer.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@ukanian
In addition there would seem to be an understandable culture clash. For example, even the most talented and versatile Western chorister would be unsuitably placed, (and similarly disadvantaged) if they had been expected to perform a traditional Chinese or Indian song. Culture is not something that may be adopted on a whim.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@snakeskin2u2 oddly bipolar behaviour to say all that and then add me as a friend. First the culture point, both american singers and an english spoken carol come from liberal western democracies and the modes of state which preceded the UK and US. Im not sure where the cultural clash is. Irrespective of that, one recording or instance of a rendition is not going to kill off the original unless it is phenomenally good in which case it ought to, to insist on adherence to past scores is dogmatic.
ukanian 1 year ago
@ukanian
I disagree entirely with your comments. Bad versions DO kill the beauty of the song.
The culture clash can be heard quite clearly. As I have said, you are obviously not familiar with the song.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@ukanian
"Oddly bipolar behaviour?" I am afraid it is YOU who is extremely "odd", my friend. (I did not add you as friend for your information).
Your "and the modes of state which preceded the UK and US" statement I find intriguing, but nevertheless leading me to the conclusion that
(a) You do not know what you are talking about; and,
(b) You have neither knowledge of, nor originally from; the US or UK, (and in which case you may not lecture people on traditional western carols).
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@snakeskin2u2 I have an email from youtube saying you invited me but whatever. WRONG! I have lived my entire life in Britain and im not sure that it matters to an academic debate. my point was an odd one but i was driving at the development of our cultures. This song shows no culture clash. You could maybe argue tonality, timbre or stylistic clash but she's wearing christmas red and everything. All the lyrics are the same, what's so different from any 'original' concept which you hold so dear?
ukanian 1 year ago
@ukanian
Balderdash and rubbish. You do not know the traditional carol obviously. If you think that it does nt matter, then you are not British by any manner or means. To think that British / German traditional carols can be prostituted at whim like this, shows you know little. You have no grasp whatsoever of what it means to be British, so I suggest you stop pestering me, because I shall not respond to such objectional trash as you have written.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@ukanian
The song has been totally ruined by someone from another cullture and style(not because of her race or sex), who, - after all is said and done, is extremely disadvantaged because she cannot possibly be expected to understand the essence of this traditional carol due to the clash of cultures. That is clear for all to hear.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@ukanian
What she is wearing makes no difference to the song. Her voice/manner/style/arrangement/imposition on the choir/etc.,etc., has had a seriously detrimental effect. Music should be listened to first and foremost, and this sounds disgusting, despite having a most able choir present.
You do not understand how the carol is meant to sound. That is evident.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@snakeskin2u2 Given you feel the need to consistently reply in three parts it's clear you are 'on one.' "Trash" clearly you're not truly British either. Incidentally you have you to clearly identify either the significance of local birth to understanding of traditional song, why said tradition matters or where the point of cultural clash is. Soloists take over from the choir in the finale of mahler's 8th - doesnt make it any less ethereal and compelling. perhaps less dogmatic arguments?
ukanian 1 year ago
Comment removed
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@ukanian
Absolute rubbish from someone who thinks that British culture is of no importance. Keep your verbal abuse to yourself. I do not have to justify MY heritage. It has been formed over thousands of years. I suggest you have a wake-up call from the marxist propaganda that you have been taught, and accept that British culture and tradition IS important to the British - (and always will be ) - to suggest otherwise, -and your inability to accept that, proves your disconnection from Britain.
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@ukanian
Absolute rubbish from someone who believes that British culture is of no importance. i do not have to prove my heritage, as it has been formed over thousands of years. I suggest you have a wake-up call from the marxist propaganda that you may have been taught, and ACCEPT that British culture IS important to the British (and always will be). For you to suggest otherwise , together with your seeming inability to accept that fact , would suggest to me a certain hostility for that culture
snakeskin2u2 1 year ago
@snakeskin2u2 ahahaha!! lol...
allangwapo07 1 year ago
@snakeskin2u2 I see what you mean but it is Dame Kiri...... Still I agree with you
ksmsw4 1 year ago
Does nobody get who Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is?! How many of you are professional singers exactly?!
S20JLM 2 years ago
I know who she is!
But then, I am a New Zealander.
1nzstar1 2 years ago
@S20JLM -- I am. [Symphony chorus] But as a matter of personal taste I've never liked operatic singing. Even in actual operas, all the style and vibrato gets in the way of the music for me.
That said, I do fancy she's toned it down as befits the occasion, though it still may be a tad, I don't know, *rococo* to go with a boys' choir, IMO the purest sound in vocal music.
thegrammarfairy 2 years ago
@S20JLM of course we know who she is... and the soprano and treble don't mix here. It is just poor taste. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is an excellent singer, and nobody would question that. This however, is chock ice and chips. The traditional boys and men rendering of this carol and the operatic solo voice are.... well, if you eat your Mars Bar with chicken and cabbage.... well perhaps you don't see my point.
organisten 1 year ago
this little ginger hair boy next to the women is sooo funny and cute! :D
Andrichen1988 2 years ago 2
I'm sorry, but that womans voice is SO mismatched to this song its unbelievable. I thought the recording had gone wrong when she started to sing.
seancoppinger 2 years ago 21
Jesus, Te Kwnawa was so out of mood, here...!
So bad sung... :-S
Querzeo 2 years ago
@Querzeo no, she is just so out of place. She is a fantastic opera/classical singer. But here.... no, it just doesn't work.
organisten 1 year ago
I know both versions, but oddly enough as a Singaporean I tend to like this English version much more than the original Redner tune. I know that there will be some people up in arms when they think the American Christmas heritage has been ruined, but I like the way the words fit the tune here. Meanwhile, it's good that YouTube allows us to know the many varied melodies of this carol, and for other multi-setting carols such as Away in a Manger, complementing the Keyte & Parrott carol book.
Yip1982 2 years ago
Can you imagine the indignation had the roles been switched and some upstart American had altered an original British carol? LOL, There would be complaints that people don't respect the original work of art and intent of the writer, etc. It is quite amusing how folks can be so inconsistent!
Waldo99 2 years ago
You might be aware of the British tune for It Came Upon, and how the British prefer another tune for Away in a Manger to the original James R Murray tune. But there are American tunes to British hymns, like the Zundel tune for Love Divine. I think that music in hymns is a matter of preference and upbringing, and as a fan of King's and the English cathedral choirs I'm fond of this setting of O Little Town, and also the evocative Walford Davies setting of the text.
Yip1982 2 years ago
I agree, I just find the reaction when I pointed out that this is an altered and unoriginal version of the carol amusing. Had the roles been reversed, those folks' reactions would have been so different. It is very funny how pride and tradition get in the way of logic and facts. LOL
Waldo99 2 years ago
they ruined it. Perry C and Frank S sing it best.
pennstaterocks101 2 years ago
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standupforfreedom153 2 years ago
I know some people, mainly the Americans, are fonder of the original Lewis Redner setting of the tune. While I know we must respect the wishes of the original creators of a work of art, I have never really liked the American version, and it just seemed to my ears at least, dull. This version just responds better to the text. I know there's a setting by Walford Davies that we can't find as yet on YouTube.
Yip1982 2 years ago
This is Forest Green and is a perfectly acceptable and traditional melody.
kirinphoebe 2 years ago
@kirinphoebe -- One thing that affects my hearing of this version (I'm American) is that I am very familiar with Forest Green as the melody to another (non-Christmas) hymn, "I sing the almighty power of God."
thegrammarfairy 2 years ago
I prefer the original
LambChowder1 2 years ago
There is no such thing as "The original" in this case -- just this one and the American one. To be honest, I prefer this one if it is sang in a choir setting. The american one beats 'em all if it comes to a soloist performance...
slashtiger1 2 years ago
Incorrect. The original version was the original music that was attached to the carol when it was written in Philadelphia. That is the "American" version only to distinguish it from this altered British version of the carol.
Waldo99 2 years ago
the English version is better
PuddyKatz 3 years ago 2
This is the English Version - cant get more English than this (Even if it was arranged by a Welsh Man (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
centaur1455 2 years ago
Well, I like it.
formir 3 years ago
GIVEN? it's giv'n, foolish soprano...
sirinferno 3 years ago
The words are right, but the pitches and inflections... not so much :(. Is this an English thing or something?
blogegog 3 years ago
You are correct. What is being sung here is not the original music for this carol. In the UK they altered this classic and the original music is not known there. The version you hear in the US is the original music which matches the lyrics better in my opinion.
Waldo99 3 years ago
the UK version isn't an adaptation of the US version, it's based on a vaughan williams tune
sirinferno 3 years ago
The original version of the carol uses the other music. That was my point. This is the unoriginal, altered music to the carol. Both are good, but the original fits the carol better as I see it. The carol was written near where I live, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Happy Holidays!
Waldo99 3 years ago
Thanks for the info! I thought maybe I was going tone deaf :).
blogegog 3 years ago
WoW Kiri te Kanawa is here
violetwitchmermaid 3 years ago
She is too tight in her singing. Beautiful setting! The boys sound great!
1allaround 3 years ago
was that in lincon cathedral??
can anyone anser me??
i recognised it by the orgen
JoeSmart123 3 years ago
It looks like it is in St. Pauls Cathedral London
Rens1989 3 years ago
of course it is in St Pauls Cathedral.
organist12345 3 years ago
Must say, I really like this version better than the original. Much sweeter to my ears.
akabbott 3 years ago
Pretty cool turtle necks.
drjpf 3 years ago
i remember singin
ths in primary
wow brings back memorys!!lol
11ajthebest11 3 years ago
favourite christmas carol by far!
Danielchana7 3 years ago
This choir really needs to learn how to slow down... listen to their O holy Night... the tempo for this is Adagio.. not allegro
MassimoofItalia 3 years ago
Which Cathedral in Britain was this filmed? I love this song - takes me back to the school nativity plays we used to do every year at Primary School and always gets me in the spirit of Christmas when it's sung when I attend Midnight Mass at my local church.
Christmas in England is great.
Georgiahulse 3 years ago 3
St Paul's in London, England. You should listen to Hark the Herald recorded there. It is beautiful.
cayleelovesjb 3 years ago
I never heard this version before, probably because I live in America. I like it though.
Souhegan 3 years ago
Personally, I prefer the version of the last verse that ends "Where Charity stands watching and Faith holds wide the door: The dark night wakes, the Glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more."
Inkyminkyzizwoz 3 years ago
That verse isn't the last verse -- it's the original (yep, original -- I'm referring to the lyrics here) third verse. However, it's omitted in most hymn books, probably because there is some kind of sarcastic charge to it. It was never meant to be the last verse, though. That said, I'd LOVE to hear a recording that DOES have this verse on it...
slashtiger1 2 years ago
@slashtiger1 Actually the second and the fourth verses have been omitted. In all old English hymnals like the Ancient & Modern Of 1899, Salisbury hymnal of 1901 & The English Hymnal of 1906 you will find those two verses on this very traditional English Melody- Forest green.
koroush7 2 years ago
That lady has such an amazing voice.
NathanF11989 3 years ago
realli?? dnt u think she sounds like shes been lickin crack pipes
dogiem 3 years ago
the tempo is much too fast... it should be slower
MassimoofItalia 3 years ago 3
Lol, it's Hillary Clinton!
FlavioDulwich 3 years ago
No, silly, that's the New Zeland-born Kiri Te Kanawa.
dondonp12004 3 years ago
who cares, Kiri and Hillary are both excellent
kittenic44 3 years ago
I prefer the other melody of O little town of Bethehem! But the English version is so much better, no question!
UitdenNederlanden 3 years ago 2
this doesn't make sense (?) you just contradicted yourself..
norbydiablo 3 years ago
you dumb ....
UitdenNederlanden 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
wooow is a good vid but the american one is better
lol silly woman needs singing lessons
plz go to my channle
JoeSmart123 3 years ago
I MUCH prefer this version to the American one. It's MUCH better, IMO.
yoyochickens 4 years ago 4
Haha! Kiri gets thrown down as a 'silly woman'! lol~
Daninkorea 4 years ago
Does anyone know where to get the score of this song? Thanks.
tandjukie 4 years ago
wow i am 8 yrs old and guess what.......
I am learning this song for our westmorland primary school christmas play
how fan fliping tastic is that
golnazz 4 years ago 2
Well fancy that! It's pretty fan fliping tastic!
That's what's so great about youtube, I'm learning this song for my church worship service so I came on youtube to hear it... go the youtube!
Daninkorea 4 years ago
Awesome!!! Thanks for this! Kiri is a champ.
howahya 4 years ago
Nice rendition. I love both the British and American versions. Hope both versions may be commonly used in Canada.
dondonp12004 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This was good, but I like the original American music for the hymn much more than this altered British version.
Waldo99 4 years ago
Er...dude? This is the original.
glexareen 3 years ago
No, this is not the original version. The original uses a different musical tune. This is the British version that was changed from the original. You can find the original, composed by a pastor from Philadelphia on YouTube.
Waldo99 3 years ago
where? i can't find it anywhere!!
mymatesrockmysocks 3 years ago
Most of the examples of this song on Youtube are in the original American version. The Elvis one is just one of the many examples. The British version was an adaptation of the original created by a Philadelphia pastor.
Waldo99 3 years ago
The woman did ruin it, this should be a quick pice for the congrigation to sing not just for chiors and the soloist ruins the descanct which is should be ace the chior its self it fantastic but not her she should go bk to USA ther is no place for her in that chior
hogi22 4 years ago 3
Erm...she's from New Zealand. Erm...
- piece is not spelled 'pice'
- choir is not spelled 'chior'
- congregation is not spelled 'congrigation'
- itself is one word, not 'its self'
Sorry, I just can't stand seeing so many mistakes in such a short space...
Daninkorea 4 years ago 2