I conducted this magnificent work with my fraternity choir, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, forty-five years ago at TCU and had gained my insight from Ronald Shirey who lived and loved music and had gained his introspection from the greatest choral conductors in the United States as well as from Bev Henson at TCU. The tempo and dynamics are perfect! This is only one movement from a much larger work. Bravo to all the wonderful musicians who created this video/audio presentation.
Beautiful singing, but this piece is supposed to be a joyful shout of American defiance-- not a dirge! This conductor needs to rethink his approach to performing it. Yeah, there were a lot of musicians, but I heard a MUCH more heartfelt and THRILLING performance 25 years ago with 1200 (!) combined voices at a GALA convention in Minneapolis. I STILL get chills...and that SHOULD be the impact of this magnificent work.
@nycbruce11 You reminded me of the GALA convention in Minneapolis. I was also there (and a member of the MSP host committee) I remember standing in very middle of Orchestra Hall and being surrounded by all that wonderful sound. And singing and crying at the same time. Thanks for the memory.
Great performance! It may seem a little overblown, but, as BA3995 noted, there were plenty of dark days in 1943. Thompson wrote music to invigorate our national pride; to be performed in subsequent conflicts, and in that sense he wrotr a big winner here...
Randall Thompson wrote this in 1943 during the darkest days of the Second World War. Heaven knows how much comfort and hope it brought to listeners, especially in the Armed Forces, at that time. It is a noble work for a noble purpose.
Sang this TTBB in glee club and brought the house down. Thompson had a pretty good lyricist.
Shame there's not more of this on youtube, particularly "the flames kindled on the fourth of July, 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished." Kind of sums up what we stand for.
Thank you for posting this so that all can hear and see the beauty of the Turtle Creek Chorale. You are all so wonderful. I look forward to the next concert.
I conducted this magnificent work with my fraternity choir, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, forty-five years ago at TCU and had gained my insight from Ronald Shirey who lived and loved music and had gained his introspection from the greatest choral conductors in the United States as well as from Bev Henson at TCU. The tempo and dynamics are perfect! This is only one movement from a much larger work. Bravo to all the wonderful musicians who created this video/audio presentation.
music784151 2 months ago
Beautiful singing, but this piece is supposed to be a joyful shout of American defiance-- not a dirge! This conductor needs to rethink his approach to performing it. Yeah, there were a lot of musicians, but I heard a MUCH more heartfelt and THRILLING performance 25 years ago with 1200 (!) combined voices at a GALA convention in Minneapolis. I STILL get chills...and that SHOULD be the impact of this magnificent work.
nycbruce11 5 months ago
@nycbruce11 You reminded me of the GALA convention in Minneapolis. I was also there (and a member of the MSP host committee) I remember standing in very middle of Orchestra Hall and being surrounded by all that wonderful sound. And singing and crying at the same time. Thanks for the memory.
RLASeattle 1 week ago
Can females be in the Chrous for the army? I'm asking because I want to a degree in music and I'm joing the army plus, I'm in chorus at school.
xPhoenixoftheOperax 6 months ago
Great performance! It may seem a little overblown, but, as BA3995 noted, there were plenty of dark days in 1943. Thompson wrote music to invigorate our national pride; to be performed in subsequent conflicts, and in that sense he wrotr a big winner here...
whodat310 7 months ago
The tempo was entirely to slow. Sound was fantastic
bayouboys4u 8 months ago
What a sound!!! Beautiful.
Gary2837 9 months ago
I was a founding member and this fills my heart with joy. Ken Naylor
ken23naylor 11 months ago
Randall Thompson wrote this in 1943 during the darkest days of the Second World War. Heaven knows how much comfort and hope it brought to listeners, especially in the Armed Forces, at that time. It is a noble work for a noble purpose.
ByronAdams3955 1 year ago
Thomspon wrote this stirring work during the darkest days of the Second World War and it sums up both our nation and our duty.
ByronAdams3955 1 year ago
Sang this TTBB in glee club and brought the house down. Thompson had a pretty good lyricist.
Shame there's not more of this on youtube, particularly "the flames kindled on the fourth of July, 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished." Kind of sums up what we stand for.
foozledad 2 years ago
This is a great piece of music for men's voices. It really floods my soul with emotion. As a former member of TCC I am really proud.
2115Gren 2 years ago 6
Thank you for posting this so that all can hear and see the beauty of the Turtle Creek Chorale. You are all so wonderful. I look forward to the next concert.
rdhuffman2007 2 years ago
Thanks to Jon's dad, I was able to watch this early on the 4th. Terrific
tangusher 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece at this holiday! In my opinion the "Testament" is the finest patriotic composition of the 20th century.
bill08033 2 years ago
WOW!
txbeargreg 2 years ago
What an amazing performance of a great piece of music!!!
shirleyqfan 2 years ago 4