St. Olaf Choir - My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord

St. Olaf Choir's home concert - February 2008.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• st
• olaf
• choir
• ole
• boe
• chapel
• my
• soul's
• been
• anchored
• in
• the
• lord

[dependalytical]

Only in this forum would anyone dare challenge Dr. Armstrong's tempos. As a listener and singer I can tell you that the genius of his conducting is using these dangerously slow tempos that are still so full of motion and life when anyone else's choir would fall flat. Hearing St Olaf combines this anticipation for each chord while dreading the end of the last. I heard this anthem live and I will swear to my death that the mass of sound on that last chord literally pushed me back in my seat!!!

[olegurl2010]

Dr. Armstrong and Moses were good friends and Moses commended Dr. A on his interpretation of the song. Many people fail to understand is that just because a composer puts a certain tempo marking doesn't mean that is the ONLY way to perform it. If you REALLY listened to this song you would hear that there is a gradual accelerando which is how many spirituals are performed. I'm pretty sure that Dr. Armstrong knows what he's doing and Moses obviously didn't object.

[VanSensei]

The way Dr. Armstrong handles this song is...damn near INCREDIBLE.

[spintotenor83]

@kittycatknows I would rather use that term, however the the vast majority of choral groups that sing spirituals have a certain sound model (vocal timbre) and it expands beyond just the Midwestern region and even beyond the US borders as a I've heard about several groups in England sing spirituals. However, I am sure there is a better term I can use and I apologize for the exceptions and to those that take it offensively. Remember I am speaking accomplished vocal ensembles.

[kittycatknows]

@spintotenor83 i wouldn't so much say "white" as "midwestern" :)

[Elleinlincoln]

@samjohnsteindelaware So true!

[samjohnsteindelaware]

The hall wouldn't have handled this song at a much quicker tempo, you wouldn't have understood a word!

[jelonkers]

dopeeeeeee

[syrus96]

spirituals didn't really become fast, or "jubilees", until they were made in to "classical choir" arrangements. I love how it starts out slow and soulful, and starting at the second part of the song, becomes more of a jubilee. I don't know his intent, but Dr. Armstrong knows what he is doing. I personally like some of the faster renditions, but I really enjoyed the change of pace and mood this recording created.

[choirgeek82]

Years ago I was in a college honor choir with Dr. Armstrong conducting. He said something that has stuck to me to this day. We were working on a gospel piece and one of the altos said, "We are just too white to sing this." He stopped the rehearsal and looked directly at her and said, "Would you say I am too black to sing Bach?" It changed my life. It is all about understanding the style and composers intent. Not whether you are too "white."

[spintotenor83]

@jake I had to comment. Yes, St. Olaf has a culturally "white" sound. For obvious reasons this isn't arguable. It's not bad, just true. The vowels are spread (light/bright voices need tall narrow vowels in spirituals). "Most expressive" ...musically maybe, "most passionate"...no. Passion is heard in the tone color.

Dr. Armstrong is brilliant! Great tempo choice for THIS choir.

The choirs' great choral sound has impact due to his tempo and excellence in vocal production and expression.

[gmmetfan7]

Dr.Armstrong turns around at the end? He's such a legend. I sang this at NYSSMA All-State with Dr.Daniel Bara. We were pretty close to the tempo marking, but this is incredible in a different way. We used the piece to show off our power by being quick and loud, this shows power through control. Really a remarkable interpretation, not many choirs nor conductors can pull it off. St.Olaf and Dr.A are both certainly up for it.