Furman Singers Reunion 2009: Randall Thompson's Alleluia

July 26, 2009, First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC
Conducted by Dr. Bingham Vick

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Furman
• Thompson
• Alleluia

[hepzebahsu]

Thanks for posting the Thompson quote below. Have sung this many times I appreciate his reference to Job 1:21 as the explanation for the mood he created. It's a quiet trust in the Lord in times of adversity which allows the ability to still praise God.

[FromHolbergsTime]

A very beautiful and impressive performance overall! This lovely and enduring masterwork for chorus was presented by the Dale Warland Singers on one of the episodes of Prairie Home Companion many years ago. I find this type of choral art to remain uplifting, spiritually refreshing and perennially devotional in character. I would place Randall Thompson's "Alleluia" alongside Frank Martin's "Mass," Samuel Barber's "Agnus Dei," and Herbert Howells "Requiem" as personal favorites. ********

Glenn

[jatagliarini]

I was privileged, in or around 1968, to sing "Alleluia" in a workshop led by Randall Thompson, at the University of South Florida. I was a high school student in the choral program of Jim Copeland, whose concert choir was the workshop chorus. Regarding tempo and mood etc., Mr. Thompson described the commissioning of this piece as coming at the time the news of Hitler's frightening trek across Europe was impinging on the hearts and minds of the world. The performance is excellent.

[boonognog]

This has just the right somberness and intensity to it. Here's a quote from Randall Thompson himself, courtesy of the Richmond Symphony:

Thompson once wrote:

...[The Alleluia is] a very sad piece. The word "Alleluia" has so many possible interpretations. The music in my particular Alleluia cannot be made to sound joyous. It is a slow, sad piece, and...here it is comparable to the Book of Job, where it is written, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

[pfritz5976]

This was my traditional tempo, for the most part. Though I prefered a more gradual accelerando leading to the climax. There is so much dynamic nuance to this composition that is lost by charging ahead. Tempo choice is also affected by the resonance of the hall, and this narthax sounds lively. Very impressive group. A wonderful performance. (Get a tripod)

[CBhimireddy]

Just breathtaking! The mid-section is a tad slow but overall I'd say it's interpreted perfectly! ! And I LOVE Dr. Vick's conducting -- so straightforward. I'd enjoy singing under his direction any day of the week! All those in the choir should be quite proud of themselves!

[enamouredofHim]

Extremely slow.

[Meggiepoo74]

love it!!!

[tpmetp]

actually, imo, this is among the best even if not in the best recording situation. the dynamics are interpreted as thompson intended. again, i prefer faster tempo but that can be achieved during the song. the blend was truly good, no one overpowered the other. probably the best version performed by American choir on you tube. st. olaf (on their website) is probably the best of the American choirs singing this one. do check it out.

but, for those posted here. this truly is a marvelous one.

[gimagem1]

Beautiful composition, excellent choral singing.