The Good Earth - Remembering Apollo 8

Excerpts from the 1968 Christmas Eve broadcast by Apollo 8 astronauts, Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders from orbit around the Moon. Accompanied by two selections from the 2004 Christmas concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, "Joy To The World" and "Angels From The Realms of Glory". Mack Wilberg's arrangements of these two traditional Christmas Carols are extraordinary, as well the performances by soloists Frederica von Stade and Bryn Terfel. Of course the MTC is glorious as always.

Attention span is everything on YouTube, but to thoroughly enjoy this, you should just sit back and absorb all 7 minutes of it, including the closing message from Apollo 8 commander, Frank Borman.

Note: I added a favorite on my site to a later, slightly more up-tempo performance of Angels from the Realms of Glory with Renee Flemming as soloist. That clip is also exhilarating, particularly if you stick around for the credits. However, after listening to them both several times, I think this 2004 performance has a slight edge.

Special thanks to PKingman without whom this video wouldn't have been made. Please feel free to comment as long as the subject is the music. Political or religious commentary will be excluded.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• apollo 8
• christmas
• carols
• mormon tabernacle choir
• world peace
• whirled peas

[brandon10175]

hmm....why did they change the words......

[pdxdefatty]

Nice blend of the historical event with a contemporary comment on the "state of the planet". Loved the ending.

[COSMOTOPPER777]

You're right, thanks for the correction.

[hardakml]

Landing was on 20 July 1969, not Aug

[randyman1955]

I was 16 years old when Apollo 8 orbited the moon, and I remember this moment well. It seemed like the entire world paused in a shared moment of amazement.

[x101st]

Thank You for posting such an inspiring video, especially the opening Apollo 8 part. I was born in 1968, and this inspires Hope to me, and hopefully all Mankind. God Bless Y'all, and Peace be with You!

[loverflicka]

Thanks for your explanation. You are right.

That's my opinion too.

[COSMOTOPPER777]

Espero que el vídeo recuerde a la gente que nuestro clima y el aire nosotros respiran y el alimento que comemos y el agua nosotros bebe es toda los regalos casuales que pueden ser quitados si no tomamos cuidado de este planeta. Ése era el mensaje del espacio hace 40 años, y aún más peligrosamente verdad hoy.

[COSMOTOPPER777]

The concert took place in 2004, it was the annual Christmas concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In 1968, 3 Astronauts left Earth orbit for the fist time and circled the Moon. The actual landing took place in August of 1969. I made the video as a way of commemorating the Christmas Eve broadcast by the Astronauts, an important moment in the history of mankind.

[loverflicka]

Excuse me, but I don't understand the sense of your reply, because my english is very poor, as you can see.

My comment was about the concert, not about the landing of Apollo 8 on the moon (Is this the sense or your reply?)

Of course, the world is in danger in the current conditions of wild developement!

Excuse me if I have not understand you correctly.