Pay no attention to the comments regarding tempo. This is entirely up to the director and the ensemble. The quality of the phrasing is the most important thing and it is excellent in this rendition. Leonard Bernstein was notorious for slowing things down and in doing so pulled out some of the most magical moments in musical history. Never be afraid to express in your own way. Just because your ensemble did it one way does not mean that other ensembles are wrong for taking it in a slightly different direction. I am certain that Morten Lauridsen would agree.
Beautiful. To all who are being picky about tempo and whatnot: be still. You're missing the point. The point is beauty. How lucky these children are to have been provided the opportunity to take part in such an experience. Let them have it as their own, their treasure. This music speaks to all human souls, there is something universal there, something philosophical and worldly. Thank you Mr. Lauridsen for putting into music that which can pull our souls out and give them freedom to live. I wish you all long, happy lives. Go forth with great memories!
Beautifully done. How wonderful that your high school choral director is exposing you to such wonderful music and giving you a gift which you will have for the rest of your lives.
Personally I love this tempo....there are too many delicious things happening in this piece to woof them down quickly! A beautiful performance of a gorgeous piece.
This is as close to how I have always wanted to hear this number. I fell in love with this a few years ago, but I haven't performed it yet with my group, and have never heard any other choirs that really inspired me....until now that is. The way in which these students sing from the heart is simply breathtaking. What a beautiful, beautiful performance. This choir does this music justice! And the pianist too...beautiful.
For those commenting about the tempo, yes there are certain pieces that are set at a specific tempo, but most music is also made to be altered to the director and choir's feel. Anyone can take pieces and make a completely different feel by alter the song to the way they want to perform. This song is about two lovers so it definitely is supposed to be a slower feel. My choir took it a tick or two faster, but honestly, I would've liked to go about this speed.
Do you think it is a song about lovers? I'm curious as to why you think this. On the surface, the lyrics (from Rilke's poem) are a meditation on a rose; at heart I think the imagery is mystical and quasi-Christian.
Regardless of what the printed sheet music says, Morten Lauridsen is fairly well known for loving pieces slowed down and drawn out. It was said when he was constantly receiving recordings of O Magnum Mysterium, he wouldn't even bother listening to any tracks that were under 6 minutes in length because he felt it took away from the song to do it any faster.
For those commenting on those commenting about the tempo. (And some of which are saying to pay no attention to us.) Yes, the tempo is entirely up to the director and the ensemble. But the director and the ensemble can be wrong. This is too slow. And that is on good source, too: The composer! Listen to any recording where Lauridsen is actually at the piano. Sure, phrasing is important, of course it is. Which is why this tempo is a few clicks too slow. Performed with my choir in front of an adjudicator and an esteemed choral conductor who is one of Lauridsen's close friends. He commented that "Finally! A choir that sings this piece in the correct tempo!" There is such a thing as dragging a tempo. Except in jazz. In jazz any chart sounds good at any tempo. LOL But that aside, this choir is vocally wonderful and their sense of ensembleship is excellent. Great job, teacher! They were lucky to have you as their teacher.
Iván Salas, coincido plenamente con su afirmación de que no hay nada mejor para enfrentar este mundo endemoniado al escuchar las suaves voces de los integrantes del coro. Le sugiero escuchar y visualizar misma obra con Vokalensamble Erwitte.
A bit too slow and not all the French is pronounced properly, but these students have a very mature sound and great blend for a highschool choir. I wish my student choir sounded this good.
Lauridsen wrote quarter at 108... And there is a video of him singing and playing piano and it's not this tempo. I like it this slow -- but an appropriate response to that guy would've been, "Shut the hell up and mind your own business."
paolo fabris All score must have some kind of tempo marking. My bet is he probably had it to where the tempo on the score is like the very max that he wanted.
Pay no attention to the comments regarding tempo. This is entirely up to the director and the ensemble. The quality of the phrasing is the most important thing and it is excellent in this rendition. Leonard Bernstein was notorious for slowing things down and in doing so pulled out some of the most magical moments in musical history. Never be afraid to express in your own way. Just because your ensemble did it one way does not mean that other ensembles are wrong for taking it in a slightly different direction. I am certain that Morten Lauridsen would agree.
Beautiful.
To all who are being picky about tempo and whatnot: be still. You're missing the point.
The point is beauty. How lucky these children are to have been provided the opportunity to take part in such an experience.
Let them have it as their own, their treasure. This music speaks to all human souls, there is something universal there, something philosophical and worldly. Thank you Mr. Lauridsen for putting into music that which can pull our souls out and give them freedom to live.
I wish you all long, happy lives. Go forth with great memories!
Having sung in this recording... this brings back a lot.
Simply heavenly executed. I can hear it 1 million times. Congratulations to all and Thank you for providing me with such a joy !!!!!
So beautiful!! This is an exceptional school choir!
Beautifully done. How wonderful that your high school choral director is exposing you to such wonderful music and giving you a gift which you will have for the rest of your lives.
Personally I love this tempo....there are too many delicious things happening in this piece to woof them down quickly! A beautiful performance of a gorgeous piece.
This is as close to how I have always wanted to hear this number. I fell in love with this a few years ago, but I haven't performed it yet with my group, and have never heard any other choirs that really inspired me....until now that is. The way in which these students sing from the heart is simply breathtaking. What a beautiful, beautiful performance. This choir does this music justice! And the pianist too...beautiful.
Beautifully done and congratulations to your choir director for introducing you to Morten Lauridsen.
Beautifully done! I teach middle school and can't wait to introduce this piece to my choir It is heavenly and I love the tempo
Performed this with my high school choir.. wow brings back so many memories.. CCHS C/O 2007
We are doing this song for our choir...Compared to us you sound like angels.
My choir is doing this for mass choir, I'm so thankful that my choir instructor picked this song and seinn o!
Absolutely beautiful performance! Thank you!
A little slower then i performed it but AMAZING all the same - thankyou for singing with such joy and providing the world with beautiful choral music!
Beautifully done - Bravissimo!
For those commenting about the tempo, yes there are certain pieces that are set at a specific tempo, but most music is also made to be altered to the director and choir's feel. Anyone can take pieces and make a completely different feel by alter the song to the way they want to perform. This song is about two lovers so it definitely is supposed to be a slower feel. My choir took it a tick or two faster, but honestly, I would've liked to go about this speed.
ogslayer101 I personally like this tempo better too. Makes it so soothing and non-chalant.
Do you think it is a song about lovers? I'm curious as to why you think this. On the surface, the lyrics (from Rilke's poem) are a meditation on a rose; at heart I think the imagery is mystical and quasi-Christian.
This is gorgeous.
Wow its perfect! the song is a slower tempo and that is how my choir did it. This is wonderful!
MAravilloso!! a great performance! thank you for sharing it!
this is the most beautiful piece of music i have ever heard
très bien les jeunes, avec une très bonne prononciation du français et beaucoup de finesse
going to sing this in March! singing french for the first time is quite fun..
I love the tone, diction, tempo ... etc. perfect for relaxing to :) I miss performing this song
for those of you complaining about how slow it is. speed it up.
This is the most beautiful version, thank you:)
so beautiful...
Very nice work I love how u can hear wat der saying it gas very nice flow
simply the best tempo ever, i was in district chorus and we sang this, search dirait-on district 9 chorus. its only a little bit faster
We're doing this in choir, It is so beautiful
Same here! For UIL and it's tomorrow.
esta obra no puede ser más linda... el ciclo completo es hermoso..
It is very slow however you all sound wonderful. By far, my favorite Morten Lauridsen piece.
I sang this in choir too! Thanks for the upload amazing job!!!
Regardless of what the printed sheet music says, Morten Lauridsen is fairly well known for loving pieces slowed down and drawn out. It was said when he was constantly receiving recordings of O Magnum Mysterium, he wouldn't even bother listening to any tracks that were under 6 minutes in length because he felt it took away from the song to do it any faster.
Memories. Merced High Class of 2014!
❤️❤️❤️
Why 8 dislikes? This is great!
For those commenting on those commenting about the tempo. (And some of which are saying to pay no attention to us.) Yes, the tempo is entirely up to the director and the ensemble. But the director and the ensemble can be wrong. This is too slow. And that is on good source, too: The composer! Listen to any recording where Lauridsen is actually at the piano. Sure, phrasing is important, of course it is. Which is why this tempo is a few clicks too slow. Performed with my choir in front of an adjudicator and an esteemed choral conductor who is one of Lauridsen's close friends. He commented that "Finally! A choir that sings this piece in the correct tempo!" There is such a thing as dragging a tempo. Except in jazz. In jazz any chart sounds good at any tempo. LOL
But that aside, this choir is vocally wonderful and their sense of ensembleship is excellent. Great job, teacher! They were lucky to have you as their teacher.
I just did this song yesterday in All County =)
memories. TUHS Class of 2010
+Milana Edwards Tualatin?
Iván Salas, coincido plenamente con su afirmación de que no hay nada mejor para enfrentar este mundo endemoniado al escuchar las suaves voces de los integrantes del coro. Le sugiero escuchar y visualizar misma obra con Vokalensamble Erwitte.
That looks like the St. Olaf choir from Minnesota in the picture.
This is absolutely perfect! Sounds beautifully blended. Great voices :) the tempo is just a bit slow. Good job with this piece!
A bit too slow and not all the French is pronounced properly, but these students have a very mature sound and great blend for a highschool choir. I wish my student choir sounded this good.
you're playing it at a tempo of 81 (Just checked) the music sheet says 108....
beautiful singing anyway! :-)
So beautiful...I just the piano wasn't as sharp and prominent
Lauridsen wrote quarter at 108... And there is a video of him singing and playing piano and it's not this tempo.
I like it this slow -- but an appropriate response to that guy would've been, "Shut the hell up and mind your own business."
I love this piece, and have sung it several times, but this recording is toooo sloooow, sorry!
Le piano parait un peu trop présent. Le chœur, malgré le nombre sait rester doux. D'autres exécutions paraissent cependant préférables
I'm sure he does but I don't get it: why does he mark his own works with a much faster tempo?
paolo fabris All score must have some kind of tempo marking. My bet is he probably had it to where the tempo on the score is like the very max that he wanted.
@OHSCC Well, this was my taste, not Mr Lauridsen´s! ;)
7
far too slow....misses out on all the wonderful fluid rubato movement
Much too slow. Something is missing.
lovely but a hair too slow.
Troppo lento!
Very nice work I love how u can hear wat der saying it gas very nice flow