Bass Singer REACTION & ANALYSIS - VOCES8 | "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre
Vložit
- čas přidán 7. 11. 2021
- If you'd like to support me, please consider joining my Patreon family for as little as $1/month, or one of the higher tiers where you get free merchandise, early access to releases, behind-the-scenes footage, and more! LINK HERE: / petermbarber
Link to original video: • VOCES8: Sleep by Eric ...
________________________________________________________
Join the Bass Singing Nation! / discord
________________________________________________________
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Jemi: jemi.app/petermbarber
Instagram: @petermbarber
TikTok: @petermbarber
Facebook: Peter Barber, bass
CZcams: Peter Barber
Patreon: / petermbarber
Website: www.petermbarber.com/
________________________________________________________
Thank you to all my Patrons!
Alejandra Gamallo-Walker
Alex Bowen
Alex Morrison
Anna S.
Ante Mahoney
Artem Maloratsky
B.W. Barnes
Ben Bass
Brenden Blood
Carla Tacy
Chauni
Christina Dowdican
Cindy Dresser
Cory Davis
Craig Dawson
Damon Anderson
David Taylor
Donna Padilla
Doug Beck
Dru Freeman
Elisabeth Schürmann
Ernie Marraccini
Ethan Tarasov
Gayle Madeira
Ginny Thompson
Heather Brannon
Ingunn Reser
Ira Kroll
Jane Criste
Jessie Gabris
Joe Decker
John House
John Raczynski
Kyle Consalus
Linda Wells
Louise Louise
Maciej Gierlach
MaliCor
Marie Montgomery
Mario Feliciano
Martha Markusen
Mary Gibbons
Mary Williams
Matt Miles
Matt Spriggs
Mayra Dyer
Melody Hesse
Michael Crosby
Naia
Rebecca Tanner
Robert Ferney
Sam Mahanes
Sandra Maki
Sandra Peterson
Shelby Neal
Simon Holt
Susan Smith
Tiina Nyrhinen
Tomi P
Walt Barber
William Kutac - Hudba
In my humble opinion, one of the most beautiful choral pieces ever written -- I absolutely love Eric Whitacre, and no group does a better job with his works than VOCES8. Please enjoy :)
Also: The three choral groups of this caliber that I've seen live are Chanticleer, The King's Singers, and Cantus 👏
Haven't heard anything from him for ages, this made me happy! He's amazing!
I love love love Eric Whitacre! Thank you for your analysis! :)
Would love your thoughts on this choral piece Ave Verum Avi Kaplan sang with students at Acapella Academy
czcams.com/video/szIvSXqTBvk/video.html
Please react to Voces8 singing: A pile of dust by Johann Johannson :
czcams.com/video/GrIvFl5zZmI/video.html
In my humble opinion you're right
Yes! I’ve been waiting forever for someone to do an analysis of VOCES8!!
VOCES8 always gives me goosebumps. I heard them live in San Francisco and I will never forget it.
14:17 = As one who has had the honor of hearing Voces8 live, I can say with certainty that they are just as immaculate live as they are in their recordings! Such a phenomenal group of singers, and every one of then is so friendly and personable.
Granted, that was a while ago, shortly after Eleonore Cockerham joined as second soprano and just before Rob Clark, their baritone, left (that was actually when I found out he was leaving; Eleanore was the one who told me 😂). But I'm sure their group dynamics are just as good now as they were then. They were such fun people to be around.
Also, Peter, if you love Eric Whitacre (and I do too), then you should definitely listen to some pieces composed by Ola Gjeilo. I recommend "Serenity" (which is a setting of O Magnum Mysterium, choral with cello accompanimemt). His Ubi Caritas is also stunning. Voces8 has done two different versions of that one; one a cappella, another with him improvising a piano accompaniment.
Absolutely exquisite. Takes this choir girl back to her chamber choir days!
As someone with no theoretical knowledge, your analysis really helps me appreciate pieces like this on more than emotional level.
more VOCES8 please!! theyre the top in their field and there are not enough videos reacting to their top tier skills
Agreed!
LOVE listening to and singing anything that Eric does. I think he's one of the best modern day composers for vocal music, hands down.
Have had the privilege of seeing this group in person. Let me just say that they sound EXACTLY like we hear in the videos. They are some kind of amazing!
Outstanding choral composition. The dissonance sounded very peaceful, well-placed. Many times it can pull your attention away from the piece, but here it enhanced the feeling to a peaceful resolve. Master work right there.
The most famous hit of the king of rock 'n' roll in an unrivaled performance.
Gorgeous, phenomenal performance by Diana
Diana Ankudinova ( 18 y.o.)
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley / DARK VERSION cover)
Please react to Diana Ankudinova !
She has insane and unique vocals and great stage presence and her performances (from the show You are Super ! ( win twice ) are gorgeously choreographed and you should find them very interesting. Top song choices are up Wicked Game, Derniere Danse, Blizzard, Human, River. She is really an amazing young artist!
Diana Ankudinova
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley / DARK VERSION cover)
Re-released on Diana's official channel 08.10.2021
+ stereo sound
+ full version
+ subtitles with translation into several languages
czcams.com/video/M-znD6QKbrg/video.html
Diana Ankudinova 😊👍👍🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥🎉🎉🎉💫💫💫💯
Диана Анкудинова супер!!!
Yes, Diana Ankudinova is a great vocalist.
One thing to note between the Soprano (Andrea) and the Mezzo (Elonore) is how perfectly they support one another. You often can't tell where one of them takes the note from the other.
When I was a vocal performance major in college this was my dream. I wanted to get paid to sing in a chamber choir, and you’re right, there are very few groups like this in the world.
Absolute top notch performers, on one of my favorite songs of all time. I cried the first time I heard it. ❤❤
As someone who has sung alto in a few choirs, I have to say the sopranos did a good job of dialing it back cause they can be ear piercingly loud when you are standing right next to them lol.
I did this song my senior year of choir (s1), and have had an obsession with it since then. This was by far the most breathtaking performance I've heard to date.
What impresses me the most in that song is the sustained high pitch at the end fading but still consistent during such a long time. It’s so hard to sustain a note with such quality and being able to keep fading till the end.
Right it's hard to sustain piano notes intensely.
Just heard them live again, and I always seem to forget how GOOD they are 🥹 they sound exactly like this live, it’s just unbelievable 😭
Voces8 (pronounced voh-chess) - love singing with these guys! In addition to being amazing voices, they also share their technique with schools--inspiring new generations of kids to strive and achieve in the music / choral world. And when outstanding talents come together--singers and composers--the outcome can be nothing less than stunning.
My son got to perform under the baton of Eric Whitacre a few years back! He was ecstatic & has his autographed score framed. 🤗
Agree, there is nothing more beautiful when human voices perform great music together at this caliber. ❤
I was in several of the virtual choirs, including Sleep! It was an awesome experience. I really love this rendition of Sleep and I really appreciated your comments! From one musician to another (I'm primarily a violinist now, but was in choir throughout middle and high school), I really appreciate your reaction videos! I watched one of your other videos where you mentioned Eric Whitacre's use of cluster chords, and I love how he's able to make a soundscape with the interplay of consonance and dissonance. I would definitely recommend checking out "A Boy and a Girl" if you haven't already; my choir sang that for a conference performance when I was in high school years ago and I still love listening to it. Now that I'm an orchestra director, I have seriously thought about trying to make some orchestra arrangements of my favorite pieces of his...should I do it? 😅
Oh! And I would LOVE for you to react to Caroline Shaw's music. Partita for 8 Voices done by Roomful of Teeth (czcams.com/video/NDVMtnaB28E/video.html - not necessarily this recording, but the piece) is an awesome piece, but From Rivers is also an amazing SSA piece (czcams.com/video/LgzG9PVwWoA/video.html). I got to meet her when Roomful of Teeth did a guest artist residence at my university in undergrad - she was SO nice and I really love her music. She's very inventive and has been called the "savior of modern classical music" with her choral and instrumental works.
I wasn't in Sleep but I did participate in the Virtual Choir he did for Disneyland's Christmas in 2012-13 (if I remember the correct year). Very fun to participate in.
But I say go for it with the arrangement! I have played some very good band transcriptions of Whitacre pieces and string instruments are said to produce sounds even closer to the timbre of the human voice. I think it would work quite well!
Absolutely do it! I’m glad you appreciate my analysis :) “A Boy and a Girl” is actually the first Eric Whitacre piece I ever heard (wayyy back in freshman year of undergrad)
I know it won't get the most views nor the most likes, but I SO APPRECIATE you reacting to and analyzing choir music. It makes me warm and fuzzy inside, and nostalgic for my years in UW's recital choir. Some of the best years in my life
Voces8 is my favorite choral group on youtube! They have so many greats ones, It is difficult to pick a favorite, but May it Be and Road Home are great and I think my favorite is Lully, Lulla, Lullay. I also love their Abendleid but I still think I prefer the Cambridge Singers' recording better.
First time I'm here on your channel, and I clicked just waiting for your reaction to 14:45. I watched this video dozens of times, and it seems like I ALWAYS stop breathing hearing those harmonies, and I also can't help getting emotional too. God, I wish I had the oportunity to sing like this.
Yesss! I was soo happy to see you react to this. I LOVE this piece and I'm so excited to see you react to more. 👏
Real a capella at its stunning best...
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing this group. I am now following them!
Voces8 is a great choral group and I hope you already listened their interpretation of Benjamin Britten's Hymn to St. Cecilia. Beautiful and stunning!
You've really put out some brilliant reactions recently!!! Love the more choral stuff. Listening to you talking about the special qualities of a group that blends well together both musically and emotionally is so relatable, since I played in a string quartet with a group of friends before uni for four years who were incredibly atuned to one another's playing, and achieving that blended and emotionally cohesive sound was so thrilling every time it happened. It's still a cherished memory, just like with you and your chamber choir.
Oh my, thank you so much for sharing your heart's response to Eric's music through voces8! My absolute favorite choir group! May you continue to enjoy them!
This was beautiful! It's been a minute since I've listened to a chamber choir, but I'm back now. My humble little Skull Candy earbuds catch every sutbtle sound and melted me.A quick check and they are going to be performing in the US in December this year, but only 3 places, Richmond, VA on the 10th and inWashington, DC on the 12th.Hope you can catch them! One other thing, keep right on getting emotional. We need more men like you.
We have been practicing this stunning piece in my choir recently and it is a joy to listen to somebody analysing it so knowledgeably (and from a Bass perspective!). Thank you
Seeing you enjoying these exquisite performers giving us the gift of their art and Whitacre's blissful composition makes me appreciate it all the more - and that IS saying something. Thank you, Peter.
Thank you for this. I'm sure I've been one of the voices asking for a review of Voces8. And what can be better than an Eric Whitacre piece? Brilliant composing, brilliant singing, and it's brilliant to see someone like you appreciate both.
Very amazing arrangement and phenomenal job. I love that you are mixing things up and doing reaction analysis of other types and not just bass reactions. I don't see any other analysis videos out there like yours.i also feel like u are going to be a gateway for a lot of people to learn new favorite genres just from watching ur reaction analysis and they will dive down another rabbit hole. Prime example, I was never a HUGE opera fan, I mean I liked phantom of the opera but that's not a fair assessment to opera and since hearing u, I've dabbled in some and have grown a larger appreciation for it. As someone who was in choir/chorus through my middle school/high school years I always felt like this genre was definitely underrated so I'm glad u are doing these. Bravo bravo!
Thank you, Peter! It’s so exciting to see you do a reaction of music like this. As a professional choral singer, I thrive on this music so this was music to my soul.
I loved being in Madrigal Singers all through high school! This group is beautiful to listen to!!
Dude! It is such a delight watching you. Just stumbled on your channel and it is absolutely getting all my energy going, the way you break it down in such an eloquent way. I cannot stress enough what it does to me to find such a quality and beauty in a vid on CZcams. I guess what I’m trying to describe is that it resonates when you see someone like you, a true Master of the Arts, so passionately and vulnerable responding and explaining. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you for those very kind words :)
Saw them live a few years ago and they were immaculate. Yes, I did get a lump in my throat a few times! ❤️
Eric Whitacre and Voces8 is what made me watch this. Your passion for this music and that you mentioned that Opera is your passion is what made me subscribe. Please more of this and Opera, please!
Loved your reaction Peter! I always had the theory of harmony and friendship in a quartet and ensemble and the effect it would have on the vocal harmony and performance of the group. I've always applied that concept to the groups/quartets I've performed with. Thanks for the confirmation!
I so love to hear your analysis and evaluation, and learn so much every time. I love your focus on A Capella and now branching into more choral music. IMHO choral music is underappreciated. I look forward to your looking into Opera.
I like that you mentioned the goal in small groups like this who perform live or into one mic is the blend and being able to tune off each other in real time. In my ensemble days our tuning exercises really helped us form such a close bond and I get emotional thinking about it - that’s how you get to know each other in an almost intimate way in the ensemble world and it’s such a powerful experience!
Duuuuude I got to hear this piece LIVE FROM THIS GROUP only a month ago and it was the most exquisite thing ever! I love your analysis, extra info, and sharing of experience! A am a high school bass singing in multiple choirs and many different settings so I truly love this music, these singers, and the world of music.
Just gorgeous! What talent by the choir and by Peter. New subscriber for Voces8
I have heard Voces8 at least 4 times and will see them again whenever possible. I also have heard the Madison Singers, which you mentioned and is another lovely choral group from my town. Thanks for your analysis of this wonderful group and this lovely piece. Like you, I get quite emotional when listening to gorgeous a cappella music.
So grateful for your analysis and your appreciation for Voces8 (pronounced "vah-chez 8" - Latin). They are so wonderfully talented, and I'm lucky to have seen and heard them in person - thrilling and unforgettable. I'm no pro by any stretch, but learned a lot in my high school choir and madrigal group about blending and listening to each other thanks to a great music teacher ... It is cool to have some of the technical aspects of this glorious singing described in an accessible way. Love your enthusiasm and emotion. I'm subscribing and can't wait to check out more of your explorations. Hope your career is moving in a good direction. Best of luck, and thank you!
I love this type of choral singing, with the other-worldly and ethereal quality to the vocals. I could listen to this type of music all day long.
This was a great reaction to a beautiful peace. Can't wait to see what you do next
I love Eric Whitacre! We did his "Leonardo" when I was in college, and he came in and did a Master Class with us. It was amazing. His work has been life changing for sure.
Love Voces8 and I'm always impressed with the depth of your analysis, compared to a lot of other reactors out there, some of whom are coaches. You seem to have remarkable relative pitch too. Always nearly right on the money when matching a pitch and confirming it on the keyboard!
You really hit this right - 100 agreed. They are amazing.
Beautiful, thank you for introducing new group and composer
Their music is beautiful it makes me cry. “Heavenly hosts,” comes to mind. Seeing that your reaction is the same one I have makes me smile. I am such a big fan!
They‘ll be in my vicinity in 2024, and I have tickets for 4th May! Yay, I can‘t wait!
I have been a fan of the King's Singers since college back in the 80s and am now enjoying Voces8 and Chanticleer. I will have to check out Cantus. The oddity in theses groups from an American point of view is the CounterTenor. I would love for you to look at some more music from these groups and talk about the different male voice types.
Thank you for reviewing Voces8 - they are my favourite!
"Creating a fabric...." one of the best metaphors I have heard on what choral singing is. Thank you!
These guys are a wellness massage for the soul...
Beautiful!
I'm so happy that I have found you. I agree, Eric is a truly gifted composer and conductor. I have sung most of his music over the years and performed with his select choir for a commissioned piece he wrote several years ago for Disney World for their holiday water/light show. It is called Glow. Anyway, I am a bass/baritone but not any great shakes. You are now tied on my list of favorite bass/baritones with Thomas Quasthoff. I look forward to exploring you videos and following your career.
I absolutely love you content. Your explanations are spot on and its really engaging even for people that aren’t musicians. I am also quite jealous of your range. I wish I was a bass, but I will be content with being a baritone.
So excited to see this piece!! Got to sing this song as well as his Water night. Absolute headache to learn but so worth it! Excuse me while I look for that CD.......
This is amazing to my perfect ears
I've seen Voces8 in NYC and it was awesome!
I love seeing people react to Eric Whitacre. Not enough people know his work. Please do more.
I have listened to Voces8 off and on for about a year or two. The lady of our left is a soprano as is the tall lady. I thought the tallest guy was the "leader" but no. They play with music and that is delightful. I must go in and listen to them again. God bless you. Tom
Actually the lady on the left is an Alto. The sequence from the left is: Alto, Countertenor (singing the Alto line), Soprano, Soprano, Tenor, Tenor, Bass, Bass. The tall tenor standing beside the tall Soprano is the only American. The rest are from the UK.
Great review.
I had the absolute pleasure of being able to work with Eric a few years ago. And my current high school choir teacher Mrs. Kimberly Ritzer, is actually friends with Eric! They both went to UNLV together and have been friends ever since. We were in a google meet with Eric last year during our pandemic school year. It was the most humbling experience!
Another great choice and reaction.
My favourite video of yours to date. So informative and educational. Really appreciated hearing about the differences between choral and opera from someone who’s actually done both. If you ever want to add another string to your bow, you could think about being a choir director or teacher as you explain things very well. You’re really pulling on my heartstrings now you’re in choral territory - my community choir had to practice outside and mostly via zoom this year and I soooo miss the camaraderie and blending and joy of singing with others in person in a place with great acoustics. Please have a look at an Irish choir called Anuna.
Really stoked that you put this on your critique series. Cool and Great stuff. Right on. None better than Voces8 at what they do. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have always dreamt of singing in such a chamber choir😍
I love chamber music and Eric Whitacre. More of both will instantly get a click. Keep up the good work!
There's also a version for wind band of this song and it's just brilliant.
I performed this in high school. Eric Whitacre is a genius!
This is one of my favorite by Whitacre. I've played the band arrangement called October. The other is Seal Lullaby.
my favorites too!
Whitacre was giving a talk where he explained what it is like to actually sing minor 2nd's in a choir - how you can feel the dissonances in your lungs and how it totally hooked him on choral music. Yes, listening it is tears and chills every single time I hear this piece but for those performing it, the experience is much more profound. Words simply are inadequate.
Thanks to you I just found the music I want for my final rest ceremony ... kind of sound like a sad comment but it is more an homage to that piece ans interpretation !
His windband version of Seal Lullaby is also fun to play even as a (Contra)bass clarinetist. Very intricate moving parts throughout the parts which is always fun to play even when they're long notes.
Same with 'Ghost Train'. Definitely a memorable piece both to hear and play!
Choral nerd Peter! Yes! More of this please. May the Ave Maria by Franz Biebl - either by VOCES8 or Chanticleer.
I sang in show chorus and a four part male choir. Both won comps and I miss it every day. Sang plenty of Eric Whitacre pieces.
Very beautiful
Gives ya chills dont it.
Thank you for reminding me of Voces8. I have been listening to a LOT of a cappela recently, and this is a hint to stretch back into other music. My Dad was a fanatical music fan in his youth, sang in Manhttan Men's Choir, and at Choate and W&L. He taught me to love and live for music. He has lost his hearing to a very large degree, and it is a huge disappointment to me that I can't share this with him. Blessings to you, thank you for the beautiful music and great reaction.
I love Voces 8 . They came to Australia. Blake the tall American tenor is an absolute whizz on explaining tuning at the level required by top chamber choirs and groups .
I am a huge Voces8 fan and I love your analysis. Went to JMU? Good luck with your opera career, hope you sing with Seattle Opera.
Love Eric Whitacre, and Voces8 are way better live. I've seen them live 4 times, and look forward to hearing them again. I've heard Chanticleer a few times, I believe even once when current Voces8 tenor, Blake Morgan, was sing with them. As you said, GO if you have the chance.
You should also listen to Child of Wonder! It’s really touching!
Sleep is my absolute favorite
Jeah, Voces8. Love them.
I love them
Hello, thank you for the video. I advise you to make, if you haven't done it yet, a reaction to the wonderful young singer Diana Ankudinova. This girl will surprise you with her artistry and rare timbre of voice. She has covers of famous songs, and also performs her own songs.
Also, totally agree with you in that Voces8 is the premier choral group in the world right now....I'll also add that Andrea, their Soprano I is one of the very best sopranos of our time. I heard them live in a small church outside Knoxville, TN in early 2019. The tuning live is as every much as good as in the studio; it was a long concert and I never heard them go out of tune once.....singing quite a difficult repertoire. I have a critical ear as well with lots of decently high level singing experience. They are absolutely exquisite! And in the music world overall, quite under-recognized for how good they truly are, imo.
Peter, this is not hyper produced. VOCES8 sounds like this live.( Of course, they usually sing in sacred spaces built for such a performance) I have been SO blessed to experience them in concert Their group is called vo- chez eight.
…did I say this was hyper-produced? Pretty sure I said the opposite 🤔 I would never say chamber choral music is hyper produced haha
@@PeterBarber I'm sorry Peter, I must have misheard. I enjoyed your analysis and your reactions to the music. Never apologize for your tears, son. Tears are a natural expression when we encounter profound beauty.
@@reneepoudrier7981 Glad we could clear that up! I would love to see them live -- I've heard other professional chamber choirs and it's always such a joy. Nothing like hearing that blend in a live setting. And agreed re the tears comment :')
The higher voices can hold longer than lower a bit less air Whitaker writes so well
There are a couple recordings out there from when this piece was still in its infancy, when Whitacre was originally setting this music to Robert Frost's text "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening." Of course, the Sylvestri text that Whitacre ended up with fits the music so perfectly, but it is interesting to hear this music with the text that was originally intended and to see what it evolved into once the text changed. I'd highly recommend looking it up. In particular, the big build-up before the apex of the piece (in the prototype, the text is "but I have promises to keep / and miles to go before I sleep") is almost more powerful than where the piece ended up simply because of the text. I so wish Whitacre could have kept just that one bit of text for that part. But alas, Frost's estate is super stringent on who and how they allow his text to be used.
Thank you, thank you. I love Voces8, and while other reactors emphasise groups like Pentatonix, Home Free and Voctave, and I love them too, it's compositions like this that truly have my heart.
voces8 abendlied would be such a DOPE analysis from you , i would love to hear your thoughts on it
Peter... Thank you for reacting to this piece. I have ask a couple other reactors to take a look at this piece before. Nobody has taken me up on it yet. You should check out VOCES8: Earth Song - Frank Ticheli
next.
Yes! There Will Be Rest and Constellation are other awesome Ticheli pieces. Also Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium.