It is fascinating that Ringmasters (the added four voices here) is primarily a barbershop quartet group. They should get a link too! And a reaction?

@MoominJude

4 ай бұрын

They are fantastic. Very versatile, all classically trained at Swedish Music Schools.

I requested this video as a contrast to Shall We Gather At The River. Jeff, you nailed part of the essence of polyphonic music from the late renaissance. Each line is beautiful by itself, yet beautiful together creating chords. This is a piece that rewards repeated listening. The more times I hear it, the more its beauty and intricacy is revealed.

@ditrower8104

6 ай бұрын

I so agree. I really love this piece and the voices are celestial, especially with Andrea's beautiful voice soaring like an angel's over everything. It's perfect.

Giovanni Gabrieli wrote this setting of the 63rd Psalm to be performed in the Cathedral of San Marco in Venice. This building has two choir lofts, separated by maybe 50 feet, so he would have placed a five-voice choir in one loft and another five-voice choir in the other loft. Maybe add in two brass choirs and an organ for good measure! Adding the four Ringmasters to Voces8 gives a wonderful sonority to the lower voices; Barney and the girls hold up their end wonderfully well.

Very nice choice, and very thoughtful comments, Jeff! John's speculation about brass choir accompaniments is also apt, Gabrielli was one of the first to actually write for brass instruments. It's such a thrill to play his music (trombonist speaking here) and come upon those cadences that sometimes appear so suddenly, and you land on that chord but it's such a brief touch and then you're off again.

The one female has what I would call an ultra soprano voice. So well balanced voices throughout this piece.

@johnfenton3699

7 ай бұрын

The female in question is Andrea Haines, described by the fellow members of Voces8 as, "The Queen of the High Notes". Her voice is phenomenal.

@Robert_Herring

7 ай бұрын

To hear her live is a joy.