The choir I'm in sang this for a concert last year and I fell in love with it. I was so reluctant to return the sheet music for it! I don't think any choral piece I will ever sing or hear will ever have as strong an effect on me as this one did. This is one of the most beautiful poems I have ever read, and the choral version is chilling.
I was in a choir as a youth, that sung this song. The choir was unique, for it filled all the seats in the Hunstman Arena at the University of Utah. There were no spectators, only performers. The experience was so overwhelming that each time I hear this sung, it reduces me to tears, and heaves, which make it difficult for me to speak.
Not everything that Randall Thompson wrote is memorable, but his Frostiana settings, his Alleluia, and his Testament of Freedom are achievements that mark him as one of America's very best. And this performance from Harvard, where Thompson taught, is simply elegant, and the gorgeous slides that accompany it just complete the experience. Bravo!
I cannot put into words the emotional response I get from this. All I can say is that I have watched it six times and each time it has as much impact and I have tears streaming down my face. Frost's poetry, Thompson's music, your visuals: together a wonderful tribute to the Divine. Thank you.
It's music like this that gets me contemplating life, God, the universe, and everything in between. This is just a testament to what Man can truly do when in the light of creation herself.
I first heard this piece 4 years ago while in college, after a special guest lecture the university choir came on stage and performed this. I cried my eyes out (I'm a guy and was 26 at the time, lol). So deep, so hopeful....it transports me, still, to a cosmic world of knowing everything is alright and always will be. Love love love this so much.
I didn't understand this piece the first time I performed it. When I eventually realized that the star is a reference to God - or something greater that one has faith in - something more than our present physical state of existence that we all will become a part of after our work on earth is done - this work resonates with the true meaning of humanity, and stir one's deepest emotions.
This song that I learned in high school has shaped how I consider my place in the universe and my definition of what is divine, my philosophy of living. Today, I read that Frost wrote it as a critique of TS Eliot. Now, in my mind, it has become a excellent expression of an extended metaphor, adding technique to my list of understanding the required tools for living.
Great video! I absolutely adore this song. We are singing it in my high school chamber ensemble this year. It is our beloved choral director's last year because he is retiring and what a wonderful way to end his career with this song.
i did this song in my junior year of high school. soo beautiful. my only regret was that i am a soprano and only got to sing those constant Ds and not the amazing harmony.
@bhabooshka It's about how complex the star itself is, and how there are so many questions we can ask, and we may never truly know about it. It gives itself a sense of awe. When there are times that we may become too angry or too proud and we're carried away by the emotion, we can choose something so complex and simple as a star to just stare at, contemplate, and bring us back to earth.
Broke into copious tears halfway through. If the human race were to remain in existence for another millennium, it's unlikely we'll be able to improve, to our satisfaction, on our understanding of the whys and wherefores of the universe. A thousand years from today, there will still be a need for Robert Frost (and Randall Thompson) to help "stay our minds".
Thank you for this beautiful video. I am conducting this tomorrow and awoke early with it on my mind. The pictures you chose have been in my mind yet I have been unable to express. I "caught" my students singing it in the lounge and they were so caught up I was amazed- the gift of this poem and Randall Thompson's music is timeless.... and now I know some 18 year olds who love it! Mission accomplished,.....
@Jupetta Me and my chorus here in Franklin County, Vermont, sang this song this year. I hate it how the suprano's complain about the higher notes... This recording set my example of how the song should sound, and we did nicely but some killed it... This song strikes such a deeper meaning, something called 'hope' and 'faith.' You don't have to be religious, and you don't have to really be a follower of any theory. This song can still mean something to you no matter what. I am nearly 16.
@Sharoney Personally, I liked the tempo. This is what I usually conduct it at, the wonderful thing about being a conductor is I can set the tempo, regardless of what the piece says. I like this interpretation, very well done.
I like this version with very spare accompaniment by the organ. It is more subdued than some of the others but still powerful where it needs to be. Who is performing? Thanks for sharing.
Hi Heidi! I agree Sorry so slow to respond. This Choral setting of Robert Frost's Poem by Randall Thompson is performed by the Harvard University Choir & Murray Forbes Somerville
@theonlymusic1teach Thanks! This piece left a lasting impression on me when I sang it in college with the rest of Frostiana. I'm sure your performance went well!
@christophbell2 And the wonderful thing about being a listener and a choral singer is that I can talk about my preferences in a forum such as this. Happy conducting.
This moves me in the same manner in which these lines from William Wordsworth do: Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting; The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting And cometh from afar; Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home: (Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood)
Too fast. Thompson gave a tempo of 60 for this piece. This version is too fast by a third. The entire contemplative aspect of the work is lost. It's really too bad, because the choir seems to understand the other aspects of the piece--the mystery, the timelessness, the blend contrasted with the floating height of the soprano note. But in the end, it feels rushed. That destroys all the clear and unforced choral sound has built up. Shame.
![KSI - Thick Of It (feat. Trippie Redd) [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tXEPbotEjZE/mqdefault.jpg)
The choir I'm in sang this for a concert last year and I fell in love with it. I was so reluctant to return the sheet music for it! I don't think any choral piece I will ever sing or hear will ever have as strong an effect on me as this one did. This is one of the most beautiful poems I have ever read, and the choral version is chilling.
I was in a choir as a youth, that sung this song. The choir was unique, for it filled all the seats in the Hunstman Arena at the University of Utah. There were no spectators, only performers. The experience was so overwhelming that each time I hear this sung, it reduces me to tears, and heaves, which make it difficult for me to speak.
Not everything that Randall Thompson wrote is memorable, but his Frostiana settings, his Alleluia, and his Testament of Freedom are achievements that mark him as one of America's very best. And this performance from Harvard, where Thompson taught, is simply elegant, and the gorgeous slides that accompany it just complete the experience. Bravo!
I cannot put into words the emotional response I get from this. All I can say is that I have watched it six times and each time it has as much impact and I have tears streaming down my face. Frost's poetry, Thompson's music, your visuals: together a wonderful tribute to the Divine. Thank you.
It's music like this that gets me contemplating life, God, the universe, and everything in between. This is just a testament to what Man can truly do when in the light of creation herself.
2:22 has stuck with me over the years, and I'm so glad to have heard this song again.
I first heard this piece 4 years ago while in college, after a special guest lecture the university choir came on stage and performed this. I cried my eyes out (I'm a guy and was 26 at the time, lol). So deep, so hopeful....it transports me, still, to a cosmic world of knowing everything is alright and always will be. Love love love this so much.
Thankf you for the beautiful pictures accompanying a stellar rendition of this lovely poem.
I didn't understand this piece the first time I performed it. When I eventually realized that the star is a reference to God - or something greater that one has faith in - something more than our present physical state of existence that we all will become a part of after our work on earth is done - this work resonates with the true meaning of humanity, and stir one's deepest emotions.
This song that I learned in high school has shaped how I consider my place in the universe and my definition of what is divine, my philosophy of living. Today, I read that Frost wrote it as a critique of TS Eliot. Now, in my mind, it has become a excellent expression of an extended metaphor, adding technique to my list of understanding the required tools for living.
Great video! I absolutely adore this song. We are singing it in my high school chamber ensemble this year. It is our beloved choral director's last year because he is retiring and what a wonderful way to end his career with this song.
We also sang this in high school! To this day, it remains a favorite of mine!
Wonderful. I am captivated by the crossing harmonies. This piece has such a resonance and ambiance...
What a lovely performance! Really just soaring. Thank you!
Wow - couldnt find this anywhere. Thanks for posting, its such a great rendition. Brings back such great memories for me.
Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to create this beautiful video!
We sang this in High School. The melody is so beautiful and the lyrics have stuck with me.
i did this song in my junior year of high school. soo beautiful. my only regret was that i am a soprano and only got to sing those constant Ds and not the amazing harmony.
This is a stunning performance and brilliant organ playing as well! Thank you!
When I was about 11, I went to an oratorio performance in which my mother sang. It was Frostiana. Thank you for bringing back an unsung memory.
@bhabooshka It's about how complex the star itself is, and how there are so many questions we can ask, and we may never truly know about it. It gives itself a sense of awe. When there are times that we may become too angry or too proud and we're carried away by the emotion, we can choose something so complex and simple as a star to just stare at, contemplate, and bring us back to earth.
Wow.I go to Wellesley High School and we just did the entire Frostiana.It sounded incredible and very professional.
Broke into copious tears halfway through. If the human race were to remain in existence for another millennium, it's unlikely we'll be able to improve, to our satisfaction, on our understanding of the whys and wherefores of the universe. A thousand years from today, there will still be a need for Robert Frost (and Randall Thompson) to help "stay our minds".
This is beautiful- I am at a loss for words. What an inspirational piece.
Thank you for this beautiful video. I am conducting this tomorrow and awoke early with it on my mind. The pictures you chose have been in my mind yet I have been unable to express. I "caught" my students singing it in the lounge and they were so caught up I was amazed- the gift of this poem and Randall Thompson's music is timeless.... and now I know some 18 year olds who love it! Mission accomplished,.....
Your video is cosmic. I choose something like 5 Stars for You.
just sang this song yesterday for district chorus :) so powerful
@Jupetta Me and my chorus here in Franklin County, Vermont, sang this song this year. I hate it how the suprano's complain about the higher notes... This recording set my example of how the song should sound, and we did nicely but some killed it... This song strikes such a deeper meaning, something called 'hope' and 'faith.' You don't have to be religious, and you don't have to really be a follower of any theory. This song can still mean something to you no matter what. I am nearly 16.
@Jupetta I too am a 16-year-old boy, and I could not have put that better.
So when at times the mob is swayed to carry praise or blame too far, we may choose something like a star to stay our minds on and be staid.
@Sharoney Personally, I liked the tempo. This is what I usually conduct it at, the wonderful thing about being a conductor is I can set the tempo, regardless of what the piece says. I like this interpretation, very well done.
muy linda interpretación!
I like this version with very spare accompaniment by the organ. It is more subdued than some of the others but still powerful where it needs to be. Who is performing? Thanks for sharing.
Hi Heidi! I agree
Sorry so slow to respond.
This Choral setting of Robert Frost's Poem by Randall Thompson
is performed by the Harvard University Choir & Murray Forbes Somerville
@theonlymusic1teach
Thanks! This piece left a lasting impression on me when I sang it in college with the rest of Frostiana. I'm sure your performance went well!
Finally, something good out of Harvard to offset all the lawyers!
@christophbell2 And the wonderful thing about being a listener and a choral singer is that I can talk about my preferences in a forum such as this. Happy conducting.
This moves me in the same manner in which these lines from William Wordsworth do:
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting
And cometh from afar;
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
(Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood)
Well said!
Lovely.
Amazing
Me too what happen ot the Morman tabernacle recording that was here?
Nice
@keydet72 .........and globalists!
Too fast. Thompson gave a tempo of 60 for this piece. This version is too fast by a third. The entire contemplative aspect of the work is lost. It's really too bad, because the choir seems to understand the other aspects of the piece--the mystery, the timelessness, the blend contrasted with the floating height of the soprano note. But in the end, it feels rushed. That destroys all the clear and unforced choral sound has built up. Shame.