I am a Jamaican musician who is well acquainted with William Byrd. I listened to this on the morning my Mother passed away. I also stood on top of The Mount Of Olives in Jerusalem listening to this, and was indeed blessed. I think this Choir performs a brilliant rendition of this piece. Bravo.❤
To anyone who is listening this, I pray that whatever is hurting you or whatever you're constantly stressing about gets better.May the dark thoughts, the overthinking, and doubt exit your mind right now.May you receive peace and blessings.Amen🙏🏽
I've been listening to some other a capella groups lately, and the experience has convinced me that NOBODY rivals voces8 for perfect balance and blend. These guys spend as much effort in listening to one another as they do in actually singing, and it pays off in performances as ravishing as this one.
Ruth, I just tried to buy your screenplay on Amazon for my Kindle, bu5 for some reason, it could no5 complete the purchase. I will try again, but you might like to check in case they have got some problem.
How THRILLED Byrd would be to know that this glorious composition has become a beloved favourite, over 400 yrs after he wrote it. It has just reached No. 40, in the BBC's Classic fm's most beloved pieces of 2023, the 400th anniversary of his death! Isnt that astonishing and gives us all hope! *Who knows what impact we will have on generations 400 yrs from now!* It is very humbling to think of it... we are merely a blink in the history of our world! ❤️🇮🇪🇺🇦🙏
Idk he might be alittle more than upset that it was no longer being used in the liturgy to glorify God, but rather almost exclusively being utilized as a secular means of entertainment… Not to say I’m not grateful for the opportunity to hear the piece expertly sung, but Byrd mighta been pissed.. Alright I’ll stop being a curmudgeon now.
Sitting in my church all alone with Jesus, meditating and praying on this frosty Monday morning, the Second Week of Advent. The sun is shining through the stained glass and the sound of your voices resonates so beautifully in the empty church. Come Lord Jesus.
@@richardd5695 I've been unable to find an official source for how RUclips counts views. Someone claimed that RUclips counts one view per browser session as detected by a session cookie.
Herrlich britisch ! Und eine sehr gepflegte und anspruchsvolle Chorkultur, fast meditativ. Diese Ruhe braucht die Welt zurzeit, besonders in diesen wirren Zeiten.
There is no sound on this planet more beautiful than this group produces. From their voices to God’s ears. And, thank God, to ours. God bless Voces8🎼❣️
I recommend you listen to the Cantique DeJean Racine that's here on RUclips. Search for the one conducted by paarvi (Paris Philharmonic). You will feel uplifted
You have been paid a wonderful compliment. Our 2 year old granddaughter heard this playing. She moved slowly as though not knowing what to expect. Standing frozen, she only moved her mouth to mirror what she saw. I was close to tears seeing her amazed by what she heard. Truthfully I can say I am one very contented Grandad. I am grateful for being able to experience this.
The innocence in children instantly recognizes the sublime just as it fears the ugly naturally and only becomes desensitized when the world accustoms the innocents to evil and impurity. The innocence in children is one of the most beautiful, divinely pure gifts we are given and should protect with all we have.
@@laurapatrie1418 Remember what Jesus said about those who despoil that innocence. That's how special they are in the eyes of their Maker. It is that to which He wants us to attain once more when He tells us that until we are as children, we cannot enter His house. Our children and grandchildren, in their innocence, are our guides.
The voices are free of annoying vibrato……sung with an ear for the swelling of the volume and the tapering off of the dynamics as the phrases come to each close. This is so good it actually hurts!
Agree. Amazing when vocalists use their developed instrument without vibrato. Without vibrato, there is nothing to hide behind, just the amazing beauty of their souls thru their voices.
Tenebrae are two, three or more voices too many....some of them get lost in the extra volume for mine. Don't get me wrong, they're fantastic too, just personal preference. I like this lineup of VOCES8 girls too......they drive my imagination!
They are super but Britain produces some other stuff ensembles too that excel . Eg I Fazioli. You might also like to check out the Adelaide Chamber Singers a group of about 16 often in performance.
Amazing when vocalists use their developed instrument without vibrato. Without vibrato, there is nothing to hide behind, just the amazing beauty of their souls thru their voices.
As someone who was fortunate enough to sing in a very good small choir I'd like to stress the level of artistry that goes into achieving this quality of purity and vocal blend. Voices8 is a wonderful ensemble. And as a chorister I can say from experience that there is nothing more challenging or more satisfying than performing William Byrd - you find layer upon layer of depth and meaning in his work. He is a greatly underestimate composer, and at his best he is the equal of Bach himself.
“The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, the most moving... And even the greatest virtuoso in the world will never be able to give you even a fraction of the emotion that a beautiful voice can give you. That is our share of the divine.” ― Anna Gavalda
Oh, to have been gifted with a voice like that!!! I have never heard a better choir nor more angelic sounds than they produce. This must be what angels sound like.
I am speechless at the beauty and purity of these eight voices focused on such a perfect and timeless piece. Lends perspective and quiet to the insanity of today's world.
paul w To each his own. You don’t say if you find beauty in this absolutely Marvellous Recording. If you not, you obviously were not in line when Heart and Soul were given out. Good luck with “om” !.
I sing in a a classical choir where we do a lot of Tallis, Byrd, Viadana, all the greats. I have to stay home today and this is as close to heaven as I can get outside of Holy Mass.
Imagine this celestial rendition being played on any active battlefield on this planet. I can just see the soldiers putting down their weapons and going home to be with their families.
Go learn what US soldiers actually played in Afghanistan. It don't bode well for their response to celestial renditions. I can see them shooting and fragging the audio equipment. In Nam some made ear necklaces.
Be not angry O Lord, remember not these iniquities, but extend your grace and peace unto the one in need of it. We beseech your blessing unto the innocent, may they live in peace and prosper evermore..
Along with all the praise for VOCES8 and William Byrd--all of it so well deserved--I'd like to praise the audio engineers, the videographers, and the video editor. Fabulous production in these videos!
"Sion deserta facta est...Jerusalem desolata est." (6:44) These haunting passages always make me imagine William Byrd, devout Catholic that he was, contemplating the darkness of the fierce iconoclasm of his age. Perhaps he had entered into a formerly ornate church sanctuary that had been whitewashed and stripped down, statues and stained glass destroyed, in the revolutionary fervor of the Puritan revolt. Or perhaps, while traveling, he encountered one of the many ruined monasteries stolen by the crown and the wealthy landowners of the Tudor era -- barren, empty stone walls just beginning to be overgrown by ivy and moss. With his towering musical gifts he was able to channel suffering and sorrow into pure beauty as he composed this exquisite lamentation for what had been lost.
You may enjoy my screenplay about the life of William Byrd, which deals with these tragedies: www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQXZ1K9/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_1YSBFbYCPVCSY
When you've all finished lauding the singers, can we have a word or two of appreciation for the man who wrote the damn thing? My God, but William Byrd was truly a genius on the level of Bach!
@@timothyboles6457 He is not forgotten by anyone who listens to music of this period. Even the Germans and French recognise the genius of Tallis, Byrd, and Dowland.
@@timothyboles6457 Mr William Byrd is far from forgotten. This particular combination of pieces may not be heard often, but the masses and many motets are certainly very popular. How about his 'Ave Verum Corpus' for instance?
@@timothyboles6457 Gone but never forgotten. In a previous lifetime, when I could sing with friends in person, I sang the Civtas Sancti Tui. I count my blessings every day now that I got to sing with them..what a gift it was. I kinda had a feeling that it wouldn't last. I was so shocked when it suddenly ended. Now will be surprised if I ever get to sing with them again.
All of you are wonderful ambassadors of extraordinarily beautiful and healing music. Though the words are sorrowful it's as if God's presiding grace is over whatever desolation has befallen Jerusalem, (Isaiah's hope is not diminished). Thank you for your ongoing marvellous renditions of these great masterpieces of choral music. William Byrd, though in glory I'm sure, would be truly struck by the authenticity of his intentions in your impeccable recordings of his works.
Why does God need to speak? An almighty would directly share awareness with all creation. There is no evidence of this. Why must beings choose or reject eternal truth? Has Brahma in truth forgotten his unity? Conditioned delusion is not verifiable analysis.
I am not in the least bit religious, however I do know good music when I hear it. Voces8 are simply divine. Listening to this music at the end of day lifts the spirit to another plain. Thank you Voces8, you are magnificent.
Just imagine what this wonderful composer could have produced without being outlawed for his religious beliefs What he's left us is sheer beauty. I cannot imagine how it could be improved ,but who knows.
As I sit here... Afternoon tea break from remodeling the house... Hard to go back to work with little tears of joyous appreciation... And the goosebumps...
William Byrd was a catholic at a time in England when it was positively dangerous to be one - is it any wonder that this music charmed Elizabeth I so much that he was essentially safe?
Well this is disgustingly good isn't it? The tuning impeccable, the blend and balance, timing and resonance perfect. It feels suitably intimate and I can imagine Byrd would love to hear his music performed so beautifully.
Listening to these voices,my heart begins to be calm,my brain starts to throw away its mess and my emotion takes back its passion and joy … Thank you God and eight voices !
I'm unabashedly a fan of choral music, but this is one of those rare pieces that makes me feel connected to the divine, just by listening. God bless you Voces8
While I listened just now, RUclips dropped a blaring, obnoxious ad into the middle of the second motet just before the second homophonic statement of «Sion desert facta est» (ATTB). I’ve never become more apoplectic with rage so quickly. Modern society shows horrifying contempt for beauty.
The best performance of the piece I've ever heard. Much slower - two minutes longer than any other performance - turns Byrd's music to a liquid gold! Masterpiece by Masterperformers!
I have listened to this video no less than 50 times since I discovered it a couple of years ago. At the risk of hyperbole, I would say that I have never heard either music or performance as "sublime" as this. The word "sublime" is used often referring to performances I often find quite substandard. This performance stirs my heart in a way that very few other pieces or performances do. This is as good as singing gets in this human form. To me, this is what the voice of "God" sounds like! Straight to my heart, bypassing my analytical mind. All of you listening to this,...I know you are moved too. You are hearing "God's" voice through this performance! Peace and LIght to you.
Superb. The passage at 6:45 - “Sion deserta facta est” followed by “Jerusalem desolata est” is surely one of the finest moments in all of British choral music, here rendered immaculately. Thank you, VOCES8.
I thought the same thing. I listened to this for the first time yesterday--along with several others--and this morning I remembered that part especially. Amazing.
+UkeOne How very christian of you. Sadly, these are the sounds of people, not heaven. A man created this music and men and women are singing it. Heaven is not required.
@DaveDexterMusic The singing IS heavenly! You're being a dick.....and John Walker is an arsehole. You emboldened "new" atheists are insufferable, easily triggered bores.
I put on my earphones. Start the video. Close my eyes. I am transported to another place. Lifted unto ephemeral heights, drifting among the clouds as if upon a warm summer breeze, carried aloft on gossamer wings. Gazing down upon the landscape spread before me, I am reminded, indeed, this is God's work. Were choirs of His angels to be heard, they should sound like VOCES8.
I was in agreement with many of your comments until you brought God and religion into this topic. You know you can express the utmost most admiration of topics without a comment about a non existent entity. Try comparing your love to your earth bound heroes. So many millions of deaths attributed to religion.
@@saxbruce- If it wasn't for Man's belief in God, this divinely inspired music would never have come into existence. Its starting point is a belief in God - that's why this music is the way it is and is why people feel God's inspiration when they listen to both the music and Voces8 performing it.
@@saxbruce - You cannot talk about this music and its excellent performance by Voces8 without reference to the Divine inspiration that gave birth to this wonderful music. Without a belief in God, Byrd would not be able to muster his imagination to create this beautiful music. It is Christianity alone that made this music possible.
Well, a good representative SAMPLING of the best of the Renaissance. John Dowling and his exquisite lute compositions, John Taverner (an insanely under-rated composer!!), Thomas Tallis (as in Spem in Allum and a TON of totally fantastic stuff), the Gabrielli boys if you like brass music, the myriad secular Chansons and Madrigals (King's Singers do madrigals like almost nobody else!!), Ockeghem (another under-rated bloke!!), Josquin des Prez (some of his stuff is EVERY whit as good as anything Palestrina wrote)..... the Renaissance covers 250 years of WONDERFUL music, and hundreds of composers whose music has survived the ravages and misfortunes of hundreds of years and made it possible for us to enjoy heaven on earth here in the 21st century.
To the blokes, between you, you must just about cover every octave. To the Ladies, you are angels and to all of you, it is heaven to hear you and NEVER stop what you do.
Dieu, que c'est beau. Divine polyphonie, chanteurs admirables et William Byrd, compositeur que j'aime particulièrement. Il est de rares moments dans cette vie si sombre où luit la Lumière divine d'une musique qui nous transporte vers l'Idéal. Dostoïevsky disait que la beauté sauvera le monde....
@Stigma Max / Mais la beauté absolue est une marque, un témoignage du Divin, de l'Idéal. En concourant à notre élan vers la transcendance, elle nous approche du Divin. Je vous dis tout cela bien qu'agnostique ! mais oui ! Je crois en l'Absolu, l'Idéal mais je ne crois pas en un "dieu-personne" et je rejette tous les dogmes que je tiens pour des créations humaines. Cela ne m'empêche nullement d'espérer, de tendre vers l'Idéal, l'Un. Dostoïevsky ne s'est pas trompé, soyez en sûr. Recherchons et cultivons la beauté absolue ! amicalement.
@Stigma Max Le "message" divin est la présence de l'Esprit partout, dans l'ensemble du Cosmos. C'est la marque de la présence divine en chaque être. Ce qui demeure après la mort n'est autre que la conscience que nous pouvons (ou non) avoir de cette Présence, en nous, certes, mais aussi en notre prochain. Je crois comme Teilhard de Chardin à la convergence des Pensées ( des "âmes" ?) vers ce "point Omega" qu'il définit comme le Christ mais qui est pour moi l'Un qui veut reconstituer son Unité absolue. Ce n'est qu'une fusion, La fusion absolue. Tout le reste ressortit de la mythologie. Le "séjour" terrestre n'est qu'un épisode pas bien drôle mais par la faute de l'humanité. J'ai une pensée pour le monde animal si maltraité et je suis convaincu qu'il a sa place aussi dans l'Un. Aïe, je vais me faire pas mal de contradicteurs !!! tant pis.
So viel innere Kraft ganz ohne äußeren Pathos: ansatzlose, direkt ins Herz gehende, daher beglückende Horizontverschmelzung über 4 Jahrhunderte: großen Dank fürs Teilen!
@@st14 you know, I don't think it is. I remember when they came out with their Lux Aterna vid and people could not believe that they were unaccompanied. 😂 They were so in tune that they sounded like a pipe organ. Jonathan (bass) is just that good!
JamzieGames They do sound amazing. But it is live sound. I’d love to hear them live. They record into 8 individual mics and some sound engineering is done on it. The question is how much. We won’t know without hearing a live performance. To see the mics, take a look at Shenandoah from Abby Road: ruclips.net/video/t8xbY9Iyxpo/видео.html
I despaired a little when Emily Dickens left. The more I hear how perfectly Eleonore and Andrea are in sync the more I realize how perfect a partnership can be between parts. It's really stunning how seamlessly they blend.
Joe R, what a lovely and moving moment. Thank you for sharing it. How blessed your Granddaughter is to have a Grandad who exposes her to this beautiful, noble, and God-honoring music. God bless you and your family!
This is perfection (and an exceptionally brilliant piece of writing by William Byrd). The perfection of the upper voices (not the slightest hint of a vibrato), and the sonority of the lower voices make for a magical performance of this epic masterpiece. Thank you and congratulations VOCES8
I have a real problem with the artificial repression of vibrato being described as "perfection." I agree these singers are doing a wonderful job, but let's not denigrate the full color of the adult female voice as being somehow "imperfect."
@@nzraya Some vibrato in the voice is very appropriate in certain genres of music - not for Williams Byrd I would argue, where the clarity of each part is vital to the overall effect. You can of course have vibrato in the male voice, so this is not about the male/female. Suppression of vibrato in both sexes may be very appropriate depending upon the music.
When you die, you will hear trumpets and hear the sound of angels. This is about as close as you'll get to hearing the sound of God when you leave this Earthly plane !!
Why mess with the speed of the performance at all? I know you only slowed it a little- but it’s visually obvious that the video was recorded faster and has been slowed down a click or 3 in production. Guys, I think this poor practice and is akin to the way Google enhances those photos they use as screen savers. Is gives an artificial quality to the sound and isn’t improving any part of the video. Plus, as a choir director myself, I think it’s more helpful to the choir “industry” to be completely honest in delivering your actual sound- not an idealized sound without a disclaimer.
Voces8 is adding a library to our lives. No question. Individuals as artists. There is hope. If I heard this on the radio, I might have paid insufficient attention. But seeing the performance is an honour.
I am a Jamaican musician who is well acquainted with William Byrd. I listened to this on the morning my Mother passed away. I also stood on top of The Mount Of Olives in Jerusalem listening to this, and was indeed blessed. I think this Choir performs a brilliant rendition of this piece. Bravo.❤
❤
To anyone who is listening this, I pray that whatever is hurting you or whatever you're constantly stressing about gets better.May the dark thoughts, the overthinking, and doubt exit your mind right now.May you receive peace and blessings.Amen🙏🏽
What a truly beautiful thing to say. May you be greatly blessed. Rev Dev
Can anyone resolve this dark thought for me?
How is this place so f***ed up, given that god is all-powerful and loves us?
@@015-n1c We have free will and too many of choose evil over good. God does not make us do evil.
Heaven should sound this good.
I've been listening to some other a capella groups lately, and the experience has convinced me that NOBODY rivals voces8 for perfect balance and blend. These guys spend as much effort in listening to one another as they do in actually singing, and it pays off in performances as ravishing as this one.
Now it’s 2023! This work will endure, and may VOCES8 sing long into the future.
Can you imagine how pleased the composer would be to know this would be sung so beautifully and heard so widely in the year 2020?
He'd be thrilled. See my screenplay about the life of Byrd here: www.amazon.com/dp/1520194846/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_JchWEb2MJ6CR7
The composer probably had some of the best singers of his time to do it. There is no hint that singers in the past did not as well as singers today.
@@adamabele785 So? That doesn't change the validity of Bill Brockman's remark.
@@ruthkastner6248 Is there a video clip of it?
Ruth, I just tried to buy your screenplay on Amazon for my Kindle, bu5 for some reason, it could no5 complete the purchase. I will try again, but you might like to check in case they have got some problem.
How THRILLED Byrd would be to know that this glorious composition has become a beloved favourite, over 400 yrs after he wrote it.
It has just reached No. 40, in the BBC's Classic fm's most beloved pieces of 2023, the 400th anniversary of his death!
Isnt that astonishing and gives us all hope! *Who knows what impact we will have on generations 400 yrs from now!*
It is very humbling to think of it... we are merely a blink in the history of our world! ❤️🇮🇪🇺🇦🙏
Idk he might be alittle more than upset that it was no longer being used in the liturgy to glorify God, but rather almost exclusively being utilized as a secular means of entertainment…
Not to say I’m not grateful for the opportunity to hear the piece expertly sung, but Byrd mighta been pissed..
Alright I’ll stop being a curmudgeon now.
Tears in my eyes. Thank you a million times over for blessing me with this heavenly music!
Sitting in my church all alone with Jesus, meditating and praying on this frosty Monday morning, the Second Week of Advent. The sun is shining through the stained glass and the sound of your voices resonates so beautifully in the empty church. Come Lord Jesus.
I envy you that you can do that.
But not too soon.
I am going to single-handedly push this video over 1,000,000 views.
You got work to do, sir :) half a mil to go
I'll help you!
Sorry to say but I believe that RUclips shows only as one view per device you have... no matter how many times you watch this.
@@richardd5695 I've been unable to find an official source for how RUclips counts views. Someone claimed that RUclips counts one view per browser session as detected by a session cookie.
Paul yes you may well be right. RUclips obviously isn’t real forthcoming about how the views are counted.
Herrlich britisch !
Und eine sehr gepflegte und anspruchsvolle Chorkultur, fast meditativ.
Diese Ruhe braucht die Welt zurzeit, besonders in diesen wirren Zeiten.
There is no sound on this planet more beautiful than this group produces.
From their voices to God’s ears. And, thank God, to ours. God bless Voces8🎼❣️
Reality really isn't your strong point is it?
Try this instead:
ruclips.net/video/P4dSiHqpULk/видео.html
Ahem. The Tallis Scholars.
@@Tinker1950 You had better reevaluate your view of reality. Maybe it is is a bit biased and needs some refreshening.
I recommend you listen to the Cantique DeJean Racine that's here on RUclips. Search for the one conducted by paarvi (Paris Philharmonic). You will feel uplifted
@@Tinker1950 And choral singing isn't your strong point either!
You might try a bit of charity as well- better than being vexatious.
You have been paid a wonderful compliment. Our 2 year old granddaughter heard this playing. She moved slowly as though not knowing what to expect. Standing frozen, she only moved her mouth to mirror what she saw.
I was close to tears seeing her amazed by what she heard.
Truthfully I can say I am one very contented Grandad. I am grateful for being able to experience this.
The innocence in children instantly recognizes the sublime just as it fears the ugly naturally and only becomes desensitized when the world accustoms the innocents to evil and impurity. The innocence in children is one of the most beautiful, divinely pure gifts we are given and should protect with all we have.
Laura, very well said!
@@laurapatrie1418 Remember what Jesus said about those who despoil that innocence. That's how special they are in the eyes of their Maker. It is that to which He wants us to attain once more when He tells us that until we are as children, we cannot enter His house. Our children and grandchildren, in their innocence, are our guides.
You may have a future serious vocalist there.
Kenneth Masters: Her Mother is, so there is a chance.
This type of choral singing is so soothing in a world of hustle & bustle, it is a source of refreshing for me
This is so beautiful& calming in reminding us of our heavenly Creator:what an inspiring man Byrd must have been&hope he was acclaimed!
I can't like this video enough, whenever I'am watching it. 'tis divine, simply divine!
The voices are free of annoying vibrato……sung with an ear for the swelling of the volume and the tapering off of the dynamics as the phrases come to each close. This is so good it actually hurts!
Agree. Amazing when vocalists use their developed instrument without vibrato. Without vibrato, there is nothing to hide behind, just the amazing beauty of their souls thru their voices.
When I am beaten down by the world, this music is a wonderful tonic for the soul. Thanks very much.
This is the purist choir I've ever heard. They are absolutely flawless.
It's them and the Tallis Scholars, head above everyone else.
@@rickc2102 I'd also recommend Tenebrae and the Gabrieli Consort
@@Imakeeeeeno Tenebrae is even better imho...but all of them need 1 good deep oktavist singer....that dark layer voice would make everything better
Tenebrae are two, three or more voices too many....some of them get lost in the extra volume for mine. Don't get me wrong, they're fantastic too, just personal preference.
I like this lineup of VOCES8 girls too......they drive my imagination!
They are super but Britain produces some other stuff ensembles too that excel . Eg I Fazioli. You might also like to check out the Adelaide Chamber Singers a group of about 16 often in performance.
Amazing when vocalists use their developed instrument without vibrato. Without vibrato, there is nothing to hide behind, just the amazing beauty of their souls thru their voices.
Sublime. If God has a voice I imagine it would sound like this.
As someone who was fortunate enough to sing in a very good small choir I'd like to stress the level of artistry that goes into achieving this quality of purity and vocal blend. Voices8 is a wonderful ensemble.
And as a chorister I can say from experience that there is nothing more challenging or more satisfying than performing William Byrd - you find layer upon layer of depth and meaning in his work. He is a greatly underestimate composer, and at his best he is the equal of Bach himself.
“The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, the most moving... And even the greatest virtuoso in the world will never be able to give you even a fraction of the emotion that a beautiful voice can give you. That is our share of the divine.”
― Anna Gavalda
Magnificent, when Andrea rises her voice, tears are running..
When heaven is opened amd you hear angels sing
Oh, to have been gifted with a voice like that!!! I have never heard a better choir nor more angelic sounds than they produce. This must be what angels sound like.
I am speechless at the beauty and purity of these eight voices focused on such a perfect and timeless piece.
Lends perspective and quiet to the insanity of today's world.
No instrument, no auto tune, just pure angelic voice.
We need more of this during this tough time in the world.
I'm drowning in a pool of my own tears. - Jerry of San Diego
Merci. Merci ! Amis de Voces 8 . Vous nous faites du bien et nous aidez à élever nos âmes. La beauté libère le monde
Some of the purest polyphony ever! When the sopranos and altos make their first attackless entrance out of the ether it is just breathtaking.
Fabulous. My 21-month-old daughter just sat and listen/watched all of that. The first time she's been quiet all day! Thank you!!
I hope she still loves this these years later.
There is NO purer sound in the known Universe! Angels listen and weep for joy. And, so do I. . .
paul w To each his own. You don’t say if you find beauty in this absolutely Marvellous Recording.
If you not, you obviously were not in line when Heart and Soul were given out. Good luck with “om” !.
Music written by a genius, facing religious persecution , performed by singers on top of their craft. Simply superb, thank you.
I can only wish more people could hear Byrd in his glory.
THANK YOU!!!...THANK YOU!!!...THANK YOU!!!... AD INFINITUM!!! THANK YOU!!!!....
What purity of sound and ensemble. This is the height of achievement in small ensemble. The perfect chamber choir to date.
Incredible performance. It transports me to another realm where God reigns and we are safe and secure. What a blending of voices!
I sing in a a classical choir where we do a lot of Tallis, Byrd, Viadana, all the greats. I have to stay home today and this is as close to heaven as I can get outside of Holy Mass.
Imagine this celestial rendition being played on any active battlefield on this planet. I can just see the soldiers putting down their weapons and going home to be with their families.
Please send to Putin..................
Have you seen Children of Men?
Go learn what US soldiers actually played in Afghanistan. It don't bode well for their response to celestial renditions. I can see them shooting and fragging the audio equipment. In Nam some made ear necklaces.
How many times have I listened to this? I have no idea. I lost count long ago. I have yet to hear this piece sung with such perfection!
Be not angry O Lord, remember not these iniquities, but extend your grace and peace unto the one in need of it.
We beseech your blessing unto the innocent, may they live in peace and prosper evermore..
They are incredible. I can't imagine how hard it must be to do this that well
Along with all the praise for VOCES8 and William Byrd--all of it so well deserved--I'd like to praise the audio engineers, the videographers, and the video editor. Fabulous production in these videos!
If there is music in Heaven, it most certainly must sound like this!
It's gonna sound a lot better than this in Heaven!!!!
@@BLehman828 Yes. I agree! Perfect harmony.
"Sion deserta facta est...Jerusalem desolata est." (6:44)
These haunting passages always make me imagine William Byrd, devout Catholic that he was, contemplating the darkness of the fierce iconoclasm of his age.
Perhaps he had entered into a formerly ornate church sanctuary that had been whitewashed and stripped down, statues and stained glass destroyed, in the revolutionary fervor of the Puritan revolt.
Or perhaps, while traveling, he encountered one of the many ruined monasteries stolen by the crown and the wealthy landowners of the Tudor era -- barren, empty stone walls just beginning to be overgrown by ivy and moss.
With his towering musical gifts he was able to channel suffering and sorrow into pure beauty as he composed this exquisite lamentation for what had been lost.
Superb!
Beautiful observation, wonderfully expressed. Thank you.
Excellent supposition which is entirely possible given the time period-ty!
Well said.
You may enjoy my screenplay about the life of William Byrd, which deals with these tragedies: www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQXZ1K9/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_1YSBFbYCPVCSY
When you've all finished lauding the singers, can we have a word or two of appreciation for the man who wrote the damn thing? My God, but William Byrd was truly a genius on the level of Bach!
Indeed, Mr Byrd is a forgotten master, and among the greats of the period and ranks with Palestrina, and La Victoria
@@timothyboles6457 He is not forgotten by anyone who listens to music of this period. Even the Germans and French recognise the genius of Tallis, Byrd, and Dowland.
@@DieFlabbergast LOL - that's saying lot ;)
@@timothyboles6457 Mr William Byrd is far from forgotten. This particular combination of pieces may not be heard often, but the masses and many motets are certainly very popular. How about his 'Ave Verum Corpus' for instance?
@@timothyboles6457 Gone but never forgotten. In a previous lifetime, when I could sing with friends in person, I sang the Civtas Sancti Tui. I count my blessings every day now that I got to sing with them..what a gift it was. I kinda had a feeling that it wouldn't last. I was so shocked when it suddenly ended. Now will be surprised if I ever get to sing with them again.
All of you are wonderful ambassadors of extraordinarily beautiful and healing music. Though the words are sorrowful it's as if God's presiding grace is over whatever desolation has befallen Jerusalem, (Isaiah's hope is not diminished). Thank you for your ongoing marvellous renditions of these great masterpieces of choral music. William Byrd, though in glory I'm sure, would be truly struck by the authenticity of his intentions in your impeccable recordings of his works.
Dear God, thank you for William Byrd’s inspired genius. 🙏
This is the serenity of the Divine.
In the pandemic I find myself turning often to the polyphonic masters more than great composers of any other style or period.
Finding voces8 has been very healing to my heart. I thank you so much.
The bass singer is sublime. Just subtle enough to be noticed but not absent.
As beautiful a piece, and as beautifully performed, as any choral work ever. Thank you.
When God speaks, it is music; for each communicates to each other as well as to those with ears to hear.
Why does God need to speak? An almighty would directly share awareness with all creation. There is no evidence of this. Why must beings choose or reject eternal truth? Has Brahma in truth forgotten his unity? Conditioned delusion is not verifiable analysis.
@@rabokarabekian409 Intellectual analysis can get in the way of experiencing God.
I am not in the least bit religious, however I do know good music when I hear it. Voces8 are simply divine. Listening to this music at the end of day lifts the spirit to another plain. Thank you Voces8, you are magnificent.
For this be a mere glimpse of what the voices will be like singing in God's heavenly kingdom!!!
This is it. There is no more. And it's good enough. More than good enough.
This gives me goosebumps every time, moves me to tears with astonishment,
Byrd was a genius
Just imagine what this wonderful composer could have produced without being outlawed for his religious beliefs
What he's left us is sheer beauty. I cannot imagine how it could be improved ,but who knows.
As I sit here... Afternoon tea break from remodeling the house... Hard to go back to work with little tears of joyous appreciation... And the goosebumps...
William Byrd was a catholic at a time in England when it was positively dangerous to be one - is it any wonder that this music charmed Elizabeth I so much that he was essentially safe?
Well this is disgustingly good isn't it? The tuning impeccable, the blend and balance, timing and resonance perfect. It feels suitably intimate and I can imagine Byrd would love to hear his music performed so beautifully.
Knob
@@stephenfurlong7505 why are you calling him a knob?
Sang this last night with 8 friends all good readers in Baltimore. It is a monumental work of Byrd and curiously not that hard to sight sing
Simply superb. Worship that sounds like worship.
This chior ,and Tenebrae,make the world better place.in a world getting more and more cruel
Listening to these voices,my heart begins to be calm,my brain starts to throw away its mess and my emotion takes back its passion and joy …
Thank you God and eight voices !
Perfect song for this moment in history. Lord help us all.
I'm unabashedly a fan of choral music, but this is one of those rare pieces that makes me feel connected to the divine, just by listening.
God bless you Voces8
Sigh... Listening once again. Just beautiful.
William Byrd has some of the most beautiful songs I've never heard, I've been a fan since the early 2000s
Celestial!!most beautiful harmony beyond belief...I call this “holy music”!THANK YOU VOCES8
While I listened just now, RUclips dropped a blaring, obnoxious ad into the middle of the second motet just before the second homophonic statement of «Sion desert facta est» (ATTB). I’ve never become more apoplectic with rage so quickly. Modern society shows horrifying contempt for beauty.
The best performance of the piece I've ever heard. Much slower - two minutes longer than any other performance - turns Byrd's music to a liquid gold! Masterpiece by Masterperformers!
I have listened to this video no less than 50 times since I discovered it a couple of years ago. At the risk of hyperbole, I would say that I have never heard either music or performance as "sublime" as this. The word "sublime" is used often referring to performances I often find quite substandard. This performance stirs my heart in a way that very few other pieces or performances do. This is as good as singing gets in this human form. To me, this is what the voice of "God" sounds like! Straight to my heart, bypassing my analytical mind. All of you listening to this,...I know you are moved too. You are hearing "God's" voice through this performance! Peace and LIght to you.
A deep expression of love, beyond human words. Your voices touch at the core of our very being. Thank you!
This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.
Superb. The passage at 6:45 - “Sion deserta facta est” followed by “Jerusalem desolata est” is surely one of the finest moments in all of British choral music, here rendered immaculately. Thank you, VOCES8.
Yes, I come back to this spot again and again. If I can write even a few phrases of music so true in my life...
I thought the same thing. I listened to this for the first time yesterday--along with several others--and this morning I remembered that part especially. Amazing.
@@nelsonmartinmusicawe inspiringconnie fitzelle
Perhaps in ALL music.
This sound was created in heaven and is manifested through these totally beautiful voices...absolutely magnificent!
Don't be ridiculous. Get a grip on reality.
Don't like the sounds of heaven, then "GO TO HELL, ASSHOLE!"
@@UkeOne
Ah, the instant vacuous 'christian' response.
Are you demanding 'respect'?
Try this instead:
ruclips.net/video/P4dSiHqpULk/видео.html
+UkeOne How very christian of you. Sadly, these are the sounds of people, not heaven. A man created this music and men and women are singing it. Heaven is not required.
@DaveDexterMusic The singing IS heavenly!
You're being a dick.....and John Walker is an arsehole.
You emboldened "new" atheists are insufferable, easily triggered bores.
Absolutely magnificent. What beautiful voices. No rush...no hurry... just wonderful music.
It is wonderful how many composers praise God, our Lord.
I agree! A good observation & a good comment.
Yes, great composers.
I put on my earphones. Start the video. Close my eyes. I am transported to another place. Lifted unto ephemeral heights, drifting among the clouds as if upon a warm summer breeze, carried aloft on gossamer wings. Gazing down upon the landscape spread before me, I am reminded, indeed, this is God's work. Were choirs of His angels to be heard, they should sound like VOCES8.
William Byrd's Latin compositions will do this to you. Well performed by Voces.
Amen!
I was in agreement with many of your comments until you brought God and religion into this topic. You know you can express the utmost most admiration of topics without a comment about a non existent entity.
Try comparing your love to your earth bound heroes.
So many millions of deaths attributed to religion.
@@saxbruce- If it wasn't for Man's belief in God, this divinely inspired music would never have come into existence. Its starting point is a belief in God - that's why this music is the way it is and is why people feel God's inspiration when they listen to both the music and Voces8 performing it.
@@saxbruce - You cannot talk about this music and its excellent performance by Voces8 without reference to the Divine inspiration that gave birth to this wonderful music. Without a belief in God, Byrd would not be able to muster his imagination to create this beautiful music. It is Christianity alone that made this music possible.
William Byrd, together with Palestrina, reflect the best of Renaissance!
Well, a good representative SAMPLING of the best of the Renaissance. John Dowling and his exquisite lute compositions, John Taverner (an insanely under-rated composer!!), Thomas Tallis (as in Spem in Allum and a TON of totally fantastic stuff), the Gabrielli boys if you like brass music, the myriad secular Chansons and Madrigals (King's Singers do madrigals like almost nobody else!!), Ockeghem (another under-rated bloke!!), Josquin des Prez (some of his stuff is EVERY whit as good as anything Palestrina wrote)..... the Renaissance covers 250 years of WONDERFUL music, and hundreds of composers whose music has survived the ravages and misfortunes of hundreds of years and made it possible for us to enjoy heaven on earth here in the 21st century.
I agree 200%
To the blokes, between you, you must just about cover every octave. To the Ladies, you are angels and to all of you, it is heaven to hear you and NEVER stop what you do.
Can you imagine how many tears were shed upon the raging rapids of songs like this before recorded music?
This group's praise washes my soul. Thank you.
William Byrd was truly a gem... he held firm when Catholic in England were being persecuted without mercy... what a great composter
Dieu, que c'est beau. Divine polyphonie, chanteurs admirables et William Byrd, compositeur que j'aime particulièrement. Il est de rares moments dans cette vie si sombre où luit la Lumière divine d'une musique qui nous transporte vers l'Idéal. Dostoïevsky disait que la beauté sauvera le monde....
C'est vrai. Avec cette musique on verra des miracles.
@Stigma Max / Mais la beauté absolue est une marque, un témoignage du Divin, de l'Idéal. En concourant à notre élan vers la transcendance, elle nous approche du Divin.
Je vous dis tout cela bien qu'agnostique ! mais oui ! Je crois en l'Absolu, l'Idéal mais je ne crois pas en un "dieu-personne" et je rejette tous les dogmes que je tiens pour des créations humaines. Cela ne m'empêche nullement d'espérer, de tendre vers l'Idéal, l'Un.
Dostoïevsky ne s'est pas trompé, soyez en sûr. Recherchons et cultivons la beauté absolue ! amicalement.
@Stigma Max so in the end Dostojewski is right.
@Stigma Max Out plûtot, ceux que Lui a choisi de sauver. Voir par exemple Éphésians 1:4-5. La question se pose.
@Stigma Max Le "message" divin est la présence de l'Esprit partout, dans l'ensemble du Cosmos. C'est la marque de la présence divine en chaque être. Ce qui demeure après la mort n'est autre que la conscience que nous pouvons (ou non) avoir de cette Présence, en nous, certes, mais aussi en notre prochain. Je crois comme Teilhard de Chardin à la convergence des Pensées ( des "âmes" ?) vers ce "point Omega" qu'il définit comme le Christ mais qui est pour moi l'Un qui veut reconstituer son Unité absolue. Ce n'est qu'une fusion, La fusion absolue. Tout le reste ressortit de la mythologie. Le "séjour" terrestre n'est qu'un épisode pas bien drôle mais par la faute de l'humanité. J'ai une pensée pour le monde animal si maltraité et je suis convaincu qu'il a sa place aussi dans l'Un. Aïe, je vais me faire pas mal de contradicteurs !!! tant pis.
It sounds like velvet to my hears. Magnificent.
So viel innere Kraft ganz ohne äußeren Pathos: ansatzlose, direkt ins Herz gehende, daher beglückende Horizontverschmelzung über 4 Jahrhunderte: großen Dank fürs Teilen!
Holy Moses. Those bass notes....
The basses, yes; plus the bell-like tone the sopranos sometimes get. Chills
Is this smoothed in the post process? I can’t believe the smoothness of the bass tone... it is amazing.
@@st14 you know, I don't think it is. I remember when they came out with their Lux Aterna vid and people could not believe that they were unaccompanied. 😂 They were so in tune that they sounded like a pipe organ. Jonathan (bass) is just that good!
JamzieGames They do sound amazing. But it is live sound. I’d love to hear them live. They record into 8 individual mics and some sound engineering is done on it. The question is how much. We won’t know without hearing a live performance. To see the mics, take a look at Shenandoah from Abby Road: ruclips.net/video/t8xbY9Iyxpo/видео.html
Simply the best bass I've heard in years. He's like a cello + organ with 128 foot pipes. I've never heard anything like it.
the togetherness choral music brings is just magical. Their music inspires me often
My God, all other musical performances pale in comparison to this.
I despaired a little when Emily Dickens left. The more I hear how perfectly Eleonore and Andrea are in sync the more I realize how perfect a partnership can be between parts. It's really stunning how seamlessly they blend.
People who like this kind of thing will find this is the kind of thing they like, Abe couldn’t have put it any better. I like it...a lot
It will be great if VOCES8 can do Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner, like here if you agree!
I love them from my heart.THIS IS DIVINE MUSIIC ,healing all pain of body and soul..THANKING YOU FROM MY HEART
They did... no wait, that was Tenebrae. Just listen to Tenebrae, nobody does a better Miserere.
@@Metal-Possum totally agree my friend! there is no better miserere and locus iste...just amazing
I really like that piece! I once sung it in choir during college.
They should definitely do Locus Iste. I sung it numerous times and love it more each time.
Joe R, what a lovely and moving moment. Thank you for sharing it. How blessed your Granddaughter is to have a Grandad who exposes her to this beautiful, noble, and God-honoring music. God bless you and your family!
This is perfection (and an exceptionally brilliant piece of writing by William Byrd). The perfection of the upper voices (not the slightest hint of a vibrato), and the sonority of the lower voices make for a magical performance of this epic masterpiece. Thank you and congratulations VOCES8
Absolutely! The voices fit exactly right!
They glow, don’t they?
I have a real problem with the artificial repression of vibrato being described as "perfection." I agree these singers are doing a wonderful job, but let's not denigrate the full color of the adult female voice as being somehow "imperfect."
@@nzraya Some vibrato in the voice is very appropriate in certain genres of music - not for Williams Byrd I would argue, where the clarity of each part is vital to the overall effect. You can of course have vibrato in the male voice, so this is not about the male/female. Suppression of vibrato in both sexes may be very appropriate depending upon the music.
When you die, you will hear trumpets and hear the sound of angels.
This is about as close as you'll get to hearing the sound of God when you leave this Earthly plane !!
may VOCES8 come to sing in the ruins of Notre Dame de Paris !
Vive La France!!
May they sing in the authentically rebuilt Notre Dame de Paris!
Don't just rebuild the church. Rebuild the faith!!
Then we’d be obligated to invite the fake, secular, empty suit politicians.
Tough call.
Why mess with the speed of the performance at all? I know you only slowed it a little- but it’s visually obvious that the video was recorded faster and has been slowed down a click or 3 in production. Guys, I think this poor practice and is akin to the way Google enhances those photos they use as screen savers. Is gives an artificial quality to the sound and isn’t improving any part of the video. Plus, as a choir director myself, I think it’s more helpful to the choir “industry” to be completely honest in delivering your actual sound- not an idealized sound without a disclaimer.
Voces8 is adding a library to our lives. No question. Individuals as artists. There is hope. If I heard this on the radio, I might have paid insufficient attention. But seeing the performance is an honour.
Art. Beauty. Excellence
Evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit