I will add Leland Sateren from Augsburg too but how to measure him against the others...each had its place in Lutheran chorale excellence. The brain delights in the complexity of choral music and I will be forever grateful that I was raised with the Lutheran tradition of choral music!
Yes indeed two choral World wonders for sure. Among the finest on our Planet with a long standing tradition of excellence. Don't forget Paul M.Christiansen. Greetings & A Joyous Noel to You & Yours! From Leo in the town of Alamosa in the beautiful San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado USA! Play Leo's Christmas Garyskiman L on UA-cam - a Huge Christmas music playlist with Great Variety! 🎅🦌☃🎄🎁🎵
Shivers, tears, awe. Rene...awesome. Choir...balance perfection, tonal perfection. Jealousy for not being one of you that night. (from former boys choir, men & boys choir, Gettysburg College Chapel Choir member) There is no more beautiful sound on Earth than human voices such as these raised in chorus (though the greatest pipe organs are nice too. ; )
Yes an outstanding choir. Exceptionally trained, superb conductor, talented vocalists! They have it all. A great choir tradition at Concordia College - past & present directors, choral composers, and World tours. A Joyous Noel to You & Yours! From Leo in the town of Alamosa in the beautiful San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado USA. Check out Leo's Christmas on UA-cam (Garyskiman L) hO-Ho-HO!!! 🎅🤶🦌❄☃🎵🎄🎁✨🖖🙏
Beautiful! I lived in Moorhead MN and Fargo ND in 1971. I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wish I knew of this performance back then. Beautiful cities back then. Thanks.
Oak Grove Lutheran HS in Fargo, had a strong choir those years also. We sang and recorded an album 71/72, school year. Our Madrigal group was top notch. A perfect blend of voices. Our Alto soloist for Beautiful Savior was also very good. We sadly lost Carol in her Freshman year in college. She went home to God, to sing with the Angels.✨🕊✨
Jesus, my dad was a Concordia grad, 49, he directed my high school choir and we did so many Paul and F Melius Christiansen arrangements.....it was wonderful!!! It is great to hear all these songs from the Concorida Choir here on youtube! Merry Christmas!
Wow. Sounds kind of familiar in that my high school sweetheart was in our high school choir (Glendale High in Glendale, California) which was directed by Sidney Johnson, who studied under Paul Christiansen and they, too, did many Paul and F Melius arrangements. Fifty years later, I still can't get enough of this glorius music.
My daughter, Jill, sang with the choir when she attended Concordia several years ago and it was a highlight in my life to hear the Choir--they are indeed very special, and this was one of my favorite numbers. God bless the choir and Director for such beauty.
Of All the Songs I wish I could have performed at my Funeral........or better yet, Before I die........this is it.....Hearing This Is Like Going to Heaven.......
What a powerful surge of emotion this brings, hearing my former choir intone the old Polish tune. Paul Christiansen conducted us in 1983-85 and I was so thrilled to be humming in the bass. To be a part, to have been in it, it was a unit.
You are so blessed! I get chills every time I listen. Although I never had the privilege of seeing Paul Christiansen conduct the choir I feel honored that I was able to see Rene Clausen direct it a handful of times when they toured the Bay Area in California.
When the Concordia choir was on tour in 2022, they stopped at Brainerd, and I was able to sing O Day full of grace with them. and to end their concert they sang this BEAUTIFUL piece, and I just melted.
I was fortunate enough to have 2 choir directors in high school who came from Pacific Lutheran University, who studied under Maurice Skones. The F. Melius Christianson songs were always my favorite to learn and sing. Christianson really knew how voices needed to blend together for such a sound.
I have sung both the 1st and 2nd Tenor parts and this is a favorite hymn of mine. There are a lot of Lutherans that love this hymn. However, it is also sung in the Roman Catholic Church. I sang it with my school choir at the funeral of a student, who sang first tenor, who died of cancer. The hymn was sung after Holy Communion at the mass.
Soli Deo Gloria! I cannot stop listening to this recording. It is beyond beautiful. I, too, have sung this arrangement. From one Concordian (CUC '13) to another, "God's blessings to you, and job well done! The alto solo is just beautiful, and the support from the tenors and basses (fellow bass here) are like none other I've heard. Sopranos sound heavenly. Kapelle (CUC) choir is singing this arrangement for their spring tour this year. Gives me tears and goosebumps each time!
Actually it's an almost universal hymn among "western" Christians. A different translation is rendered as "Fairest Lord Jesus" among many denominations. I belong to an ELCA parish in California founded by Swedes over 100 years ago; this hymn, I'm sad to say, is almost never sung there.
Also used as the closing piece for all concerts of the Samford University (Birmingham, AL) A Cappella Choir. It's been 31 years since I graduated, and I can still sing both the bass and the baritone parts in my sleep.
I was a member of the Concordia Choir in the mid 70s and recall singing at Samford when we were on tour. 1976 I believe. There must be some common history there. My father was a student of FMC.
I was not going to push the like button...until I heard the ending. It was certainly great all from the beginning, but the last part (In pop music we would call it a "tag") is stunning.
In so many ways a sublime performance. The young soloist has a perfectly beautiful, well trained voice. The tenors in the coda are terrific! I just wonder whether the choir, in its enthusiasm, could reign in some of those syllables that need to be de-emphasized--sav-YOR, na-SHUN, etc. [This anthem always makes me cry because my own beloved college choir (now called Pfeiffer University, in NC) sang it so often. ]
The conductor of the Samford A Cappella Choir from the late 40's thru the mid '60's, Dr. Koski, was an alum of St. Olaf, if I'm not mistaken. Dr. Gene Black, who conducted the Choir from '65-'98 was a disciple of Dr. Koski and emulated his style and technique. I was in the Choir from '80-'83, and it seemed like we did two to three pieces that were arranged by FMC or PC every year. I said that I could still sing Beautiful Savior from memory after all of these years. I think I could still do the same with O Day Full of Grace. :)
Well, if Koski was a St. Olaf alum, that explains this "tradition" at Concordia -- it's a transplant. Nothing unique or amazing about that (although this performance is lovely). Sadly, Concordia didn't select it's own "signature" closing piece, such as "Praise to the Lord" is to Gustavus Adolphus.
kostumeman I sang under Paul J. Christiansen & my father was a student of FMC. I recall Paul making the statement. "I chose to end our concerts with Beautiful Savior because that's what my dad did". Nothing "sad" about it was simply a "family tradition". The history & bond between "Ole's" and "Cobbers" run deep. One of FMC's other sons Jake Christiansen was the football coach at Concordia for years.
maestroz25 I sang under Paul J.'s oldest conductor son, Sigurd. at Texas Lutheran, We never did "Beautiful Savior" the four years I was there. But as soon as Paul J. retired from Concordia, the TLC Choir began to do it regularly. I am glad Rene Clausen has not shied a way from closing the Concordia Choir concerts with it.
If it's named "Concordia" it's probably an LCMS institution, which often means they won't approve of your status. Check out an ELCA rendition at ua-cam.com/video/0QJ4TkIcSkk/v-deo.html or ua-cam.com/video/UYrfcNG2vsM/v-deo.html. The St Olaf Choir tours the US every year. They always end every concert with this beautiful hymn. Don't miss an opportunity to be there!
A good rendition, but I am totally biased and don't think that this song should be sung by any other than the St. Olaf Choir. Christiansen wrote this for them, and he started a legacy of choral excellence in rural MN. In my opinion, St. Olaf is the panicle of choral excellence in the US.
Paul J was the son of F Melius and continued his father's tradition at Concordia Moorhead. St Olaf choir since that time has been second sister to the Concordia College Choir.
Beautiful alto solo - she's in the second row, to the left of the director. Always an alto solo on the second verse. Wonderful blend.
Two wonders of the world: the Concordia and St. Olaf Choirs. F. Melius Christianson's legacy. The best in choral music!
Luther College in Decorah, IA is not far behind.
I will add Leland Sateren from Augsburg too but how to measure him against the others...each had its place in Lutheran chorale excellence. The brain delights in the complexity of choral music and I will be forever grateful that I was raised with the Lutheran tradition of choral music!
Yes indeed two choral World wonders for sure. Among the finest on our Planet with a long standing tradition of excellence. Don't forget Paul M.Christiansen. Greetings & A Joyous Noel to You & Yours! From Leo in the town of Alamosa in the beautiful San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado USA! Play Leo's Christmas Garyskiman L on UA-cam - a Huge Christmas music playlist with Great Variety! 🎅🦌☃🎄🎁🎵
I've just listened to this heavenly choir sing this delightful hymn in St Peter's Basilica, Rome. They took the roof off!
Shivers, tears, awe. Rene...awesome. Choir...balance perfection, tonal perfection. Jealousy for not being one of you that night. (from former boys choir, men & boys choir, Gettysburg College Chapel Choir member) There is no more beautiful sound on Earth than human voices such as these raised in chorus (though the greatest pipe organs are nice too. ; )
Yes an outstanding choir. Exceptionally trained, superb conductor, talented vocalists! They have it all. A great choir tradition at Concordia College - past & present directors, choral composers, and World tours. A Joyous Noel to You & Yours! From Leo in the town of Alamosa in the beautiful San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado USA. Check out Leo's Christmas on UA-cam (Garyskiman L) hO-Ho-HO!!! 🎅🤶🦌❄☃🎵🎄🎁✨🖖🙏
No frills, no thrills, no entertainment, or flash and dance; reverence and honor and love of the Beautiful Saviour. Sweet.
Exactly
Beautiful! I lived in Moorhead MN and Fargo ND in 1971. I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wish I knew of this performance back then. Beautiful cities back then. Thanks.
Oak Grove Lutheran HS in Fargo, had a strong choir those years also. We sang and recorded an album 71/72, school year. Our Madrigal group was top notch. A perfect blend of voices. Our Alto soloist for Beautiful Savior was also very good. We sadly lost Carol in her Freshman year in college. She went home to God, to sing with the Angels.✨🕊✨
Jesus, my dad was a Concordia grad, 49, he directed my high school choir and we did so many Paul and F Melius Christiansen arrangements.....it was wonderful!!! It is great to hear all these songs from the Concorida Choir here on youtube!
Merry Christmas!
Wow. Sounds kind of familiar in that my high school sweetheart was in our high school choir (Glendale High in Glendale, California) which was directed by Sidney Johnson, who studied under Paul Christiansen and they, too, did many Paul and F Melius arrangements. Fifty years later, I still can't get enough of this glorius music.
My daughter, Jill, sang with the choir when she attended Concordia several years ago and it was a highlight in my life to hear the Choir--they are indeed very special, and this was one of my favorite numbers. God bless the choir and Director for such beauty.
Normelton
I NEVER get TIRED of Listening to this............Marvelous Job by Rene and the Choir for making This Arrangement Timeless......!!
Of All the Songs I wish I could have performed at my Funeral........or better yet, Before I die........this is it.....Hearing This Is Like Going to Heaven.......
This always brings me to tears. I believe THIS is what Heaven sounds like.
What a powerful surge of emotion this brings, hearing my former choir intone the old Polish tune. Paul Christiansen conducted us in 1983-85 and I was so thrilled to be humming in the bass. To be a part, to have been in it, it was a unit.
You are so blessed! I get chills every time I listen. Although I never had the privilege of seeing Paul Christiansen conduct the choir I feel honored that I was able to see Rene Clausen direct it a handful of times when they toured the Bay Area in California.
When the Concordia choir was on tour in 2022, they stopped at Brainerd, and I was able to sing O Day full of grace with them. and to end their concert they sang this BEAUTIFUL piece, and I just melted.
I was fortunate enough to have 2 choir directors in high school who came from Pacific Lutheran University, who studied under Maurice Skones. The F. Melius Christianson songs were always my favorite to learn and sing. Christianson really knew how voices needed to blend together for such a sound.
just beautiful! thankyou for praising our great GOD. Father,Son,and Holy Spirit.
Wow, that soloist is amazing! I think that's my favorite soloist on all the Beautiful Savior recordings. Just gorgeous.
No one can stamp out Christianity as long as these choirs are singing God's praises
I was in the male chorus class of sixty five. Northwestern Lutheran Prep. Just the best.
St. Olaf sang this same arrangement of Beautiful Savior many years ago and my husband and I love it. This was beautiful as well.
What a Choir and what a beautiful Alto voice!
This music is so up lifting, Just wonderful
He is Risen! He is risen, indeed.
This was my high school's traditional "closer" at S. H. Rider High in Wichita Falls, TX.
I have sung both the 1st and 2nd Tenor parts and this is a favorite hymn of mine. There are a lot of Lutherans that love this hymn. However, it is also sung in the Roman Catholic Church. I sang it with my school choir at the funeral of a student, who sang first tenor, who died of cancer. The hymn was sung after Holy Communion at the mass.
The Catholic hymn with this melody is "O God of Loveliness"
AMAZING! This is perfection!
This will be our Christmas Eve entertainment after Our Church Service. WOW--A fantastic line up of Music for Christ Child birth.
Thank you for this most beautiful performance.
This is gorgeous and a fitting closing number for any choir.
Soli Deo Gloria! I cannot stop listening to this recording. It is beyond beautiful. I, too, have sung this arrangement. From one Concordian (CUC '13) to another, "God's blessings to you, and job well done! The alto solo is just beautiful, and the support from the tenors and basses (fellow bass here) are like none other I've heard. Sopranos sound heavenly. Kapelle (CUC) choir is singing this arrangement for their spring tour this year. Gives me tears and goosebumps each time!
This is our second school song at Southwestern College, and we sing this during graduation and our Christmas Music Festival!
LORD their walking in your servants house.
Very well done!
Outstanding.
My beloved choir and conductor!!! Bravo!!!!
Always my favorite.
Very nice sound.
No instruments....amazing. Beautifully done
Thanks for sharing - I've always loved the hush and anticipation the audience feels when this is sung.
So beautiful.
I watch again n again in July 2019
One of the two traditionals sung by alumni and current members of the Capital University Chapel Choir at the end of every concert.
A sublime masterpiece
Wonderful music!! This brought peace to my soul.
Beautiful! This song is a Swedish hymn, sung in all Swedish churches and in all church choirs.
Actually it's an almost universal hymn among "western" Christians. A different translation is rendered as "Fairest Lord Jesus" among many denominations. I belong to an ELCA parish in California founded by Swedes over 100 years ago; this hymn, I'm sad to say, is almost never sung there.
Right you are! This arrangement is by F. Melius Christiansen, the Norwegian-born professor and founding choirmaster of St. Olaf College, Minnesota.
Danish as well
It is actually Silesian: from the area where Germany and Poland meet.
Laughter.... the best medicine.
Really beautiful. Also, the soprano soloist was quite wonderful. Bravo!
I hope to sing in this choir someday! and this song will always make me think of minnesota.
I felt the same way, was a Cobber because of it! I hope you have the opportunity!
Also used as the closing piece for all concerts of the Samford University (Birmingham, AL) A Cappella Choir. It's been 31 years since I graduated, and I can still sing both the bass and the baritone parts in my sleep.
I was a member of the Concordia Choir in the mid 70s and recall singing at Samford when we were on tour. 1976 I believe. There must be some common history there. My father was a student of FMC.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
I was not going to push the like button...until I heard the ending. It was certainly great all from the beginning, but the last part (In pop music we would call it a "tag") is stunning.
How beautiful
Fabulous!!! So very inspiring!!
Lovely alto solo. Well done!
Beautiful!!!
Wow - best soloist I've heard on this beautiful work!
In so many ways a sublime performance. The young soloist has a perfectly beautiful, well trained voice. The tenors in the coda are terrific! I just wonder whether the choir, in its enthusiasm, could reign in some of those syllables that need to be de-emphasized--sav-YOR, na-SHUN, etc. [This anthem always makes me cry because my own beloved college choir (now called Pfeiffer University, in NC) sang it so often. ]
I'm trying to figure out what exactly the "Lutheran choral music style" actually *is*. Is that part of it?
Stunning!
This is one of my favorite hymns and reminds me of Trinity Lutheran, Montclair, CA., my boyhood church.
What a great space. The choir does an excellent job releasing at 3:32 and the sound carries nicely!
Magnificent!
The conductor of the Samford A Cappella Choir from the late 40's thru the mid '60's, Dr. Koski, was an alum of St. Olaf, if I'm not mistaken. Dr. Gene Black, who conducted the Choir from '65-'98 was a disciple of Dr. Koski and emulated his style and technique. I was in the Choir from '80-'83, and it seemed like we did two to three pieces that were arranged by FMC or PC every year. I said that I could still sing Beautiful Savior from memory after all of these years. I think I could still do the same with O Day Full of Grace. :)
Well, if Koski was a St. Olaf alum, that explains this "tradition" at Concordia -- it's a transplant. Nothing unique or amazing about that (although this performance is lovely). Sadly, Concordia didn't select it's own "signature" closing piece, such as "Praise to the Lord" is to Gustavus Adolphus.
kostumeman I sang under Paul J. Christiansen & my father was a student of FMC. I recall Paul making the statement. "I chose to end our concerts with Beautiful Savior because that's what my dad did". Nothing "sad" about it was simply a "family tradition". The history & bond between "Ole's" and "Cobbers" run deep. One of FMC's other sons Jake Christiansen was the football coach at Concordia for years.
maestroz25 I sang under Paul J.'s oldest conductor son, Sigurd. at Texas Lutheran, We never did "Beautiful Savior" the four years I was there. But as soon as Paul J. retired from Concordia, the TLC Choir began to do it regularly. I am glad Rene Clausen has not shied a way from closing the Concordia Choir concerts with it.
ive been to texas lutheran several times the chapel is so beautiful and the organ oh my word was phenominal
This hymn would be mind-blowing to hear in a large cathedral with high ceilings.
It is
It IS! Breathtaking
I had the privilege of singing this with this choir in 1974 at Norte Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Wunderschön
OUTSTANDING
Laura Auer is the soloist
I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Today (January 10), I played this for Sunday School Assembly.
If it's named "Concordia" it's probably an LCMS institution, which often means they won't approve of your status. Check out an ELCA rendition at
ua-cam.com/video/0QJ4TkIcSkk/v-deo.html or
ua-cam.com/video/UYrfcNG2vsM/v-deo.html.
The St Olaf Choir tours the US every year. They always end every concert with this beautiful hymn. Don't miss an opportunity to be there!
YES!!!
nicely done.
Brilliant soloist! Who is she? She belongs in the Pantheon of Beautiful Saviour soloists, such as Nancy Waller, Mary Pettit and Kim Ostvold. Brava!
Wow!
only sublime
Wow
Some people infringe their choice on your happiness or the comfort of your children. Some say hearing is a right some say its just luck.
Graduates of Concordia Lutheran College, Mequon wi, Seward Ne. Someone sure pulled a fast on on his family.
Stealing my car keys was when u got into grand theft auto.
Its all about free will. Choices. Money? Or Family.
@elainebmack She's an alto.
Do they still end concerts this way?
Absolutely!
Altos with the solo have the easiest part...it's the melody the whole way through!
Who knows the soloists name?
Some say money if it's not your own kids or your own family. Some spend vast amounts of time defending their right to their choices.
Did your choir director attend Concordia, St. Olaf, or Pacific Lutheran?
Jesus Gomez clauson attended St Olaf
I dont want your cars. Ive got everything I need. 😇🙏🤝
Concordia. The moderate on the train.
That's not opera... that's classical music...
O results
Lol. What a set of nails on your little ads.
Cops old age trick . Gaslighting. I’m his ex patient. Not his forever fatal attraction.
A good rendition, but I am totally biased and don't think that this song should be sung by any other than the St. Olaf Choir. Christiansen wrote this for them, and he started a legacy of choral excellence in rural MN. In my opinion, St. Olaf is the panicle of choral excellence in the US.
FYI Christiansen's son was a legacy and taught at Concordia. His grandson also went there for undergrad.
St. Olaf now performs a TON of Rene Clausen's works. This music was meant for ALL!
Absolutely! I didn't mean to suggest anything else. I just prefer St. Olaf's sound, that's all.
Paul J was the son of F Melius and continued his father's tradition at Concordia Moorhead. St Olaf choir since that time has been second sister to the Concordia College Choir.
i mean a messo opera singer
Bad choice for a solo...this is NOT a song for an opera solo...a soprano or an alto, not a mess soprano...ewwww
sorry to say but the"opera" singer sounds like she has marbles in her mouth. Not a solo for a mess opera.
Beautiful!