This was indeed masterful and breathtaking. I have sung this under Eric Nelson, who is simply amazing, before I even sang with its predecessors, the Gwinnett Festival Singers and the Atlanta Sacred Chorale way back in the day. I wept at this. Thank you.
Robert Frost (1874-1963) "Choose Something Like a Star" (1916) O Star (the fairest one in sight), We grant your loftiness the right To some obscurity of cloud- It will not do to say of night, Since dark is what brings out your light. Some mystery becomes the proud. But to be wholly taciturn In your reserve is not allowed. Say something to us we can learn By heart and when alone repeat. Say something! And it says, ‘I burn.’ But say with what degree of heat. Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade. Use language we can comprehend. Tell us what elements you blend. It gives us strangely little aid, But does tell something in the end. And steadfast as Keats’ Eremite, Not even stooping from its sphere, It asks a little of us here. It asks of us a certain height, 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.
Thanks for including this in the comments. Our St Augustine Community Chorus sang this several years back before covid. I have read the poem over and over since (as well as listening to this video.) I think the whole poem stands upon the final word, "staid." It seems to me the whole poem radiates humor in the guise of philosophy, or philosophy with humor. He tweaks scientists, classical poets, and philosophers, then choses that staid word "staid" as a description of equanimity as a sort of a joke on his critics. He might have chosen stayed as a more graceful poetic ending, but no...staid, and it makes me smile.
It's' been almost 40 years since I sang this. Bravo and brava, My only ask is louder volume on these recordings for playback. The Sopranos' opening "Oh" the first couple times were almost inaudible, and I had to strain to hear the pianissimo parts, with my everything turned to max. (P.S. making sure to note, no slagging on the Sops; it is an audio issue, not a talent issue.) I want my Appalachain Equality Chorus to do this next year. We were the Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus (and if you haven't seen OUR YT videos, shame on you!), but we have expanded, and have an SSA branch, with us together doing SATB this Christmas for the first time since we established. I wish you all well, and if any of you get up Knoxville way, check us out!
The most pleasing rendition of this song ever! Thank you.
Frost at his best and singers at their best. Composer sublime.
Haven't heard this one in a long time! Sang this piece in high school chorus
Thank you. My favorite from "Frostiana"
This was indeed masterful and breathtaking. I have sung this under Eric Nelson, who is simply amazing, before I even sang with its predecessors, the Gwinnett Festival Singers and the Atlanta Sacred Chorale way back in the day. I wept at this. Thank you.
Magnificent rendition of a magnificent piece. I'm subscribing NOW.
Lovely!
Thank you for the post. This is one of my favorite choral pieces.
Best version I've heard so far.
Sublime! 😍
Beautiful. I sang this in High School (soprano part). Wonderful memory.
In 1974 in a Boston suburban HS I sang this under Thompson's baton.
THIS is how he lead us.
THIS.
>>EXACTLY LIKE THIS.
Did a student pianist from that school happen to accompany the work?
Beautiful !!!
Wonderful.
Lovely
Robert Frost (1874-1963)
"Choose Something Like a Star" (1916)
O Star (the fairest one in sight),
We grant your loftiness the right
To some obscurity of cloud-
It will not do to say of night,
Since dark is what brings out your light.
Some mystery becomes the proud.
But to be wholly taciturn
In your reserve is not allowed.
Say something to us we can learn
By heart and when alone repeat.
Say something! And it says, ‘I burn.’
But say with what degree of heat.
Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade.
Use language we can comprehend.
Tell us what elements you blend.
It gives us strangely little aid,
But does tell something in the end.
And steadfast as Keats’ Eremite,
Not even stooping from its sphere,
It asks a little of us here.
It asks of us a certain height,
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.
Thanks for including this in the comments. Our St Augustine Community Chorus sang this several years back before covid. I have read the poem over and over since (as well as listening to this video.) I think the whole poem stands upon the final word, "staid." It seems to me the whole poem radiates humor in the guise of philosophy, or philosophy with humor. He tweaks scientists, classical poets, and philosophers, then choses that staid word "staid" as a description of equanimity as a sort of a joke on his critics. He might have chosen
stayed as a more graceful poetic ending, but no...staid, and it makes me smile.
It's' been almost 40 years since I sang this. Bravo and brava, My only ask is louder volume on these recordings for playback. The Sopranos' opening "Oh" the first couple times were almost inaudible, and I had to strain to hear the pianissimo parts, with my everything turned to max. (P.S. making sure to note, no slagging on the Sops; it is an audio issue, not a talent issue.) I want my Appalachain Equality Chorus to do this next year. We were the Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus (and if you haven't seen OUR YT videos, shame on you!), but we have expanded, and have an SSA branch, with us together doing SATB this Christmas for the first time since we established. I wish you all well, and if any of you get up Knoxville way, check us out!