Those Tenors answering those amen with alleluia just kills me, especially the last time when they hold the last syllable while the rest of the singers pause. Genius compositional gesture. So beautiful.
Beautiful. Hard to believe my high school choir sang this way back in the '70s, and to be frank, we really weren't much worse, than this, though to give credit where it's due, it was 99% because of our director, NOT US, common with choirs, e.g. the fabulous Only Boys Aloud. He was so great he even had the sophomore honors chorus singing Italian madrigals in Italian! After he left the very next year I can't begin to describe how badly things deteriorated. One man can make a profoundly incalculable, indescribable difference. And of course far greater that that is the inestimable Randall Thompson I doubt was totally incapable of writing anything not the stuff of utterly inspired genius. Everything he wrote seems far beyond solid gold.
@@russedav5 I TOTALY agree with you! Every time I hear a work, especially one I have sung, by Randall Thompson I feel almost enraptured by his genius and intricate harmonies and melodies. Such beauty, whether sung with words from the Bible, from a poet, or just Alleluia simply transports one to a higher plane of thinking, feeling, and temporarily, being.
Very beautiful. I love how at the end you let The Tenors' last syllable hang a little bit before you bring the rest of the Choir back in. That rest is brilliant composition. Pausing everyone accept The Tenors there is genius.
I love the tone painting at the section "And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth..." The voices move up in parallel major chords -- sounds like the most glorious sunrise! =)
a memory here: our beloved Choir Director Willard Johnson (Kellogg HS): wrote, arranged, and exposed so many of us to wondrous choral music such as this. Forever grateful, Mr. Johnson!
I sang this with the Charles Wesley Youth Choir under the genius direction of Dr. John Dressler at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. I was so very blessed to be a part of this magnificent assembly of musicians! Blessings to all! =^..^=
I had the great luck to belong to an undergrad chorale concert tour/sightseeing trip to central Europe. We took a day trip to Berchtesgaden, Germany, which was where Hitler's retreat, the Eagle's Nest was located. We gathered on a stone terrace, which I've seen in old WW2 films of Hitler and Eva Braun---- and we sang an acapella version of this to the Bavarian hills. How proud--- triumphant--- we were to proclaim He that ruleth over Men *must be just!*
I sang this my freshman year of high school and it's truly a gorgeous piece that is so much to sing as a soprano, but I learned every part for the sake of learning every part. But this song redefines understand classical music for me, and many people. It's a minor challenge for small choirs but if learned correctly it's phenomenal
Thank you for posting, I love following the sheet music! By far, one of my most favorite songs I have ever sung in the choir. Still gives me chill bumps every time :)
Rufus This was sung at the inauguration of one of Texas' Governors back in the 1980s, by the Hyde Park Baptist Church choir of Austin. (Not of Ma Richards, but of one of the guys.)
I used to commute over an hour to work each day, eastbound in the morning. I would think of this song each time the sun rose to blind me on my commute (as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds...) :-)
"And he shall be as the light of the morning" A powerful phrase. Those same words are used to describe Jesus the Christ. After all, those who are given authority over mankind are acting in the position of The Christ himself.
Orchestra parts are available for rental from the publisher, E.C. Schirmer. I just checked their catalog and it is scored for orchestra (originally commissioned by Boston Symphony) or concert band. Hope this helps...
I wish the latter part of this piece did not undergo an "enharmonic switcheroo" at 1:10 in this video. F# becomes Gb, but it really shouldn't. It should continue as F#. I do not think Randall Thompson wanted the singers and orchestra to drop 23.46 cents at 1:12 time stamp. But it seems he did this to prevent the use of double sharps and even a triple sharp in the rest of the song. The problem is that the visual component is lost on most people because I don't think most people realize this change and why it all of the sudden becomes all flats written even though it should be sharps sung still. Having the piece start in G major and end in Fx major is more fitting for the text. It starts with David at the end of his life as king of Israel. Saying these things, he is at once acknowledging the truth of how a king should rule over men, while simultaneously admitting that he did not live up to this standard perfectly, while also simultaneously prophesying of the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth, where He WILL live up to this standard because he is God Almighty manifest in the flesh. It would make sense that at 1:12 the pitch would start to drift upwards more and more as the righteous King and his reign was described more and more. And by the end you are where you started but 23.46 cents higher in pitch yet the notes are also more settled "on the earth" in that they are written lower on the staff, F's being written lower on the staves than G's. The Kingdom of Heaven on the earth. The seed of David on the throne, just as God had promised millennia before.
Foꝛ any who maybe intereſted, I iuſt retuned and reſpelled this piece coꝛrectly in iuſt intonation ſo we can finally heare what it ſoundeth like and looketh like foꝛ real on the page without the miſſpellings ſeene in this video (as beautiful as this verſion is). As of to day March 31, 2024, it is the lateſt video on my channel. It is the piano arrangement, but ſtill you can ſee and heare the difference in tuning and certainly ſee the difference in ſpelling ſtarting in meaſure 17. It is a computer perfoꝛmance, but one that getteth the point acroſſe I think.
Reasoning of mankind is only as good as the intentions of those applying it but on the other hand the control of states by religion is always bad although much more profitable to those applying it.
I believe the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? I have a recording of this in one of my playlists on grooveshark labeled as performed by MTC and as far as I can tell they're identical.
Randal Thompson was an incredible composer
I always felt so bad for our accompanist when we sang this.
My choir director would play organ and conduct us at the same time. I love this song.
I too am crying. We sang this song in concert choir when I was in high school. An amazing piece of music, to be sure.
Brilliantbeing Was it Berrien Springs High School Concert Choir?
Same!
i was supposed to, learned it and then found out we were doing salmo 150 instead. both are still really fun songs to do in my opinion though!
One of my all-time choral pieces of music. Did it in high school, in the early 1960s, as well as about a half dozen church choirs! Beautiful music!
Those Tenors answering those amen with alleluia just kills me, especially the last time when they hold the last syllable while the rest of the singers pause. Genius compositional gesture. So beautiful.
This is a rehearsal video I created for my choir. You're hearing the Mormon Tabernacle choir's excellent recording.
+Dan Wagner Excellent recording. I had no idea these were orchestrated!
This is only rehearsal?!? Good for y'all!!!!
Beautiful. Hard to believe my high school choir sang this way back in the '70s, and to be frank, we really weren't much worse, than this, though to give credit where it's due, it was 99% because of our director, NOT US, common with choirs, e.g. the fabulous Only Boys Aloud. He was so great he even had the sophomore honors chorus singing Italian madrigals in Italian! After he left the very next year I can't begin to describe how badly things deteriorated. One man can make a profoundly incalculable, indescribable difference. And of course far greater that that is the inestimable Randall Thompson I doubt was totally incapable of writing anything not the stuff of utterly inspired genius. Everything he wrote seems far beyond solid gold.
@@russedav5 I TOTALY agree with you! Every time I hear a work, especially one I have sung, by Randall Thompson I feel almost enraptured by his genius and intricate harmonies and melodies. Such beauty, whether sung with words from the Bible, from a poet, or just Alleluia simply transports one to a higher plane of thinking, feeling, and temporarily, being.
Very beautiful. I love how at the end you let The Tenors' last syllable hang a little bit before you bring the rest of the Choir back in. That rest is brilliant composition. Pausing everyone accept The Tenors there is genius.
I love the tone painting at the section "And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth..." The voices move up in parallel major chords -- sounds like the most glorious sunrise! =)
a memory here: our beloved Choir Director Willard Johnson (Kellogg HS): wrote, arranged, and exposed so many of us to wondrous choral music such as this. Forever grateful, Mr. Johnson!
This is a wonderful way to sing scripture. What beautiful musical writing and crafting of this text.
I sang this with the Charles Wesley Youth Choir under the genius direction of Dr. John Dressler at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
I was so very blessed to be a part of this magnificent assembly of musicians!
Blessings to all!
=^..^=
this is a very powerful song.. our leaders should listen to this
My highschool sang this in our last concert. It was my favorite piece
This year makes 10 years I sung this song with my high school choir my sophomore year. Sweet memories…
I got the chills, especially at that tenor note held at the end. It was just so light yet powerful, just the way it should be.
Sang this (II bass) in All States chorus 1969 at Symphony Hall in Rochester, NY Haven't heard it since. Simple but elegant.
If anyone can listen to this and not cry, they have no soul.
I had the great luck to belong to an undergrad chorale concert tour/sightseeing trip to central Europe. We took a day trip to Berchtesgaden, Germany, which was where Hitler's retreat, the Eagle's Nest was located. We gathered on a stone terrace, which I've seen in old WW2 films of Hitler and Eva Braun---- and we sang an acapella version of this to the Bavarian hills.
How proud--- triumphant--- we were to proclaim He that ruleth over Men *must be just!*
I always loved playing this.
What a thrill to have sung this in High School. Thanks for posting
the best piece I've ever performed in a choir. it is so powerful. and to sing it. oh my gosh I had goosebumps every time
Yes, always!
Whoa, first time hearing this beautiful piece, now I need to have my choir learn it.
This song is everything!
An exquisite piece - I've sung this too, and felt transported.
Sang this some time ago. Surprised how much I remembered.. Great piece, done well.
Don't think so. I've sung in church choir since 1983, and I did when I was in high school as well.
I loved singing this in high school! We also did Testament of Freedom. Another great piece by Randall Thompson
"the God who gave us life gave us liberty..."
I sang this my freshman year of high school and it's truly a gorgeous piece that is so much to sing as a soprano, but I learned every part for the sake of learning every part. But this song redefines understand classical music for me, and many people. It's a minor challenge for small choirs but if learned correctly it's phenomenal
You must have had a dope high school choir.
Ugh this is so good, I am crying.
The chord at Number 8. Heavenly. :')
Thank you for posting, I love following the sheet music! By far, one of my most favorite songs I have ever sung in the choir. Still gives me chill bumps every time :)
Tenors holding that last note.
A most fitting anthem for a presidential inauguration --- Think so?
Rufus This was sung at the inauguration of one of Texas' Governors back in the 1980s, by the Hyde Park Baptist Church choir of Austin. (Not of Ma Richards, but of one of the guys.)
As I look it up, it was for Governor Mark White.
For ANY official of ANY party.
Espectacular tocayo
I used to commute over an hour to work each day, eastbound in the morning. I would think of this song each time the sun rose to blind me on my commute (as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds...) :-)
Thank you for this post..
OMG,I am choir and I need to sing this song.....
We (Timmins Symphony Orchestra & Chorus) are singing this on May 13th I'm in the chorus and we have enjoyed learning the piece.
just something else!
Our constitution and country was inspired by God.
"And he shall be as the light of the morning"
A powerful phrase. Those same words are used to describe Jesus the Christ. After all, those who are given authority over mankind are acting in the position of The Christ himself.
Muy buena musica
can someone tell me where to find the orchestra parts for this piece? I've been looking everywhere, and have had no luck!
Orchestra parts are available for rental from the publisher, E.C. Schirmer. I just checked their catalog and it is scored for orchestra (originally commissioned by Boston Symphony) or concert band. Hope this helps...
UGh this is so hard, I am dying
thx ! I have sing today, I am tenor but someone said that I am bass....
Wish they had a video of them singing it...
I want to sing this.
this is so cool
I wish the latter part of this piece did not undergo an "enharmonic switcheroo" at 1:10 in this video. F# becomes Gb, but it really shouldn't. It should continue as F#. I do not think Randall Thompson wanted the singers and orchestra to drop 23.46 cents at 1:12 time stamp. But it seems he did this to prevent the use of double sharps and even a triple sharp in the rest of the song.
The problem is that the visual component is lost on most people because I don't think most people realize this change and why it all of the sudden becomes all flats written even though it should be sharps sung still. Having the piece start in G major and end in Fx major is more fitting for the text.
It starts with David at the end of his life as king of Israel. Saying these things, he is at once acknowledging the truth of how a king should rule over men, while simultaneously admitting that he did not live up to this standard perfectly, while also simultaneously prophesying of the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth, where He WILL live up to this standard because he is God Almighty manifest in the flesh.
It would make sense that at 1:12 the pitch would start to drift upwards more and more as the righteous King and his reign was described more and more. And by the end you are where you started but 23.46 cents higher in pitch yet the notes are also more settled "on the earth" in that they are written lower on the staff, F's being written lower on the staves than G's. The Kingdom of Heaven on the earth. The seed of David on the throne, just as God had promised millennia before.
Foꝛ any who maybe intereſted, I iuſt retuned and reſpelled this piece coꝛrectly in iuſt intonation ſo we can finally heare what it ſoundeth like and looketh like foꝛ real on the page without the miſſpellings ſeene in this video (as beautiful as this verſion is). As of to day March 31, 2024, it is the lateſt video on my channel. It is the piano arrangement, but ſtill you can ſee and heare the difference in tuning and certainly ſee the difference in ſpelling ſtarting in meaſure 17. It is a computer perfoꝛmance, but one that getteth the point acroſſe I think.
Sang this with the Kirkland Choral Society - it's a minor masterpiece. (Minor in terms of size)
Amen!
Yes
alto line needs to b a little stronger. I sang this song in high school n is my favorite of all
it seems as it always does, the sopranos were overwhelming to the altos... as a 2nd alto
Sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
"Ruling in the fear of God." Powerful words and I pray fervently that America's new president will do just that.
Reasoning of mankind is only as good as the intentions of those applying it but on the other hand the control of states by religion is always bad although much more profitable to those applying it.
Good for ANY official from ANY party.
Well sung, but they really don't do much with the dynamics, and the dynamics are half of the fun of this piece.
I'm listening to it right now and I hear a lot of dynamics.
Who performed this?
I believe the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? I have a recording of this in one of my playlists on grooveshark labeled as performed by MTC and as far as I can tell they're identical.
Yes, this is the MoTab Choir.
www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/shop/products/choose-something-like-a-star-2005?lang=eng