VOCES8: 'The Twelve' by William Walton - VOCES8, Apollo5, Peter Holder & Barnaby Smith
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- Опубліковано 18 бер 2022
- VOCES8 and Apollo5 are joined by special guests, with Peter Holder (Organ) to sing William Walton's 'The Twelve' in Keble College Chapel, Oxford. The performance is directed by Barnaby Smith and forms part of the album 'Renewal?' by Paul Smith.
‘Renewal?’ is a concept album, which combines new commissions by Paul Smith and Donna McKevitt with three musical pillars from the 20th Century, by William Walton, John Cage and William Henry Harris.
Multifaceted texts by Lal Ded, Edmund Spenser, W.H. Auden, Lord Byron, Pablo Neruda, Maya Angelou and Edna St Vincent Millay offer space to consider our world, past and present, and meditate on a response to build a better future.
Find out more at www.voces8.foundation
Filmed at Keble College, Oxford, July, 2021 as part of LIVE From London, Summer 2021
Director: Barnaby Smith
Singers: VOCES8, Apollo5 and guests
Organ: Peter Holder
Audio Producer: Adrian Peacock
Engineer: Dave Hinitt
VOCES8 Studios team: Tim Vaughan and Aytan Buyukoglu
Vido and Audio Editing: Barnaby Smith
Executive Producer: Paul Smith
Text:
The Twelve - WH Auden
I
Without arms or charm of culture,
Persons of no importance
From an unimportant Province,
They did as the Spirit bid,
Went forth into a joyless world
Of swords and rhetoric
To bring it joy.
When they heard the Word, some demurred, some mocked, some were shocked: but many were stirred and the Word spread. Lives long dead were quickened to life; the sick were healed by the Truth revealed; released into peace from the gin of old sin, men forgot themselves in the glory of the story told by the Twelve.
Then the Dark Lord, adored by this world, perceived the threat of the Light to his might. From his throne he spoke to his own. The loud crowd, the sedate engines of State, were moved by his will to kill. It was done. One by one, they were caught, tortured, and slain.
II
O Lord, my God,
Though I forsake thee
Forsake me not,
But guide me as I walk
Through the valley of mistrust,
And let the cry of my disbelieving absence
Come unto thee,
Thou who declared unto Moses:
"I shall be there."
III
Children play about the ancestral graves, for the dead no longer walk.
Excellent still in their splendour are the antique statues: but can do neither good nor evil.
Beautiful still are the starry heavens: but our fate is not written there.
Holy still is speech, but there is no sacred tongue: the Truth may be told in all.
Twelve as the winds and the months are those who taught us these things: envisaging each in an oval glory, let us praise them all with a merry noise. - Розваги
Lovely to hear Molly and Eleonore singing together! And Jonny showed just how beautiful and powerful his voice is when projected like this, love it.
What a wonderful treat! To hear the rarely performed, extremely challenging, Walton work, performed by, arguably, the finest small choral ensemble you could assemble! Great to hear the VOCES8 members in prominent solo roles! The performance was enhanced by the superb acoustics of the Keble College Chapel, comparable even to the acoustic ambience St. Anne and Agnes, VOCES8's home! I was privileged to attend an Evensong Service in the Keble College Chapel in Dec. of 2021 and I marveled at both the acoustics and the beautiful mosaics which surround the hall! Fantastic video!
I wouldn't normally listen to a 'harsh' piece like that, let alone to the end! I risked it because I trust Voces8. And I've added the video to my favourites! Thank you all. Quite something to hear! You've broadened my mind this evening.
Thanks for that. The description 'harsh' sums up my take, but like you, I have learnt something new
Although the words leave me cold. The music is all!!
Absolutely superb, a real joy to listen to. An excellent organ performance by Peter as well 👏👏
Is that the bass and countertenor from the king's singers?? And Chris wardle? And Eleanor??? Dream team
I am probably the best Italian fan of Walton.
This music shaped my life.
Like Bach.
Really.
And this is the best rendition of a life time.
No words.
Too beautiful ❤️
Stunning, so much power and grace. I'd love to hear it performed live.
Stunning performance of a gorgeous piece. Also, great filmmaking as well, loved seeing shots of the organist as well as the singers and conductor. A feast for both ears and eyes.
Oh my God! This is for me the pinnacle of the vocal music art! Perfection put in sheet music and made at the sound with the same perfection. No words... one the most beautiful choral piece that I have hear! Thank you all for that!
Fabulous poem by Auden! Makes me think of his Yeats elegy a bit, or of his St. Cecilia as set by Britten and performed so masterfully by V8. The range of this ensemble is incredible: Josquin, Walton, Nat King Cole, and on and on!
Fantastic vocal and instrumental treatment of all three parts of Auden's poem. This was a joy to hear and a glory to behold! Heartfelt thanks to all those who participated in this very moving performance.
Oh - wow! O my goodness! What can you say? A virtuosic performance by all. What a brilliant conductor Barnaby is and the organist - how do you play such a multitasking beast with such perfection. Great video editing too.
Such a pleasant surprise to see Eleonore again! I always get so happy hearing here, I just can't help it. Great singing by everyone.
Excelente Eleonor!
Bravissimo! 🤩👏👏👏
Bravo à tous car c'était vraiment superbe et génial
I needed that. Thank you sincerely. May each of you be blessed.
Always so impressive, thanks a lot for the video, cheers from Costa Rica!
Wow!! Just gorgeous! Thank you!
Stunning!
Some real spine tingling moments and I just love Katie's mischievous smiles
Magnificent in sound, performance and accompaniment. Great to hear in lent too 😊
Absolutely beautiful and exciting!!! A huge BRAVO!!!
Wow! Welldone, what a striking piece of music combined with those words. Blown away.
wow. I‘m speechless. The best I‘ve ever heard with choire and organ. Thank you so much!
Wonderful just wonderful
Superb. Thank you .
Fabulous piece I never heard. Exquisite rendition/performance/version 💎💯
Vous êtes dans l'excellence ! Magnifique ! 👍👍👍
Wonderful, wonderful! What a spine-tingling performance. The organist, the choir (perfection with their friends) plus the solos from Jonny, Eleonore, Molly (that high note!), Katie and Euan absolutely glorious, and, of course, Barney with his amazing expressions. Love you all
STUNNING!!!!
Absolutely thrilling performance which totally encapsulates the essence of the music. Singers, organist and conductor as one. I must get this album!
Wonderful interpretation of this classic. Superbly sensitive singing
Incredible. As always.
Wow! It's unbelievable how they perform such a difficult piece to perfection! Amazing organ playing too. 😮
Wonderful and thrilling performance of a great work, a reminder of what a towering genius Walton was. I was privileged to hear Belchazzar's Feast conducted by the composer in the 70's ; a concert I remember to this day including the 10 minute standing ovation in the days when those were not so common.
It is a good thing to celebrate the joy gift the 12 Apostles went into the world to spread. An amazing performance by all! Bravissimo!
Masterful! ❤
Dit is genieten voor mijn oren , dank u
GOOD NIGHT!!! Absolute perfection!!! Thank you you wonderful band of singers for posting this incredibly difficult piece. Sooo enjoyable please keep well and I'll be encouraging all my friends, Classical music lovers Or not, lol, to watch and enjoy. Thanks again Voces8 and friends.
Enjoyed it
Que bestialidad de obra y ejecucion.... Ya lo escuche dos veces y sigo con la boca abierta.
Just magic😍😍😍🔥
Großartig 👏
To hear this spectacular piece performed, and performed so well, is a joy beyond description. How often does one get to hear music written by a composer of Sir William Walton's caliber -- AND -- with lyrics by W.H.Auden, the greatest English poet of the twentieth century? I must pull out my Argo (label) LP from 1972 and once again hear the choir of Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford perform this piece under the direction of Simon Preston (and with boy choir). Thanks EVER so much for bringing this stunning piece into the 21st century. Bravo to all who made it possible ! ! !
Astounding Choral Excellence! No. Better than that! Wow! on all three aspects: Organist. Conductor. Choir. And the filming/recording is 10 out of 10, too.
Some of this reminded me of P. Glass and I LOVE IT!!! brilliant! The guy playing the ultrapiano? He breathes music, just SUPERB!
What a thoroughly engaging and exciting performance. This is the kind of work we've come to expect from Barnaby Smith and the VOCES8, Apollo 5 team. A bonus to have Eleonore 'back in the fold' for this - and HUGE props to organist, Peter Holder - brilliant all around!
That was simply breath taking!! The duet with Molly and Elinor was out of this world!Which LFL did you sing this piece? I love ❤️ it.
gorgeous
Wow! So good
What an epic finale!
Da bleibt mir die Spucke weg!! sorry but than one is extremely difficult to translate. It means something like your breath stops, your mouth dries up, you are extremely excited. WHAT A PIECE OF MUSIC and WHAT A DELIVERY. I just don't want to listen to anything after that. CUDOS to all performers, the soloists, yes my most favourite Eleonore as always perfection of joy and exaltation, with Molly joining to a thrilling finish(?), Katie, the warmest, most compassionate Alto I know, and love Jonathan, another star studded powerful delivery and a short, yet glorious Tenor solo. If that is the logical direction for Voces8 I will gladly follow.
That was simply amazing. Really going to miss Jonny.
Nicely done Barnaby! What a rendition of one of my favourite English choral works! I really miss singing stuff like this at the Abbey. Not so many opportunities to perform works like this in the US.
One year later I reiterate what I said.
Nothing will ever surpass this rendition.
Bravissimoi.
Some heavy Rutter energy during that finale. Brilliantly done.
Tremendous performance and superb playing on the Tickell opus.
I place this recording just below my favourite performed on a radio 3 choral evensong given in the late 1990s, by St Thomas Church New York under the late John Scott. The choir of men and boys were absolutely stunning as indeed was the organist and the addition of the fabulous Trompette en chamade of the pre restored Organ towards the end of the final fugal chorus - a vision of Heaven!
Chills.
Don’t think I can add much to other’s comments just Bravo! Everyone and yes welcome Eleanore…👏👏👏🌟
That sounded truly breathtaking but wow how difficult was that to sing!!
Love the faces Barnaby makes asking for intensity
Is that the King's Singers' Jonathan Howard in the back? Awesome!
Not only him! Patrick Dunachie is also singing, if I am not wrong. It's very nice to see them all together.
Is the lovely Eleanore back with Voce8 again? If so, hooray!!
Wow, that's a very cute tenor section!
This is a stunning performance of a great choral masterpiece. Congratulations to all singers, organist and conductor!
I’ve loved this piece since I heard an 80th birthday concert for Walton by Westminster Abbey Choir, Chris Herrick and Simon Preston. Just wondering, Barnaby and Paul, did you sing in that Walton concert?
Thrilled you enjoyed it David. Paul and I were at the Abbey from 1992 so unfortunately missed the concert you make note of. We did sing the piece every year on Choir School fete day though 🥳
Sick editing brah, v dramatic
Ele😘😛😇
10:36
I am not really sure what to think of this music. Maybe I should find some information on the piece, so I might understand it better, for now it doesn't feel like my style of music. Nonetheless the voices are beautfiful
'Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” ~John 6:70
WTF
👉😣👈Great: Some Gothic villain got his PhD.
Now, BACK TO 🎼THE ERA OF COMPOSERS !
Incredibly uneducated comment
Incredibly uneducated comment
🤣
Great singing! Song's a bit shit though.
🤣
Great singers and the music for people with disturbed mind. Nothing to remember, nothing to enjoy. Just listen once and forget. Another piece of musical garbage that the XX century will be remembered for.
🤣
Fantastic!!!