This being one of my favourite choral pieces ever composed, I have to say that this performance was absolutely wonderful. The slower, more selective tempo, and the tonal quality brought out those beautiful clusters that we all get goosebumps over.
A few years back I had to sing this for honor choir and ever since, I have been captivated with this song, it's so beautiful. This kind of music, touches the soul!
Charm me asleep, and melt me so With thy delicious numbers, That being ravish'd, hence I go away in easy slumbers. Ease my sick head, And make my bed, Thou power that canst sever From me this ill, And quickly still, Though thou not kill My fever. Fall on me like the silent dew, Or like those maiden showers, Which by the peep of day do strew A baptism o'er the flowers. Melt, melt my pains with thy soft strains; That having ease me given, With full delight I leave this light, And take my flight For Heaven. Robert Herrick
I've had the incredible privilege to study under Dr. Raines at Stetson University, and I must agree with mscpn. There's a textual shimmer that's missing due to incredible dynamics. The contrasts could be much more of a marriage, rather than a separation, of text and music. The recording is beautiful and I think more detail to text can make this performance glean. Dr. Raines taught me musicianship as student, and I've got nothing but respect for the man. Thank you so much for this moment.
I must respond to the comment about paying too much attention to dynamics, and not enough to the text. In most performance-worthy pieces such as this, composers create the communicative atmosphere of the text WITH incredible dynamics, phrasing and harmonic texture. Our job as conductors is to transform our audiences "inside" the selection to experience what the composer intended. Alan and I had the privilege of graduate study with a master of choral musicianship-Don Neuen. Knew Alan in ATL.
it's just a phrase to let people know I'm not gay because straight guys don't usually express like that haha. it's just a joke, i'm not anti gay or anything lol
@Ryan Wow What a sad world we live in when straight men fear being labeled gay for their expressive feelings. Express yourself, Man!! Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour of the entire world, wept just MOMENTS before he RAISED Lazarus from the dead! Jesus Christ is the straightest God/Man alive. Yes, he lives evermore! He is a VERY intense Person. I’m sure that He doesn’t mind your intensity, since He put it in you when He created you in your mother’s womb. Yes, Jesus MADE you in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:15 (KJV) “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was MADE in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.” Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV) “Before I FORMED thee in the belly I KNEW thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
@mentosmuncher It wasn’t a joke. But it’s Ok that you want to be known as straight. It’s also OK to not agree with the gay lifestyle or belief system. No humans have the right to dictate to you what or how to think. Only God has that authority, and He is *not* a tyrant! It’s time we took stand up for *our* true souls’ values. I think that the gay political machine is trying to dominate the world, and I think it’s *wrong* for the gay political machine to force 97+% of society to shut our mouths if we disagree with it, by calling us haters. I’m not a homophobic hater. I just disagree with it. Period. That is *my* civil right!
This being one of my favourite choral pieces ever composed, I have to say that this performance was absolutely wonderful. The slower, more selective tempo, and the tonal quality brought out those beautiful clusters that we all get goosebumps over.
This is why I love choral music.
A few years back I had to sing this for honor choir and ever since, I have been captivated with this song, it's so beautiful. This kind of music, touches the soul!
@Symone Rivers
You wrote, ”This kind of music, touches the soul!”
Indeed it does. 🙏🏽❤️🎶
What a blessing and what a gift music is.
The men blend so well together
I'm proud to say I knew the composer of this piece, and had the privilege of singing it for him at St. Norbert College :)
@1SeniorSmurf
I discovered this deeply moving music in July 2019.
Dr. Henson wrote a masterpiece in this composition.
Charm me asleep, and melt me so
With thy delicious numbers,
That being ravish'd,
hence I go away in easy slumbers.
Ease my sick head,
And make my bed,
Thou power that canst sever
From me this ill,
And quickly still,
Though thou not kill
My fever.
Fall on me like the silent dew,
Or like those maiden showers,
Which by the peep of day do strew
A baptism o'er the flowers.
Melt, melt my pains with thy soft strains;
That having ease me given,
With full delight I leave this light,
And take my flight
For Heaven.
Robert Herrick
this is sooo amazing! I did this for my honor choir. i am always mesmerized by this song. :D
this is amazing.
One of my favorites our choirs preformed:) chill every time when its done right
😩 so beautiful !💜
I've had the incredible privilege to study under Dr. Raines at Stetson University, and I must agree with mscpn. There's a textual shimmer that's missing due to incredible dynamics. The contrasts could be much more of a marriage, rather than a separation, of text and music. The recording is beautiful and I think more detail to text can make this performance glean. Dr. Raines taught me musicianship as student, and I've got nothing but respect for the man. Thank you so much for this moment.
I must respond to the comment about paying too much attention to dynamics, and not enough to the text. In most performance-worthy pieces such as this, composers create the communicative atmosphere of the text WITH incredible dynamics, phrasing and harmonic texture. Our job as conductors is to transform our audiences "inside" the selection to experience what the composer intended. Alan and I had the privilege of graduate study with a master of choral musicianship-Don Neuen. Knew Alan in ATL.
Me too. ^__^
Feels like my soul is being drawn into heaven by its light which has transformed into the choir's voices.
no homo
Why did u say no homo and its the truth!
@charles1540 I wondered the same!
it's just a phrase to let people know I'm not gay because straight guys don't usually express like that haha. it's just a joke, i'm not anti gay or anything lol
@Ryan Wow What a sad world we live in when straight men fear being labeled gay for their expressive feelings. Express yourself, Man!! Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour of the entire world, wept just MOMENTS before he RAISED Lazarus from the dead! Jesus Christ is the straightest God/Man alive. Yes, he lives evermore! He is a VERY intense Person. I’m sure that He doesn’t mind your intensity, since He put it in you when He created you in your mother’s womb. Yes, Jesus MADE you in your mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:15 (KJV)
“My substance was not hid from thee, when I was MADE in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”
Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)
“Before I FORMED thee in the belly I KNEW thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
@mentosmuncher It wasn’t a joke. But it’s Ok that you want to be known as straight. It’s also OK to not agree with the gay lifestyle or belief system. No humans have the right to dictate to you what or how to think. Only God has that authority, and He is *not* a tyrant!
It’s time we took stand up for *our* true souls’ values. I think that the gay political machine is trying to dominate the world, and I think it’s *wrong* for the gay political machine to force 97+% of society to shut our mouths if we disagree with it, by calling us haters. I’m not a homophobic hater. I just disagree with it. Period. That is *my* civil right!