A few moments of video taken at choir practice this past Thursday. The choir is rehearsing "Hallelujah" from William Walker's Southern Harmony. To aid the choir in hearing one another, Phil had them get in a circle as he stood in the middle. He is leading the piece more like a songleader than a conductor, as this is more in keeping with how the piece would have been performed historically and also elicits the proper vocal style from the singers.
Enjoy. That's what I was doing Thursday night as I stood by the piano and was suddenly inspired to pull out my cell phone and take this video. And if you like this preview, you can hear the entire piece (and some other good stuff) on Bethany's podcast next week.
10 comments:
Love it! Wish I could be there in person.
Michelle
::jealous::
Southern Harmony is should be outlawed, it's that much fun to sing. :)
Faster, faster, faster!
(I've got a copy of Sacred Harp. I'll bring it today.)
Yeah, it was a slower tempo for rehearsal. He'll take it faster tomorrow. But it's not easy getting Southern Harmony out of midwesterners! Wonder why they want to talk so fast up here but sing so slow?
If you ever want a treat, look up in iTunes "The Roches" and their three sister voice harmony of "Hallelujiah"... it's wonderful.
Oh, wow--you know the Roches? Are they still around? We have a CD of theirs from many years ago--the song that I most remember is a wonderful little piece called "I Love My Mom"--makes me cry every time.
Thanks for the tip, Dave!
It's weird having the "melody" in the tenor!
Strange to our ears, yes, EC, but not to most ears through the ages. "Tenor" comes from the French "tenir" (or Latin "tenere") meaning "to hold" as in "hold the melody"--the cantus firmus in medieval chant.
Outstanding! ...and it actually sounds joyous -(unlike the curiously apathetic way "hallelujah" is sung so often.) I bet it sounded even greater in person!
...and I've always wondered what those secret Thursday night choir practices looked like. Thanks! Now I know
Christos Anesti!
"Chicago Dave"
chicagodavesvoice.blogspot.com
Wish I were there. :(
Post a Comment