Just can’t get into choral music...

**KeithR** · February 23, 2019, 12:28 AM

Anybody feel the same about classical music w/ chorus?

More important - are there any notable performances that could change my mind?

**nicoff** · February 23, 2019, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Anybody feel the same about classical music w/ chorus?

More important - are there any notable performances that could change my mind?

Mahler 2nd, last movement. Otto Klemperer.

**puroagave** · February 23, 2019, 02:00 AM

**bzr** · February 23, 2019, 03:23 AM

Try some rap, should give you a perspective I reckon...

**tube-vds** · February 23, 2019, 03:31 AM

Rachmaninov - Vespers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7G_0Hp-t6k

Gabriel Faure's Requiem Op. 48.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnilUPXmipM

**Alrainbow** · February 23, 2019, 06:35 AM

I feel like you do but chorales are very useful in setup and evailuations
while using it it's nice to hear the room fill with voices.

**AJ Soundfield** · February 23, 2019, 07:55 AM

**Nikhil** · February 23, 2019, 09:24 AM

**GSOphile** · February 23, 2019, 10:16 AM

Celebrating the victory won by the combined Austrian and British forces over the French at Dettingen in 1743.

Handel - Dettingen Te Deum, Dettingen Anthem; Choir of the Westminster Abbey, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock; Archiv CD 410 647-2

Will remind of The Messiah. Not often played, but IMO better. Single CD is a steal.

**Mr Peabody** · February 23, 2019, 01:23 PM

We like what we like, but,

Check out albums by Ola Gjeilo. Beautiful IMO
I like the soundtrack to The Chorus
I also really like Carmine Burana (maybe not spelled right)

Or, for something really different, check out, Therion (that's a dare)

**still-one** · February 23, 2019, 01:38 PM

I also have and occasionally listen to the Rutter Requiem suggested above. I have a few other complication releases that contain choral music that was used in movies. There are some good selections in each if these. Some are not "pure" choral works.

**MikeCh** · February 23, 2019, 01:38 PM

There are different versions in Russian, English, etc. I happen to like this one in English and the mono pressing is good too:

https://www.google.com/search?q=prok..._lY62ZDjm5zO8M

**KeithR** · February 23, 2019, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by Alrainbow

I feel like you do but chorales are very useful in setup and evailuations
while using it it's nice to hear the room fill with voices.

Thank you Al, I feel the same.

and thank you all for the recommendations - more posts on choral music than any recent music post!

**grubble** · February 24, 2019, 12:19 AM

KeithR, there are choral pieces which move me more so than some of the stuff mentioned already. Most of these are tied to some movies that have powerful scenes unfolding along with these pieces.

A couple of examples:

Adagio for Strings - Barber (as used in Platoon, particularly the ending where Charlie Sheen is in the helicopter and thinking through his monologue)

Any choral pieces by Howard Shore for Lord of the Rings. (That series of movies were as tragic in its portrayal of the journey by The Fellowship as the music which hauntingly accompanies it.)

Hope you find the ones that speak to your inner soul!

-dave

**Alrainbow** · February 24, 2019, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Thank you Al, I feel the same.

and thank you all for the recommendations - more posts on choral music than any recent music post!

Ok point taken lol

**astrotoy** · February 24, 2019, 01:48 PM

Many of these pieces combine a chorus with solo or a small group of solo singers. Another couple of very famous pieces that are this way:

Beethoven's 9th Symphony - 4th Movement
Handel's Messiah

One of my favorites - Mahler's Eighth Symphony (Symphony of a Thousand) - Solti Chicago Symphony recorded in Vienna Decca SET534-5 (original vinyl) also on CD

Massive choral music is typically a big challenge for playback on hifi systems, particularly smaller ones.

Larry

**puroagave** · February 24, 2019, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by astrotoy

Many of these pieces combine a chorus with solo or a small group of solo singers. Another couple of very famous pieces that are this way:

Beethoven's 9th Symphony - 4th Movement
Handel's Messiah

One of my favorites - Mahler's Eighth Symphony (Symphony of a Thousand) - Solti Chicago Symphony recorded in Vienna Decca SET534-5 (original vinyl) also on CD

Massive choral music is typically a big challenge for playback on hifi systems, particularly smaller ones.

Larry

Some years ago I had a pair of Joseph Audio Pulsar stand-mount speakers, I bought them in part as a result of Jeff's demo using the RR Rutter Requiem recording. My jaw dropped when the chorus made its entrance, the stage exceeded the boundaries of the speaker positions and the sense of height was sensational. Voices were distinct with separation across a huge expanse the likes I rarely heard up until then. The Rutter is a great disc and the Pulsars are still one of my all-time fave speakers.

**MikeCh** · February 24, 2019, 02:05 PM

I meant to post this link in my post above but fumbled it somehow...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Du9TXBVlM

**Alrainbow** · February 24, 2019, 02:07 PM

Without digressing into off topic so excuse me
i is these as tools bet s9 chorales is beautiful but has some serious marks to use as a judge
vocals need to remain seperate and not get unintellible when when they do we have issues
it's simple and most take it as the way it is until they hear its not.
Take PAt BARBERA or Diana krall they both get blamed for not being rec well too.

**MikeCh** · February 24, 2019, 02:23 PM

You are correct Al, A huge choral performance like the Alexander Nevsky is probably not for trying to pick out individuals. There are the equivalent of a classical string quartet and a handful of choral singers just the same as there are huge choral ensemble's that mate well with a large symphony playing full tilt.

When somebody has difficulty approaching the more intimate performances I like to suggest something that gets the blood pumping like a symphony with lots of voices. The Alexander Netsky piece is quite famous and is pretty approachable for many. IMO, the mass of voices is not necessarily for someone to dissect but just to enjoy in whole if they struggle with small vocal pieces.

**Mr Peabody** · February 26, 2019, 11:03 PM

A couple of interesting, just tracks. Anyone else like these?

U2's live version of "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" on Rattle & Hum
Patricia Barber, Let It Rain, last track on Modern Cool (if no bonus tracks etc.)

Wonder why mentioned in a Chorus thread, check'em out.

**Dr Morbius** · March 9, 2019, 02:07 AM

Mozart's Requiem - Had my son listen to it when he was 10 years old and it turned him on to Classical in a huge way!

**MtnHam** · March 9, 2019, 05:36 PM

If, after listening to these many excellent suggestions you have not discovered the rich, incredible beauty of vocal music and the pleasure and inspiration that comes from listening to it, then there must be something seriously wrong with your system, or there is no hope for you.

**Dr Morbius** · March 9, 2019, 07:02 PM

Harsh, but true.

**KeithR** · March 17, 2019, 03:36 PM

I'm really digging this Ola Gjeio stuff- modern choral is up my alley (along with Richter, Bates, Frahm, etc in classical). Thanks!

**still-one** · March 17, 2019, 04:41 PM

I have enjoyed this one for the past week.

Voces8 - Enchanted Isle

**Mr Peabody** · March 17, 2019, 10:22 PM

Have you checked out Therion yet? I'm not sure which album to recommend, I probably should go through to see which uses most choral

Originally Posted by KeithR

I'm really digging this Ola Gjeio stuff- modern choral is up my alley (along with Richter, Bates, Frahm, etc in classical). Thanks!

**NorthStar** · March 17, 2019, 11:04 PM

**NorthStar** · March 17, 2019, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

I'm really digging this Ola Gjeio stuff- modern choral is up my alley (along with Richter, Bates, Frahm, etc in classical). Thanks!

**Randy Myers** · March 18, 2019, 11:35 AM

Fiona Joy Hawkins is normally piano, but the re-working of her Signature Solo is pretty amazing. Adding in orchestration and choral elements!
Attachment 25188

**Nikhil** · March 26, 2019, 12:44 PM

Should have posted this earlier but better late than never.

The highlight of this album is Track 4 which is stunning.
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/album/34097900

**still-one** · March 26, 2019, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Nikhil

Should have posted this earlier but better late than never.

The highlight of this album is Track 4 which is stunning.
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/album/34097900

It sounds pretty good in MQA and 24/352

**still-one** · March 26, 2019, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by NorthStar

Thanks. Some fine tracks on this one. MQA too.

**Mordante** · March 27, 2019, 07:03 AM

Check out Henryk Górecki Symphony No. 3 some lovely cheerful music.

Thread: Just can’t get into choral music...