CWU Chamber Choir: Gjeilo - "Luminous Night of the Soul"

"Luminous Night of the Soul" (Ola Gjeilo) is sung by The Central Washington University Chamber Choir (Gary Weidenaar, director) joined by Ola Gjeilo on the piano and the Kairos String Quartet (comprised of CWU string faculty).
In May, 2013, composer Ola Gjeilo spent 3 days on the Central Washington University Campus, joining the choir in recording 4 of his pieces. This performance of Gjeilo's "Luminous Night of the Soul" is from that session.
The other pieces were "Sanctus" for a cappella choir, and "Across The Vast, Eternal Sky", also with the composer at the piano and joined by the Kairos Quartet.
The final piece, "Ubi Caritas II: Through Infinite Ages", was recorded both in an unaccompanied rendition (how it is written and published) and in a version with Mr. Gjeilo improvising an accompaniment to the choir.
This was Ola's second time on CWU's campus. His first visit was in the spring of 2011 and yielded 5 videos of his music, a wide-ranging interview with the composer and other bonus material. It resulted in a DVD entitled "In the Moment", available for purchase at goo.gl/Xld0o).
As of 2013, the CWU Chamber Choir also has recorded videos of the music of Byrd, Gretchaninoff, Monteverdi, Muehleisen, Singh, Victoria, and Rautavaara on KZbin.
A complete listing of the videos of the CWU Chamber Choir and other CWU Music Ensembles can be found at:
/ cwumusicdept
OR - -
To follow the choir on Facebook (page includes selected audio clips and URL's to all videos):
/ cwu.chamber.choir
The session was recorded with 6 hd cameras and the videos edited by Matt Woodard (www.mattwoodard.com) using Adobe Premier Pro software.
All CWU Chamber Choir videos found on KZbin are posted only after an agreement is reached or a contract is signed with the composer and/or copyright holder of the piece(s).

[@trishreed1033]

I truly believe in 500 years, people will consider Gjeilo a master much like Stravinsky.

[@wolframhuttermann7519]

You are right.

[@mathiassiebert1217]

I love his music, I believe that Gjeilo composes fine music, but he is everything but innovative. He composes in the "old style", very melodic, very oldfashioned harmonic. Sounds always a little bit like film music. There are some choir-composers that sound very like the other, Whitacre, Gjeilo and Mortensen. Don't understand me wrong, I like his music. For "classical music" it's easy listening. On the other hand Stravinsky invented modern music in his special style. He was looking for a new musical language. If you listend today to his "Sacre" it's still sounding modern, new. I just listened to it in a concert and was astounded. Gjeilos music is on a total different planet. Sorry, but you are wrong.

[@simplelife465]

Ola Gjeilo is one of the best composers of all time in my humble opinion. His music makes me thank GOD each day for my hearing.

[@Krimmeldimmel]

Yes!! It’s the most beautiful piece of music I heard in 15 years…it’s a gift of heaven.

[@jonatanmartini4517]

I had the privilege of hearing this piece live sang by a professional choir from my state and it was completely mind blowing, I was flabbergasted

[@ericcommarato7727]

This is absolutely spectacular. For a moment the toxicity leaves your daily life, leaving you to think mankind is generally kind and humble, and the world is a better place.

[@djr1943]

So very ethereal and harmonious..a gift from the angels.

[@vdavis7509]

Ola Gjeilo is a genius composer, not only of choral and other works but also of piano pieces. And he is a kind and humble human.

[@karyngoff20]

Very true on all counts.

[@matts156]

One of the great things about Ola is his humility. I met him around 2017 (I think) and he was very approachable, very friendly, and enjoyed talking to people. He's a very down-to-earth guy. He knows what he wants, though, so if you're performing his work incorrectly, he'll tell you what you're doing wrong without any trace of nastiness or frustration.

[@Nancy6797]

Perfection. Listen also to his Nothern Lights and Ubi Caritas. Also perfection. Aren't we lucky that there are people who can write music like this.

[@helenejaegle9962]

perfection, yes. and perfection come from God

[@ildiko1vt]

Love Ubi Caritas! We performed it a few years ago with the Middlebury College Community Chorus, Middlebury, VT

[@aglyvert66]

Definitely lucky with all Ola compositions

[@Muziekgenot]

So beautiful real music is still being composed in these ultra modern and rough times! This music is timeless consolation.

[@hideyukisobues.portfolio]

Just stunned by the musical quality of whole, unbelievably beautiful. It elevates my soul to the higher sphere instantly! Glorious sound!

[@lhwhiteplains]

Recently sang this in my choral group. This performance is stunning, and they memorized it, which is amazing!

[@joygroves9891]

Loved watching the Conductor's face and the warmth he was giving his singers. I didn't want this performance to end. Just got right into my soul. Thank you so much.

[@peterniedmann9592]

I don't know how many times I've watched/listened to this video. It's such a compelling, gorgeous piece...beautifully performed. Our choir will sing it in December. Can't wait.

[@karyngoff20]

Same here, and I agree with your assessment. My choir just sang it for our holiday concerts, and it was so much fun!

[@julioe.ogalde363]

En Chile también estamos preparando esta obra para la época del eclipse en el Valle del Elqui, el mejor lugar para ver el eclipse de este año 2019.

[@susannestechow1009]

The piano passage remembers on J. S. Bach. I have detected the compositions of Gjeilo now, I have detected nthe new Scandinavian choral music now.

[@WildStar2002]

It's an amazing and inspiring piece. I had the privilege of performing this at Carnegie Hall in 2018. It was incredible!

[@thatchernelson8102]

instaBlaster...

[@La7Jaguar]

Maravilhoso, chorei aqui. Muito agradecida por ter tido essa experiência. Parabéns a todos!

[@rayholstein7108]

I have listened this so many times and I still get emotional at the movements that gives the up heave of the souls journey into a mystical union with God. Moving, moving, and moving. Loved the whole arrangement. Truly spiritually written and inspired. Thank You over and over.

[@ipso-kk3ft]

Indeed! Vere, sanctus es, Deus!

[@helenejaegle9962]

Quelle beauté, quelle pureté, quelle merveilleuse paix et quel amour donné à nous tous par le ciel via son instrument, Monsieur Ola Gjeilo ! Merci merci merci

[@anneremy5795]

Une musique tellement spirituelle et inspirée, avec un fond très classique et des envolées d'une modernité et d'un couleur fabuleuse. On est entre les anges et les aurores boréales. Et cela fait du bien au coeur et à l'esprit: Merci Mr Gjeilo de nous faire partager votre génie; merci également à cet ensemble vocal. C'est magnifique !

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

music like this is the bedrock of a healthy soul

[@susanflakes6968]

My children will absolutely adore OLA...I can "feel" them...they really never got far away...

[@PeterKiehl]

Lyrics: Charles Anthony Silvestri/St. John of the Cross Long before music was sung by a choir, Long before silver was shaped in the fire, Long before poets inspired the heart, You were the Spirit of all that is art. You give the potter the feel of the clay; You give the actor the right part to play; You give the author a story to tell; You are the prayer in the sound of a bell. Praise to all lovers who feel your desire! Praise to all music which soars to inspire! Praise to the wonders of Thy artistry Our Divine Spirit, all glory to Thee. (Charles Anthony Silvestri) O guiding night! O night more lovely than the dawn! O night that has united the Lover with his beloved, transforming the beloved in her Lover. (St. John of the Cross)

[@henningvventer]

Listen to this every Saturday evening! Love it!

[@ltyr2002]

I love this man's work! Brilliant and supremely inspiring! If you've never heard it Ola Gjeilo's "Dark Night of the Soul" is a real beauty! It's the parent of this piece.

[@Rosinamo5058]

it is totally gorgeous. I love all this man's work and the sounds of this beautiful choir

[@AndLynGie]

Dang. KZbin only lets me hit the "like" button once. :-) Glorious! Gjeilo's music is so enjoyable. Like something that's been in the back of my brain that I wasn't really aware of, but which I'd write if I could write music. That piano part has some Bach in it, doesn't it? Not complaining: Bach's my favorite! And it works so well.

[@josephcook9985]

Bach is Gjeilo's favorite as well. I once heard him say that Bach is the only composer he practices. When asked why, he said "Because he's the best."

[@joannelinford1967]

I keep listening to this over and over. It's so beautiful, and perfect Thanksgiving music! #perfectmusic

[@AmelieArmadale]

Finding Ola Gjeilo on the piano in the best versions of "Luminous Night of the Soul" in YT is my passion.

[@jodiesmeltzer60]

We just sang this in March along with Dark Night and I just loved it so so so so much. It was by far my favorite two pieces of my whole year

[@kobusmouton5484]

Stunning. I've listened to this more times than I can remember. It is breathtakingly beautiful. The visual is delicate and supportive. Gary Weidenaar is a master - as if the music is issuing from a deep place within him effortlessly. Thank you so much for such a work of art.

[@DoncasterA1Music]

6:40 awesome

[@karyngoff20]

I have lost track of how many times I've watched/listened to this song. My choir sang it last December, and I am still mesmerized....

[@marksundawg8592]

How have I missed this little piece of excellence! Especially at 6:40 that descending line under that crisp top (talking piano here), and the chord progression. I love that just as much as I love the same in James Horner's 'Creating Governing Dynamics' in the sound track for A Beautiful Mind. Very nice feeling!

[@Weimartoccata]

I clicked on this video planning to just listen for a few seconds. needless to say I was gripped by the music and watched the entire thing. Each new change and turn in the music kept me watching. Brilliant performance and music!

[@Arklelinuke]

I would love to have a choral concert consisting of only this, followed by Dark Night of the Soul, that would be so badass.

[@jlapierremusic]

It would be even more badass having it the other way around... Dark night and then Luminous Night, out of the dark into the light.

[@amberrogers7666]

I have done that! It is LONG (~25 minutes) but SOOOO much fun! :)

[@davidanitacory7553]

SchizmCyantist Badass?! Most inappropriate adjective .

[@Arklelinuke]

@@davidanitacory7553 No, "terrible" would be the most inappropriate adjective. Badass definitely is accurate.

[@davidanitacory7553]

@@Arklelinuke What is badass? Naughty donkey?

[@aglyvert66]

Great performance ! One of the best Ola masterpiece

[@jonathandgaby]

I've never seen a conductor without a score. CWU Chamber Choir is very good.

[@CarlGustavStads]

My wife and I attended a concert featuring the choir from Gustavus Adolphus College and it was an hour and twenty minutes in length; the conductor and the choir did it all from memory.

[@PeterAlmenar]

Delicious! That gave me goosebumps. I would love to sing his music. The Ground is wonderful, too.

[@jan-pietervanwaasbergen2441]

What a beautiful piece of music, now with the corona virus for those who suffer, that the light will be there, i pray for those.

[@Gemini52997]

Just last year I was asked to play the 2nd violin part in the string quartet for my college's performance. This is truly a beautiful piece! I love it

[@donbutler3031]

I will be singing this piece in concert with the Sarasota Key Chorale this Sunday. The composer, Ola Gjeilo will also be there. Absolutely gorgeous music! There is a prequel to it we will also be singing: "Dark Night of the Soul"

[@joannerocke9067]

Utterly gorgeous in every way. Voices, instruments, conducting, camera, editing. The sound fills me...

[@felixpops5]

I love everything about this piece. And the violinist makes her instrument sing.

[@annedonnellan6876]

Cello gorgeous tone

[@CorinneRR]

Thanksgiving for sharing the blessings of your lives . . . gifts and talents! Truly a magnificent composition. This harmonized symphony of beauty in the music . . . of your minds, souls, choir vocals, and musical fingers . . . God bless

[@nancygagne5905]

Can't get enough of this!!!

[@ireneblakemore4579]

Beautifully performed, sublime music.

[@babymarcus123]

I have been listening to this for the past four weeks! It is energizing!

[@trinette31]

When I saw the "most viewed parts" on the timeline before starting the video and reading the score, I knew there would be a tricky part at the end ^^ This piece is beautiful, as all the Gjeilo pieces I've heard. I love this brilliant (well, luminous) conclusion.

[@sarahsays7420]

I heard this live tonight performed by The Greater South Jersey Chorus, and it brought me to tears. This piece is absolutely beautiful. It's been stuck in my head since I left the concert, so looked it up and found this video. Amazing performance! Thanks for the video :)

[@stevecanale9938]

+Sarah Says Ooh, ooh! I was just at that concert too! I had the same impulse and that's why I'm here too. Beautiful piece and the South Jersey Chorus did a great job.

[@carlosthomas4217]

Where in South Jersey??? I'm from North Jersey but now live in Sydney. I miss Jersey corn and tomatoes.

[@joycechristensen2487]

Incredible. Amazing. Uplifting. more light...

[@davidp.rossow1484]

Beautiful performance and beautiful composition!

[@1548221]

Für mich eines der schönsten Stücke von Gjeilo!!

[@NicNiewart]

Amen. Modern music that brings joy to the heart and to the ear. Yes, there is a bit of Stanford, Elgar, Anna Magdalena, even Morricone, Randy Newman, Steiner, Korngold, which is no bad thing.and a completely new approach to what music should do to the soul.

[@helenabianchi5243]

Hermosísimo 👏👏👏👏👏💐

[@tonipaget9354]

Always brings me to tears. . .

[@susanflakes6968]

Love to hear Ola play...

[@Cardinall]

Beautiful! Thank you for posting and sharing!

[@yuliabog4922]

Some people have been depressed and this song would definitely help them

[@Rosinamo5058]

This piece is so gorgeous in every way. just amazing. thank you.

[@herbie424]

Thank you for this. Retired Music Dean.

[@bghormley]

Beauty that truly illumines the soul

[@susanleonard2433]

I'm an emotionally spent, listening to this magnificent piece. wow....

[@dsthorp]

Beautiful music, beautifully performed! Thank you!

[@carolrichards8834]

Live Arts Maryland's Annapolis Chorale is singing this April 8 and I found this performance here as I was searching for help as a second alto. It is so beautiful ! Sometimes I just put down my music and drank it in. Both Gjeilo's music and this performance are dazzling.

[@BarbaraMoorePrager]

The music is exquisite and the videography is inspired! Bravo to all involved.

[@TheEliKaulitz]

Can't wait to sing this with my choir! It'll be awesome. Great performance! Sounds wonderful!

[@williamripley3192]

Beautiful!

[@justreallyshort7098]

It’s 2021 and our choir will be singing this in our seasonal concert for the winter. I’m so excited and it’s amazing this song has brought joy to hearts of many musicians alike.

[@lucianodavidecarmagnola2647]

musica celestiale.

[@susanflakes6968]

Its not about anything but Obedience/Wisdom...Blessings!

[@LavenderRavioli]

It's so cool that the part at 6:42 is based off of the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack :)

[@stewart335]

how so?

[@glibbergloop]

Source?

[@chuntzinger677]

I miss this - a lot...

[@grahamriley3128]

Looking forward to meeting Ola and singing this inspirational piece with the Plano Civic Chorus this weekend 10/17-18. (near Dallas TX.)

[@hollianful]

Performing this and Across the Vast Eternal Sky in May, with a brilliant string quintet. Can't wait. None of us can sing for weeping it's so beautiful. Thank you Ola Gjeilo!

[@kurtneristrack7055]

So beautiful!!!!

[@yourforte]

Fabulous performance of a beautiful work.

[@happyday1240]

How fortunate to stumble upon this today....a new choral favorite. By the way, your accompanist is a MACHINE! Wonderful.

[@strawberrybird]

The accompanist its the composer!

[@octopu5ie]

Oh my god! Came here to like the original comment, left with my mind blown apart in awe.

[@massimovaccaro32]

veramente senza parole...... è uno spettacolo sentirvi!!!!!

[@ildiko1vt]

an AMAZING piece of music!!!! Our local college chorus sang this song last fall, and it was our finale, my most favorite of all!!! Love Gjeilo music!!!

[@williamripley3192]

Fantastic!

[@wsims257]

that is soooo beautiful that I am crying now

[@Alexkiplivelight]

Cool ! Keep killing it!!

[@marthahazevoet9309]

Happened upon this by sheer luck. Wonderful music and great performance!

[@nickbd61]

What an uplifting piece - and really well played and sung here too. A new discovery for me and a life-enhancing one. Bravo to all concerned in this performance!

[@pierrdrogallion9578]

Awesome job! Well done!

[@kathyburkwald7505]

gives me goosebumps!

[@EviZLee1]

Fabulous!! I am singing this at BCCF Chorfest this May. Can't wait!!

[@loupetrus]

Che la grandezza di questo coro!

[@marijkeclarenbach4713]

No words, listen.....

[@AB41142]

Great job! That was really marvelous performance and stunning music 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@cantusnovuspa]

A truly wonderful performance and presentation! We are so excited to be performing this piece in our Spring Concert Series. Mr Gjeilo, you truly know how to stir the heart with your gift of music and we thank you!

[@ChrisEbbernMusic]

Lovely!

[@gordonglenn5086]

Thanks for posting these recordings of CWU. Fantastic. Even more interesting with Ola as the accompanist. The girl turning the pages for Ola is cute as hell too.

[@verobrandi8732]

i love this song!!! beacause i sing this song with a coir.... it's beatiful!!!

[@opusrosae8560]

Magnifique 😍

[@susanflakes6968]

HE'S clearing the WAY....to the degree.....REST ASSURED...while I WATCH AND PRAY....

[@lucianodavidecarmagnola2647]

Stupendo!!!

[@twhditto]

What a beautiful piece! We are currently preparing this for our Christmas concert (Ft. Smith Chorale, Ft. Smith AR). What a deeply moving piece. Mr. Gjeilo is an absolute master at his craft. Thank you, sir! The whole chorale is moved by the words and the music. I have been a fan of everything that he has published over the years. CWU Chamber is a wonderful choir as well and gives a stunning performance. Thanks for sharing the gift, both Mr. Gjeilo, and choir, and of course your director Mr. Weidenaar!

[@heddwyn3914]

Hope you're doing well 😊

[@rosaameliafigueiredo6651]

Simplesmente deslumbrante! Olá Gjeilo, admiro muito a sua música desde a primeira obra que ouvi em meu celular - Rose. Fiquei fascinada pelos sons lindos, sublimes de suas composições. Em plena pandemia, meu coração fica um pouco mais leve quando ouço a sua música. Sou pianista que não toco há tempos, mas ao ouvir você, tenho tido vontade de tocar. Vivo no Brasil e não sei se outras pessoas daqui já ouviram você. Pretendo comprar partituras para aprender e estar um pouco mais perto da sua música! "Across the vast, eternal sky"... Wonderful... Deus te abençoe sempre.

[@Rosinamo5058]

This is my most favourite

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

Pretty heady experience winging this and being accompanied by the composer, yessir

[@eddrayner9914]

mmm... lovely 😊 Fantastic piece. CWU are excellent, thrilling piano, a great string quartet, well conducted, and with top-notch recording and producing: well done in deed!

[@susannestechow1009]

Wunderschön, wie alles von diesem Komponisten, und bei der Klavierstelle denke ich immer wieder an Bach. Sensibel gespielt, und mir gefällt auch der unspektakuläre Eindruck, den die Musiker machen, d. h. nicht pompös od. eingebildet. Könner eben, alle!

[@pablocarrascodearmas8212]

Divino!!! puedo verlo a Bach entre ese solo de piano! Genial!!!!