Frostiana - Randall Thompson - Exultate Choir & Orchestra

Thomas Rossin conducts Randall Thompson's settings of seven poems of Robert Frost. Sub titled "Seven Country Songs". I. The Road Not Taken, II. The Pasture, III. Come In, IV. The Telephone, V. A Girl's Garden, VI. Stopping By The Woods on a Snowy Evening, VII. Choose Something Like a Star.

[@timjohnson7867]

My congratulations to Dr. Rossin, orchestra, and choir. I was privileged to sing the Frostiana under the direction of Randall Thompson as a student at the University of Tennessee in the mid 60's. Dr. Rossin's direction seems a virtual recreation of that of Randall Thompson. Beautiful performance!

[@carolyncraig2529]

That is so cool!

[@jlas-sk2zb]

In December of 2011, this song was the one that gave me respect for music as a real musician. 14 years later it has become a source of reflection for the decisions I have made in life

[@revclaus]

Isn't it amazing that so many of us have sung Frostiana, either in high school, a community choir, college choir or wherever, and it touches us so deeply. I first learned of Randall Thompson nearly 60 years ago in my high school choir when we sang "Alleluia," then learned of the Thompson/Frost music many years later in a community choir. I sang it then, but now even more years later it brings such a deeply felt connection I can't help but weep. Apart from the Mormon Tabernacle performance the Exultate Choir does it justice better than most.

[@tompirwitz2355]

We performed some (or all) of Frostiana in high school or college many decades ago. It brings back a warmth that is overwhelming!

[@Piper12056]

Frostiana, Alleluia, The Peaceable Kingdom--such great music. I think we who have sung it appreciate it beyond words and are so grateful to our teachers and mentors who introduced it to us. I only hope that history will recognize to a greater extent the contribution that Thompson made to American music.

[@jsrlasher4711]

A deeply touching work, which my late colleague, the cantankerous Bernard Herrmann, thought highly of.

[@revclaus]

J S R Lasher High praise indeed.

[@bettybrodnan850]

Yes.... always brings tears....

[@Favorites6591]

As many of you have already said, it was a privilege to sing these deeply touching tone poems. Randall Thompson's genius combined with the very personal words of Frost. It brings chills even to a small ensemble at a very small college in Tennessee back in the '70's at Bethel College in McKenzie. There really are no words to describe what this collection stirs inside me.

[@kennethhowell5278]

This music moves me beyond words. We sung this in my high school choir 1967-1970 along with several other works by Randall Thompson. The composer visited Tampa and we sang a work for him. I think it was The Last Words of David, as I recall. My choir sang his Alleluia in 1970 and it won us "Best in the State of Florida." The Frostiana is also dear to me as it honors a great poet and a great composer.

[@FredericaE]

Breathtaking!! I just laid my head back, closed my eyes, got a bit teary in some places & remember this young 20 yr. old college student singing, accompanying ( piano), and hanging on each chord! Beautiful job, folks !! Thank you !

[@felinefever2]

Well done!!!!! I sung this in 1968 ... absolutely timeless music. As someone who has lived in New England for over 60 years, this music makes a spiritual connection.

[@Allacra]

I cry every time I listen to Frostiana. I'm surprised I was able to sing it!

[@capgemlib]

I often couldn't!

[@MrBullockMusic]

Thank you! I'm a high school Choir Director. We are performing Frostiana on May 3, 2013. This has been a great tool for my students to practice with outside of the classroom.

[@jslasher1]

Simply exquisite. Once heard, never forgotten.

[@OperaBuff1935]

I sang many of these works of Randall Thompson with choral groups in the '80s. I was privileged to sing The Peaceable Kingdom twice - once in the early '80s with the Capital Baptist Chorale. I think we performed it 3 or 4 times that spring. And again in the late 80s with the Maryland Choral Society under Samuel Gordon. And all these works - Frostiana, Alleluia, Choose Something Like a Star. and others. I'm revisiting now and loving it. Oh, and the men of the Capital Baptist Chorale along with other men sang "Testament of Freedom" in 1984, I think. I hope musicians today don't look these numbers just as "old chestnuts" but music that should always be in the choral and church choir repertoire. Praise God!

[@damon132]

This is a wonderful performance. I sang this cycle in 1967 and fell in love with both Frost and Thompson at that time. Thanks putting this up for us to appreciate. Brought back wonderful memories.

[@jksteven1]

I think that this is the best performance of this work I have ever heard. Very worthwhile! (Also, I find the orchestral version far more moving and captivating than those with piano accompanyment.) I think that the flawlessness in the performance gives this work an excellent showing. There is so much in this work! Also, superb engineering of audio balance and range. Very enjoyable all around! Thanks for this upload!

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

it's a dynamic performance and I would have travelled from Sioux Falls, SD to hear it if I had been able. And, yes memories of attending select and mass choirs to perform Thompson in the 60s. Now it is Eric Whitacre. Well done, Maestro!!

[@TheKelseabelle1]

I'm singing the Frostiana series in my college choir right now. I love it so much. Some of the the most beautiful music I have performed.

[@Afterlife500]

Frostiana is definitely my favourite piece of choral art. My school did part of it and I was so upset they didn't do the whole thing, so thank you for sharing this!

[@bludrgn10]

This is the most balanced I have ever heard this song preformed! Each part is crystal clear, even the basses, who normally are lost on the last chord!

[@richiejohnson]

Lovely orchestral arrangement, only heard it with a piano before. Nice

[@abbyferrara887]

Thank you so much for posting this, I am in highschool and we are singing this..... This is beautiful and very helpful :)

[@btbt7496]

Never stop singing Abby!

[@stellardendrite]

Just performed this (1 May, 2016) at Casper College in Casper, Wy, USA. A fantastic experience! This is a lovely rendition!

[@crystallinewolf1038]

It feels as though, I completed my purpose in life. And now I'm being taken away, to a better place.

[@jslasher1]

Excellent performance.

[@iampie6954]

We're doing this for school and this is how I would summarize the movements (I'm playing first flute): The pretty one The one I don't play it The one only I play in The one we're not playing The one I would probably like if I were in the choir The boring one

[@ethandonn8264]

Sing beautiful

[@estes.lauren.e]

Beautiful performance! Who is the choir?

[@maestroz25]

I thought I titled it clearly... Exultate Choir & Orchestra, Minneapolis, MN, Last spring

[@j.markbaker2172]

No, you did not. Still don't know who the name of the estimable conductor

[@JGSchreck]

Beautiful performance. What is the name of the chorus, and where did this performance take place?

[@nwentworth]

Bravi!!!

[@Afterlife500]

The tenors are a little rough during the Telephone

[@averydoe-heart653]

meowch. somebody turned the sass-button on.