Nordic Choir - Sure on this Shining Night - Morten Lauridsen

Allen Hightower conducts Luther College's Nordic Choir in Lauridsen's setting of the James Agee poem.

[@treyday572]

I was really taken by the conductor, and felt that there was something oddly familiar about him. And as it turns out...it's Allen Hightower, who directed the Sam Houston State choir for 10 years including the very short time I was a part of it. Of course it is. Beautifully done.

[@Ari70771]

Please don't ever take this down... It's the most beautiful version I've heard of this piece.

[@ps200306]

Yes, this is the one I keep coming back to. There's a version by Los Angeles Master Chorale which is a full minute longer, but it's just too ponderous. This one carries you along with its swells and fades and manages to be simultaneously dreamy and vibrant. Sheer perfection.

[@reginstravels]

University of Utah Singers has the best version

[@ari6663]

@@reginstravelsI disagree. The men have a much better sound in this choir.

[@reginstravels]

​@@ari6663I disagree with you.

[@KenWAnderson]

This is the recording I keep coming back to when I want to hear this song - exquisitely sung.

[@DaughterofTheKing960]

Me TOO!! I Can't hear it ENOUGH!!! EXQUISITE!!!😃😄💕💞❤💗

[@NicholasWilliamss]

I love how you used exquisitely, for this piece it adds real meaning to this song!

[@macklindsey4541]

The phrasing is very, very right, among much else.

[@musicatjcc1195]

This performance is the benchmark for this piece, period. There is no other performance which outshines this one. The interpretation captures every essence of this corner stone piece.

[@colleenmaher8669]

absolutely

[@olive20016]

You are so right!This is my favorite performance of this song. Setting the bar for how other choirs and others perform the song. I have listened to it many times over the time since it was recorded. It is very very strong

[@franharris3590]

Tears of peace!

[@meganmorgan8039]

Absolutely agree with you! I came across this years ago.. and keep coming back regularly to savour it again and again. My only recommendation is to be ready to mute the sound before the clapping starts.. but you'll need to be quick after the first moments of silence at the end of singing.

[@drsaxophone1]

Amazing and such a great performance with so many nuances but have to disagree … Brady Allred Utah is incredible in a different way … Alred’s elasticity is breathtaking and the piano accompaniment equally divine

[@HeavenlyLights]

Their Blending sets The Standard. They sing AS ONE. So POWERFUL having the men open the piece. Absolutely brilliant writing.

[@peyton9523]

this choir has some of the best sopranos I've heard - they blend beautifully and have amazing control

[@bob071855]

Gave me goosebumps. THIS is choral excellence!

[@oucutie1]

A simply lovely performance. Between the Lauridsen music, Jamess Agee poem and The Nordic Choir, this is just about as good as it gets.

[@davelf2]

I don't believe I've heard a performance of this work better done. Bravo!

[@lydiaboyle4158]

My choir teacher told us all to watch this. I'm not disappointed.

[@annephillips182]

A timeless performance of a evocative composition. The choral conductor Allen Hightower demonstrated sensitive and graceful direction. The male baritone singers are outstanding.

[@Bigkevy1970]

The beautiful phrasing and expression is immaculately performed. This is one of my favourite songs in the contemporary choral repertoire. This performance is simply exceptional.

[@annmidkiff4185]

Absolutely one of the most beautiful choral pieces I have never heard, or had the pleasure of singing! I LOVE this piece!

[@jordan-d]

Hightower is such an amazing director and conductor. What an honor to work with him while at UNT

[@PMS1950]

Absolutely magical. Perfect intonation and exquisite sensitivity. Wonderful singers. Inspirational conductor and perfect accompaniment. I love the gentle swaying by the ladies.

[@steinarildespeland3796]

This performance of Sure of This Shining Night, by MortenLauridsen, is one of the most beautiful vocal performances I have ever heard! Everything is perfect, and the musical expression is outstanding in the way these passionate, and very skilled singers, reveals the poem's mystery so real, as we were there ourselves on that special night! It is a wonderful experience to listen to and watch this devoted choir. Who is their fantastic conductor who make them sing like this? Thanks also to the pianist who follows the dynamics of the song beautifully from the beginning to the very peaceful end! 💗👏

[@maestroz25]

Allen Hightower, he’s currently at North Texas State.

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

The Nordic Choir and Morten Lauridsen have made Agee and his words live and thrill the soul again.

[@carlrossini2434]

Best version of this masterpiece I've ever heard.

[@TjB2653]

Thank you for a truly beautiful vocal performance. Rich warmth of tone from the whole choir even on the high notes and first class interpretation of dynamics. Wonderful!

[@user-kg4jj2ry3f]

Thank You to the composer and performers - this music captures such a beautiful, vulnerable faith.

[@richardmoy9357]

Wow what a sound, especially the men! Supple and full. Really what choral singing should be. Goosebumps.

[@stevebrown5478]

How can you possibly hear this and not drop to your knees weeping? Allen -- great job!

[@PS-vm3we]

You can’t, unless you’re not human or have the affliction of a hardened heart.

[@antoniomoyal]

Or not believe in God?

[@tracydowd9447]

I come back to this again and again. Balm for the soul.

[@richardturner1027]

Simply wow! One of my favorite Lauridsen pieces and perfectly performed by an extraordinary group. Finding this has provided a ray of hope in this crazy 2020 nightmare. Thank you.

[@stevechamberlin4546]

This performance is absolutely magnificent. Brilliant. So beautiful. Tears in my eyes.

[@michaelcortez6596]

This song brings calm & peace to one’s mind and soothes the soul…

[@HeavenlyLights]

I Adore this choir. And Morten Lauridsen’s music touches my heart. What an exquisite pairing. ♥️💞💖 I can feel them holding hands. The love and respect is palpable.

[@featuringailime]

We sang this back in high school. I'm surprised I remember how this sounded, along with the pitches and lyrics. Gosh, I miss those times. This song is SOOOOO beautiful. ❤️

[@luanaviciani963]

The pianist is also very good !

[@PS-vm3we]

I’m in tears. Thank you for being such humble and devoted ambassadors for the beauty given to us by the divine creation. Blessed be your hearts and voices.

[@nancygifford-humphreys5174]

Brilliant. Let’s also credit the pianist, whose excellence adds to this moving performance of an extraordinary piece of music. It’s not an easy one to do well, with subtleties of interpretation- as well as some melodic challenges for the singers! The first two unison entrances are beautifully sung and captivate the listener. Very well directed, too.

[@PatrickEKeller]

Such lovely (and rare) soaring delicate high notes are perfectly done and perfect for this song. My spine tingles and my eyes water. A master performance of this much-done piece. Thank you for sharing.

[@GDArkn]

For this piece, this is a performance for the ages; outstanding vocal quality, excellent pacing and inflection, intricate but with great precision, pianist catches all the emotion but does not dominate, and on and on. Choras Bel Canto of Vilnius, likely the best amateur choir in the world, the only other version on line that even comes close to this. But only close. This is 5 minutes of musical perfection. This deserves 500,000 views.

[@zootmac4372]

Absolutely agree. Exquisite performance. If I'm around long enough, I'll probably view this 500,000 times myself.

[@rodneyjones1541]

I SO agree with you !

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

I agree totally, and I have heard much, much over twenty of them.

[@JS-yk7pv]

Always tricky to deem anything 'the best,' particularly in the realm of Art. There are though many exquisite moments. However...tuning the piano would certainly help the overall effect. Perhaps this is representative of the tuner in question... one hopes not.

[@kirbystalley6404]

@@JS-yk7pv Speaking to you as a member of the ensemble, I do not disagree with you at all about the tuning of the piano. However, this concert was part of our tour, so we had no control over the tuning of the piano and had to use the instrument the church provided to us. I am glad you enjoyed our performance of this wonderful piece.

[@jakethecarsandreactorvideo9409]

I call this song in memory of my grandma who passed away the day this video was published

[@qoe34q]

Excellent conductor, wonderful choir, very good pianist! Great rendition!

[@aartlukaart463]

Yeah.Fine atmosphere. the swagging shows the concentration. excellent tempo.

[@RichardSamAwuy]

You guys are simply the best. Love the tone, the blend, the technique (vocal as well as ensemble wise), the interpretation, esp when it comes to inflections. Superb. My most favorite among many that exist in You Tube. Please keep singing and sharing. God bless you all.

[@wilmamolinaro8887]

congrats to this choir and conductor for the best presentation on you tube of this gorgeous song!

[@garywait3231]

Yes!! Lovely; inspiring!

[@Janner2323]

Best performance of this splendid piece is right here.

[@luanaviciani963]

this music is the refuge of the soul, it pricks the heart like a velvet arrow. Bravo! The pianist is also excellent!

[@michaelaltmaier7175]

This is the most beautyful Title i've ever listen to. What a great Choral Performance. At 2:20 I start to cry. 🙈 I really love this! German: Ich habe dieses Stück auch bereits von vielen anderen Chören gehört, aber dieser Chor singt dieses Stück mit weitem Abstand am besten. Die etwas reduzierte Geschwindigkeit bringt wesentlich mehr Gefühl hinein und die Stimmen der Sopranistinnen sind wunderschön zu hören. 🏅😊👍

[@marks.nelson284]

Careful articulation beautiful musical line and balemce and blend of voices together listening group peace within and without

[@GuidoKGroup]

Thank you for this deep spiritual and healing music.

[@HeavenlyLights]

Healing… that is exactly the word I was searching for. Yes. Healing indeed. ThankYou.

[@jennaleonard3870]

I go to St Olaf (one of Luther’s rivals) and honestly, Nordic Choir blows me away. So beautiful. Kind of wish I went to Luther instead of being an Ole sometimes! Beautiful choir and a beautiful performance

[@irismoralis]

The first chord of the piano already gave me a calm feeling, I have good memories of this song

[@janmcguire5268]

Sublime!

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

The phrasing is magnificent! I have a soft spot for poet James Agee because I am in recovery from alcohol and alcohol probably contributed greatly to his early passing. What a great thing that his 57 words met Morten Lauridsen and his creativity. There are lots of other versions of this I love, but it can't be done better than this.

[@walterstout7014]

What a lovely sound young voices make.

[@lloydhogg1435]

Best version on the internet. Superb. Thank you.

[@urdjur1]

I weep for wonder, wandering far alone.

[@bimmerboy87]

brilliant performance!!! and FINALLY, a choir sings the phrase sung by the men "all is health" correctly!!! That top note of "all" should be sung softly and quietly, and yet every other choir blasts right through it! I suspect this is due to Mr. Hightower's training under one of the greatest choral conductors who ever lived, the late maestro paul salamunovich. Excellent!

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

Cristian, you should find a library copy of James Agee's "Permit me Voyage". this is part of a much bigger poem but to me those 57 words speak about life, our journey, and the hope we engender in the human heart.

[@kennethherman44]

Fastidious attention to detail, but not at all as compelling as the Concordia Choir's interpretation of this wonderful piece, easily found on You Tube. Concordia rightly revealed the passion just under the surface of Lauridsen's pastel harmonic palette. The Nordic Choir's interpretation sounded cautious and bloodless.

[@jcorbymyers]

Ken I'm not going to say that the Concordia recording isn't a fine representation, however anyone with an ear can hear that they struggle with balance throughout the performance. Add to that the fact that they are very robotic and lacking in phrasing, they don't even approach the musicality of the Luther performance.

[@oucutie1]

jcorbymyers Please check out the University of Utah Singers. You will not be disappointed. I promise!

[@peterflynn6361]

jcorbymyer

[@Lynduh47]

This is the most exquisite performance of the piece. So very sensitive.

[@pacmar1950]

Absolutely gorgeous precision, feeling, performance!

[@markkgourley1984]

Breathtaking Choir and Conductor. So musical and profound.

[@MuchSmarterThanYou]

Really just stunningly beautiful. Wonderful chorus, great conductor, first class pianist. And just a beautiful composition.

[@chanstenchow7709]

Great balance. Definitely one of the top men's sections out there. The timbre of the tenors and basses are superb. The women round out the song nicely

[@deblosey811]

I love the beautiful dynamics throughout this gorgeous arrangement. From 2:05 - 2:20 is blissful - "High summer holds the earth, hearts are whole...."

[@maestroz25]

deb losey I have recorded this setting 5 or 6 times by various groups. Two other fine performances of this are from "The Singers" kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4DCd4qioqqYhK8 and The Concordia Choir: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6jcXnihoLR-nas

[@rodneyjones1541]

Totally agree - beautiful!

[@juanitatownsend880]

wow wonderful

[@annieanderson9986]

I'm captivated by their dynamics, too. The way the baritones in particular drop off at the ends of phrases in the first passage is so delicate and masterful. And the "High summer" passage -- exquisite. I'm appreciating these skilled singers and Mr. Hightower especially. A gorgeous piece, gorgeously sung.

[@danwilliams201]

Excellent! Thank you so much. God bless each and everyone of you.

[@ohhellfire2728]

sopranos at 2:24 sound so nice. in a lot of recordings of this piece there’s kind of a lift before the word “shine” but dr. hightower clearly does not mess around. pristine. back to tell you that 2:10 is some of the most music i've ever heard some from a choir.

[@jazzyginger123]

Beautiful young people, you shine. Blessings.

[@executivedirector7485]

this is one of my all time favorite chorale pieces and I do not believe I have ever heard a more impressive rendition - exquisite

[@beckyhelmick1951]

Impeccable delivery of this piece

[@OmShantiNY]

This performance of an absolutely gorgeous piece gives even the one by The Singers MCA conducted by Lauridsen himself a run for its money. Bravo!

[@DaughterofTheKing960]

😄 Yes!! This truly is EXQUISITE!!! The Absolute BEST version I've heard!!! 😃🎆🎉🎊🎆❤💞💕💗

[@luanaviciani7152]

Very beatifull! The voices are clear and soft, the pianist is SIMPLY EXCEPTIONAL!

[@GrowlsandGrunts]

This performance is divine!

[@warrenbeckmusic]

Love everything about this. Watching the choir members sway together as the music takes over and moves them is beautiful. Very expressive singing, and conducting, the intonation is breathtaking, it's all there. Someone had posted saying the piano sounded funny. That's because the microphones are placed to capture the choir, and aren't close to the piano, coupled with the lid being down. Because of that, the articulation of the hammers on the strings is muffled in this recording. That didn't bother me, because of the quality of the performance. The accompanist followed Dr. Hightower flawlessly, and his dynamics were fantastic. I have several recordings of other very good choirs singing this, but this is the best I've heard. Morton Lauridsen is a genius, and his setting of the Agee poem is my favorite.

[@hollythompson1817]

I, too, noticed the swaying, like ocean life.

[@davelf2]

My 90 yo partner, a pianist and voice teacher, died nine months ago. Watching this accompanist brought back a flood of memories of him. Bravo, he performed flawlessly.

[@sonamoo919]

Utterly beautiful and touching! Thank you for sharing your music.

[@picard2bridge]

Another lovely performance of a beautiful work. One of the things I like about you guys is the warm, focused and slightly dark tone, without the twang that so many (often highly regarded) US choirs unfortunately still have.

[@24mdonovan]

Masterful accompanist.

[@ledirector2007]

And wearing that robe! Phenomenal!

[@atticustkam]

Agree with GDArkn: this is a fabulous performance of one of the very best choral pieces out there - Amen! I had a chance to see/hear this choir in Estes Park this January. They were wonderful, particularly loved their take on the Wailin' Jennys - hoping to see that on KZbin some time.

[@maestroz25]

Andrew Glasgow I put it up yesterday... kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2XNkGqZhNOFaZI

[@garyleger514]

Allen that was beautiful. One of my favorite pieces of music. I was just searching and ran across this video, good to hear this wonderful ensemble.

[@ykalantzis]

Excellent performance- Thank you!

[@dangriswold8373]

Profoundly moving performance!

[@angelospoto3329]

Sure On This Shining Night Sure on this shining night Of star made shadows round, Kindness must watch for me This side the ground. The late year lies down the north. All is healed, all is health. High summer holds the earth. Hearts all whole. Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand'ring far alone Of shadows on the stars. Author Notes The poem comes from a book by James Agee entitled "Permit Me Voyage" published 1934 by Yale University Press

[@bruinmoore3461]

Angelo Spoto 🐯

[@sigurdm]

Thank you very much !!!! Great, gorgeous , beautiful !!!!

[@johngregsmith5949]

Still listening to this beautiful rendition of this piece. It resonates deep in the heart. Thanks for leaving it up on KZbin.

[@lissyperez4299]

Brings tears to my eyes!

[@bwmertz]

The best recording of this piece of KZbin. Very nice direction. Great decision-making on the dynamics. Heavenly.

[@hughschmidt42]

While looking for Barber's arrangement to practice for tomorrow I came across Lauridsen's grand one - complete with swaying sopranos! This performance is captivating.

[@alisonsmartfisher1488]

lovely singing really well directed - expressive clear gestures. Bravi tutti!

[@richardgerman]

Just lovely,our choir sang this a month ago.It is a nice piece of choral music.Well done.

[@richardbates3272]

The voice of God.

[@leesamorrow6746]

tears. such beauty

[@hatsandboots]

Thank you for a fine, fine performance of this moving song.

[@erb07032]

Extraordinary!

[@ms84100]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@Justintonation27]

beautiful choir and conducting technic

[@jennaleonard3870]

My best friend Barbara was a freshman here (not in this choir) and at the same time my high school choir did this song for contest. :) so many connections. I absolutely adore this song

[@aanonsona]

The pianist is exquisite.

[@MarthalieThurstonSachemPiper]

Beautifully performed by pianist, choiresters and director. Thank you for your ministry of music 🎶

[@maartenbokhout4594]

This is a profound piece - beautifully sung.

[@bradydyson65]

Wow. Actually though, that was great. Flowy, dynamic, delicate when it needed to be, strong when it needed to be---and the pitch was on. The unison at the end--perfect. That's hard to nail at pp and after that pause, but you did. Kind of makes me wish I had gone to Luther! lol

[@madadam12]

This is an utterly exquisite performance. Even though you recorded this some years ago, and the words sing of a summer night, it has provided a balm for a long January night as we endure the start of the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic here now in 2022. Thank you for this lovely rendition of James Agee's poetry and Morten Lauriden's music.

[@krisma12234]

Beautiful text and choir. Thank you for sharing this!

[@jenmorricone4014]

Sure on this shining night Of star made shadows round, Kindness must watch for me This side the ground. On this shining night. This shining night. The late year lies down the north. All is healed, all is health. High summer holds the earth. Hearts all whole. Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand'ring far alone Of shadows on the stars. Sure on this shining night. James Agee

[@spenceredford4403]

Wow! What a performance and what a privilege to experience. I wish there was a studio recording of this even though the live recording isn't that bad. Congratulations!

[@theeverelusivesjr]

There is a studio recording! I can only find it on CD (Spirit Moving Over Chaos), but you can currently purchase one on the Luther website! www.lutherbookshop.com/shop_product_detail.asp?catalog_group_id=OQ&catalog_group_name=Q0RzICYgRFZEcw&catalog_id=297&catalog_name=Tm9yZGljIENob2ly&pf_id=2320&product_name=KlNwaXJpdCBNb3ZpbmcgT3ZlciBDaGFvcyBDRA&type=1&target=shop_product_list.asp

[@rah1721]

What a wonderful collection of beautiful voices.

[@mktejeda]

Brings me to tears every time...

[@rheannenwilliams6559]

Thank you for your message 🙏🌈💕

[@hawea164]

Thank you so much. You made my eyes well with tears

[@mcglitter07]

Perfect!!