Ola Gjeilo - Song of the Universal

One of my favorite musical pieces composed in the 21st Century!
For SSAA Choir, Piano, and String Orchestra.
Performed by the Women of Westminster Symphonic Choir/Ola Gjeilo, piano/Dr. Amanda Quist, cond.
Lyrics by Walt Whitman
Pictures by Mike Ring
Sheet music can by purchased at: www.jwpepper.com/Song-of-the-Univ…tem#.U1qCmMfPbA0
• Bioluminescent Forests...

[@juliawalder8037]

It’s been five months since I’ve performed this song at the spring choir concert I love this song so much 😢

[@johnpaul8938]

This song just resonates to my whole being. I can’t help but shed some tears

[@mikeringmusic21]

I don't know about you guys, but I am very much missing live classical music in concert halls, bands on stages, theatre productions, and beautiful works sung like this one in churches.

[@NightHawkward]

I totally relate.

[@jesseenoch861]

instablaster...

[@darkwaters1010]

Agreed

[@zzzcocopepe]

I love O Fortuna. It's a prayer to the goddess, in a way. It's lamenting fate.

[@RaymundusLeonardo]

And God said, "Let there be beauty," and there was music..

[@amyrye4485]

Raymundus Leonardo Amen!!!! Well said

[@andyfield7397]

Aaaaawww, lovely 😏

[@andyfield7397]

try Sissel's 'like an angel passing through my room" if you like this sort of thing

[@seesritual8990]

But satan invented the cough

[@boyisun]

@@seesritual8990 laughing out loud!

[@alanburnham9832]

Ola Gjeilo's music as the power of the human spirit, it lifts me from depression to the light. Thank you sir!

[@laurenj432]

Found out I got into the bachelor of vocal music education at My University and this is a great song to celebrate🥺

[@mosart7025]

Congratulations!! Hope you exceed your dreams!

[@laurenj432]

mosart Thank you so much. I hope you exceed your dreams as well. I also love how you used the word exceed, it’s subtle but means a lot💕💖❤️💛

[@mikeringmusic21]

Yes it is! Congrats. We need people like you to pursue your music goals and keep it alive for our youth and communities - especially after how terrible the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the classical music world :(

[@laurenj432]

Mike Ring Thank you and I agree! The arts definitely need more funding overall and Covid is definitely going to take a toll :(

[@williamdias6487]

....tears falling from my eyes while listening to this piece...thoughts flying far...far away!

[@katieforrest8488]

This piece compels a listener to contemplate the Universal Christ, with ears, mind, heart, and soul!

[@marianaionescu6880]

With A GOOD CELESTIAL HEART , ... and MUSIC , ... in a New Year 2022! My Gratitude!🌹💕

[@matts156]

We worked with Ola last year and I got to talk to him and his (very) lovely girlfriend. They are both very kind, friendly, down-to-earth people who I really enjoyed getting to know. I'm anxious to work with him again both because of his beautiful music and his great personality.

[@twinkletoes22221]

you are very lucky indeed

[@susannestechow]

I have already supposed that the both are really very nice people, modest, friendly, simply nice.

[@sirshrooma]

I sang in a composition that included a bass and tenor line a few years ago (I myself a bass II at the time) and it was eye watering. Beautiful. To this day when I quietly do the bass line over this song it gives me goose bumps...

[@chantal1811]

At the end of the "king's choice" movie 2016, TREMENDOUSLY BEAUTIFUL !!!

[@gabenavarette8342]

my senior select choir competed with this piece during our national competition run back in 2019, and i always find myself coming back to it. truly amazing.

[@susanflakes6968]

This one takes me to another place.. escape! Unlimited possibilities and adventures but with perfect oeace attending...fearless in the face of changes..and yes, utter contentment...trusting HIM...

[@rayholstein7108]

Mr. Gjeilo continues to amaze me. He melds old classical with modern and soulful thought. A whole new level!

[@alessandra4612]

Mrs.

[@twinkletoes22221]

thank you .. how beautiful and so what the world needs.. protection for all animals and humans to get it right beginning with the right music.

[@christinaderinconada]

Ola! You blow me away with your music. Absolutely divine and soul grabbing! Thank you for being!

[@chikodiossai6429]

This draws at my heartstrings

[@db7001]

I heard this on the radio this morning on the way to the coffee shop so I could work on my thesis that I am writing on... Walt Whitman! I guess it's a sign to dig in to my work today!

[@stevenichols8887]

All the chills

[@omraamwordsoflight]

Beautiful music and beautiful photos, very moving poem by Walt Whitman. Thanks for sharing.

[@abracadabra324]

The ending is epic!

[@KellyPedro]

It is more than epic. It has a joy that seems above the world.

[@ajk3455]

I'm so happy I will have a chance to sing it next month. :))

[@frjimt2286]

Come, said the Muse, Sing me a song no poet yet has chanted, Sing me the Universal. In this broad Earth of ours, Amid the measureless grossness and the slag, Enclosed and safe within its central heart, Nestles the seed Perfection. By every life a share, or more or less, None born but it is born-conceal’d or unconceal’d, the seed is waiting. Give me, O God, to sing that thought! Give me-give him or her I love, this quenchless faith In Thy ensemble. Whatever else withheld, withhold not from us, Belief in plan of Thee enclosed in Time and Space; Health, peace, salvation universal. All, all for Immortality! Love, like the light, silently wrapping all! Nature’s amelioration blessing all! The blossoms, fruits of ages-orchards divine and certain; Forms, objects, growths, humanities, to spiritual Images ripening. - Walt Whitman

[@brennerkh]

Thank you Frjim T !! :-))

[@monicagozziniturelli159]

È nellissima

[@brianna_903]

Shoutout to that one guy who coughed in the beginning. Way to go, pal 👏🙄

[@hajirahsyed846]

Ahahahaha i thought i was the only one who heard it lol

[@awaitthegroom]

we now have masks for the purpose of stifling coughs in music performance

[@susannestechow]

I have already supposed that the both are truly very nice people. Modest, friendly, simply nice.

[@marianaionescu6880]

Merry Christmas! Thank You ,for beautiful Winter Songs!

[@user-xv5bj2vz2q]

요번에 연주하게 되서 들으러 왔어요 곡이 웅장 장엄하고 너무 좋네요 잘 들을께요 감사합니다❤

[@finolahepworth5554]

Only music like this can express the inexpressible Thank you for being such a voice, Wondrous

[@Louri_]

Authentic celestial music!

[@bghormley]

So so beautiful...one of my favorite modern pieces

[@randomwny]

*picks up jaw off the floor*

[@jeaniejohnston8295]

Vakkert musik! Tusen Takk Ola! It's like entering heaven!

[@melinalestunff3574]

Elle est trop belle💖💖😘😘

[@jl8217]

I just came across this by chance, what a lovely piece!

[@MargaretMagor81g]

A wonderful rendition of the music of one of my favourite modern composers.

[@amyrye4485]

Margaret Magor I definitely see why he is, mine too

[@warunichandrasena1866]

This is one of my favorite peice of Ola Gjeilo

[@TheOneBlackKidd]

Hi, I'm back like 7 yes later and now I cant stop listening to 7:42

[@marganewc]

Thank you so much for sharing this. He is one of the greatest contemporary composers, his music is balm to the soul.

[@ltyr2002]

Incredibly beautiful! Ola Gjeilo is truly inspired!

[@AW-uo9lg]

4:05, and 7:41 are my favorite parts, just imagine a celestial battle with this music!! EPIC!

[@moniatommasini2628]

Brano magnifico su testo bellissimo. Grazie per aver dato vita a questo incanto.

[@susanflakes6968]

This one is my favorite today...

[@susanflakes6968]

I am indeed looking through a NEW LENS at cues from the LORD...this song is outstanding.. as well as geographic in character...

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

Ola is so talented! It is always good to have another great composer gracing us with important stuff.

[@matuskrnac4534]

During listen this song, my soul flying in clouds, thank you, producer :-)

[@teresamorley8376]

Blown away by this incredible music.

[@alchemicalweddings7489]

truly sublime, what a gift!

[@ltyr-mr2if]

No words! Tears!

[@staranimation9386]

“Come,” said the muse.

[@nikossoupas1084]

I'm crying!!!

[@Xivics]

Its beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@susanflakes6968]

And, two of them know where I've been..I really want to be sensitive about the whole mess...but you know someone has to stop LOOKING AWAY...

[@RobertBCornell]

Mike, thank you for this lovely gift to us! It was so wonderful to see your pictures and the words of Whitman as the music plays. Blessings! Robert Cornell

[@mikeringmusic21]

Thanks Robert! But the real gift is not from me - but from Ola Gjeilo :)

[@kyndallthompson3453]

So pretty... We're singing this in choir - 39 pages long haha

[@WilliamFord972]

It only seems that long because of the way choral scores are printed. It's probably--like--7-10 pages for the other instruments.

[@MayaNieberger5213]

At least we probably won't have to memorize the whole thing! Its so beautiful... Hi Kyndall! :)

[@SitaraWinters3697]

Kyndall Thompson Haha I looked this up after the concert because it's so pretty.

[@mkubani5127]

No actually there are only 2 pages without voice- its a very long song

[@payetonburfield5241]

Ours is 54 pages

[@susanflakes6968]

This song is playing at 12:34...the LORD has quickened me at 11:11 and 12:12 as well...Praise GOD! in JESUS name! Thank YOU! LORD! We are in HIS TIME....KAIROS.....

[@susannestechow]

Where is this landscape located? Probably USA, but where?

[@danielatapia3533]

WOW just...WOW!

[@irenediaz605]

this is amazing,

[@jjmoe8233]

Reminds me of an finished version of final song at "gabriellas sång" at the Theater at the end.

[@sigridadam4520]

Sehr schön...Danke

[@maureenkelly7771]

wow. just so powerful

[@mikeringmusic21]

I agree.

[@swimmad1]

I love this composer. Beautiful piece.

[@joshfrench9503]

Awesome!!!

[@brendanr.ogorman3586]

Beautiful!

[@verixanc]

marvelous!!

[@susanflakes6968]

Ola, among many other giftings..you are a Geographical Composer/Artist/Landscaper....

[@cosettegarzon5322]

Anybody else notice the tempo lag in the beginning? Still sounds amazing regardless! Great tone ladies

[@cacvpc]

Yes. It was pulling my brain to hear the dysfunction, and I had to stop listening.

[@klaus2506]

the most iconic cough

[@elisabethragner5239]

Vakkert!

[@kate2326]

I've been there! It's incredible. There are no mountains where I live, so to be suddenly surrounded by huge mountains stretching into the sky was surreal.

[@Luca-gj9xn]

You are very good and Gjeilo is a truly genius! My choir sang "The Rose" and "Days of Beauty" with new arrangements, both adapting for mixed choir, with male and female voices and making spectacular videos! We were able to reach the same Gjeilo who was thrilled. Write this in the search: you will surely like them! Corale Novarmonia - The Rose (O. Gjeilo) Corale Novarmonia - Days of Beauty (O. Gjeilo) SATB Choir

[@susanflakes6968]

Vacuum...praying for a miracle in JESUS name! Thank YOU! LORD!

[@mailam7672]

Check out the Sheldon high school performing this song!! We put in a lot of effort into it, hope u enjoy! 😊😊😊

[@clarkboykin5984]

Ditto for all the wonderful comments about the music. I think Mike deserves kudos for the wonderful photographs and their (and the lyrics') presentation. I'm curious about the general location(s). South America?

[@mikeringmusic21]

Hi. Yes, a lot of the pictures were from Peru but some were also from Yosemite Nat' Park.

[@kurmaymiralay]

What is song name at 1.20

[@redsaens2823]

7:41

[@susanflakes6968]

GOD IS IN CONTROL...that's enough...HIS WILL, HIS PLAN..HIS TIMIMG in JESUS name! Thank YOU! LORD!

[@WilliamFord972]

That cough though @ 0:30

[@FieldTechIV]

It diminishes the quality of the recording. You can find a better version on youtube and amazon (see album Magnificat).

[@susanflakes6968]

Ephesians 4:16 in JESUS name! Thank YOU! LORD! I will follow you...

[@nicoemta]

Credits song for The King's Choice or Kongens nei

[@classicbird2627]

A wonderful piece indeed. But in this recording I get the impression that the choir is always a bit behind the music in terms of tempo. But maybe that this is even meant to be?

[@southernbiscuits1275]

I love this piece of music but why is there no good performance of it on KZbin? On this recording there almost seems to be a time lag between the various groups of performers. The sound quality is horrendous. This work deserves better.

[@alexlindsay2325]

This link will take you to a wonderful album called "Magnificat." At the very end it has "The Song of the Universal." I believe it is performed in Norway. I trust you will find it a very clear, crisp recording done by very fine musicians. music.kzbin.info/aero/OLAK5uy_nOM486qO0SzFnDS-6_UAmnqXLanJdi2iM

[@susanflakes6968]

Erick has been purposely left in the dark here and really not wanted...pray about @ calling and clarifying. or you might want to just meet in person. I introduced your music to him...he plays piano and loves it...that's how GOD favored me with him...

[@tamalocal]

there is a better version of this song without the coughing, it's done by Trondheimsolistene, on the album Magnificat, a great recording.

[@emily_dupont_peterson]

+Ilias Music Thank you SO MUCH for the recommendation. What a superb album!

[@FieldTechIV]

@Ilias Music I just looked it up, that is a better recording, thanks!

[@HagiaSophia1952]

Never heard of this composer before. Thank you for the upload. Are the photographs taken in the High Andes?

[@mikeringmusic21]

Machu Picchu, around Peru, Yosemite Nat Park, a few other parks and hikes in the west. I travel a lot!

[@jeanneely2413]

@@mikeringmusic21 And I'm sure I saw a picture of Art Hill, the name of the hill in front of the St Louis Art Museum, no?

[@mikeringmusic21]

@@jeanneely2413 Yes that's right! Very random photograph.

[@atbaritone]

Ola Gjielo, the discerning person's Christopher Tin.

[@zzzcocopepe]

Came here from INFJ Moment. It always makes me cry for some reason

[@Grandguisier]

"Joy of Painting" in Tönen (will jetzt nicht 'Musik' sagen ...).

[@annskinner8467]

Is the font Papyrus?

[@bethforever13]

+Ann Skinner looks like it!

[@mikeringmusic21]

Ann Skinner one year late, but yes it is!

[@elmorya100]

Metoo

[@lizpolaris]

I don't see this as a choir piece. This is a sweeping orchestral piece, apparently meant as background music for a nature documentary. Then there's some voices sort of humming along. Even in this recording, you can't understand a word of the poetic Whitman - and I have the choir part in front of me. This is a dull, repetitive mess of a piece but I wouldn't by any stretch call this a song.

[@susanflakes6968]

FYI today former pastors reconnected with me on FB...THEY ARE A WONDERFUL CLEAN UP CREW..you might not call them "Higher Level"..but they are a lot higher than you think. .

[@scottforesman7968]

People with coughs should STAY HOME

[@susanflakes6968]

Vladi, the JOY of the LORD is your strength...that's scripture...do you want to.miss the Fullnes of the Life HE has given to Satisfy you with fulfilled promises because you just went through a "fiery trial" and you made it to the other side without "lightening"?...Come on...look up and smile...uour REDEMPTOON DRAWETH NIGH...scripture says your latter days will be far greater than the former.. something to enjoy in the present (don't miss your present!!!! Its here!!!!) ENJOY! Your present!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂

[@hajnatucic2291]

Unbelieveable ...complex, vibrating, inspirational, maby with delicate chinese inspirations ?

[@westsidewarrior1972]

man, whoever was coughing should have been shown the door

[@susanflakes6968]

Your label is MWWTW because the LORD said, you were WELL WORTH THE WAIT...HE should know...

[@keesklaver9153]

Saai, zoooooooooo saai. Ik viel in slaapBoring, soooooooooooo boring, I felt asleep…...

[@matts156]

I just want to slap the representatives of the National Tuberculosis Society in the audience.