Ola Gjeilo w/the CWU Chamber Choir: Northern Lights - In the Moment (4 of 4)

Composer/pianist Ola Gjeilo joins the CWU Chamber Choir (Gary Weidenaar, director) in presenting Gjeilo's "Northern LIghts".
In mid-April, 2011, Ola spent 3 days on the Central Washington University Campus for a project in which he joined the choir in recording 3 of his compositions. On this video, Gjeilo adds an improvised accompaniment (in a one-take rendition) to his composition "Northern Lights"-- which is published as an unaccompanied piece. Because of his view that improvising is a wonderful snapshot of artists "at that moment", the project was entitled "In the Moment".
The other composition to which he created an improvised accompaniment was "Ubi Caritas". He also accompanied the choir on "The Ground", which includes CWU's resident faculty quartet -- the Kairos String Quartet.
Here are the other "In the Moment" KZbin URL's:
The project's trailer/preview video:
• Ola Gjeilo & CWU Chamb...
Ubi Caritas
• CWU Chamber Choir/Gjei...
The Ground:
• Ola Gjeilo with the CW...
Follow the choir on Facebook:
/ cwu.chamber.choir

[@michaelhise7542]

One of the most beautiful choral compositions ever in my opinion. Heavenly.

[@DianeSeversonMori]

I've sung the unaccompanied version, which is just wonderful. Having Gjeilo himself improvise an accompaniment is just stunning. Excellent choir too!

[@ferraridude711]

I think the piano adds a different kind of feeling to the song. I love it and it goes with this piece so well.

[@chloenoorda1664]

I didn't realize that the pianist is the composer until after having listened to this several times. I am absolutely in love with this piece and everything about it

[@Riley024680]

The choir's sound is simply beautiful, but I can't stop watching the piano player. He puts so much emotion into each note- just so beautiful.

[@burnconcrete]

That's probably because he's the composer of this chorale :) Ola Gjeilo himself!

[@leighannmartin1835]

I believe the pianist is the composer Ola Gjeilo

[@dazzahoward7104]

Yes amazing @@burnconcrete

[@caydab1]

Wonderful to have the composer at the piano for these performances.

[@donnaterkildsen830]

takes my breath away.....genius, Ola's soul is touched by God

[@davidnoelsmith]

As both instrumentalist, vocalist (and someone who has seen the aurora borealis) I can say that both versions (accompanied and not...) are as complex and different in their shadings as is the real phenomenon. Sometimes the lights themselves seem to be more playful than mysterious.

[@laurelcello]

i suppose if the aurora borealis had a sound, it would be this.

[@awaitthegroom]

@@laurelcello having seen 84 auroras the sound of them for me is always curlews and oystercatchers in the dark

[@SyemurN]

Instrumentalist, vocalist and aurora borealist?

[@MrBluedanube]

His songs truly take me to another dimension.

[@amyrye4485]

James OMG!!! Totally true! As someone who is totally blind, I'll simply say that durring this song, and I've heard many versions, no matter which one I'm listening to durring this piece, I can truly see the northern lights! What an amazing gift! Thank u so much Mr. Gjeilo! And as someone said in the comments music is indeed the universal language. For me, it is a way of communing with divine source

[@flaviozonca1760]

Amy Rye mmmmjjñjnnm

[@georgemeese1105]

Why we sing - awe, reverence, joy.

[@peneleapai]

Perfect. In those 3 words George.

[@zacharymckinnon6832]

I love the change in. Mood the piano adds. It's like it's almost a completely different piece and I'm diggin it

[@hugzpls]

It's probably because the pianist is Ola Gjeilo, who wrote the song himself. It puts a different mood to the song cuz he has the power to do it lol

[@dazzahoward7104]

Ola is amazing, he creates the most beautiful music in this modern world. Amazing.

[@johnparsons1241]

This is music that moves the soul. Quiet despair, but calm faith and hope conquers all.

[@stevecooney1361]

Thank you, for such a fabulous piece of music. I had this played at my mother's entrance music to her funeral. Absolutely auwsome. brings goosebumps to the back off my neck each time I hear the track.

[@jezjoshkjl]

Yes. I imagine that I'm walking into heaven with this piece

[@bamagazine]

Tears in my eyes. Beyond beautiful.

[@amyrye4485]

John McWade totally agree

[@Tiesquel]

Absolutely amazing !!.... Chapeau Ola Gjeilo !!!!!!!.... congratulations !!!!

[@XxvallchenxX]

HOW CAN ANYONE EVER DISLIKE THIS!!?? now seriously, I don't understand mankind...

[@shellydahl9194]

Wow!! So incredibly beautiful. What a wonderful composition and the choir is flawless. I loved the added improvised piano very much. Fantastic!

[@kennethgriffithconductor]

I wish that there was a transcription of this one like the Ubi Caritas. I would buy it certainly!

[@Mariah._S]

God this is so beautiful and amazing. Just saw it at a church near me. Absolutely beautiful and stunning

[@AtomsintheSkyMusic]

this piece was composed for my choir... and we also did this at an all eastern expedition last week

[@sharonhoward9790]

music is indeed the Universal Language. how beautiful.

[@elsbethweidenaar4583]

absolutely beautiful! very calming. excellent choral singing!

[@mari2393]

The pianist is the composer... So if he thinks that the piano must be added he can add it...

[@pantexpert]

I would give a lot to see this choir perform with Ola Gjeilo, you are all so lucky to have performed with him!! And I am in love with Gary (true confessions...).

[@bgjobass]

Absolutely out of this world beautiful! My 100 year old Mother adores this composition of Olaf Gjello. And the CWU Chamber Choir are exquisite in their loving interpretation of Northern Lights.

[@polobede9054]

qq faux departs mais quelle super chorale et en prime , la musique du jeuneOola Gjeilo est SUBLIME

[@andreasmazur1159]

Geordnet, Konzentriert, Gefühlvoll, ! ... Brillant ... ! Respekt vor dieser Leistung. Andreas (Germany)

[@kennethcollier5084]

There are two very different pieces of music here that intersect. One can love the one and not the other, the other and not the one, or both. Me? I love both. Gjeilo's improvisation reminds me of Keith Jarrett.

[@carliquiel]

Kenneth Collier i 100% agree. both interpretations are beautiful.

[@MikeMcGovernZ]

As soon as I heard the piano I thought 'Keith Jarrett'. It's an amazing piece with and without the piano. Heard it in a church last night a capella.

[@quickfoxxes]

Jarrett yes, however, without his annoying sub vocalizations underneath the playing.

[@okayimlistening7248]

The Pianist was killing it

[@LunaSeraphine]

I can't stop listening to it

[@peneleapai]

Very interesting extrs layer with our beloved composer's piano improv. Grateful to see and hear it. Happy to be comment #111 too 😊

[@alexzabala7548]

Bravo! Absolutamente genial! This is just flying with your heart and soul across the sky...

[@Rosinamo5058]

I feel the piano is essential. it does go with it. Ola Gjeilo himself, the composer, is playing. the whole thing is stunningly beautiful. truly hearing every little part of it is beautiful.

[@LarryLyons2]

Such soulful piano!!!

[@cedrickhowoseb9932]

He speaks to God through an instrument

[@martinebourdeau4540]

Outstanding spirit expressed in sublime music

[@bettycampbell7440]

Heavenly music.

[@donnaterkildsen830]

The sound of seeing God in Heaven!

[@Mariah._S]

4:00-4:13 Thank me later. That part effected me so much. No other piece in the history of music has ever had an effect on me like that. I can’t describe it

[@ncheadhntr3]

If an aurora borealis made sound that we could hear, that part is exactly what I envision it would sound like. For most of the composition it's SATB. During that precise moment it divides: SAATTB for a 6-part harmony and it's SO rich. You're right.

[@marcelotai1055]

S AATT B = e gf#ed g The 'cluster' by AT gives the borealis characteristic, i thing,

[@cspaperoga]

this is celestial

[@NoName-yo1fj]

So leise und zart an manchen Stellen und das ganze Lied über einfach nur schön...

[@weronikapernach4457]

just thank You

[@yannduvere6519]

C'est merveilleux! cette oeuvre est encore plus belle avec l'accompagnement piano par le compositeur lui-même.

[@pepesanchez1243]

Es lo más hermoso que he escuchado en mucho tiempo. Dios bendiga al compositor y a los intérpretes... «Pulchra es Amica mea» ¡Qué hermosa eres, Amiga mía!

[@williamripley3192]

Truly sublime.

[@johnnyjohnny7204]

so wonderful. thank you.

[@gaw58]

@SalthawkMusician - it actually is normally an unaccompanied (that's how it is published). Ola Gjeilo - the composer - was improvising a piano part.

[@aanandinithakkar6889]

Very beautiful!

[@polobede9054]

wouaouuuuu , j'avais énormément écouté la mouture originale, que j'adore bien sur mais là avec l'impro au piano du maître gjeilo , lui même c'est une redécouverte amusante et très belle de ce morceau

[@tiborkrajnik6835]

Simply awesome.

[@brettdeyoung5548]

STUNNING.

[@WaftyHippyLass]

Thanks so much for uploading this. Such a lovely performance.

[@Nancy6797]

I like this better without the piano. The piano changes the character of the piece. A cappella version by the same choir is on KZbin. Magnificent work!

[@dancerarinz556]

where?

[@Nancy6797]

+Dancer the Math Geek: search for: northern lights ola gjeilo. Select the entry that says "by Alan Davis."

[@garyw1]

+Nancy6797 No, Nancy6797, we didn't release the Northern Lights without the piano - although it is published that way by Ola (the person who also is at the piano). I agree, it does change the character of the piece - pretty cool since he's making it up as he goes.... but I can respect it if you don't like it as much... Gary (the conductor)

[@DanielJulioPauni]

thanks, Gary /the conductor) for as many versions as you can bring to us, the listeners. Your music is a like visiting Paradise, for a while

[@DianeSeversonMori]

It does change the character, quite a bit, but I think that's wonderful. Now there are two equally fantastic pieces of music out there, which transport you to different places.

[@TheManOfDecency]

so beautiful it made my day.

[@innapodermaa4576]

Absolutely gorgeous!!!

[@filippofossa2577]

E' un'atmosfera magica, davvero, come se un pianoforte fosse stato erroneamente teletrasportato da un luogo in cui non c'entrava un cazzo a un luogo in cui c'entrava ancora meno.

[@marisolrojas3823]

l really liked this song

[@ahbling]

Love their technique...and their vocals haha. Makes the song soo great. Wonder how they hear each other from the two ends of the stage, especially because there is the piano in the middle O.o I want to learn this!!!! :D

[@francisdufort6586]

I love the way his shirt is quite scruffy. The Choir are super smart..

[@user-nq9tn2im9c]

Beautiful !

[@marisolrojas3823]

I hope to do more songs like that

[@sylvettechabot3667]

Très belle pièce, j adore 😃

[@ShromannMajumder]

5:03 is when the choir kinda stuffed up but over all its beautiful.

[@MyNameIsPatsy]

3.50 is so beautiful

[@SalthawkMusician]

@gaw58 Yeah, we performed it at contest last year, so I know it's supposed to be unaccompanied. And the improv was pretty good. Just loud.

[@Guzzininina]

3:30 O MY GOOOOOOOOOD *pathos*

[@riccardobalsamo8434]

I would like to have the score of the piano improvisation. Is it possible to have the score?

[@brianj812]

Where can I get this piano music?

Il y a un air de Keith Jarrett (Köln Concert)

[@MisterDavidBell]

All of Ola's improv is beautiful, however I do believe there shouldn't have been the piano solos in between vocal phrases. I think this would have worked better if the piano just accompanied the original vocal phrasing as it needs the magic from the voices throughout

[@EvaImaginaerum]

this is music, congrats to all:):)

[@aveenstra11]

I agree, but that IS the composer playing

[@stefaniafei]

despite the outstanding performance and the gorgeousness of the piece itself, I see that there is NO way to avoid the "jerusaleps" effect.

[@nardface95]

@AtomsInTheSkyMusic aka Christian, *this is Jen Schumann btw* I think you mean convention haha! AND WE DIDN'T JUST SING IT, WE KICKED ASSSSSS ON IT

[@411tavo]

i agree

[@Nancy6797]

Dancer the Math Geek: search for: Northern Lights Ola Gjeilo. Select the entry that says by Alan Davis. A capella version, no piano.

[@TechnologyLeaks]

I didn't say it necessarily ruined the song, I just think the intensity of the piece is a bit thrown off with added piano. It is supposed to be how one would visualize the Northern Lights, and I don't think the piano reaches the point that a natural performance with only voices would reach.

[@SalthawkMusician]

Absolutely gorgeous! Just wish it had either been accapella or the piano had been quieter. Sometimes it covered up the choir and ruined the effect. But still, the vocals were beautiful!

[@RQPeterson]

Pulchra es amica mea, suavis et decora sicut Jerusalem, terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata. Averte oculos tuos a me quia ipsi me avolare fecerunt. Thou art beautiful, O my love, sweet and comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army set in array. Turn away thy eyes from me, for they have made me flee away.

[@Ape83]

Capolavoro

[@nardface95]

@AtomsInTheSkyMusic Christian adamsky I miss you muchly. :)

[@car_rus]

Sheet music, please!

[@TechnologyLeaks]

It almost adds to much of something social to something that is supposed to be so natural.

[@MuteMusicalMorgan]

......brb. I need to go change my pants. o____o

[@patriciaalvarez6745]

I think this song is good enough without the piano, it kind of don't match the song, may be something more delicate like a violin would do.

[@williamfoster8478]

I agree that it's stylistically a bit of a reach, and all the available commercial recordings are unaccompanied. However ... I really like what he does here. He is no piano virtuoso, but his eclectic tastes are obvious. I hear Satie, Debussy, Bill Evans, even Bruce Hornsby in his playing. As for not matching, it strikes me that the title "Northern Lights" doesn't really match the text. But ... it's his song, and he can do what he wants with it. BTW, the Phoenix Chorale of this song recording is first-rate.

[@jemlaey3766]

If the piano was quieter, this would be at least 5x better.

[@Nancy6797]

Gastronomist: I agree.

[@ChlorineHeart]

I think it would be better w/out the piano. The choir is amazing though

[@AtomsintheSkyMusic]

HAHA JEN SCHUMANN yeah autocorrect my B!

[@ratkillerthe]

I don't like what the piano does for this piece of choral work T.T

[@TechnologyLeaks]

I think the piano takes a little away from it.

[@krisnamandala810]

maybe, they doesnt have a good taste of music

[@AbbyGould]

The piano ruins it. Horribly.

[@xtremenortherner]

+Abby Gould Its HIS friggin' song...,he can perform it however he chooses! I think its a wonderful melody & a great choir piece!

[@mzunguwrites6085]

Oh my no. But a cello would sound nice instead.

[@lejedidelingo]

Oh my god, this is your point of view, but i can't more DISagree with you !!

[@luiscordovez918]

Gjello was doing a stylistic improvisation to his own music, if you can't enjoy nor grasp the magnitude of skill and artistry that it takes to do that to an already composed piece, then Gjello isn't for you.

[@jrthiker9908]

Abby, it's his piece and he can do whatever he wants with it. Nothing is carved in stone after it's written. Mozart constantly tinkered with his operas, rewriting arias with cast changes, dropping numbers, etc. Somewhere along the way we've gotten this Holy Grail attitude with music and forgotten it's the right of the composer to revisit his/her works over time. Even to change tempi. What a special treat to see into the mind of the composer this way. Music is alive, not printed notes on a page.