Snow Dance for the Dead - Stellenbosch University Choir

Conductor: André van der Merwe
Composer: Seán Doherty
Poem: Lola Ridge
Contact for the Choir: Corné Kruger (Woordfees): [e-mail]
Sound Engineer: Dr Gerhard Roux, Stellenbosch
Video: Homebrew Films (Ben Heyns)
Recorded: Endler Hall, Department of Music, Stellenbosch University, Sunday 6 October 2019

[@seandoherty5826]

I'm the composer of this piece 'Snow Dance for the Dead'. Thanks to Stellenbosch University Choir and André van der Merwe for this truly incredible performance of my ‘Snow Dance for the Dead’. Their technical precision is matched by their absolute conviction. A devastating performance that I will never forget.

[@ChristiaanDB1]

It was an absolute honour to be able to sing this piece and see audiences reactions in 2019 and 2020. Thank your for this amazing piece!

[@lungarubuluza2541]

Never in my years of singing in choirs and listening to other choirs sing, local and globally, come across a piece like this. And being able to sing it was even more majestic.

[@seandoherty5826]

​@@ChristiaanDB1 Thank you so much for all the effort and hard work that went into this incredible performance. I know how technically challenging and stamina draining it is to sing! And then to sing it while delivering such a heartfelt performance is simply spectacular. Thank you so much. Seán

[@seandoherty5826]

@@lungarubuluza2541 Wow, thanks so much for this amazing comment. Stellenbosch University Choir gave an incredibly emotive interpretation of this piece. I can;'t wait to hear you sing it live-best wishes from Ireland!

[@VHM2018]

It’s an amazing piece of music!

[@Berurot]

This is the best choir I have heard. I dream that one day if I don't get to see it... I'll be in it! Love from K E N Y A

[@maseengmasitha6212]

They're magnificent. I'm from Lesotho, but I'm studying in the US. I can't help look back and wonder about what would have been had I gone to SU instead. I definitely would have joined them :)

[@izzy6142]

I have friends in Kenya!

[@angelaogeto636]

Fellow Kenyan😄❤

[@Berurot]

This is awesome :)

[@aletleth6167]

the camera work, the precision of the hand movements, the expressions on each singer, the movements of the conductor. chills all over

[@sphamandlahlela5900]

Quarantine and chill while watching this Beauty

[@KatjaRock]

This gave me proper goosebumps. And I am listening/watching from home. I cannot imagine how amazing this would have been in the theater.

[@tonyburzio4107]

"Those who want peace never do the deciding."

[@laurencopenhaver5366]

After reading the comments I have to watch it many more times. I didn't know what was happening but I knew it was scary and sad. This music is very deep and not instantly accessible like a pop song. The singers were clearly feeling it.. I can't help but think of the Bible verse that says "should you harm a hair on a child's head it would be better for you had you never been born."

[@nathantitus8311]

Wow! Absolutely breathtaking performance, well done. Andre you make it look so easy, you were definitely born to do this man. God bless you!

[@anacletomastuerzo3193]

Music and performance totally amazing: the art exists!. Thank you for do it possible.

[@cameronpedersen1974]

Incredible, was fortunate to see this at Stellenbosch.

[@manfredmentoor1459]

Brrrrrrrrrrrrravo. Jisses. Again. I could see this live. the back story...tense...the performance....electric....sad story...portraid to perfection

[@deirbhilenibhrolchain7666]

Powerful performance

[@dirklourens2404]

Brilliant performance and choreographing of a brilliant composition. An emotional rendition that takes the audience on an interactive audio-visual journey through haunting snow plains and unspoken atrocities.

[@judithhu2336]

I always get goosebumps when I listen to this song and the fantastic interpretation by Stellenbosch Choir! It’s absolutely great and very shocking at the same time.. You can see by the singers’ faces that they are very moved by the end - some of them have to wipe a tear away.. Keep up the fantastic work Stellis! Love from a fan in Germany🥰

[@lawdeanfortune5024]

This is so intense .I know this song was written for the atrocities of the Russian Revolution ,but as a South African it resonates with me ,sadly so many of us have been killed or being killed by guns every day .Thank you for this thought provoking piece .Dankie julle .

[@leocassan6158]

Love from France ! I absolutely love your choir, you r so talented

[@editorella]

awesome! you are all amazing! thank you from Europe!

[@lathithakula1258]

South Africa😭💖💖💖

[@fs881]

Come on, what a lame reaction of the audience to this outstanding performance. People in this room, get on your feet and show this choir the respect and appreciation they deserve. Bravo Stellenbosch University Choir and Mr. van der Merwe, bravo!

[@alankellymd]

I was at the premiere and had the privilege of seeing a preview by New Dublin Voices. It is an incredible piece of music by a stunning Irish composer,

[@gregw9351]

I think, if their reaction was anything like mine (esp. hearing it for the first time!), that they were reeling, emotionally and mentally more than anything, from what they'd just heard. Not out of disrespect, but because of attempting to process the song! I know I did! It was certainly an impactful, profound performance!

[@cryingstonesenduringvoices6190]

Chilling indeed! Brilliant choreography and execution!

[@vinetmanon6880]

Amazing!!! Greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪

[@js-qn4mq]

Unbelievable and without words (one of the best choir I've ever heard) ... thanks!

[@NAI917RAH]

So electrifying and so chilling! Masterful, Stellenbosch. Masterful!

[@carolinelapham5139]

Wonderful

[@sehuniesooswife6007]

Love from MADAGASCAR

[@evaldotartas1439]

Beautifull songs, congratulations

[@sabakes]

Simply beautiful. Exceptional amd emotional presentation. Andre and your choir, you guys are amazing

[@ngoykhman]

Thank you for the great performance!

[@lindaduncan9197]

Andre van der Merwe's creative genius is unsurpassed. He has finely tuned each voice to make one heavenly instrument. Long may he reign.

[@dcarlod]

Perfect! As always! 😉

[@whitneyndongo6820]

I cried 😭 Wish I could perform this. It's an amazing piece

[@marni_monet]

Goosebumps!

[@alextornupinside]

Holy sh... Mind blown.

[@paularolfs1905]

Wow i can't find the right words for ehat i am feeling while watching and more important listening this masterpiece. I am absolutly speechless... this is idk it makes me feel a lot and overthinking whats going on in our world and it make me feel like that this is the reality

[@rapchasasination3729]

Not me watching more than 3x😭this is giving greatness

[@ndivhuhomurembiwa9885]

I’ve been waiting since Kuesta for this video!!

[@ellen-marivanrensburg8215]

Absolutely excellent!!!!!

[@CaroAbebe]

After the latest atrocities committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine this piece speaks even more loudly to me. I keep coming back to listen - and to cry. What great music, Seán Doherty, what an outstanding choir: a truly haunting performance.

[@user-vi5qn6to3e]

Thank you!

[@Lord_and_Savior_Gay_Jesus]

Perfection. Absolute and unequivocal perfection.

[@omegafumba]

Wow!!! I'm literally in tears, You guys are the best😍

[@Tutored_Sauvage]

brought me to tears

[@margrietbrandsma000]

Grace. Blessings.

[@refentsejoko8901]

Yoh I am soooooo speechless regarding this song its to beautiful , oulike , fantastic , amazing and the list carries on this masterpiece just became one of my best songs listen or luister julle is die beste the sound effects are to infinity

[@lilacsstay6518]

this is AMAZING! you can feel the emotion.

[@miavos3610]

Wow!

[@renepobig5148]

Very Very Very nice......

[@sizwemondlane7464]

I absolutely love this! U.S Choir is top tier

[@gerhardcharles]

Mesmerizing. I see that the line they sing "Welcome children to the rhythm of the snow" is taken from a poem about the Russian Civil War 100 years ago - hence all the shooting. A masterful composition and interpretation about an atrocity.

[@h35biznez]

Yooooo, thats a masterpiece ! 🙀

[@ziyandagandilanga5587]

I'm out of words😭😭😭😍

[@isabellearisteu]

É tão incrivel... It's really amazing ❤️ Love from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@UnathiGX]

Scary...and well done

[@robertschrum5496]

So interesting to observe both the ears and the lips. Wherein doth the secret lie?

[@robsoncasemiro5946]

Uau!!!!! Maravilhoso!!!!!

[@oscarmsfilho]

Congratulations!! Amazing!!

[@karinv3031]

Great!🦚

[@judithhu2336]

This song and interpretation gives me goosebumps all over my body. I don’t know but I always have to think of the book “Der Besuch der alten Dame” of Friedrich Dürrenmatt (engl. The Visit).

[@MsSlucyna]

Unspeakable power

[@deltond]

absolutely amazing!

[@frabo3031]

Fantastico!

[@mqhelisicurtiszidla787]

I’m in awe 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mokgadimolele9329]

Perfect 😍

[@julieosherson]

I wish the lyrics could be posted. Such a stirring performance!

[@ChristiaanDB1]

The song is a constant repetition of the line "Dance, little children, to the rhythm of the snow" taken from the poem "Snow Dance for the Dead" by Lola Ridge

[@jocomercccomercc7651]

Show de bola 👏👏👏

[@ranaweigang8227]

Wow

[@Phil99470]

And yesterday a Palestinian journalist was gunned down for daring to report the violent Occupation of Jenin city in the occupied West Bank. I salute brave journalists everywhere who risk their lives to tell the truth.

[@chrismouton1985]

This was extremely moving. The violence and emotions perfectly portrayed. What is the back story behind this piece?

[@karlizekorf5048]

Chris Mouton, the lyrics come from the poem by Lola Ridge, "Snow Dance for the Dead", in which she describes the unfortunate event of Russian soldiers practising their target shooting on the innocent children playing in the snow. The physical moves are those of the children gathering snowballs in both hands and raising them to the sky, when interrupted by another voice group representing the soldiers firing a shot resulting in snow spattering around. This information is allegedly omitted from the history books due to political influence. This piece is social commentary on the human instinct to resort to violence to resolve our conflict - today still. And that the same human arm that can embrace, can also kill.

[@chrismouton1985]

Wow! Thank you! It was brilliantly interpreted by the choir.

[@monibrehm4403]

to be honest, this piece reminds me so much of the horror that is taking place in Ukraine at the moment... Much strength to all Ukrainians, whether they stayed or fled, whether they actively fight, or are staying in their homes. May this horrible war of agression started by putin and unwanted by the people end soon.

[@user-vi5qn6to3e]

Thank you for your support! Unfortunately, even some of the regular people want this 💔

[@user-be2fx8zd2u]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@judysowell2586]

Sean Doherty - Would you explain this piece and tell the audience what is happening in the song?

[@ChristiaanDB1]

The piece depicts the horrors that occured during the Russian Revolution of 1918. The line "Dance little children to the rhythm of the snow" comes from a poem by Lola Ridge in which she describes the undocumented events where russian soldiers would actually practice their target shooting on these little children. In the video, the choristers raise their hands like cupped chalices, (as mentioned in the poem) depicting the little children playing with the snow, unaware of what is about to happen. Witness them painfully releasing the snow and being interrupted by the harsh sounds of gunfire and another voice group firing at them. Our conductor once mentioned in a performance that this piece sheds light on the fact that humans have always tried to resolve violence by creating more violence, and that the same hand that embraces or comforts, is also a hand that can pull a trigger and kill.

[@paulusroux8887]

Letterlik amper uitgepass nou

[@lubojimy3081]

velmi čudný choir neviem či mám dať like alebo dislike tak radšej nedám nič