"Lux Aeterna" by Edward Elgar performed by VOCES8, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer

[@Robert_Herring]

This was originally a part of the Enigma Variations by Elgar. He later adapted it for the Lux Aeterna text. I've played it in both a wind band and brass band, where it's most commonly known as "Nimrod". I've seen Voces8 thrice, but have yet to hear them do this in person.

[@richardtodd7295]

This is one of my favorite Voces 8 pieces. I keep coming back to it. I had to check, this version was recorded in 2016! 4 of the singers have moved on and been replaced, but the Voces 8 sound is clearly there. How do they do it? They had 6 men and 2 women in 2016 and now the mix is 3 women and 5 men, but the Voces 8 sound remains the same. If you want to learn how they do it, check out all the Voces 8 and Voces 8 Foundation workshops and interviews on KZbin. There is a newer version recorded in 2019 which has had 30,000 views. This version from 2016 has had over 450,000 views. An amazing piece of music amazingly performed!

[@annasylvester4516]

I've played the Enigma Variations orchestra version. I love this vocal setting! I found you through Ren. I'm really enjoying your reactions to classical music as well.

[@StrateleStudios]

So glad to hear it! 😊🫶

[@rbmelk7083]

This is one of my favorite Voces8 performances! I have some additional insight into this composition that I wanted to share. This is an arrangement of the “Nimrod” variation from Elgar’s Enigma Variations for Orchestra. The singing here is remarkable as anyone who has sung in a choir before can tell you how difficult it is to sing sevenths in tune, and this work has sevenths all over the place which they sing flawlessly. This was one of the requests I was going to put in myself, but I’ve been trying to keep the Voces8 lane open for other requesters since they are so frequently called upon. I am secretly hoping that the two Rheinberger works they’ve done will show up here (Abendlied and the Kyrie from the Eb Mass), but rather than put them in myself, I represented Rheinberger with his first organ concerto knowing that one or both of these other works will show up eventually:) This was wonderful! Thank you, Richard!

[@rjmorgan2]

Music from another realm. It just floats above the earth.

[@naknaksdadn572]

I enjoyed this very much! Uplifting!

[@glenturrell4485]

Heavenly stuff. Thanks for this beautiful clip.

[@paulfredericksen6565]

So many overtones ringing at the end, it almost sounded like the organ had joined them!

[@hinck63]

I love the sound of Emily's voice. A true wonder of vocal excellence 👍

[@thethikboy]

Immediate unquenchable tears

[@delightschwartz2155]

One of my favorite Elgar pieces. I share my audiophile (half British half German) father's obsession with his two favorite English composers, Edward Elgar and Frederick Delius. Extraordinary choral works. Voces 8, if anyone is out there listening, I beseech you to do a few of the pieces that the Louis Halsey Singers released in their album of Part songs by these two composers. I think it was distributed in the early 70s by Argus Records. You'll never hear more cerebral and exquisite music.