VOCES8: 'Locus Iste' by Anton Bruckner

VOCES8 performs Anton Bruckner's motet 'Locus Iste' at Les Dominicains de Haute-Alsace in Guebwiller, France.
TEXT:
Locus iste a Deo factus est, inaestimabile
sacramentum irreprehensibilis est.
This place is made by God, inestimably
sacred, irreprehensible.

[@yenoboho]

It is so satisfying to hear human voices without heavy production filter and still in tune.

[@frogmouth]

"Still in tune".! Groups like Voces 8 stay in tune better because they are entirely free to make the microadjustments to maintain perfect tuning. One semitone is broken down into 100cents

[@legone.6677]

there still might be some tune correction going on.

[@richardharrold9736]

​@@legone.6677 I very much doubt it. These are professional singers, not talentless pop 'singers', and they are being recorded solely by a room microphone, so there are no separate audio channels - if you tried to pitch-correct this, you'd end up with the whole lot sounding obviously autotuned.

[@randypickering5793]

The absolute purity of the human voice. Thank you VOCES8!

[@charlesrae3793]

When you mention Bruckner people think, quite rightly, of his symphonies, but his sacred music, especially his motets , is glorious, particularly when so sensitively performed as here.

[@orlestone]

Agree completely! They are beautiful. And Voces8 really do them justice. The tenor entry on "Irreprehensibilis es" was nailed on. Have sung it many times and love it.

[@rifelaw]

They're better than his symphonies, and it isn't close.

[@bonhamcarter4488]

@@orlestone I'm a sacred lady.

[@AceyBleach]

I really enjoyed singing his Improperium!

[@Nooticus]

Most people in my circles think of one piece when someone says Brucker, and that piece is Locus Iste! Its a bit of an oversung cliche in the choral community! (albeit very stunning!)

[@anaribeiro740]

My family plays this marvellous piece on the mass to celebrate the 50 anniversary of my parents wending and … it is so emocional to hear this song here now! My dad passed 4 years ago and nothing is as before. I miss him so much and I offer this lovely piece to him to celebrate my eternal love to my beloved dad.

[@rudigerkreuz1305]

Unfassbarer Hörgenuss. Eine Wohltat für die Seele in diesen bedrückenden Zeiten des Weltgeschehens.

[@roserichmond-nkosi9026]

Greetings from South Africa. Their voices are so Angelic. Simply tearing and heavenly ❤

[@josephkarl2061]

Sung this in youth choir 35 odd years ago as a tenor. Can still sing the whole thing by heart 😆 It's one of those pieces that really stays with you.

[@katerinawhitley2706]

I agree. I sing it everywhere around the house, and of course as I enter church. What a moving rendition.

[@gonzalodelpuerto1223]

Same in my case, 37 years ago and still deep in my heart (and memory!)

[@claudinonunes6096]

True. Same for bass.😊

[@billbrockman779]

What a perfect setting.

[@ellireivalk3564]

Unbeschreiblich schön und Sonntagsseelenbalsam!! 😍 DANKE für den Genuss

[@HaliPuppeh]

I sang this in university 20 years ago and it's stuck with me all this time. Thank you for performing this so beautifully.

[@creative45630]

Similar… I remember my A Level Music teacher handing out the sheet music for this to my class (about the same size as this group) and telling us we were going to perform it in the school Christmas concert a few weeks away. It’s been stuck in my head ever since!

[@hauttedoggie]

Agree. I sang it in High school and it was a thrill to find this and remember. The whole 70 person choir would beg the director to sing after the vocal warm ups. Was/is a great piece to to focus young minds & hearts

[@fjgriebenow]

Ditto. Only it's 30 years.

[@benh7870]

Likewise, I sang it with the school choir on music tours, including Salzberg Cathedral.

[@andrewelliott1939]

We learned it in my 6th Form Choir and got to sing it during a Holy Mass at Westminster Cathedral.

[@jsguitargeek1432]

What a treasure this group is... I feel blessed to be alive & listening to them

[@davidniemand7637]

The fine tuning of this group of singers really blows my mind. Simply exquisite!

[@Emerelle]

Magnificent! What a touching performance! And the venue.. just stunning 🤍 I studied at Anton Bruckner University in Austria so this piece will always have a special place in my heart :')

[@SeanMcGown]

And just when you thought it couldn't get better. The tuning and balance throughout is just amazing to behold. The opening chord is so spot on.

[@mehitabel1290]

I agree. The lovely balance is notable ; for once, it's not top-heavy.

[@waburden]

The membership may change, but this Group never fails to nail it. Awesome!

[@AM-ly9yn]

Ich habe dieses Stück schon oft selber gesungen, aber diese Wiedergabe ist so phantastisch, wie man es sehr selten hört. Gänsehaut pur!

[@manuelauribe856]

Thank you VOCES8 for your constant stream of beautiful music. You all are real representatives of the Creative Force of the Universe. Beautifully done.

[@davidstedeford387]

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100 v 3). Music is one of God's greatest gifts to humanity. He even gave men and women voices at differing pitches so that we could sing in the richest of harmonies as evidenced by the wonderful Voces8.

[@Iccdoc]

The Son of God is "the creative force of the universe." In Him we live and move and have our being (Saint Paul). "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." John 1:3.

[@Diana-be4mj]

🙏🏻♥️Misericordie Domini in aeternum Cantabo

[@drpangloss6725]

Anytime these guys touch a piece it’s fabulous!

[@georgesboissonnade3010]

Les motets de Bruckner sont des bijoux absolus et un délice pour les choristes. Souvenir de celui-ci, chanté à Montréal sous la Direction de Miklos Takacs circa 1985…

[@MM-lg2sh]

Thank you so much. This is breathtakingly beautiful. I miss my mom terribly and when I listen to you she comes back for a few minutes...

[@HannaARTzink]

Oh yes, the Motets are exquisite. I sung it with a choir 40 years ago. Choir singing is one of the most beautiful things in my life.

[@therealzilch]

Couldn't agree more. I sang _Locus Iste,_ and also _Christus Factus Est_ and _Os Juste_ fifty years ago. Wonderful. cheers from snowy Vienna, Scott

[@claudinonunes6096]

Same for me!

[@maureendutoit7542]

Had the privilege of singing this at Bruckner's grave many years back. Beautiful, thank you for sharing!

[@frankdsouza2425]

Where exactly was that Maureen? I ask because I believe Owen there myself, but would love to check if you and I mean the same location??

[@maureendutoit7542]

@@frankdsouza2425 St. Florian Monastery in Austria, below the organ under the church floor.

[@amywong3922]

The blending is marvellous! Brings me to tears. This was one of the songs introduced when I first joined the choir some years ago and now it often clings in my heart

[@mitchellclark4377]

I first encountered this piece over 10 years ago at a conducting workshop, and haven't heard it since. It's hard to imagine a more sublime rendition than this; well done indeed.

[@LauraTheMusician]

Such a lovely performance of this piece! My college choir sang this in the last concert before the Covid shutdowns.

[@stef.m.9255]

He tenido la honra de cantar esta cancion 🎵 Gracias a dios tuve una buena maestras de canto coral en mi juventud. Hoy todos los que formamos parte de ese coro somo adultos y hemos hecho nuestras vidas. Nuestro grupo coral no es mas... Y de repente voces8 trae la nostalgia de esos dias de canto continuo con sus preciosisimas voces, a sacarle una lagrima a mi corazón.

[@Mar--Mar]

The words of this setting by Bruckner are part of the Gradual for the Mass for the Dedication of a Church. This Mass is known in short as "Terribilis" because the Introit starts with the following words: Terribilis est locus iste: hic domus Dei est, et porta cœli: et vocabitur aula Dei. Translation: This place is awe inspiring: it is the House of God, and the gate of Heaven: and it shall be called the Court of God. (Edit) The usual translation for the liturgical Latin that Bruckner has set to music is as follows: This place was made by God, a priceless mystery, it is without reproof.

[@DhobyVic]

Thank you for the very interesting explanation.

[@jenniferjones7798]

♥️♥️♥️

[@1258-Eckhart]

Other occasions for singing it would be the parish's individual patronage feast, the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran (9. November), the feast of the Holy See (22. February) or in Germany we have the general and solemn feast of dedications on 16. October (Kirchweih).

[@wetzel121212]

😅❤u

[@Mar--Mar]

Just a further explanation. The Introit and Gradual are parts of the Catholic Traditional Latin Mass. Bruckner used only the first sentence of the Gradual. The full text is: Locus iste a Deo factus est, inæstimabile sacramentum, irreprehensibilis est. Deus, cui astat Angelorum chorus, exaudi preces servorum tuorum. Alleluia, alleluia. Adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum: et confitebur Nomini tuo. Alleluia. In English: This place was made by God, a priceless mystery, it is without reproof. O God, before whom stands the choir of Angels, give ear to the prayers of Thy servants. Alleluia, alleluia. I will worship towards Thy holy temple: and I will give glory to Thy name. Alleluia.

[@juliawilliams4706]

Like many others I have performed this often and know it well, but this rendition is utter perfection and it moves me to tears.

[@brianaw111]

I sang much sacred music as a Bass with a local choir for almost 18 years and this beautiful composition was among my favourites. When I listened to this excellent rendition many memories came back to me as well as the notes on the Bass line, thank you Voces8.

[@Currabell]

Incredible. Exquisite timing and collective breath control. One beautiful harmonious sound.

[@mathieuguillet4036]

Thank you, VOCES8! Hands down my favorite group. You glorify God through your talents and work. 🙏🏼

[@evelynap9728]

heaven on earth 🌄

[@martinschaller7951]

Was für ein Klang, absolut traumhaft!

[@JackStevenson5045]

There is nothing more to say when the ensemble is the envy of the world. Imagine singing with this group for just one piece; an experience of a lifetime.

[@michaelrische729]

did this today ... we had a workshop together. :-)

[@ameyer3408]

Beautiful job. All the right tonalities. Andrea soared up there. Stunning.

[@Sandra-tx9pt]

This has been one of my favorite sacred motets since many years! I've heard so many different recordings and to me this is the best! Thank you Voces8

[@DaveTexas]

Wow, this brought a flood of memories back. I sang this with a chorus back about 32 years ago. We toured Europe, singing in some phenomenal spaces. My strongest memory of this piece is of singing it in Sacre Coeur in Paris. The reverb in that space goes on for like 10 seconds.

[@mcgitarz]

I’m sooooo grateful that you post these beautiful videos. I get so excited when I see them pop up on my feed. Thank you!

[@ruthherring5684]

Utter perfection!

[@miamidolphinsfan]

Just gorgeous. Thanks folks you made my Sunday with this upload

[@ekaidem-udomkedaidongesit3992]

Much love from Nigeria

[@johndyer8111]

You all make me glad my ancestral roots are deeply in the UK.

[@valerieselau7384]

It's one of my favorite masterpieces. AND I really loved your rendition. So so good. 👍

[@MrMarioman107]

This place is truly beautiful-the setting of Nunc Dimittis

[@NeuroPOP1]

I am hurting about the state of our poor world right now and this is somehow the most profound and cathartic thing I could stumble upon.

[@christiankurek9225]

Among Bruckners sacral vocal music, this is one of the pieces I cherish the most, especially when it is sung in that seemlingly effortless perfection.

[@antonellamoles7234]

Bellissimo! Elegante, pulito, armonioso!!! Grazie 🎶 ✨️💖💞✨️🙏

[@robertomagistri9680]

Perfetto controllo della voce, equilibrio ed intonazione. Qui ci troviamo già in Paradiso!!!

[@Dave.Blomfield]

Beautiful. I remember singing this with my school choir, a very spiritually soothing piece.

[@peterlowie5067]

Why do I always cry when there is so much beauty ?

[@claudinonunes6096]

You are a sensible person. You know what heavenly music its all about.

[@michaelwiesinger2643]

Truly, this place is made by god, inestimable, sacred, irreprehensible! Nothing in our human power can change this, for what got sacred by god can not be desecrated by man. 🙏 It is a universal message, an eternal truth! Isn't it a blessing? Nothing as beautiful as the love of god, and the feeling of receiving a little bit of it through the gifted hands of Bruckner and the gifted voices of this refined choir! Thank you!

[@florentin04]

Already sang this beautiful peace as four people, seems easier than it really is. High respect for you guys, it sounds so clean and perfect 😍🎶

[@briancrowle6290]

It's fascinating to read in these comments just how many of you have sung this piece before. Me too, some years ago, as a somewhat nervous tenor, especially at the very exposed entry "irreprehensibilis est..." at about 1:18 ... Clearly, no such worries here! Lovely performance. Thank you, Voces8, for this, and for creating such a treasury of varied and beautiful videos on youtube for us all to enjoy.

[@tracyavent-costanza346]

would that be about saving your breath to sing a phrase like that, or attempting digest its implied meaning

[@jmbisme]

At 1:18 they sound like French horns. Simply beautiful.

[@claudinonunes6096]

Those who, like us, sung this masterpiece on a choir are trully blessed🎶

[@clancetteclift9116]

I sang it in a choir at Katoomba 35 years ago. The best years of my life,

[@helgasabine7184]

Excellent, perfekte Präsentation!!😍 Wundervolle Akustik. Harmonisch abgestimmte Betonung. Einfach super! Vielen Dank!!!❤️

[@joszandstra2044]

This is really beautiful. This is 'new' music for me, but it really is beautiful. Just pefect

[@andreasflemming9795]

Ein Traum ... Danke !

[@dirkvanhees2412]

Wat een prachtige uitvoering!!!! Ademloos zitten luisteren

[@TheChab94]

So glad you did this one! One of my all time favorites

[@wmbaak]

Excellent! Goosebumps. I know the piece of music, but as performed here I never heard it before. Thank you, Voces8.

[@lindseytaylor-guthartz1236]

That brings back memories ... I sang it with my school choir decades ago. What a superb performance!

[@marpicentertainment]

Very relaxing, and with gorgeous intonation. Thank you for this masterpiece, Voces8 and Bruckner.

[@JohnGMeadows]

I love this piece! Sung it many times, and it was also sung at our wedding. Lovely performance, great tempo for the venue.

[@MrBillmechanic]

Unearthly !!! Perfectly celestial. The Lord, God of all Creation, is the motivating force in the lives of VOCES 8. In these troubled times, the a capella perfection of VOCES 8 is yet another testimony of the greatest Power on this earth, even the Lord Jesus Christ himself, who shall indeed , soon, ...."have the government upon his shoulder".

[@shawnhampton8503]

Glorious. Thank you! So curious about the shrouded objects behind the group.

[@rosetrees]

One of my favourite pieces to sing. And what a totally awesomely, amazing, acoustic.

[@waynejohn8]

Absolutely wonderfl. Thank you.

[@agathavandoesburg7297]

How absolutely sublime, what heavenly voices 😍 Thank you for sharing this. Love singing this, but nothing compares with your voices!!

[@dan27music]

Incredible sound.

[@christopherstephenjenksbsg4944]

I first sang this motet as a nine-year-old chorister in 1968, and I've loved it ever since. This performance is stunning!

[@guillermopazvalencia9672]

Sublime interpretación!!

[@carloscesargomezmondejar5954]

La verdad es que os superáis, tras los tristes cambios y extrañar a miembros, seguís siendo, superada, la sensación de la auténtica calma. Muchas, muchísimas gracias. Abrazo desde Salamanca, España. 🌷

[@r1p2m32]

Ooh, that soothing eternal beauty... Thank you!

[@antunmrzlecki6752]

Wunderschön, in dieser, wie es scheint, endzeitlichen Welt.

[@TheLyonest]

Maravillosa música, celestial interpretación. El inicio es clavado al ave verum corpus de Mozart, lo cual no resta belleza al desarrollo de la obra.

[@DD-nu8jt]

Voces8 hits it out of the park again! God bless you all.

[@CaresinVerse]

There is no music more worthy of God’s ears than that provided by VOCES8. Your listeners are blessed to be able to share in that wonderful experience. God bless VOCES8. 💖

[@r1p2m32]

Must agree. If He happened to listen, this brought some dry smile to His face.

[@checkerives6718]

You have brought tears to my eyes with your exquisite singing and expression of this piece. Thank you, thank you!

[@som2601]

Breathtakingly beautiful! Quite literally too, now that I think about it.

[@martineyles]

Sang this last weekend, before transitioning to Symphony no. 7 (we sang from our orchestra seats).

[@adalbertogomesdossantos4545]

Perfeição e sensibilidade vocal!!!

[@lowroar5127]

Beautiful, as always

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

Stunning. I have not heard any choral works by Bruckner before. That is going to change😊

[@HeavenlyLights]

Glorious setting and presentation ❤

[@adalbertogomesdossantos4545]

A voz é sem duvida o instrumento mais rico do ponto de vista do timbre! É angelical!

[@young-hanhahm8789]

Congratulations to the performers. Definitely the finest version I have ever heard. So grateful for those who made this channel possible.

[@violjohn]

Oh that is wonderful! Thank you. I remember singing this (tenor) decades ago, but this is well-nigh perfect 👍

[@popopo-po.po-popo.]

The music you make is really amazing!❤ When I was in high school in Japan, I was singing religious songs. It sounds very nostalgic and warm. I want to sing like that time again someday.

[@Roses4You2]

Fantastic and heavenly.

[@samuelconceicao9292]

Much love and appreciation from Brazil!

[@maritapersdatterolufsen5174]

Beautiful 🥰👏👏👏

[@daviddas]

Beautiful performance, beautiful videography.

[@stephenweigel]

Lovely rendition!!!

[@kenmcdougall6106]

Absolutely beautiful to hear this sung with such sensitivity

[@helmutpizka5989]

Absolutely fantastic performance!!! 2 days ago I was allowed to sing this wonderful piece in the church of the St.Florian monastery in Austria - upstairs next to the wonderful Bruckner organ. Anton Bruckner is buried directly under the organ in the crypt.

[@capt.redbeard8361]

What a performance! Fantastic! I sang this as a boy soprano and later again as a tenor and have such a love for this piece - in fact I sang this as audition for a touring choir to tour to Japan. What a performance VOCES8 delivers with the utmost finesse. Thank you very much!

[@ThumosTheUnbroken]

I've been looking forward to this

[@davidwontenor]

So beautiful!

[@Waldlaeufer70]

I sang this composition as a boy chorister back in 1979 (Knabenkantorei Basel / Basel Boy's Choir) and loved it. Let's listen to your rendition... Wonderful! It is strange: I know that we didn't sing this song as good as you back then. In my memory, however, it still sounds perfect and angelic to me. I really enjoyed your concert in Cham a few weeks ago, and it was great to have a chat with you after it. Your CD (After Silence) is a gem!

[@leslieeden8886]

Sublime as always.