VOCES8: Magnificat Primi Toni - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

VOCES8 sings the 'Magnificat Primi Toni' by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina in the VOCES8 Centre in London.
TEXT and TRANSLATION:
1. Magnificat, anima mea, Dominum
My soul doth magnify the Lord
2. et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo, salutari meo.
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
3. Quia respexit humilitatem ancillæ suæ: ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
4. Quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius,
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name,
5. et misericordia eius a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.
and his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
6. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
He hath showed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
7. Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles;
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek;
8. esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes.
he hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.
9. Suscepit Israel puerum suum recordatus misericordiæ suæ,
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel,
10. sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in sæcula.
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
11. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
12. sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

[@dandrugan5997]

Music from Heaven

[@leechumbley5440]

Balsam for the soul. I just didn't want it to ever stop. Beautiful.

[@ILoveMagic15]

The moment I read Voces8 and Palestrina I knew I was going to like it.

[@JuliusCaminus]

Indeed.

[@Alpha.Manado]

Same

[@geraldlofthouse3639]

@@JuliusCaminus mmm

[@dleimkuehler]

The undeniable author of polyphonic music!

[@J_Caban]

yall like this stuff? Man people really aint nothing alike

[@alexandreros8951]

Magnífic Magnificat!

[@fyuuredhijgfzregjjygtdftyi6021]

All the voices are relaxed; nothing is forced. No belting or rivalry. Everyone supporting the part that shines in any given moment and blending psychically. It seems to me choral singing more than other music, leverages our animal nature and instincts. You have to be very connected in every sensing way to your neighbours, to sing like this. Wonderful.

[@pinparasol]

Indeed, there is magic in this music. But there must also be magic in the way those people connect with one another and with the entire group. Hence the absolute beauty of their renditions.

[@chicocarlo100]

9 angels on Earth!. Palestrina and voces8💗

[@karlgrafvonmoy855]

The Amen is absolutely breathtaking - what a composer .......and what a choir

[@ferdinandpangan6494]

It is as if their performance of the, " Amen" had opened the Gates of Heaven itself.

[@melanieohara6941]

Here I am at the base of the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming, soaring to the heights with this soulful sound. Thank You!🙋🏼‍♀️🏔💞

[@sgtlamancha805]

That is just crazy. Marvelous, stupendous and just crazy.

[@berndklisch1047]

Palestrina's Magnifikat ist ein Meisterstück und wohl auch eine der bedeutendsten Komposition in der Musikgeschichte. Diese polyphone Chormusik wird hier von Voces8 mit Perfektion aber auch viel Gefühl interpretiert: Jede Stimme ist hörbar, keine drängt sich in den Vordergrund und so fügen sich die Melodien zu einem vielstimmigen Geflecht zusammen. Und der Schluss ist einfach..... mir fehlen die Worte, hört doch selber....

[@dmitriypismenyuk7310]

What a gift for all of us. He was an amazing Composer. Thank you for such a wonderful performance.

[@cclsjhieber]

As always, your interpretation of Master Palestrina's work is above reproach. Balance is perfect, your diction is so clear, making the Latin understandable. Dynamics help to bring the meaning of the text as clearly as the words. Thank you all for your work and gifting us with this beautiful rendition.

[@gmoschetto1]

The Latin had to be understandable as per the requirements of the Council at Trent. They said his music was too beautiful for performance in church and out of respect for Protestant feelings banned it in favor of 700 year old Gregorian chant. Finally now after Second Vatican Council 450 years later, we are blessed with this beautiful gift.

[@xxOmnipresencexx]

@@gmoschetto1 Thanks to V2, we are blessed with Protestant mush at most American masses. The Latin has to be understandable otherwise you get masturbatory works like the Ars Antiqua of Perotin or the intricate, "crab goes out whole, comes back half" showboating of Dufay. Furthermore, Palestrina was never banned, and it was his Missa Papae Marcelli that saved polyphony by proving that polyphony could be simple and poignant to the Council Fathers of Trent. I think rap is beautiful too, but there is some music that is not suitable for the Mass.

[@johnburns3510]

@@gmoschetto1 Best to check you facts before putting fingers to keyboard. Your comment is very much in error. The Council of Trent held its discussions on sacred music in September of 1562. At this time, Palestrina was employed as choir master at St. Mary Major in Rome. In 1571 He became music director of the Capella Giulia at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and he remained at that post until his death in 1594. All during this time, Palestria composed music, much of it for the Sistine Choir, the oldest and most famous Roman Catholic choir in the Church. Far from banning Paestrina's music, the Popes and other ecclesiastical authorities honored it by keeping Palestrina employed and composing for the choirs of St. Peter's Basilica.

[@zogzog1063]

@@xxOmnipresencexx Two uni degrees and - if I may - a full understanding of LvB's late quartets, I have no idea of what you are talking about.

[@xxOmnipresencexx]

@@zogzog1063 Look, I'll grant that the "Palestrina saved polyphony" narrative is basically legendary. But take a listen to "Sederunt Principes" by Perotin or the Agnus Dei of Missa L'Homme Armé. Is the text of those compositions (the actual prayers that figure into worship) self-evident at all? I'm no Gregorian chant-only radical (which certainly existed during the reign of St. Pius X) but one area where Trent and Vatican II agree is that worship should be self-evident and moving to the layman. How well V2 actually accomplished this is another matter entirely. This ain't Beethoven. In fact, I would challenge you to perform his Missa Solemnis without a quarter's salaries for a multitude of top-flight musicians. Do I think Sederunt Principes, Missa L'Homme Armé, or your beloved Beethoven's Missa Solemnis should be censored? No. However, their appropriate performance is limited to the most solemn of liturgical occasions in the most grand of churches. From a Catholic perspective, they simply do not merit promotion for the average parish or even cathedral. Lots of Palestrina is attainable to the amateur choir and the congregation will actually understand what you're saying. That's what I'm talking about.

[@AnnaG121]

I had this playing while the windows were open and the birds outside seemed to be twittering and singing in time with these beautiful voices! ☀️❤️ 🦜

[@basssinger47]

Really? 😁

[@vinmar4551]

Not surprised to hear. When the world hears good things, mankind and the animal kingdom are touched in our souls and respond in kind. ;-)

[@christopherbeynon3757]

What a performance! Fantastic!

[@rachaelsimone521]

The thing is... how all of their voices sound like flutes... and work so well together!

[@hajoschweitzer3710]

Pure Excellence. Breathtaking. Outstanding.

[@klapirx]

What a masterpiece! And,...Katie's adorable and enchanting Alto voice! ❤

[@annasandqvist5563]

I’m totaly in love with this beautiful music as first soprano my self. Please keep singing this kind of music ! It’s just heavenly music to your soul and ears ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🎶

[@tpaine1815]

What beautiful harmony; you mend my soul. I am a mezzo, and love Palestrina.

[@deanhayes7406]

What an exceptionally gifted group of people, very easy and calming singing pleasure to listen to.

[@carlosdanger1843]

This music is too good for this world. But I’m so thankful we have it! Blessed be the name of God our Father and His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ - to you alone belong all glory and honor.

[@waltertoot4594]

I love the comments under a VOCES8 video. We all struggle to adequately describe what is happening. OMG.

[@antoniogaeta2737]

merveilleuse interprétation merveilleuse interprétation Fantastique

[@MrChriko]

Traumhaft schön!

[@TheMorganStern]

I cried with emotion to hear such beautiful voices. Amém in the end the most beautiful ever sung!❤

[@LolkeDijkstra]

Niet alleen een geschenk om naar te luisteren, dit moet ook een onvergelijkbaar genoegen en voorrecht zijn om zo samen te kunnen en mogen musiceren. Heerlijk!

[@riverwildcat1]

Gorgeous. Angelic. The Word of God, sublime.

[@ferdinandpangan6494]

This brings to mind attending a High Mass in the Traditional Latin Rite in a Cathedral. Their exquisitely angelic voices, rising and falling in harmonic cadences, seem to reverbate right into the sacred atmosphere of the Mass being held, and sacred melody mixes with the multi colored lights cast by exquisite stained glass windows, and the spice of copious clouds of incense permeating the sanctuary. And when they sang that long and spectacular, " Amen" I could see the priest-celebrant raising the Consecrated Eucharistic Species in Holy Oblation, amidst the bells and even more clouds of incense, amidst the hushed bows of the faithful.

[@deborahstephens863]

Got chills when Eleonore looked into the camera!

[@samanthasweeney4421]

Magnificent!

[@SirGawainDF]

Canticus pulcherissimus. Please continue your divine work and never give up. Laudetur Iesus Christus🙂

[@user-rj8kp9vf5e]

Humanity in it's finest..just pure perfection, danke.

[@Emilia901]

The last 40 seconds is truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard, brought me to tears multiple times. Incredible work!

[@RotorRotorowicz]

The most beautiful work ever composed.

[@FrancescoDiMauro]

That last "Amen" is spectacular!

[@anAmishGuy]

Palestrina could really write an Amen.

[@marinamucci7035]

100% agree!!

[@bobbyhendley3084]

No kidding!

[@windowswashbasin]

Agreed...blew me away.

[@marciomartin7296]

In fact is the most elaborated Amem I know.

[@michaelhaddan1965]

Toweringly beautiful talent~~

[@jorgkukla8097]

This is just what I adore so much about italian music of that time: though liturgic, it seems to be light and delightful to listen, not so strict and geommetrical. It is very, very beautiful and performed with such grace. Now I listened at it again with closed eyes and I have to say: You sang it so beautiful; it is what this is ought to be: heavenly.

[@annemccb]

The finest sacred a cappella video I've ever seen! Bravo to Voces8 and Palestrina!

[@JoanKentBible]

So very beautiful, what a blessing these wonderful choristers are!

[@phbrinsden]

Absolute perfection. Thank you voces8.

[@andrealuisi8690]

You are one of the best essemble! Bravissimi! Your Latin pronunciation very beatiful! W Palestrina! SOLI DEO GLORIA!

[@danawinsor1380]

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo! I can't stop praising VOCES8.

[@vinmar4551]

Take me to church Good Lord Jesus! ;-)

[@rennwidder]

Please more of these old stars like Palestrina!

[@kristieroybal4888]

Goosebumps throughout. This must be what heaven sounds like.

[@thisbevos]

Perfection.

[@stefanorso]

Excellent singers.

[@mariajosealvarez1180]

Bravo bravo, produce mucha satisfacción interpretar a Palestrina,es una delicia.

[@maryba2323]

Wunderschön!

[@philipschrantz8402]

Brilliant. The alto’s voice plugged right into my soul...

[@VeganWithAraygun]

Breathtaking perfection. The goosebumps last for hours well after the final notes.

[@sairaramedmas5939]

The fluidity and limpid tones that seems to permeate each video is like a breath of an early summer, dispelling all the chill with bright color. Palestrina must be happy in heaven.

[@elian3941]

Il n'y a rien de plus beau et plus connu que le Palestrina ! soyez bénis

[@garyhinkle5736]

What A Heavenly Sound🎵

[@brotherseanbradley]

I so admire this talented group whose voices blend well together. The Magnificat I have played during Vespers live for our community. Thank you.

[@jeremiahlyleseditor437]

Beautiful. Great Work. Excellent Interpretation.

[@bobbyhendley3084]

You never fail to be a blessing to me. Thank you from the depths of my heart and soul.

[@Daniel.E.Huston]

This recording reached my eyes & ears this morning when I most needed it. Thank you!

[@JDDexter62]

another elegant performance by the world's foremost practitioners of the choral art form - Voces8.

[@allanm5064]

You are right. Foremost and so encouraging , suddenly our children have a future .

[@AlQadiysAmin]

I almost cried at that last cadence. This is beautiful.

[@GpD79]

Beautiful. That last "amen" was really stunning.

[@thisjustin6600]

I finally made it through one of your exquisite releases without tears. Well, until that last ‘Amen’. Lordy; we are not made of iron. I felt those chords down deep. Thank you!

[@billspeer8387]

The blending and precision here are perfect. I am amazed by this group!

[@elizabethwagner]

My goodness...All of you are so talented. Your pure facial expressions, the dynamic control, and blend was so very exquisite within this piece.

[@monika1234ify]

Beautiful

[@MariaSilva-sd5wt]

Belíssimo!❤️

[@randallsmith3054]

Music is healing. This practice, these voices are deeply healing! R

[@genevievemcpartlin4408]

3:20 is my favorite part of this whole piece… gives me such heavy Madrigal vibes, and I love that they go back to light and peaceful after ❤️

[@dealstogo2649]

Heavenly! Thank you very much. You made a day in my life in November, 2019, special with your wonderful voices. And special thanks goes to Palestrina for writing this incredible piece.

[@CeciliaSaraiva]

Truly perfection.

[@stephendruley6968]

Consistently, the three women are the grace of sound. A perfect foundation of excellence

[@WigbertTraxler]

WOW!!!!! Another great performance by the best choir of the universe! Thank you so much for that!

[@renzomenichini9867]

Bravissimi!!!

[@lizadams7662]

Palestrina's amens are long and wonderful. Used to sing palestrina in a choir. The amens covered an entire page of ms.

[@Dabrant29]

That last Amen though . Pretty sure someone up above heard that one !! Glory to God 🙏!!

[@Gilfanon-2]

Wow! Perfect pitch, dynamics and diction. Wonderful arrangement and brilliant execution!

[@ulrichhobler8755]

The beauty and precision of this rendition has once more left me speechless. Thank you again for sharing this music!

[@ronaldofabiano2353]

Magnífica é a beleza conseguida pela voz humana nesta obra. Parece uma Cantata Sinfônica, uma música em oração. Deusas e deuses cantando para Deus.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

This incomparable masterpiece they sing with clear voice and breathtaking technique and beautiful attire is very comfortable to the mind and the ear From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵

[@DavidBrown-cp2vm]

As always with VOCES8 videos I am moved. I don't like being moved, but in this case I make an exception !!

[@brianmckay1256]

Amazing Base and Baritone!!

[@TealStarSusan]

Just heavenly! Oh how I miss my choir and singing pieces like this! Chorale and Gregorian chant. My choir was invited to northern Portugal to sing in 2004 and we fell in love with the country, retiring here in 2009 However.....there are no choirs locally so I’ve not been able to sing for 11 years! I miss it like I would miss my right arm!

[@riverwildcat1]

Superb beyond words. Ineffably beautiful and Holy. The pure Grace of God!

[@carlose.johansson739]

This is so absolutely wonderful! Thanks 💛 Voces8 becose U 👈 exist🎶👨‍👩‍👧‍👧👨‍👩‍👦‍👦🧡🎶🎶🎶😍

[@easyas314e]

Wow, that last Amen is chillingly great!

[@danawinsor1380]

I can't find superlatives that do justice to VOCES8. To sing such a piece so superlatively and for memory is as good as it gets. Actually, it's better than it gets.

[@maryab4634]

Beeeeeautiful.

[@segunsoyemi6629]

Only those who can't even sing a note will thumb down this beautiful and spiritual music. Well done Voices8, keep up the good work and God bless 👍

[@johnstag1391]

Satan worshippers possibly.

[@johnstag1391]

Satan worshippers, possibly.

[@alisonalcock5218]

Lovelier and more wonderful each time. God bless you beautiful people

[@vewilli]

Great, grande, großartig! A capella at it‘s best! 👍🏻👏🏻🙏🏻

[@virtualpoboy]

I've never enjoyed any vocal music of the early years before the time of Schubert and Brahms.........but things change. With Voces8, I find the music of the past much more interesting, listenable and most of all enjoyable. The clarity of line and balance of voices don't remind me of the years past where sheep blatting was more listenable than Palestrina, Byrd and other composers of the earlier periods. The quality and skills of each singer are apparent and yet not a standout amongst the others. This characteristic is what makes this listenable and quite bluntly....an artistic performance of the highest caliber! My admiration for this group is because of eaches performance and humbleness of part are what makes each creation of music come alive! Bravo! of the infinite degree! As some of our British would say: "Well Done!!"

[@Minister-Peter-V1-Church]

Master Palestrina's work is amazing ofcourse. But let us not forget his creator, and inspiration of this peice. The almighty sovereign Lord.

[@mattholsen7060]

If the Lord gets the credit for Palestrina, does He also take responsibility for Kid Rock? The Beastie Boys? Yoko Ono?

[@Minister-Peter-V1-Church]

He takes responsibility for the creation of free will, however those who operate under free will themselves will be held accountable to whether or not they aligned their will, with the will of God. So then I would encourage you, to ask Him into your life, to fill you with the Holy Spirit and to help you to walk in His will. That you may be met with "well done good and faithful servant" rather than "get away from me, I never knew you". At the seat of judgement.

[@jokhakassim4241]

How do people dislike such Angeliic Voices 😢. May your voices be blessed 🙏.. Beautiful singing 🎶 viele Grüße aus Deutschland

[@segunsoyemi6629]

@@jbondy6395 😀👍

[@frankfrei2697]

Wundervoll, sensationell und bewegend, Danke für diesen himmlischen Gesang! Ein herausragendes Ensemble, Voces8.

[@felim8938]

Divine

[@TheRickuren]

Oh my…they even subtly contrasted the timbres between the two antiphonal groups by their choice of singers in each quartet (see if you can tell which one is ever-so-slightly “brighter” or “brassier” and which one is slightly darker or more flutelike.) Even this level of forethought is extremely impressive!

[@EduardoL9]

Perfección! Palestrina & Voces8

[@andykeri8370]

The penetrating Soprano voice ,like a Sword ,the word of God cutting through the vale of darkness ,giving hope to the sinner.

[@jonathangriggs9123]

Exquisite as usual

[@mogret7451]

wow so beautiful 😲😲 😭😭