VOCES8: Nunc Dimittis - Paul Smith

VOCES8 sings Nunc Dimittis by Paul Smith, from the new album 'Reflections'.
Sheet music downloadable here: editionpeters.e...
Text:
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto:
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
Translation (The Book of Common Prayer, 1662):
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen: thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared: before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

[@paulthomas6012]

Vocals like this have such power on a really basic human level. Honestly, all the angst and chaos in our modern world seems to just disappear when I listen to this; it really pulls on something deep inside of me, both body and mind. Hypnotic. When these eight people sing, I can hear the whole of humanity sing with them.

[@AndrewDean777]

Profound words, Paul

[@archangel2781]

Western Civilization produces some truly wonderful things, no doubt.

[@murcielago188]

There is something so hypnotizing about these Christian chants. Hundred of years later, all written on behalf of God's word and we still feel their incredible beauty!

[@Minister-Peter-V1-Church]

He is worthy

[@Mr.MoneyBags1]

I definitely agree with you!! But, while the words here are centuries old, the music here is less than 5 years old. Just an interesting tidbit

[@jean-pierrefrancofievez3328]

Sounds are vibrations, and some of them touch yours in the same frequency. Nikola Tesla said that if you want to understand the universe think about energy, frequency and vibration.

[@margaretkuwata6794]

Composers have contributed many different interpretations of said texts (compare Laurisden to Victoria's "O Magnums", for example) over the years-centuries. The Christian words are timeless.

[@michellemcdermott2026]

We still sing these in our Catholics churches at traditional liturgies

[@AndyChamberlainMusic]

There's something so profound about a great choir singing a great arrangement. No other genre or instrumentation quite does it. I love all sorts of music, but there's something so special about this.

[@PeachesandMoss]

Agree!

[@paolo108]

human voice resonance or vibrations

[@ericzgrey]

I legitimately think this is why people think the Gods like human voices praising them.

[@s22s55s88]

I’m an instrumentalist,but I completely agree with you!

[@clementperdana290]

Agree, listening to this kind of song reminds me why I love music..

[@InGratiaDei]

This passage from Scripture often moves me to tears. Simeon, the elderly priest of the Old Covenant holds in his arms the baby Jesus. He was one of the few who recognized the Messiah at birth, and now he may die in peace not only personally satisfied to have seen the Chosen One, but to have held the incoming New Covenant embodied in the One who came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. - Luke 2:25-35

[@disgruntledwookie369]

Star Wars is better

[@banzobeans]

@@disgruntledwookie369 lol

[@tulkasetorome]

Beautiful...thank you...

[@simibignall5688]

InGratiaDei, thank you. God bless you.

[@paulinekennedy3281]

Yes, a beautiful event in the life of Simeon. Praise God for Emmanuel who lives with His people.

[@emaderecichei3712]

Every time I listen to this beautiful Christian chant, I can feel my soul is longing for my real home, that is above. To meet my Savior. God bless you VOCES8!

[@francoiseboucon8875]

Chopin concerto 1

[@rr7firefly]

When everything gets reduced to the minimum and we encounter polyphony in its stark beauty, it can be an absolutely sublime experience. A perfect setting: verticality, transparency, materials in their honest expression, hard surfaces that produce ideal reverberation.

[@gloriakeum4751]

Absolutely.... I was stunned by the stark beauty of polyphoy.

[@deusexmusica803]

This is mostly homophony though.

[@flowzephyr]

@@deusexmusica803 thought the same

[@ShaggNasty-yk1ie]

Beauty is one of the three trancendentals that can lead you to God and this is truely beautiful!

[@dereksandstrom]

I was able to take a small handful of my students to see Voces8 in Philadelphia last year. I felt like I was giving them treasure chest filled with gold coins! Thank you for keeping excellence and beauty ever before us and for giving us these magnificent videos to savor.

[@alisalavine1052]

You really were giving them a treasure that will last their entire lifetimes.

[@johnfrancis4809]

I may have seen them at the Cathedral Sts Peter and Paul

[@emncaity]

" I felt like I was giving them treasure chest filled with gold..." You were. Better, actually.

[@keats27]

Now, Lord, let your servant go in peace, according to your word because my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before all people; A light of revelation to the Gentiles; the glory of your people Israel. Amen --St. Simeon on seeing the baby Jesus

[@tonys-photo-shop]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunc_dimittis

[@simibignall5688]

keats27, thank you. God bless you.

[@dylan-dylan-dylan]

Major seconds have always been my favorite harmonic interval. 1:34 is why. The immediate D5 harmonic (when the C-D interval hits) is brilliant.

[@doffstone2839]

This made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. Sooo beautiful. Awesome harmonies & so skilfully sung. Thanks for making my day.

[@LukeFaulkner]

That is one helluva location! Clicked for the image, stayed for the music.

[@jackieharper5520]

This is so pure and flawless like all their works .. . . .their seemingly effortless performances must involve hours and hours of hard work , commitment and raw talent to.produce this quality and perfection . . .particularly love this . . . . .

[@matthewrodriguez846]

Oml!! My inner choir geek is going crazy. Everything about this is amazing. I love you guys so much!😍😍😍

[@egxonshabani2645]

Couldn't agree more !

[@arinaina4262]

I really enjoy hearing this heavenly voice sings whenever.

[@viscera912]

goodness the tuning, phrasing, everything is simply superb!

[@flavioserci6046]

I need to kneel while listening to this song. Amen.

[@AntonicoRosasanta]

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace: Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum: Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel. Gloria etc. Quina meravella! Quines veus tan dolces!

[@suzettemurphy5081]

I just spent 4 minutes in Heaven. It doesn't get any better than this.

[@tomsport4537]

@Suzette Murphy So true!

[@cclsjhieber]

A beautiful and hauntingly harmonic rendition of the Nunc text. Thank you Voces8 and Paul Smith.

[@28105wsking]

Oh thank you so much! I was longing for beauty! This is like jewels and diamonds sparkling with sweetness and grace.

[@gracebennion2000]

What a beautiful sound. The crescendos and diminuendos … perfectly balanced. Thank you.

[@stevecass7575]

Yes. Above all, it's the ability to have a full dynamic range across the whole voice range that marks the professional choirs out from good amateurs.

[@CaresinVerse]

Whenever I feel disheartened, I know there will be a much better feeling coming over me when I hear Voces8 sing. Thank you for being. God surly smiles down upon each of you❣️

[@gillesg.5502]

Merci merci merci pour vos voix sublimes. Un état de grâce si précieux !

[@user-gw4fm4bx6u]

Точнее - чувственно вы хотели сказать...

[@avec2ailes941]

Thank you for these sublime vocal harmonies that takes the soul very high ....

[@marcozuccaro4168]

This is one of the most emotional performances I have ever heard.

[@TheRichrocker]

Heavenly musical rendition (both by the composer and by voces8) of this very moving biblical text.

[@gl8282]

What does it say biblically, if you don’t mind pls?

[@TheRichrocker]

@@gl8282 I don't mind at all. It is the "Canticle of Simeon" from the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke. According to Gospel Simeon was a devout Jew who had been been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for the ceremony of consecration of the firstborn son, Simeon was there, and he took Jesus into his arms and uttered these words. Their translation according to the Roman Breviary: "Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel." The Nunc Dimittis is the traditional 'Gospel Canticle' of the catholic and anglican Night Prayer (Compline).

[@Apriluser]

TheRichrocker Great explanation of the text and context. We just recited that prayer of praise last night with our small group during Compline.

[@williamc.hensel130]

So much music, so much truth and beauty and holy love - and so little time in a lifetime - keep singing, VOCES8, and gracias!

[@Zofmui]

I love pure tone vocal.

[@rr7firefly]

And you shall have it.

[@alfredbooth6854]

Extraordinary. Over the years some voices have been replaced. There is always the same quality of oneness in your performances.

[@pollylancaster855]

T

[@carlose.johansson739]

so very breathtaken!

[@varduhimanukyan6882]

It's so peaceful and beautiful. Thank you!

[@helenpanshin5589]

ORIGINAL TEXT AND TRANSLATION: LATIN TEXT: Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace: Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum: Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel. ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen: thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared: before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

[@keescanalfp5143]

thank you so much! that's what is sung about. well the original words dimittere and greek apolyein don't seem to have any association with deceasing or passing away, like depart does somehow, i’m not english. couldn't they mean acquitting or releasing His slave, and this all in peace according to the Lord’s word.

[@deegee2friar]

kees canal fp hi, it’s from the Bible Lukas 2:29-32, greetings

[@keescanalfp5143]

@@deegee2friar yes thank you, beautiful words of delivering.

[@emiliamitchell1094]

The prayer of Saint Simeon. It is read or chanted at the Vespers service in Orthodox Christian Churches.

[@lorenzodecarbon9914]

The words of Simeon upon seeing the Christ child, Luke 2:29-32.

[@wordpressobsessed9067]

Saw this group in concert last year. You don't think they can be this perfect "live" but they are. It's insane how perfect they are as an ensemble. I'm a trained musician and did not hear one misstep the entire night. No music either. Everything memorized.

[@hornkraft9438]

Yes, but why would anyone want them to have memorized their music? That's not necessary for professionals. Cathedral choirs who go through a lot of literature in a short time never memorize while amateur school choirs in the U.S. often do. Perhaps it makes a better video performance?

[@wordpressobsessed9067]

@@hornkraft9438 It's not necessary for professionals, but professionals memorize their music. When is the last time you saw a concert pianist playing a concerto with music? Using music detracts from the performers and the performance..

[@hornkraft9438]

@@wordpressobsessed9067: Funny argument? When is the last time you saw that soloist perform with a professional symphony whose members all memorized their music? None. The memorization argument has often been used with amateur and school choirs. Amateur choirs don't look up at the director because their knowledge of the music isn't as good. Their reading skills aren't as good so they have to memorize and risk memory gaps instead. I think there may have been a famous college choir in Minnesota that influenced that thinking among high school choirs. In school music circles, it was said that choirs cannot emote with their eyes down in their music. Professional groups with proper training can both read their music and use the expressions that are contained within the music, all while glancing up to the director. No memory gaps from that. This group follows the English Cathedral tradition and uses countertenors with English composers. They know how to hold music and produce excellent performances. They probably have done a dozen performances already of the same thing and can sing it all from memory so it makes a better visual show, perhaps. I'm sure they don't try that with new additions to their repertoire.

[@michaelmiller1215]

wordpressobsessed Their intonation is flawless!

[@wordpressobsessed9067]

@@hornkraft9438 Maybe that's because the orchestra is not the soloist. It's impractical to think that violinists (or anyone else in the orchestra) are going to memorize their parts to a 40 minute Rachmaninoff concerto. A 4 minute vocal piece is quite different than a 4 movement concerto. Nice try.

[@jedguasa3966]

As a speaker of 2nd Sunday after Christmas, I bumped into “Nunc Dmittis” while searching references of Luke 2:22-38.... Amazing how Simeon immensely dedicated this song to Baby Jesus out from pure joy and fulfillment..

[@tomws5594]

Beautiful and peaceful

[@janel342]

It’s as if you sing to heal the broken world. Heartfelt thanks.

[@normagrant1881]

God bless you all for allowing His Holy Spirit to speak through you in song.

[@siriuswhite6813]

C''est tout simplement sublime...Merci à vous...

[@nickshires9537]

Simply inspirational and beautiful. Well done Paul Smith, Barnaby and the rest of the astounding Voces 8 team for a piece of heaven.

[@GAR23LOVMUZ]

Thank You For This Glorious Gift Of Music..

[@hellogoodbye637]

My main thrill in life is seeing a notification when you've uploaded a new video. I seriously love you all so much my heart hurts

[@mariajasurdova3440]

Voces8: the best sound I know.. Great!

[@barbaranathanmarcus2463]

Truly hypnotic in its peaceful sound.

[@christianus59]

« Maintenant Tu peux laisser aller ton serviteur en paix car mes yeux ont vu le salut que Tu prépares à la face des peuples »

[@markbell9973]

Le français....... Ah mon Dieu "quelle odeur agréable" cette langue!

[@margaretaburrell883]

At Candlemas this year 2021, this was just beautiful to hear. Simeon has seen ...

[@alisonalcock5218]

Yet something else to love, another beautiful treasure. Thank you Paul and beloved Voces8 xxxxxxxxx

[@surfinch]

Thanks, Apple Music, for introducing me to this mesmerizing piece of sacred music.

[@ZiggyLu-og3zp]

Heavenly! Amazing synchronicity.

[@bonamin0424]

Wonderful sound.. So amazing!! I feel like I'm in heaven..🍀

[@dewiayu4662]

I closed my eyes and listened this. Beyond my words to describe how beautiful this is.

[@petrabirol3343]

Wunderbar....sphärisch...berührend...danke!!!

[@diegomontoya8889]

I hope heaven sounds this good.

[@yashayah2115]

One word! BEAUTIFUL

[@kriskuc1235]

I`m exploding. That`s so clear. I feel it in my whole body. Amazing. All your songs.

[@georgealderson4424]

Yes they sound as if there is a collection of instruments accompanying them. It is bautiful

[@kickbuttme]

holy hannah. amazing. this reverberates in the soul .

[@carloseduardosalustiano415]

Maravilhoso! A alma vai lá em cima e volta!

[@leslie2760]

I can feel my soul settle when I listen to this.

[@____1019]

Wow, such beautiful harmony...

[@janetprice3804]

Absolutely gorgeous - what a sound!

[@albertlutton9920]

The close, profound and flawless harmonies of this chamber choir continue to inspire. That they listen intimately to each other shows how much they care, and they understand completely that the best part of each composition is the very last note. Voces8, you are all the very best at what you do!

[@oceansideartist]

Sublime. Thank you, Voces8. ❤️🇨🇦

[@katherinetutschek4757]

I clicked on this video because of the building you're in wow - it complements the beautiful music perfectly. So spacious, the sound just rises up.

[@marjorieorourke]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[@danielmoraga6474]

you make me cry...so beautiful...

[@sallydickson6193]

Absolutely beautiful! I used to sing this years ago in a choir, but this version is special xx

[@nellekedansen8774]

Serene and pure beauty!

[@olivierpouech]

Que c est beau ! Les dissonance donnent la chair de poule... merci.

[@pollylancaster855]

The current VOCES8 lineup is the best ever. They're unequalled in the world. They're the non plus ultra anywhere on Earth.

[@mechi001]

I listened breathlessly, almost unbelievably beautiful

[@WigbertTraxler]

A stunning piece! Gorgeously sung as always......

[@smguy7]

OMG this is a superb piece of music and superbly performed. Bravo!

[@regbloor5762]

I love the setting

[@marcoanello4409]

You just made my day..., deeply touching.... Thank you so much, so beautiful.....

[@gordonramsey6738]

So pure! In every aspect! Love it!

[@timbrophy]

Lovely Prayer well Prayed.

[@michaelmiller1215]

Mesmerizing

[@kittycasino29]

Beautiful 😍

[@dougthiessen2987]

I. absolutely. LOVE. this. I. keep. coming. back. *clapping*

[@mickeyb2927]

Utterly gorgeous. Can't wait to see you guys again

[@waltsmith9583]

Wonderful music from very special group sung from their hearts to ours. Thanks for the translation.

[@nbc1208]

Wow!! HERMOSO!!!! Cuanta belleza de música. Saludos desde la pequeña ciudad de La Rioja, Argentina.

[@imad87]

أصوات الكون .....يا إلهي العظيم ....

[@gilneto5449]

É outro mundo que entramos quando ouvimos esses música lindas!

[@josecristovaosouzasantos5476]

SIM

[@kussmannjv]

I really haven't enjoyed polyphony a while and now I'm enjoying it again thank you..

[@plw7930]

Such perfection. Thank you

[@darraghbacon3986]

Absolutely stunning piece, haunting and subtly beautiful

[@12cunow]

Great Balance ! The sound of Heaven on Earth - Thank You so much :- )

[@cesarevisioli6175]

Meraviglioso.Bella composizione e stupenda interpretazione.Grazie.

[@maureendutoit7542]

Goosebumps all over

[@hildapereira3137]

Maravilhosos !!! Afinação perfeita !!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@andreajoybelle]

breathtakingly beautiful

[@SiembraRockas]

Fantásticos. Conmovedoramente buenos. Gracias por compartirlo.

[@jiong-tyx]

Beautiful!

[@paulgerards6494]

PRACHTIG & HEMELS !! THX !! Oh and you JLo looks & sounds fantAstic !!

[@faustdownunder]

Brilliant voices.

[@idaianaaraujo9141]

Simplesmente lindo! Maravilhoso essas vozes juntas. Lindo ,lindo , lindo!

[@dleimkuehler]

There are certainly many very good close harmony groups, but this is best of the best!

[@EcDraven]

Amazing voices.

[@esperanc]

Wonderful piece and incredible rendition.