VOCES8 - Rathbone: The Oxen

Music video by VOCES8 performing Rathbone: The Oxen. (C) 2019 VOCES8 Records
vevo.ly/QoGj4V

[@frankwolff5488]

The outstanding intonation skills of this ensemble are as exceptional for Jazz harmonies as they are for Renaissance music. They represent everything I love about choir music.

[@bachopinbee5991]

Can't agree more with what you said! Like you put my feelings in your words thought by thought

[@donna30044]

The close harmonies are exquisite.

[@eliseives9574]

Please, can you explain what close harmonies are?

[@donna30044]

@@eliseives9574 Close harmony is having voices singing chords the notes of which are near each other rather than spread out (open harmony). Close harmony chords are usually comprised of notes within an octave. Often, a triad, for example, may consist of the principal tone, a 2nd and fourth or fifth, or some such other "dissonances" rather than the "usual" 1st, 3rd, & 5th. There may be other chords sung at the same time, either close or open such as when the upper voices sing a close, dissonant harmony chord while the lower voices sing a chord which may or may not be dissonant. Singing close harmony is not necessarily dissonant, but the dissonant harmonies can be quite challenging for many singers. I don't claim to be an expert, and others may be able to give a more succinct explanation; this is my understanding of the subject, based on several decades of learning from some rather good chorus masters and musicians over several decades.

[@eliseives9574]

@@donna30044 Thank you, friend.

[@micahcallahan8316]

Not what I was expecting. Jazzy chords making my ears happy.

[@bettyspearns8341]

What perfect harmony! Amazing and beautiful! 💕

[@cromley1]

After a long stressful day at work, this has rescued me and soothes my soul.

[@cynthiat6505]

The dissonance is too exquisite! Thank you!

[@gorvos]

Gorgeous. Thanks as always.

[@yvettevasquez2086]

Jonathan Rathbone is extraordinary. Wish his music was performed more often. Always surprising, breathtaking, and inventive. The performance is stunning but can’t understand the words. Listen also to Rathbone in the Swingles singing this in the 90’s.

[@Evangelist1909]

Breathtakingly beautiful.

[@tiagomarveira5707]

Perfect 🥇🥇🥇🥇💙👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@timothyj.bowlby5524]

Lovely. Thanks, Voces8.

[@dominiquelizarzaburu]

Beautiful, as always. Thank you for this wonderful gift in quarantine. Hugs from Argentina.

[@phoenixrising145]

*obnoxious clapping* this sounds amazing, thank you for your lovely music! 😊

[@freyar9363]

Beautiful!

[@nelsonwhaley6348]

Singing of the highest order..seamless, superb control, exquisite.

[@giovannacarlaoliveira5062]

i love so much this group 💚💙🧡❤️

[@jameshutchins3396]

Bravo! Exquisite!

[@nelsonwhaley6348]

This is wonderful at any time of the year...so.gorgeous..the music...and singing...gosh....

[@moniuce]

Woooo hermoso 😊

[@bluefunkybassman]

Absolutely gorgeous!!!

[@khyrand]

The Oxen by Thomas Hardy Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock. "Now they are all on their knees," An elder said as we sat in a flock By the embers in hearthside ease. We pictured the meek mild creatures where They dwelt in their strawy pen, Nor did it occur to one of us there To doubt they were kneeling then. So fair a fancy few would weave In these years! Yet, I feel, If someone said on Christmas Eve, "Come; see the oxen kneel "In the lonely barton by yonder coomb Our childhood used to know," I should go with him in the gloom, Hoping it might be so.

[@wacawlubinski5218]

Przepięknie. Gratuluję. PL

[@stitchpo]

One of my favorite poems, and set to music and performed so beautifully!

[@davhuf3496]

Lovely!

[@Vln1star]

Oh. La. La! Ear candy. Excellent! 🍬🍫🧁☕️

[@nellekedansen8545]

Mesmerizing...

[@emmrt8613]

Un orgasmo a mis oidos 😍 Fascinante mezcla de colores de voces y tonos sostenidos y bemoles 😍

[@brina8cliffs]

💕🇧🇷

[@tamaramarianieri2867]

Muito lindo o vosso canto! Acalma a alma...greetings from Brazil

[@27freetime]

Beautiful. The nearest thing to aural paradise

[@johanisvzyl]

Are these videos live recordings or is the audio and video recorded separately? I guess the latter.

[@kristinapfeffer2057]

I would like to ask, how long it took to record a video? :)

[@timothymalone7067]

The dissonance is amazing

[@FiremanDuval]

Wow. This dissonance is incredible.

[@Le_Trouvere]

Reupload?

[@Spetet]

Nice specimens of humanity.

[@sedam1030]

😌👍💕

[@maj-britthogstrom2269]

Beautiful and relaxing but sad? 🌷🌷💕💕

[@uncd2000]

Great, but needs subtitles.

[@nicks40]

Yummy. Who publishes the score?

[@sgabriel]

Peters. www.editionpeters.com/product/the-oxen/ep77009

[@pacificodelnorte6628]

Lovely all around, as usual. I have heard this sung a little faster than this, though. So for me, this felt too slow. Exquisite nonetheless.

[@OrbiliusMagister]

This is what happens in classical music: The Swingle singers recorded a "definitive version", but Rathbone published a written score to let others sing their version, being faithful to the sheet music while giving their own interpretation. You cannot call this "a cover", but "a reading". This tempo has me savouring every chord, every the sum of harmonics, the purity of sound and the awe inspired by the text.

[@gregguk100]

Too much breathing folks

[@larrymiller4]

Come on, Blake, get a haircut.