VOCES8: Worthy is the Lamb and Amen Chorus from 'Messiah' by G.F. Handel

Worthy is the Lamb and Amen Chorus from Handel's 'Messiah' performed by the combined forces of VOCES8, the VOCES8 Scholars and Apollo5 with the Academy of Ancient Music, led by Bojan Čičić and directed by VOCES8's Artistic Director, Barnaby Smith. The performance was broadcast live from Trinity College Chapel, Cambridge on 5th December 2018.

[@beaflint5162]

to whoever is responsible--thank you for not interrupting the magnificent performance with advertising

[@-linus1688]

If you can afford it, a KZbin Premium subscription is well worth the price.

[@carolnahigian9518]

God Bless Handel; what a Talent.

[@paulcoppinger3995]

As one who has sung in many choirs, as one who has conducted Messiah many times, I am grateful for this masterful interpretation of the glorious ending to Handel’s most inspired work. As with the master himself, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be taken up to heaven by this brilliant performance where many wonders were revealed to me. Such is the power of this masterpiece when performed in the way that Handel has intended. Thank you Voces8 for the purity and perfection of this effort. I have no doubt that your Musical Offering was heard and found to be very acceptable.

[@tonymercer7759]

Amen ! Well said ,sir

[@iczerman]

LOVED how the director conducted " Blessing, Honor, Glory and Power be unto Him"! at 2:50.

[@user-dh1gb9no4y]

La Gloria y el Poder de Dios sean por los siglos de los siglos. Para Él sean la alabanza y la obediencia perpetua.

[@davidhancock6057]

THIS is the type of music that catalyzes my musing on the glory of God, and of His Son, Jesus the Messiah--NOT the mass-produced, pop ditties that pass as contemporary Christian music!

[@larrysherk]

Perfection in choral singing. I had not known it was possible before discovering Voces8. The high precision intonation without vibrato allows the rich harmonies to lift the melodies to new, sacred places. That intricate intimacy brings the vibration of the human structure into a perfect place. It is astonishing to see Baroque era music theory and physics playing together. It really is a new clarity in our time.

[@christiankurek9225]

Amen

[@AnjaHuebel1]

I've seen them live a couple of times - that is a truly amazing experience!

[@user-pp6nm6kd4s]

I like the conductor .....he conducts and leads with such passion and devotion

[@mariashouse5492]

It's nice to hear a smaller group that can still capture the majesty of Handel's music.

[@slksfca]

I love finding a performance of something I've heard a hundred times and feeling like I'm hearing it for the first time again. The rendering of the "Amen" fugue here is especially sublime. Chills.

[@rudeman16]

so true could be listened to 1000 times and still feel fresh wish the youth of the world could feel the same

[@vernonsmart]

This goes to show that you don't always have to have a giant group to give a great performance of this piece!

[@mkshffr4936]

@@vernonsmart In fact a smaller group like this is much more appropriate.

[@danielclooney6248]

Major goosebumps....perfection...to the glory of God.

[@jaymoulic8144]

I’ve sang in the Messiah chorus many times, bass section. This is my favorite piece. The “Amen” part took a lot of practice.

[@allanjarvis9753]

This is absolutely splendid. In particular the timpanist really makes this work with his crisp and precise drum strokes.

[@allanjarvis9753]

A further further thought: I have listened to this with close attention and the score open in front of me, and cannot think that there has ever been a finer conclusion to Handel's Messiah than this one.

[@mmoser410]

Wonderful! Such balance. With the smaller chorus & orchestra it provides space between the parts, accentuates the clarity of the voices with absolute perfect attacks and releases. Just wonderful!

[@danielclooney6248]

Totally agree, noticed that also.

[@Gabofeles]

Totally agree! I really enjoy this video, wonderful chorus and orchestra! Bravo.

[@mmoser410]

Revisiting this a year later... Still wonderful. Listened 3 times. An extraordinary rendition. So grateful to be able to hear this again.

[@TheAuntieBa]

“makes our hearts swell and burst.” Appropriate movie quote from Joe vs the Volcano. This is just perfect.

[@veronicaweier8134]

It remains the same over nd over as the first time it was composed 😢😢😢💯💯💯💯💯👍👍👍👍👍

[@ogbonnadesmondchibuike9554]

Kudos to the conductor I love how he expressed the phrase blessing, honor, glory and power 2:52

[@BramMichaelson]

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:12-14) Amen.

[@that_auntceleste5848]

Thank you. I was able to look up the exact lyric. This morning I was reading the immediately preceding "song" in vv 9-10 and trying to imagine the scene with music music (then remembered Handel had gifted us his version.)

[@mariashouse5492]

Amen! Praise the Lord!

[@Musicolette]

Worthy is the Lamb - done to perfection...

[@danieljosuebalamceballos9416]

One of the finest performances i've ever heard!

[@johnstrickland3373]

yes, I am ever amazed by Voces8, they bring me to a sense of awe; reminds me of how i felt the first time i stood looking at the Grand Canyon, how much beauty can God create in one space? So delightfully overwhelming 🤩💞💞💞

[@ua6523]

Just the diction though! Ufffff! such perfection!

[@barramundi4604]

Beautiful! Really beautiful!! Worthy is the Lord!

[@tonymercer7759]

Amen !

[@vasjalesjak3846]

Damn, I'm a sucker for Handel. Good job! I 'got infected' when singing the 4 coronation songs..

[@Bing6813]

Perfect music for Easter Sunday , nice to have a small orchestra with such grand singers , Thank you !!

[@jimmonroe8799]

I have listened to this more times than I can count. Every time is an exhilarating new experience. Voces8 is not only one of the most talented groups I know, but to be in a room with them during rehearsal demonstrates how devoted they are to each other and to music perfection.

[@UkeOne]

There is a crispness and rich, clean sound happening here. I like that the sopranos are not overpowering and blended well with the rest of the chorus. This is a very fine performance...Bravo!

[@jacobdayton5656]

So nice to hear it with a small chorus and orchestra. It's so constantly overblown that the simple beauty of the music gets lost a lot of times, especially all the moving lines between the parts. Bravi!

[@garywait3231]

Yes; this is about the size of Handel's ensamble at it's 1742 Dublin premier. The current trend toward smaller groups such as this is much to be applauded, as is the return to period instruments. A majestic performance of an enduring classic. I think Handel would approve -- I certainly do!

[@TheAuntieBa]

Little wonder it sounded so right.

[@shaneduyvenedewit5197]

Such a Spirit-inspired composition! Glorious!

[@michellejunelambert9605]

This is gorgeous. It’s difficult to have a highly developed voice without vibrato. Hats off to this wonderful group I feel the presence of God when I listen to it. Thank you so much.

[@kevinkeller6898]

Delighted, but not surprised, that Voces8 took this piece to heights I had never heard previously. Ya'all are great, as always; finest vocal group on Earth.

[@jaybest1787]

Absolutely magnificent.

[@tonymercer7759]

What a foretaste of Revelation 5 ! 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

[@ireland1953]

That 'Amen' got my soul soaring. So very wonderfully powerful. That drummer is fantastic and stirring at the end! The conductor should have acknowledged that drummer.

[@johnbogle59]

Absolutely beautiful. Total perfection. Impossible to express the un expressible. Best to listen and feel it.

[@MarkGrindell]

Impossible. Wonderful. Hallelujah!

[@allenrussell1947]

The tympani player rocked it!😊

[@Nobilangelo]

AMEN!!!

[@phvangalen4310]

Keep coming back here, specifically for this part. Still moves me to tears.

[@jgesselberty]

So much richness and power from a small ensemble. Wonderful.

[@johnhopper1736]

sometimes I'm lost for words and this is one of those occasions.......on second thoughts perhaps one word "Superb"

[@bradpettit5806]

Returning someday...

[@richardgerman]

Lovely young choir beautifully sung.This is not an easy chorus to sing well but these voices would please us all.

[@allanjarvis9753]

A further thought: Bach might be the acknowledged champion of fugue; but Handel runs him close here with two wonderful fugal choruses. Counterpoint of the highest quality.

[@danik.5545]

I have listened to many works by Bach and Handel, I am a fan of the baroque period of music and I have come to the conclusion that I like and enjoy Handel's choral fugues much more than Bach's. I don't have a specific reason, it's just feeling. The Messiah is a treasure

[@mwnyc3976]

@@danik.5545 Handel's fugues are less densely written than Bach's (fewer parts singing busy passages at the same time) and so easier for non-professional ears to keep track of.

[@tinafarrar2527]

The way Handel wrote it!

[@billspeer8387]

The best I have ever heard. Perfection!

[@andrewcrossley2448]

Agree with you.

[@phvangalen4310]

Yes!

[@j.drachel7367]

HALLELUJAH!!! COME KING JESUS!!! OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR ❤

[@JoaquimCarlosjoshua]

I love this so much ever since I was a kid. Love you, Barnaby.

[@warbler5215]

Compact , intensive, passionate, elegant Amen chorus the best ever heard. Thanks.

[@mcburcke]

I love the clarity of sound with an appropriate size orchestra and chorus. Well done!

[@robertjschroff6307]

Awesome, rich stylish anglican sound, loved the tempos, clarity, every aspect of the performance, first class experience, very authentic and elevated.

[@barbaragarriott2364]

Thanks be to God Who giveth us the victory thru our Lord Jesus Christ...Thanks be to God Who leads us in triumph...thanks be ro God for His indescribable Gift

[@geonmzahsan6640]

Small group, very well rehearsed & conducted. God bless

[@margaretmorris3784]

Absolute perfection. Thank you!!

[@jimrains4406]

This is, I'm sure, how Handel heard it in his dreams.

[@newtonalberto7269]

Excelência do princípio ao fim! Maravilhosos cantores e instrumentistas. Parabéns maestro e a todos!

[@mariod7473]

Bravo bravo timpanist....

[@LordTelperion]

Glorious!

[@pika4952]

My favorite song ... thank you so much VOCES8 🙏😇😍😘😊

[@ayishas4385]

Mine too!

[@pika4952]

I know that but i like to call it a song ... and thank you for reminder me about that@TheRenaissanceman65

[@pika4952]

Okay ... i know what you mean ... thanks again@TheRenaissanceman65

[@zachuram]

PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mathewjones8503]

Wow, what a performance 😃

[@andrewcrossley2448]

Perfect end to a decade. Wonderful singing.

[@RobertCardwell]

Natural trumpets.

[@cohort075]

When I finally leave this mortal coil, I hope this is what I hear upon entering the gates of his Heavenly Kingdom, on the final journey.

[@AbdelOveAllhan]

Perhaps the single greatest use of polyphony for dramatic effect. The greatest choral cadence of all time. As Beethoven said, "Go to him to learn how to achieve great effects, by such simple means."

[@kurtsiecolferites2160]

Incredible! A masterpiece masterfully performed. Bravo!

[@cynthiat6505]

Never better!

[@roserichmond-nkosi9026]

I sang soprano in most of Handel Messiah songs but this bows me over

[@ralphwagenet852]

I come back over and over, and every time this shakes me - just wonderful.

[@marksurgeon3088]

I just keep coming back to this, its sublime.

[@georgefry5334]

Amazing!!

[@joaoalbertobannwart9918]

Fantastic!!

[@dkuperman]

This is one of the best renditions that I have ever heard, if not the best.

[@annenaupa5732]

Sublime. Thank you.

[@kris10espo]

19 people aren't knowing what great music is!

[@juangarzon1247]

perfect tempo, dear maestro. Many directors just do not seem to understand that the right tempo gives the heavenly solemnity that this masterpiece requires. This is not just playing music................is praying God for his final triumph. Bravissimo for the choir, the orchestra and of course the sublime director.

[@michaelmiller1215]

Outstanding

[@TheBrownbuck]

Gorgeous...

[@hartmutmeyer9929]

Absolute fantastic...

[@orlandoiannuzzifilho]

Magnificent interpretation !

[@MarktheMole]

It may be just a small choir with stunning voices, great small orchestra made up of shaggy-haired veterans - but the lovely venue and the epic recording made possible by expert positioning of the microphones - well balanced, and close in on the singers, giving ultra-clarity - makes this heavenly. Much better than those mass choir recordings at the Royal Albert Hall..

[@carolynott2943]

I am breathless.

[@sophiemarshall8135]

Oh my goodness! I want to keep listening!

[@l.walker4910]

WHOOF that tenor at the end has a voice. Glorious!

[@jayhesby6711]

Wonderful!

[@billace90]

Absolutely remarkable. Five Stars.

[@florencecurrie7861]

How splendid! Thank you.

[@jefferysteelman8572]

That is worship to the Lamb! Rev 12:12

[@lauramanzoni615]

Bellissimo il legato dell’Amen finale! Molto originale come interpretazione! Davvero splendido questo fraseggio. Bravi

[@johnrobinson1132]

What a difference the tympani make! Bravo.

[@evelynhackett3053]

Just simply Devine. Such precision

[@adamstevens59]

Unbelievable. I am moved to tears. ❤

[@DJJonPattrsn22]

My favorite aspect of this rendition is the tímpanist performance! BRAVISSIMO! OUTSTANDING in every way! I was the timpanist for my high school's award winning concert band, as well as for our orchestra. And I continued to play during university. So, I have a special appreciation, as well as a very astute & critical ear for the instrument(s). I guess I've grown somewhat expectant of mediocre playing from many of the videos I watch here...

[@JohnSBoyer]

Lovely performance

[@ibunrakuken]

Splendida esecuzione!

[@retinellathomas1736]

Love this proformeninc

[@lindanicholls3370]

Blessing and honor, Glory and power be unto Him forever and ever Amen.

[@risiateb]

I love the tempo.

[@CLAYMEISTER]

This is the modern day standard... superb musicianship.

[@Dracon1234EE]

Great.

[@suzannelebizarre5705]

Its been years since I've been involved with singing this...was born singing harmony (grins) and have sung choral music of all kinds, including barbershop style...until I find that in the last few years my voice is practically gone...and I miss it so much...after all, I am now an Octogenarian...sighs...so, when I hear the sound of Voces8 I remember, and at the same time, am envious of the sound of these folks...