VOCES8 & Jack Liebeck: The Lark Ascending - Ralph Vaughan Williams (arr. Paul Drayton)

VOCES8 is joined by violinist Jack Liebeck for a performance of Paul Drayton's arrangement of 'The Lark Ascending'. The performance was part of the Live From London Summer Festival.
The new recording is now available here orcd.co/mmkdy6o
TEXT
Extracts from 'The Lark Ascending' by George Meredith
He rises and begins to round,
He drops the silver chain of sound,
Of many links without a break,
In chirrup, whistle, slur and shake.
For singing till his heaven fills,
'Tis love of earth that he instils,
And ever winging up and up,
Our valley is his golden cup
And he the wine which overflows
to lift us with him as he goes.
Till lost on his aerial rings
In light, and then the fancy sings.

[@chriskohtz5441]

PERFECTION. Please share with your friends. Hell, share with your enemies. The world needs this right now.

[@tricia9559]

Yes- I don’t have the vocabulary to say anything else but YES

[@h0pesfall]

I shared this with my cat. She is a lion now.

[@juliavanrun-kilic1744]

This was one of my mums favorites. We played it at her funeral in 2006. This version is the most beautiful ever❤️. Thank you so much. Very touching!

[@johnwalters1341]

Vaughan Williams AND Voces8. It doesn't get any better than this!

[@avihuboneh723]

Yes it does. Listening to them with eyes shut....

[@solveiglandvikbrg9103]

.......... AND 🎻 violinist Jack LIEBECK as well ! Please don't forget this beautiful NINTH VOICE !!!

[@arcturianstarport8949]

"The Lark Ascending" is IMHO one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written -- it brings tears to my eyes. This is a lovely variation.

[@josefbruckner7154]

@@arcturianstarport8949, indeed, I feel the same.😊

[@hf2uuk]

Just so beautiful They make the world a better place. Oh to see them live. Any offer out there please🍾Any evening I saw them some years ago when they were only just beginning.

[@abagatelle]

That's 16 minutes *added* to my life. What a performance!

[@jerrera45]

I don't know if Vaughan Willims ever imagined this piece would be performed like this, But I'm sure if he heard this arrangement, he would shed tears of joy. I know I did.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Hallo John! Same for me.

[@applemac100100]

Such a beautiful version of “The Lark Ascending”. Such a lovely group of young people bringing joy to everyone in their singing. May they continue to be blessed in this great work.

[@cynthiat6505]

My absolute favorite a cappella group! So pure and unselfish with their talent!

[@306champion]

Well, there are none other to compare. Voces8 really are the ones who got me into cappella although I got a real liking probably back in my fifties.

[@merri-toddwebster2473]

I just want to thank you for spelling "a cappella" correctly [g]

[@ogtme]

The goosebumps haven’t gone down yet…beyond beautiful!

[@ws175]

Yes

[@ThvonS]

@@ws175 Same here. Fantastic performance

[@brandenburg05]

YES!

[@MartyHendersonDVM]

Same!

[@lynettegill14]

Stunning. Anyone who’s laid on the grass and listened to a lark rise singing into the sky will feel the chills hearing this rendition. Thank you.

[@isabeldieguez5214]

Exacto !!!!!

[@andyfield3614]

this is so beautiful - grown man in tears of bliss - great download.

[@jenniferevans2046]

This is so sublime I am literally in tears. The Lark is one of my favourite compositions as it truly captures the imagination as you fly with the bird and see what is happening below, before it soars and gradually disappears out of sight into the heights of the sky. The violinist captures the lark exquisitely, and Voces8 are right alongside. Fantastic arrangement, exquisitely vocalised, Now where is that tissue…..thank you guys - utterly transcendent and beautiful!.

[@paulinemckelvey9001]

I didn't know that music as wonderful as this could exist.

[@jenniferevans2046]

@@paulinemckelvey9001 Just goes to prove that we are not merely flesh and blood, but are spiritual beings made in the image of God.

[@janetjuberg8871]

​@@jenniferevans2046 in

[@janetjuberg8871]

Nothing more to add

[@LOLO-lm7pr]

With 88 thumbs up I didn't want to disturb this number, so replied instead, lovely note here Jennifer, you've captured the essence.

[@edwardwilkinson6923]

Jack Liebeck became another voice in Voces8...all were as one in this performance. Mr Liebeck's playing was so intertwined with the others, each anticipating the other, weaving in such synchronous tones, it truly is beyond any words to describe what we are hearing. This is a master work of storytelling performed by some of the best in the world. My deepest gratitude for this moment in my life.

[@markwardonwords]

Just fantastic. Quintessentially British.

[@nancystarks2099]

This recording is best heard using ear buds or headphones. You cannot hear the intricate parts (voices/violin) without them. After discovering this, I have listened to this excellent performance several times and I don’t think I will ever get tired of it. Such a great interpretation of one of my favorite pieces.

[@russellbateman3392]

Great fan of Vaughan Williams, this piece in particular. It's the first time I've heard a choir replace the orchestra. It's truly amazing.

[@josefbruckner7154]

Indeed, when comparing this version with the original orchestra version: the heavenly voices flow into one another meeting to form the basic waves created by the orchestra. In any case this is a master piece.😊

[@CaresinVerse]

Blend the most wonderful sound to ever come from a violin with the best voices ever heard, and this is what you get. I am overwhelmed. God bless you all and special kudos to Paul Dayton. I need a handkerchief now. 🎶

[@solveiglandvikbrg9103]

Just ONE question : INSTEAD OF "kudos" (btw this word comes from Ancient Greek : "κυδος"), could'nt you say "BRAVO", a word which comes from Latin AND is much better-known by the people ?????

[@solveiglandvikbrg9103]

Edit : "BRAVO" rather comes from actual Italian language, I think so ! 🤗

[@keltus_warrior6491]

Liebeck makes the violin literally sing. How wonderful!

[@SteveL2012]

I didn’t think I could love this piece more-until it was performed in a vocal arrangement by Voces 8. 💕

[@bobleroe3859]

My favorite piece of music reimagined and performed in a unique way. Beautiful.

[@stangumula9283]

You nailed my sentiments exactly! Thank you.

[@arcturianstarport8949]

Exactly!

[@kimmysophiabrown4807]

Such a complex piece vocally. Long been one of my favorite pieces of music. You guys are astounding.

[@michaelhaddan1965]

Daring and ingeniously rendered; impossibly beautiful; perhaps the most captivating Lark Ascending I've ever heard~~

[@lysager]

Katie looked to be enjoying singing this as she couldn't stop smiling! She has one short solo, and her beautiful alto voice just blows me away! 😊

[@randallschultz3987]

I did not expect the text of the Meredith poem: absolutely breathtaking.!

[@charmquark6366]

Human voice in all its glory. If wind had sound, it would sound like this.

[@yoursolo9401]

If heaven had sound, I would say : )

[@donsharpe5786]

Absolutely brilliant. One of my favourite pieces and this totally does it justice. Although the violin is the star, it just shows that human voices can become an orchestra.

[@fshepinc]

"Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears." -Poe How could anyone hear this and not be moved to tears?

[@fredwood1490]

What is the sky without the Lark? An empty blue lake, peopled by clouds and an unloved Sun. What is the Lark without the sky? An incomplete poem, a Haiku, lacking the last word. What are these wings but will of God? What is this song but love of God? What is the Lark without me watching it? A spirit free beyond the bond to the Earth and the need for me. What am I? A man bound to that Earth with a spirit that so yearns to soar with the Lark.

[@RoSario-vb8ge]

So beautiful ❤

[@debramoss2267]

Exquisite. The violinist is superb, absolutely sublime.

[@ruthsavin7884]

Impressive!!! The lenght of this piece carried out in such precision and unity.Bravo!! I always marvel at how well their tone is throughout. And can we just recognize the absolute stunning violin player?!!! New fav.

[@randallschultz3987]

I don't need much motivation to listen to Vaughan Williams. This version is amazing. Simply astounding.

[@accousticdecay]

This ensemble has one of the most captivating sounds I have ever heard in my many years of life.

[@hazelgibbs4379]

Where would we be without music, it really doesn’t get any better than this, thank you.

[@DeltadronesBr]

No words to describe such Beauty! This song is from Heaven!

[@sidpheasant7585]

Don't even doubt what you say. The Holy Spirit inspires music and musicians. Just one of the milliions of beautiful and meaningful and loving and merciful things He does in the world every day. When you see, you see - as Graham Hess's dying wife noted in the film "Signs". The Holy Spirit was there too, as He was in my bedroom on 28-2-21, when I begged for help. Now in 2022 we are all in the same need, and He is ready to help us.

[@MrMarioman107]

So beautiful. I love this piece that evokes the English countryside-a masterpiece

[@geertvaneyken9537]

masterpiece indeed,although the violin takes me rather to an asian’ chinese landscape. that’'s the beauty of music

[@ws175]

Well -and the Rheinhessen landscape with a view of the Taunus mountains

[@thomasrottmann5578]

@@ws175 Yes, I can well understand your point. I see the Eifel landscape that I hiked so often when I was younger. Everybody remembers their own favorite most beautiful landscape while hearing this music - until they have once seen the English countryside at sunrise on a spring morning. Vaughan Williams then starts playing in your mind and you will never loose this connection in your brain again. What a stunning, beautiful performance by Voces8 and Jack Liebeck! Unachievable by a normal choral singer yet highly inspirational and enjoyable.Thank you so much for sharing!

[@ws175]

@@thomasrottmann5578 Yes, I don't deny that english landscape is beautiful and ascending larks are beautiful. Welsh landscape is also nice, and so is scottish, and so are their larks. Not to mention the belgians. I didn't want to say that Rheinhessen is THE most beautiful landscape. It is the open fields there , where the larks like to settle, ascend, and sing. You see ? Sure there are other places which they like, too.

[@ws175]

@@thomasrottmann5578 well may be that wasn't the best answer. I try again. This music - quiteceverything that comes from voces8 is spinechillingly beautiful. Beyond beautiful. Voces8 are stunning in how they transport the beauty of music. Any music. Often teams come to my eyes when I hear them, and sometimes I just start to cry. During the dark months of corona shutdown, when we had to teach by Zoom and meet the familiy through zoom, voces8 gave me joy, comfort and strength. And they still do, wherever I am on the planet thanks to the wonderful thing called internet. And I am so happy to see that they give others joy and comfort as well, wherever those music-loving listeners are.

[@josefbruckner7154]

Oh, heaven cannot be far away.

[@stangumula9283]

One of my all time favorites. This version can match the best orchestral versions. Kudos, Voces8 and Paul Drayton!

[@warddemoor4307]

What an amazing version of Vaughan Williams's masterpiece! Angelic and heavenly.

[@daveymjohnson]

Now I can die a happy man. VOCES8 have done it again, so beautiful.

[@Jenifer.flute20]

It’s nice to hear some soloists that aren’t normally heard, the men in particular.

[@udonwang7418]

It's always one of my favourite violin piece to play, but with this version of voces 8, we are reaching a new level of beauty, nostalgic.

[@BassHaritone]

I always held Iona Brown as the standard bearer of this piece, but Jack has me in stitches.

[@1keithvincent]

Is there a way for one person to give this performance 1000 likes? Thank you for this amazing performance of my favorite piece of music.

[@jpcoll2011]

Best thing to do is to share it amongst your friends and family like I have done. 🙂

[@1keithvincent]

@@jpcoll2011 I totally agree. I've already sent it to three friends. It's too beautiful a performance to keep to myself.

[@bobbiecat7139]

It already has 4,800 likes!!! AND 216,000 subscribers (I hope my math is correct lol. K=1000...does it not? 😶)

[@adude394]

Wow!!! I would have never thought of such an arrangement, but I'm sure glad that somebody did! Brilliant.

[@Scriabinfan593]

This version is even more ethereal than the original. 7:46 is so beautiful

[@cohort075]

I am listening to my now favourite rendition of Lark Ascending, this morning on my veranda listening to the morning chorus of bird song over the Australian bush, in the southern part of Victoria, Australia. You never disappoint. Thank you.

[@mwnyc3976]

Happy spring to you!

[@cohort075]

@@mwnyc3976 And I know I shouldn’t assume anything, but Happy Fall to you.

[@jasonturner1181]

breathtakingly beautiful rendition of one of the finest pieces of music ever written. simply stunning..

[@kerrymellin514]

It's like feeling, tasting, hearing, and seeing the most beautiful parts of the world...all at once

[@meganhenderson1715]

This song brings me to tears every time I listen to it, especially that sublime high note from the sopranos near the end. 😢❤😊

[@robinholland1136]

Beautiful! A perfect marriage of my two favourite instruments - the violin and the human voice - interpreting a sublime and timeless composition. All of that and the voice of Ms Haines, which never fails to amaze and thrill at the same time. Simply wonderful!

[@padraigb580]

I can't believe this exists. Stunning!

[@rdholmes2007]

Had me sobbing uncontrollably. Incredible version of this heavenly music. 🙏❤️

[@edwing71]

Wow, what a pleasant surprise! You guys totally nailed this! And Jack's interpretation must be one of the best I've heard of the Lark. Impressive!

[@ashleybrannon793]

Brava!! I just heard the orchestral arrangement of this piece about a month ago for the first time and fell in love with it! Now my favorite choral group has done an arrangement of it??? Jaw-droppingly stunning!!!

[@andyrjs]

You might like the Julia Wang version which is just violin & piano which is here on KZbin. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZOTo4FqaNZpoNE

[@alisonalcock5218]

An exultation of nine larks. My heart, can this get any more glorious?

[@josefbruckner7154]

@alisonalcock5218, because you obviously feel that exultation of nine larks it is transmitted to you. 😊

[@sarahsingsforchrist]

Wow, the violinist looked emotionally enthralled. Love to see it.

[@SleepingTurtle1]

I've listened to Lark dozens if not hundreds of times (it's one of my morning coffee pieces and has been for many years) and this was like hearing it for the first time again. Thank you

[@mostlymozart6288]

Lark Ascending by Mr. Liebeck and the voices. Absolutely wonderful!

[@juanleahy2202]

By chance I first heard this moving piece of music on BBC Radio3 in November 1981 whilst driving home from visiting my wife & newborn baby at the LGI hospital in Leeds. (The very kind & professional pediatrician had been gradually informing us of the sad news about our first born). After then listening to this emotional music I had to stop the car & I cried. Many thanks indeed for your wonderful performance of this incredible piece, voted many times I believe a number one classical favourite in the UK.

[@jeffkantorowskistravaig2643]

Exquisite perfection.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

STUNNINGLY GORGEOUS....I still have goosebumps...goodness this is amazing

[@Just_Sara]

What a great way to start my day, thank you all so much! It does make one feel like they're floating just a little. :)

[@trylliumt5441]

Soaring...

[@iandlv6835]

The most beautiful piece of music with Jack Liebeck and voices8 adding their amazing dimension. Close your eyes and enjoy. This is as close to perfection as humanity could hope to achieve.

[@alexanderthomas6474]

Stunning and sensitive performance, just wonderful. I also MOST appreciate the way their dress graduates from black to blue from left to right. Lovely touch.

[@margaretosborne6144]

Omg sitting having my Saturday breakfast listening to this wonderful treat. Magnificent violin playing of the highest quality alongside the most perfect voices there is. Thank you so much what an absolute treat!

[@TheForestpat]

For singing till his heaven fills, ’T is love of earth that he instils, And ever winging up and up, Our valley is his golden cup, And he the wine which overflows To lift us with him as he goes:

[@isabeldieguez5214]

Joya pura!!!!!!

[@saetmusic]

Through some technical glitch I was unable to access this concert in the summer and it is SO wonderful to experience it now! A gorgeous performance by Jack Liebert and the arrangement by Paul Drayton was phenomenal! The arrangement and the splendid performance by VOCES8 conveyed the lush English harmonies and the pastoral setting brilliantly!

[@saetmusic]

I have played this piece many times in the orchestral version and a special shout out goes to altos Kayie and Barnaby who covered many of the French Horn parts beautifully! ;-)

[@josefbruckner7154]

You mean 'Jack Liebeck' correctly.

[@yvonnedegroot864]

Well, i give up. I thought this-one would never blend with voices but to have every background string part arranged for a separate voice and mix in actual folk song lyrics even. I am amazed and very very happy.

[@ClassWalton]

The last note. Violins can breathe! Incredible. Beautiful. Thank you.

[@SempreGumby]

But of course. Cellos as well...

[@barney6888]

I take my hat off to the genius who thought of this arrangement. It's stellar. Now if I can just keep myself from stamping all over my hat for not having thought of it first. This will become famous and do very well for this ensemble.

[@NielTolken]

Every time @voces8 sings with instrumentation it is so obvious that they sing with the perfection of instruments. Amazing!

[@walterpurdy8047]

I feel it more apt to note that those instrumentalist(s) play with the “perfection” of the human voices. A distinction without much difference, to be sure.

[@annharrington6778]

UPLIFTS THE SOUL & SPIRIT. MAGNIFICENT. GRATEFIUL THANKS TO VOCES 8 & JACK LIEBECK. BLESSINGS💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟

[@Lardenoy]

"Célestiel" pour reprendre un très ancien mot français en usage à l'époque des bâtisseurs de cathédrales ! Merci infiniment !

[@mos1654]

Flawless, and utterly beautiful… thank you

[@r1p2m32]

Wow! With that quality of violin it takes nerve to even open your mouth... Well done!

[@vivacantando]

It works so well like this. Wow. Whoever's idea it was to do this, it was a good one!

[@JohnathanLingo]

Choral music taught me beauty was, and this is a perfect example.

[@wjreinhardt8787]

Love to all who Love this VOICES 8 are Magnificent!!!

[@bronwynslade3789]

What an exquisite performance! Incredibly evocative. Beautiful blend of instrument and voice.

[@AlexanderVoiceWorks]

Yes, sublime indeed. I was ascending and soaring in the blue sky with the lark …thankyou to such wonderful musicians.

[@rudolffritzroessle6581]

Danke für diesen besonderen Hörgenuss🎼☀️

[@drewsmusicdiary1356]

Absolutely beautiful! That moment at 13:06 was pure perfection😍😍😍

[@evelynap9728]

it is a quarter to three in the morning and wow this puts me to sleep like laying on a cottonball in the air flying away beautiful thank you 💙

[@deborahd3810]

Such beauty... thank you. A glimpse of the Divine

[@motherofrubbish]

Halfway through this I realized I was holding my breath; literally breath-taking!

[@colinstanley4608]

15 minutes 57 seconds of wonderous, magical, pure beauty. It was a privilege to have listened. THANK YOU

[@dlb1911967]

One of my favourite violin pieces played by the talented Mr Liebeck. Really wonderful to hear some of George Meredith’s poem that appears in the original score being sung by my favourite vocal group, too! Excellent addition to voces8’s repertoire. Thank you!

[@user-ve9zb6zp4l]

All art is for every person, and should be for every person to appreciate as much as they want to. And to take from it whatever they choose. But this is a world of constant strife, hatred, conflict, greed, hurt and disharmony. And it is near impossible to ignore that, when wars, crimes, hurt and exploitation are near constant features everywhere. And so every moment of beautiful music made, that makes us stop and pause and reflect, music that speaks spiritually and movingly to anyone and everyone, is particularly important. And it is such works, and such reworkings like this arrangement of ‘The Lark Ascending’ that speak so much of the wonderful values that can also be found in human beings. If only we just look for them. To me the work speaks of an individual lark rising, and flying home to its nest that is its heaven. It speaks too of the importance of the individualism in the individual that needs to be celebrated more in a world beset by identity politics. And this piece of creation, like so much choral music, also speaks today of what is of value in the West. And when western culture is so maligned by the latest attacks of ‘wokism’ and hatred, in a mistaken belief that people are now righting a wrong, instead of just perpetuation loathing and disunity into the future. A future where forgiveness has no role. For this piece comes from the heart of what is beautiful, civilised and freeing from the West. And in this world where diversity is championed over anything and everything, over anyone and everyone, I am glad that we have here intelligent white voices singing together, and showing us how beautiful that is. And showing us what is the best and truest in us all, and leading us by example. The great Haiku poet Matsuo Basho once wrote, “Amidst the grassland/ Sings a skylark/ Free and disengaged from all things.”

[@michaelpatterson5811]

Once again the unsurpassed Voces8 bring us a performance that opens up a well-known piece as we have never heard it before. I was holding my breath! - not least at some of Jack Liebeck's violin flights . . .

[@totoro123]

Took me back to being entranced by that price as a child. Sublime❤

[@frankorusso]

Siete sempre più magici!!! 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏

[@canuckinoz01]

As always, stunning. Words fail me. My spirit is ascending as I listen to this....again and again.

[@molliethorn]

Such a gorgeous piece of music so enchanting and entrancing. Voces8, your performance is simply beautiful. I was smiling all the way through watching your faces, so expressive. Thank you all so much for the gift of your singing.

[@jpcoll2011]

Quite an emotional rendition to one of my favorite composers.

[@tomarmstrong1281]

Just got new listening gear for my iPad. Casually tuned in to KZbin. I do not know now which to attribute the glorious sound from this enchanting version of one of Vaughn Williamson's masterpiece. The honour must go to Voces and their superb arrangement. I am old enough to remember that in order to listen to this quality, a trip to the concert hall or some extremely and bulky hi fi equipment were the only ways. All I have to do now is push some light weight gear in my ears and press a couple of buttons. It felt mean not to applaud at the end.

[@nenapr5162]

Heaven on earth! Thank you my Lord for the gift of music. Was blessed to attend a Voce8 Ensemble at Rice University here in Houston, Texas last week and was blown away.

[@anjelakewell9671]

So very beautiful. A complete spiritual experience. Thank you

[@douggdaniec8529]

OutSTANDing! Never imagined that my favorite Vaughan Williams piece could have ever become more enjoyable. What a pleasure ♥

[@SoundEngraver]

If someone told me they heard an arrangement of Lark Ascending with violin and 8 voices, I'd have imagined it, but I'd have not believed it could be done so well. Truly angelic. Vaughn Williams would have loved to hear this. Job well done!

[@LukaFric]

My favorite acapella group and one of my favorite pieces of music together :)

[@jackryder-sw9rk]

Surely one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever to grace our ears

[@johannesockeghem6299]

what a incredibelly beautiful performance, arrangement and fantastic music with voces8 and a wonderful solo violin. I love Vaughan Williams esp this piece anyhow, but this is just beyond words, great! Thanks to all participants, magic and outstanding!!

[@russlevin9026]

This piece is performed so frequently, it’s almost a cliché. But this performance completely transcends all others and makes the Lark anew. Bravo!!!!