Westminster Chorus - Bogoroditse Devo

Westminster Chorus
2007, 2010, 2015, 2019 International Chorus Champions
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Westminster, singing "Bogoroditse Devo", (composed by
Sergei Rachmaninof, arranged by Thomas Beveridg, and edited by Justin Miller). Performed in the "Petrikirche", a Protestant church (start of construction 1322) in Dortmund, Germany. The church is famous for the huge carved altar (known as "Golden Miracle of Dortmund"), from 1521. It consists of 633 gilt carved oak figures depicting 30 scenes about Easter.
The translation of Bogoroditse Devo is:
Virgin mother of God, hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee:
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
For thou hast brought forth the Savior who redeemed our souls
JOIN WESTMINSTER!!!
If you live in Southern California, are in college, a college graduate, or even high school, and are interested in singing Barbershop, Choral, and A Cappella music at the highest level possible, we'd love to meet you! Contact us at: [e-mail]

[@valleayire1972]

As a Russian Orthodox barbershopper, I can NOT stress ENOUGH how beautiful, reverent and PERFECT this is! Thank you from Northern Indiana. I have sung this in Church many times.

[@phoebewarren]

I love how all of the guys are moving their bodies around while singing, as if they can't control it.

[@justie1220]

That's part of barbershop harmony :)

[@Aeoline]

I think that's an instinctive emotional response to the music. It's nice to see men responding with such passion.

[@tedsharpe3010]

Justie1220 this surpasses barber shop singing. Orthodoxy is 2,000 years old.

[@phillammi8750]

What enchanting music! This is the best recording (minus the occasional feedback) I've heard to date. I can't get enough of it. Well done, Westminster Chorus!

[@valleayire1972]

I don't know how many times I have sung this same chant in Church. YOu have truly touched my soul.

[@3yboy]

We did the whole work during my time with Huddersfield Choral Society on a number of occasions and usually by candlelight. You guys equally do it a great justice. Beautiful.!!!

[@hippichic99]

I cannot comprehend how much I want to sing in one of these cathedrals that take 10.7 seconds to reverb to the back of the room and the ceiling. And these guys are so giddy about it too :D :D :D

[@michaelkelly02]

This is all I listen to at work. Please, please do some more.

[@malzican]

I sang this with our District 4 festival in Maine and it was amazing! You guys do such a great job

[@valleayire1972]

Or maybe one of the highest awarded choruses in the world FELT the music in that environment...

[@OCTenor2]

Thank you. And YES!! You don't get "decorated" by mailing it in. Every performance is from the heart and they are all unique in their own way. When guys stand in a circle and sing (like this was), they feed off each other. It's not what you would see on stage, but it was, at the very least GENUINE, and from the heart.

[@mariagreven4972]

A perfect performance.. I can't stop listening. You are such a wonderfull choir!

[@SvetaMaystroff]

Великолепно! Magnificently!

[@trp8155]

One of my favorite Russian pieces sung impeccably....

[@Liko81DJ]

It's actually not in the Russian language per se; the All-Night Vigil is in Church Slavonic. It's similar - you would be understood by a Russian-speaker, or natives of most Slavic language families - but there are key differences in vocabulary and pronunciation, much like the differences between Church Latin and "secular" Latin, and for much the same reasons.

[@trp8155]

I meant Russian as in the fact that the composer's nationality is Russian. Of course, there's that, too, ya know.

[@Liko81DJ]

True, although he expatriated just two years after writing the All Night Vigil, after the 1917 revolution. He spent most of the rest of his life in the United States and in Switzerland.

[@4piglite]

Incredibly gorgeous~~ well done, gentlemen!!

[@EvieBeers]

I hope these videos will be put on a dvd some time in the near future! I certainly would buy one! Unbelieveable singing and accoustics in this church.

[@sparkyjean82]

I don't know how those people can just walk by! I can't move when I listen to you guys!

[@gailwilliams2678]

Just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[@lilwolf342]

I love this song and the way y'all sing this my God I just want to sing along

[@tristanscott5990]

Love this video

[@КириллАнаньев-о9р]

Спасибо, братцы :-)

[@luismunozcobo313]

I have also sung this wonder prayer and the emotion I felt is undescribable!

[@ds4807]

and again, pure magic .. thank you

[@ЕленаИванова-т3ю]

💠Praise ❇️the Devo, Holy Virgin❇️and you Will be raised!!!! Thank you for divine singing🔸🔹

[@jamesforeman3096]

So beautiful it's painful. This is amazing. Thank you guys for doing this :)

[@joec.9591]

Well done, gentlemen! Very well done.

[@saildapper2001]

Luis, you are totally off topic, but since you brought it up, the answer is to protect the rest of the peaceful world so we can enjoy music like this.

[@bodhiGitta]

My opinion - I think the reverb is gorgeous. This set of four is some of the most beautiful choral singing recorded.

[@dragosn69]

you know what? i'm in LOVE , marvellous song :)

[@phosalaesuriyasak4537]

Those high tenors are wonderful

[@belkismartin7019]

Que maravilla!!!! Precioso!!!!!🌟🎄🌟

[@mukuk11]

I just love the happy face, Justin always makes at the end of them fantastic church-videos! How can you guys NOT sing fantastic with such a beaming MD? ;)

[@lisam.washer6969]

simply fantastic!

[@opajohann]

Such a beautiful hymn to the Theotokos!! Sung in a protestant church that at one time denied her motherhood....

[@dancinmiriam8165]

I am a little confused as to the attribution being referred to here as a 'protestant' church? It was built in 1322? That would clearly be long before any hint of protestantism was in the air. Yes, it is a beautiful hymn-but I'm a huge Rachi fan (no, not the movie)!

[@opajohann]

True the building was built as a Catholic church, but since the 16th century it has been in the hands of protestants...

[@vk2nf]

marcus loidolt ...but nevertheless dedicated to the glory of God

[@smallpseudonym2844]

marcus loidolt Noone denied Mary's motherhood. It was partial attribution of deity they rejected.

[@oucutie1]

Small Pseudonym You are right.

[@ArthurAkhuba]

It's great !! Thank you very much !!!! Спасибо, молодцы!!!

[@vamogina]

Wars are meant to dominate and economic benefit. It is nonsense to say that war is to make peace. But you're right, I should not mix the wars with something as sublime as is the art of music and you do it so beautifully. Just tell them thank you for the music

[@Ceshini1]

This must be what heaven sounds like!

[@ВалентинаПалий-ч1щ]

Молодцы👏👏👏👏👏👏💜🙏

[@MariposaRedimida]

WOW amazing, excellent quality!!

[@ManishaChanXD]

please make more like these!

[@thomastobian7997]

Damn!!! GENIUSS... SO BEAUTIFUL..

[@csqghoul]

amazing gentleman!!!!

[@gustaverebillon4254]

Wonderfull❤

[@Liko81DJ]

A beautiful piece, well-performed in a beautiful location. Would it be possible to get sheet music of this arrangement? I'd like to see what the men at my church can do with it.

[@BDsnareJeffProws]

that fortissimo at 1:34 is incredible. The basses are incredible! :D

[@KendallHolsten]

my absolute favorite Rach piece ever!

[@Aeoline]

Those lovely very low bass sounds, like the chord at the end, are typical of Russian church music. A wonderful, very moving performance.

[@nicholasbrown6477]

At 1:38, the overtones perfectly imitate the high soprano note from the SATB arrangement, which is really cool

[@antongronberg7123]

Magical!

[@CDugan7]

I don't have a lot of vocal training, but I think it's because they both found the acoustic "sweet spot" at the same time. If you listen carefully, the first real echo you hear from the hall happens only seconds before they look up..

[@bardocznekocsiserzso3694]

wow gigalike wow I like it wow thank you :) ..... when I was only 16, I sang it with my friends :D :D

[@КириллАнаньев-о9р]

Bless you

[@jinnakor]

I would kill to be able to sing that song in a church like that. I miss my barbershop/choir days. I think i'll get the old quartet together.

[@Eugen_969b]

Здорово! Очень стройно.

[@Benajsa]

well done !!!

[@MrRakitaVoCal]

His name is Justin Miller :)

[@КириллАнаньев-о9р]

Спасибо

[@CDugan7]

Inquiring minds want to know, which one did they do next?

[@csqghoul]

Awesome

[@kavaldzhia]

МОЛОДЦЫ ... лепота ! Английская певческая школа удивитетельная, свояобразная. Чисто поёте ! Вертикальни строй очень хорощий, чувства ансамблья отличная... только "эстрадная" поведения хора не совсем совпадает женра ... поклон, - Православны регент !

[@WestminsterChorus]

At 0:12 without prompting, Satoshi and Justin look up to the same spot in the church, and then smile. Not sure why... Pretty cool though.

[@jeffreyjenkins2304]

This is the first time I heard it as male ensemble only. Intonation and diction were spot on but it was just odd for me not hearing soprano voices.

[@pratamahrs]

so beautiful :)

[@BlackJoo14]

I love 2:00 how the notes lock in. Got me every time when I sang it

[@csqghoul]

Who does the basses in this chorus

[@MrBiancoZz]

in what key are you singing? pretty sure is not standard F

[@staja2107]

This is the sole proof that choirs need only men singers. You guys rock.

[@nickhaser221]

Bravo

[@Gordogoku]

Wow again!! Only draw back I have... Tell the camera guy to put more oil on the EQ. Makes way to much noise when moving. Anyway mind blowing what yall do

[@michaelgeiger4043]

Beautiful. But WHAT are you guys doing with your hand gestures at 1:45? Come on. Really. What is that? Why is that is thing with this music?> Geez. I know this is an old video, but HI JOSH!!

[@Vocalinds]

1:35 Goosebumps.

[@WBFbySteefen]

Can y'all sing excellently the Hymn of the Cherubim by Tchaikovsky? Check it out on youtube. We look forward to your answer and possibly a video.

[@desotopiano]

Could be the overtones? I heard them there, so, that may be it... Just a guess.

[@jmiller823]

Because that is what is notated in the music. Well, not "fff" but definately fortissimo.

[@jackj3887]

Грандиозно!

[@любовь-в4ч]

красиво

[@michaeldoyle6702]

0:52-1:02 Into goose bump territory.

[@kavaldzhia]

Absolutely correct ! ... how exactly do they think this sounds in an ancient, enormous, Russian Orthodox Cathedral ???

[@lmarkham27]

@WestminsterChorus That means Satoshi wasn't watching the director. ;)

[@breizizel5939]

Pouce bleu pour le choeur, par contre le gars qui faisait la vidéo donnait le tournis. Un large plan fixe aurait été plus approprié (au lieu du sommet de la tête des chanteurs, à un moment)

[@mirrors2006a]

"We'll do one more"

[@Marie12fly]

❤️

[@saildapper2001]

This fabulous sound is marred by there being too much echo in this setting. I typically am in awe of everything Westminster does, but this recording - not the singing, just the recording itself and setting - is not up to their standards.

[@vamogina]

Since they can make so beautiful things and in turn do so frightful wars??!! Luis from Argentina

[@VAS_singing_life]

see the original performance of this musical work by the Russian choir here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3POk4RtgJlsbbc

[@michaelgeiger4043]

2:17 "... ye-si..." not "...ye-zi..."

[@mickdargan1677]

A choir of American guys sing a song in Russian and you’ve found one consonant they sang ‘almost’ right but not quite? Wow!

[@ЗепБранниган]

смелые ребята, аллах акбар с вами чуваки)))

[@mazov907]

Богородице, Дево, радуйся, Благодатная Мария, Господь с тобою. Благословенна ты в женах, И благословен плод чрева твоего, Яко Спаса родила еси душ наших. (for Rus)

[@toddburton6570]

Not big on diction. Washed out. Intonation is quite good. They don't seem to achieve a pianissimo until the very end. I recommend Robert Shaw's interpretation. It was also recorded in a large cathedral, but he compensated so that words could actually be understood and used the acoustic to his advantage. Overall pleasant, though...

[@DKTHOMP93]

overtone

[@BraveHendrikAS]

Very good performance but extremely bad movie.

[@yomega69]

E flat

[@toddhooper1382]

whats with the swaying and stuff like its a pop song

[@airohead66]

Todd Hooper Sometimes that kind of thing just happens when you're singing. Swaying movements can SIGNIFICANTLY help your musicality. :)

[@asddsagogoolpower]

Todd Hooper meh, just listen

[@jReactor]

It's all relative.

[@Anusia81]

you should work on pronunciation, it's horrible.

[@WBFbySteefen]

Too much acoustics.

[@WBFbySteefen]

Patrick Proctor #1 Every Russian Orthodox church has the same level of bouncy acoustics? #2 Did the composer request that it only be performed in a bouncy acoustics church? Even one of their Lux Arumque is performed in this bouncy acoustics church. It's too much acoustics there also. #3 It is not just the waves of acoustics but how they handle it. That is not done excellently. #4 If someone built a church like that today, I would fault the architect. #5 www.tavenerguide.com/russia/ I do not remember the CD now but I remember buying a CD and listening to it. There is no way Westminster can pull off Russian choral music at that level. As there are differences between German opera tenors and Italian bell canto opera tenors, Russian vocal production is probably as different. So, is it authentic, "period voices"? No. Okay. There are harpsichord pieces that have been played on piano.

[@WBFbySteefen]

Patrick Proctor Sustaining chords by acoustics muddies the hearing of great transitions which I've heard cleaner when I sang it and when I've heard others sing it.

[@WBFbySteefen]

Patrick Proctor Did you comment on the Robert Shaw Festival Singers KZbin video of the same? What do you think of that version?

[@WBFbySteefen]

Patrick Proctor What is the matter with you? Listen to the Robert Shaw Festival Singers version. Listen to, what, the College of Warsaw(?) version. I couldn't find the St. Petersburg University version.

[@WBFbySteefen]

Patrick Proctor Even so. I played classical piano for a while and I would not play this piece with my foot stuck on the sustain pedal. The Pacific Choir version was okay until the last section of the piece when the basses were RATTLING. Anyway, if you do not like the RSFS version, we have to agree to disagree.

[@frogsmith92]

Man, this sounds incredible, and I would love to share it except that the guys movements are SUPER embarrassing...

[@Soor101]

Joseph Bowman Its called emotion. Its a special thing to sing this in a chapel like this, Id do the same thing