Hallelujah Chorus--Can You Handel It?

I have always, and I mean always loved the "Hallelujah Chorus."  What's not to love?  It's epic, it's majestic, and it's just plain fun, especially to sing.  I know that many people don't consider classical music fun, but they're wrong.  The Hallelujah Chorus is kinda like the Ode to Joy in that both are so exuberant, so...well...joyous that it is nearly impossible to hear them or sing them without feeling your soul swell to the heavens, regardless of your individual religious beliefs or lack thereof.  Besides, one of the best parts of the Hallelujah Chorus is watching at the beginning to see how many people know that they're supposed to stand for the chorus.  Sometimes there will be one or two people who immediately pop up like a jack-in-the box, followed grudgingly by the others in the audience who know they should as well, followed lastly by random audience members looking around in utter confusion while they try to ascertain what the heck is going on.  Other times it's like a race to avoid going first.  People look around, waiting to see who is going to start the movement, because they don't really want to be that person.  It's too much like arriving at a party before anyone else.  You're left alone and exposed, responsible for the bulk of conversation or, in this case, choral enjoyment.  No one wants to be first.  So in the end, 4-5 people will halfway stand up, still largely hunched over the seats in front of them, with their asses either suspended in space or bobbing up and down while they try to decide "Should I sit?  Should I stand??" until all 4-5 people more or less straighten up at the same time, the weight of their uniform decision dragging everyone else up as well. 

Personally, I think it's a little like watching an awkward ballet of bobbing booties and it makes me giggle every time.  When I'm not singing it, I tend to be one of the jack-in-the box audience members, jumping up loud and proud at the first swell of music.  What can I say?  It's a tradition ("Traditioooooon--TraDITION!") that's been going on for over 250 years.   Legend has it that King George II was so moved by the music of the Hallelujah Chorus that he stood up and since no one is allowed to sit in the presence of a monarch, it became customary to stand whenever the Chorus is played.   How many other pieces of classical music can claim to have that kind of power over an audience?

Another fun thing to do during the performances (aside from watching the sopranos turn red and purple while trying to sustain some of those long, high notes) is to wait till the very last "hallelujah" to see if the group currently singing will remember to cut off right before the final 4 notes.  We're talking train tracks here, people.  Giant, screeching halt.  "Hallelujah"..."Hallelujah"..."Hallelujah" (ginormously long pause) "Haaaaaaaaaalaaaaaayluuuuuujaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!"
 
In a well-trained or experienced group of singers, this "grand pause" is a glorious, epic moment--the climax of the piece, really.  In a less experienced choir, one with faces buried in music and not watching the director (not that I've ever been in a choir like that, or anything...) you just KNOW someone is going to blow it either by cutting off too late before the grand pause or, more likely, coming in too early after it, creating a nice little solo that causes the conductor's ears to start spewing steam while a red flush creeps slowly up from his tuxedoed neck.  It isn't pretty.  Premature continuation never is.

Not surprisingly, being the quirky and sarcastic sort of person that I am, I can't truly love something without parodying it.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?  At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Therefore, for today's video, I'd like to offer something a little different than the same old, same old concert video of the Hallelujah Chorus.  Years ago in a Sunday School class, we had a lady come in and give a lecture on the background of the Hallelujah Chorus.  At the end of the talk, she showed us a video very much like the one I'm about to show you.  That video captured my imagination and has stayed with me ever since.  I hope you enjoy it too. 

Unfortunately, for some reason the first 6 or so bars are cut off in this version, though you can see what's going on a little better than in other videos.  For a complete version (with an extremely long and cheesy introduction), try St. Francis de la Sissies. 

Around the time that I was planning out my month of Christmas music videos for this blog, I had a couple of friend post humorous videos related to the Hallelujah Chorus.  Given the content of this particular post, it seemed appropriate to share them here as well.  I'm pretty sure God and Handel would think they're funny, too.

There was another awesome video of some guy dressed as Jesus and swinging on wires over the choir of a small church while they sang the Hallelujah Chorus.  Sadly, the costumer for the Easter program provided an epic wardrobe malfunction because instead of just leaving an opening in Jesus' robe for the wires, the costumer pretty much left the whole back end off (kinda like those "L" sheets popular in soap operas--the ones where the girl's boobs are securely covered, but the guy is covered only just past the groin, and there's no bunched-up fabric to suggest a reason for the disparity), presumably figuring that Jesus would only ever face front.  Unfortunately, however, as Jesus swung back and forth he started to spin, turning so you could see his track-shorted booty swathed in the wire harness, his bare legs dangling below.  Poor Jesus tried desperately to reach behind him to tug his highly unfortunate hospital gown robe shut--a lost cause if ever there was one, considering that the back of his robe had a giant box cut out of it from side seam to waist down the other side seam--an exercise which only caused him to spin more.  Poor guy.  No one wants to have his ass hanging out on Easter, much less Jesus.  Sadly, I can't show you this fantastic fail because someone with taste and decorum  had the nerve to remove it from YouTube.  Party poopers.

Hallelujah Chorus--Can You Handel It?

I have always, and I mean always loved the "Hallelujah Chorus."  What's not to love?  It's epic, it's majestic, and it's just plain fun, especially to sing.  I know that many people don't consider classical music fun, but they're wrong.  The Hallelujah Chorus is kinda like the Ode to Joy in that both are so exuberant, so...well...joyous that it is nearly impossible to hear them or sing them without feeling your soul swell to the heavens, regardless of your individual religious beliefs or lack thereof.  Besides, one of the best parts of the Hallelujah Chorus is watching at the beginning to see how many people know that they're supposed to stand for the chorus.  Sometimes there will be one or two people who immediately pop up like a jack-in-the box, followed grudgingly by the others in the audience who know they should as well, followed lastly by random audience members looking around in utter confusion while they try to ascertain what the heck is going on.  Other times it's like a race to avoid going first.  People look around, waiting to see who is going to start the movement, because they don't really want to be that person.  It's too much like arriving at a party before anyone else.  You're left alone and exposed, responsible for the bulk of conversation or, in this case, choral enjoyment.  No one wants to be first.  So in the end, 4-5 people will halfway stand up, still largely hunched over the seats in front of them, with their asses either suspended in space or bobbing up and down while they try to decide "Should I sit?  Should I stand??" until all 4-5 people more or less straighten up at the same time, the weight of their uniform decision dragging everyone else up as well. 

Personally, I think it's a little like watching an awkward ballet of bobbing booties and it makes me giggle every time.  When I'm not singing it, I tend to be one of the jack-in-the box audience members, jumping up loud and proud at the first swell of music.  What can I say?  It's a tradition ("Traditioooooon--TraDITION!") that's been going on for over 250 years.   Legend has it that King George II was so moved by the music of the Hallelujah Chorus that he stood up and since no one is allowed to sit in the presence of a monarch, it became customary to stand whenever the Chorus is played.   How many other pieces of classical music can claim to have that kind of power over an audience?

Another fun thing to do during the performances (aside from watching the sopranos turn red and purple while trying to sustain some of those long, high notes) is to wait till the very last "hallelujah" to see if the group currently singing will remember to cut off right before the final 4 notes.  We're talking train tracks here, people.  Giant, screeching halt.  "Hallelujah"..."Hallelujah"..."Hallelujah" (ginormously long pause) "Haaaaaaaaaalaaaaaayluuuuuujaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!"
 
In a well-trained or experienced group of singers, this "grand pause" is a glorious, epic moment--the climax of the piece, really.  In a less experienced choir, one with faces buried in music and not watching the director (not that I've ever been in a choir like that, or anything...) you just KNOW someone is going to blow it either by cutting off too late before the grand pause or, more likely, coming in too early after it, creating a nice little solo that causes the conductor's ears to start spewing steam while a red flush creeps slowly up from his tuxedoed neck.  It isn't pretty.  Premature continuation never is.

Not surprisingly, being the quirky and sarcastic sort of person that I am, I can't truly love something without parodying it.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?  At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Therefore, for today's video, I'd like to offer something a little different than the same old, same old concert video of the Hallelujah Chorus.  Years ago in a Sunday School class, we had a lady come in and give a lecture on the background of the Hallelujah Chorus.  At the end of the talk, she showed us a video very much like the one I'm about to show you.  That video captured my imagination and has stayed with me ever since.  I hope you enjoy it too. 

Unfortunately, for some reason the first 6 or so bars are cut off in this version, though you can see what's going on a little better than in other videos.  For a complete version (with an extremely long and cheesy introduction), try St. Francis de la Sissies. 

Around the time that I was planning out my month of Christmas music videos for this blog, I had a couple of friend post humorous videos related to the Hallelujah Chorus.  Given the content of this particular post, it seemed appropriate to share them here as well.  I'm pretty sure God and Handel would think they're funny, too.

There was another awesome video of some guy dressed as Jesus and swinging on wires over the choir of a small church while they sang the Hallelujah Chorus.  Sadly, the costumer for the Easter program provided an epic wardrobe malfunction because instead of just leaving an opening in Jesus' robe for the wires, the costumer pretty much left the whole back end off (kinda like those "L" sheets popular in soap operas--the ones where the girl's boobs are securely covered, but the guy is covered only just past the groin, and there's no bunched-up fabric to suggest a reason for the disparity), presumably figuring that Jesus would only ever face front.  Unfortunately, however, as Jesus swung back and forth he started to spin, turning so you could see his track-shorted booty swathed in the wire harness, his bare legs dangling below.  Poor Jesus tried desperately to reach behind him to tug his highly unfortunate hospital gown robe shut--a lost cause if ever there was one, considering that the back of his robe had a giant box cut out of it from side seam to waist down the other side seam--an exercise which only caused him to spin more.  Poor guy.  No one wants to have his ass hanging out on Easter, much less Jesus.  Sadly, I can't show you this fantastic fail because someone with taste and decorum  had the nerve to remove it from YouTube.  Party poopers.

Mannheim Steamroller's "Deck the Halls"

Tonight's video selection is Mannheim Steamroller's "Deck the Halls."  Long before the Trans-Siberian Orchestra was capturing the imagination of audiences everywhere, Chip Davis was creating "18th Century Classical Rock" under the name of Mannheim Steamroller, using the funds he made from his single "Convoy" (released under the name C.W. McCall) and the subsequent movie inspired by that very popular single.  After being rejected by several record companies, Davis eventually formed his own label, American Gramaphone.   After continuing to be unsuccessful in record stores, Davis eventually found success as the "recording artist of choice" for stereo salesmen.  Davis' Fresh Aire series became very profitable and helped to establish the New Age music genre.

In 1984 Davis decided to try doing a Christmas album, which was a risky move at a time when Christmas music was not selling well.  His electronic version of "Deck the Halls" hit the Top 40, selling over 5 million copies in short order.  Not long afterwards Davis got together several friends to form Mannheim Steamroller into a band and began touring.  Twenty-seven years later, "Deck the Halls" is still a popular staple on the radio every Christmas.  To this day, I am hard-pressed to say whether I like Mannheim Steamroller or TSO better, but I've certainly been a fan of Mannheim longer.  Plus, it's hard to resist that cute little steamroller on all of their albums.

Source:  http://shop.mannheimsteamroller.com/content/About_Chip.htm

Mannheim Steamroller's "Deck the Halls"

Tonight's video selection is Mannheim Steamroller's "Deck the Halls."  Long before the Trans-Siberian Orchestra was capturing the imagination of audiences everywhere, Chip Davis was creating "18th Century Classical Rock" under the name of Mannheim Steamroller, using the funds he made from his single "Convoy" (released under the name C.W. McCall) and the subsequent movie inspired by that very popular single.  After being rejected by several record companies, Davis eventually formed his own label, American Gramaphone.   After continuing to be unsuccessful in record stores, Davis eventually found success as the "recording artist of choice" for stereo salesmen.  Davis' Fresh Aire series became very profitable and helped to establish the New Age music genre.

In 1984 Davis decided to try doing a Christmas album, which was a risky move at a time when Christmas music was not selling well.  His electronic version of "Deck the Halls" hit the Top 40, selling over 5 million copies in short order.  Not long afterwards Davis got together several friends to form Mannheim Steamroller into a band and began touring.  Twenty-seven years later, "Deck the Halls" is still a popular staple on the radio every Christmas.  To this day, I am hard-pressed to say whether I like Mannheim Steamroller or TSO better, but I've certainly been a fan of Mannheim longer.  Plus, it's hard to resist that cute little steamroller on all of their albums.

Source:  http://shop.mannheimsteamroller.com/content/About_Chip.htm

The Star of Bethlehem/Der Stern von Bethlehem

Tonight is my choral society's big winter concert; in fact I will need to go get ready shortly because we get to rehearse at 5:30, then cram down a box lunch of sandwiches and chips before the concert at 8 pm.  We're going to be singing the "Star of Bethlehem" by Josef Rheinberger in the original German.  Normally that wouldn't present a huge challenge because I like languages and am pretty good at hearing the different nuances in pronunciation (and I foolishly expect other musicians to be able to do the same since good singing requires a significant portion of good hearing as well).  This piece has been a bit more challenging than I expected, though, because there are several jumps in octaves and tempo throughout the soprano line, and often there don't seem to be enough notes to go with German syllables, which has been stressing everyone out, not just sopranos.  I sometimes think I could either do the music, or do the German--both at the same time has proven to be considerably harder in this particular arrangement of music.

Still, as it has gotten more familiar most of us have gotten better at it; in fact, our last rehearsal Saturday went surprisingly well.  In addition, I've now gotten to that point in the preparations for any show where the repertoire plays on a never-ending tape loop throughout my brain cells, whether I want it to or not, and no doubt will continue to do so for at least another week or two, long after the concert is finished.

In honor of tonight's concert, I thought I'd offer up one of the movements for your enjoyment.  Our director told us that Josef Rheinberger primarily composed for organ and that he was a professor of organ and composition at a conservatory in Munich.  He did write a few choral pieces, however, one of which we'll perform tonight--in German it's called "Der Stern von Bethlehem."  The following video is of the opening movement from the piece.  Please note that term "Erwartung" which flashes across the screen before the music actually starts is German for "expectation."

The Star of Bethlehem/Der Stern von Bethlehem

Tonight is my choral society's big winter concert; in fact I will need to go get ready shortly because we get to rehearse at 5:30, then cram down a box lunch of sandwiches and chips before the concert at 8 pm.  We're going to be singing the "Star of Bethlehem" by Josef Rheinberger in the original German.  Normally that wouldn't present a huge challenge because I like languages and am pretty good at hearing the different nuances in pronunciation (and I foolishly expect other musicians to be able to do the same since good singing requires a significant portion of good hearing as well).  This piece has been a bit more challenging than I expected, though, because there are several jumps in octaves and tempo throughout the soprano line, and often there don't seem to be enough notes to go with German syllables, which has been stressing everyone out, not just sopranos.  I sometimes think I could either do the music, or do the German--both at the same time has proven to be considerably harder in this particular arrangement of music.

Still, as it has gotten more familiar most of us have gotten better at it; in fact, our last rehearsal Saturday went surprisingly well.  In addition, I've now gotten to that point in the preparations for any show where the repertoire plays on a never-ending tape loop throughout my brain cells, whether I want it to or not, and no doubt will continue to do so for at least another week or two, long after the concert is finished.

In honor of tonight's concert, I thought I'd offer up one of the movements for your enjoyment.  Our director told us that Josef Rheinberger primarily composed for organ and that he was a professor of organ and composition at a conservatory in Munich.  He did write a few choral pieces, however, one of which we'll perform tonight--in German it's called "Der Stern von Bethlehem."  The following video is of the opening movement from the piece.  Please note that term "Erwartung" which flashes across the screen before the music actually starts is German for "expectation."

Straight No Chaser's Christmas Can-Can

If I'm honest about it, I have a terrible crush on the a capella group Straight No Chaser.  I first became acquainted with them 2-3 years ago when, like literally millions of others, I was first introduced to their original version of the 12 Days of Christmas on YouTube.  It was amazing, and I've adored them ever since. 

Straight No Chaser began as one of the a capella groups at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.  During a show in 1998, they performed their incredibly clever arrangement of the 12 Days of Christmas and went on their merry ways.  Ten years later, they decided to get back together for a reunion.  On a lark, one of the guys posted some video footage of that concert on YouTube, including 12 Days, to get everyone in the mood for the reunion.  Views of the video climbed to 100,000, much to the guys' surprise.  Less than a week after their video reached the 100,000-view mark, it had climbed to 200,000.  Shortly thereafter it went viral all over the internet, and currently has over 13.5 million hits.  As a result of the sudden publicity, the video was seen by an Atlantic Record Company rep, who immediately signed the group.  Straight No Chaser has been touring and making albums ever since.  I have purchased each and every album and I even had the pleasure of seeing them in concert last December.  They were SPECTACULAR.  I highly recommend seeing them.  Their harmonies are intricate and exacting and their showmanship is unparalleled.  Best of all, they know which side of their bread is buttered--at every concert they insist their venues suspend taping regulations and allow the audience to take as many videos or pictures as they want as a nod of respect to us all for sharing their video and putting them where they are today.  And that's pretty damn cool.

I considered swapping out today's video for the 12 Days video since that's the one that started it all and since I had to explain about it before showing the 3-4 SNC videos I've got planned for this month, but I just couldn't let go of the idea of sharing 12 Days during the actual 12 days of Christmas.  I'm just compulsive that way. So enjoy this entertaining performance while you wait for their signature song.  Meanwhile, I'll be waiting impatiently for the 18th, which is when I get to go see them again in Atlanta.  Score!