CWU Chamber Choir: Gjeilo - 'Across The Vast, Eternal Sky'

"Across the Vast, Eternal Sky" (Gjeilo) performed by The Central Washington University Chamber Choir (Gary Weidenaar, director), the Kairos String Quartet, and Ola Gjeilo (piano).

In May, 2013, composer Ola Gjeilo spent 3 days on the Central Washington University Campus, joining the choir in recording 4 of his pieces. This performance is from that session.

The other pieces were "Sanctus" for a cappella choir, and "Luminous Night of the Soul", accompanied by the composer at the piano and joined by the Kairos Quartet -- the resident faculty string quartet at CWU.

The final piece, "Ubi Caritas II: Through Infinite Ages", was recorded both in an unaccompanied rendition (how it is written and published) and in a version with Mr. Gjeilo improvising an accompaniment to the choir.

As of 2013, the CWU Chamber Choir also has recorded videos of the music of Byrd, Gretchaninoff, Monteverdi, Muehleisen, Singh, Victoria, and Rautavaara on YouTube.

A complete listing of the videos of the CWU Chamber Choir and other CWU Music Ensembles can be found at:

OR - -
To follow the choir on Facebook (page includes selected audio clips and URL's to all videos):

All CWU Chamber Choir videos found on YouTube are posted only after an agreement is reached or a contract is signed with the composer and/or copyright holder of the piece(s).

[BarbaraMoorePrager]

OMG! That is Ola Gjeilo at the piano! He is not just an inspired composer, he is a wonderful pianist. What a privilege to hear this music.

[thomaslangschied]

One of the most magical songs I have ever preformed. I was very lucky to prform this in the Michigan festival choir back in 2019 and it really is something to behold. This recording is amazing but if you ever get a chance to hear it live its something else.

[andreagenisetto]

Ahhh dear friends, this piece is so wonderful, so pictorial, so real, I can close my eyes and fly that flight, the sun shining on my face, eternity, plenitude, the grace of eternal life. Thank God for this work of art, bless the performers and the great composer Ola Gjeilo, for touching our hearts with such beauty... Blessings!!

[loveless]

Lyrics:

Sunlight shines on my face;
This is my grace, to be Restored, born again, In flame.
When I was young I flew in the velvet night;
Shining by day, a firebird bathed in light!
Grey now my feathers, which once were red and gold;
My destiny to soar up to the sun

Sunlight shines on my face;
This is my grace, to be
Restored, born again,
In flame.

Sunlight shines on my face;
This is my grace, to be
Restored, born again,
In flame.

Do not despair that I am gone away;
I will appear again When the sunset
paints Flames across the vast, eternal sky.

[Joshfe]

No idea how this ended up on my timeline, but I’m thankful. I got the chance to preform this piece at CWU with my high school choir back in 2017ish. Such a beautiful piece, and listening to it again made me remember just how much I love choral music, and music in general.

[hollianful]

I have the very good fortune to be working on this for performance with a large SATB choir and a brilliant string quintet on May 4 2018. We're also singing Luminous Night of the Soul. None of us can sing for weeping, it's so beautiful. What a gift to singers this music is.

[MarianDolan]

- gorgeous!! Not only Ola's music but also the collaborative artistry occurring here - among musicians and videographers - is itself so inspiring! Kudos and thanks to Ola, Gary, the CWU Chamber Choir, the Kairos String Quartet, and to the wonderful video artists! You inspire the collaborative spirit and beauty therein!

[swagcheeto]

It’s so beautiful. I sing this in my concert choir and it’s so amazing honestly

[lindawilson]

I love the music by this composer. There are several contemporary classical composers I have heard in my elder years that I would like to somehow collect.

[romanr]

I heard a performance of this in Nottingham last weekend . Absolutely beautiful.

[sandragibson]

Breathtakingly beautiful - a glimpse of heaven on earth

[gigimaxi]

I love it. It is one of the most beautiful song i ever heard <3

[ritakarpo]

Soft gentle music to help relaxation and pacify thinking.

[brunodelconte]

This is quite a stunning work, gorgeously performed. I love it.

[westsidewarrior]

whatever this Professor is paid, it isn't enough.

[josephl]

BRAV0! 👏 Awesome job. Great sounding ensemble. From the choir to the pianist to the strings. Inspirational to me. Excited to be singing this piece with my local community choral society. My favorite piece this season. Beautiful piece of music. Thank you Mr Gjeilo.

[lefttac]

For some reason, this song makes me so nostalgic

[delanglaispourtous]

What a wonderful piece of music ! I am "hooked" on this composer ! A work of art !

[davidnascar]

We're singing this for our high school's graduation, what a great song!

[susanflakes]

The LORD holds the kings heart in HIS HANDS...Thank YOU! LORD! GRACE and PEACE MULTIPLIED! IN JESUS PRECIOUS name!