Let my Love be Heard - Stellenbosch University Choir

Jake Runestad

Credit: Recorded by Rondo Media (S4C) at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2018

[asangaisaiah]

Each song sang by this choir gives me goose bumps. Who feels same??

[Frfrei]

The singer crying at 3.30 of the video is a summary of all the emotion and talent involved in this spectacular choir performance. Something magical and unforgettable!

[ThatoMalema]

I’ll never forget the feeling I had getting off that stage after this song. SUC Family!🖤🖤🖤

[robertdierdorf]

I am so moved by the obvious fact that many of these singers are singing through personal grief. This is an amazing song, and I’ve heard many recordings of it, some of them superior to this one in the sense of flawless technique. But none of the other versions have spoken to my heart like this one. The singing is wonderful, but the personal expression is beyond belief. I wish everyone who sings at all would learn from Stellenbosch that music without heart is just pleasant noise.

[TheFdesatge]

Listening to this after 14 days in COVID quarentine in Dublin, and crying my eyes out

[eastwestcoastkid]

The young man in the back raising his hand ..this ..this ❤️😭😢

[DAcaveman]

There's a moment in every Stellenbosch University Choir song, that magic happens, you hear God, and you cry or at least gulp. ❤

[chrishodgson]

Stunning work. The lady crying sums up the emotion this choir can produce in creating a brilliant piece.

[abbyg]

nothing in my entire life will be better than the fact that I was sitting in the audience for this performance. insane.

[sibusisomathebula]

There's no nation beautiful as SA, look how beautiful it is when all the races do one thing in common and in harmony... please let's not allow politics disturb our love as South Africans... I love you and you and each of you...

[Tommeadowcroft]

The song starts off gently: a prayer, a tentative hope that, , in the midst of grief, love will be heard. The low bases are singing the 7th of a major seventh on each of the "heard"s, very unusual. It lends an uncertainty, an unsettled tone. The tenors and the sopranos sing their melodic verses, an entreaty to angels, but the uncertainty lingers as to whether love will be heard amidst the grief. Then at the heart of the piece, the men start towards the bottom of the range, softly chanting their request as the the women evoke the prayer going to heaven. The chant grows in pitch, tempo, and volume, and the request becomes a demand. Their love WILL BE HEARD! Then we have a denouement returning to the original theme, leaving us with some of the original doubt.


This is an emotionally powerful song for the chorus singing it, and hopefully for the audience in front of it. Having sung the climax at full (controlled) volume and expressiveness, it is difficult to collect oneself physically and emotionally in a couple of seconds to sing the denouement softly, at a much lower pitch. I feel for the young woman seen crying; you can't really sing well and cry at the same time (cf. Hathaway in Les Mis), so you have to try to keep it together, but everyone who has put their full emotion into the climax wants to cry at that point; I know I did.

[obengmbele]

3:33 That girl is in tears, this song touched me. Obinim from Ghana 🇬🇭

[keiththomas]

Had the privilege of being present at this performance and was of the opinion then that this must be one of the best choirs around. Musicianship, sincerity all evident.

[vboydyful]

this is one of the most beautiful pieces ive ever heard in my life. Truly singing to the angels.

[nicolablackmore]

One of the most beautiful if not the most beautiful choirs I have ever heard. Their sound touches deep inside and leaves a sense of peace. Thank you so much🙏❤️

[Njord]

3:30 <3 ...and here i am, with tears on my cheeks, just like her. This is breathtaking beautiful and poweful!

[devilusadvocatias]

If the rainbow nation in South Africa doesn’t exist, this is a beautiful beginning to a longing in these young voices. I hope South Africa hears their love. ❤️💚🖤💛

[Llewellyn]

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. ― Plato

[tlhalefodlamini]

Each time I am here listening to this amazing choir, I cry. God bless South Africa🙌

[carlpreller]

Put your headphones on & put it as loud as possible. GOOSEBUMPS for days! 💚