Jacob Collier - World O World (Official Score Video)

LISTEN TO DJESSE VOL. 4:

COME TO A JACOB SHOW:

Back in 2013, I had the privilege of witnessing the magic of The Aeolians of Oakwood University performing live in London. It was a performance that changed the course of my life forever. After the concert, I met Jason Max Ferdinand, their conductor, and vowed to one day write a piece for them to sing. Jason held me to that promise… And, fast-forward 5 years, I was beginning work on my Djesse album series, and felt this was the moment for such a piece to spring to life. I booked a recording session with Jason and the choir at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville, and composed ‘World O World’ the day before I flew from London to the studio to meet them. The 12 hour session that commenced will forever be one of my life’s defining musical moments. We recorded this piece, among some other things - and I left a different person from when I walked in. That day was also the first time I’d ever conducted a group of singers, which is something I’ve gone on to do a great deal of since :-)

WORLD O WORLD
Composed by Jacob Collier
Written for (and sung by) the Aeolians of Oakwood University
Conducted by Jason Max Ferdinand
Recorded at Ocean Way, Nashville, United States
Recording Engineer: Ben Bloomberg
Assistant Recording Engineer: Austin Atwood
Mixed by Jacob Collier and Ben Bloomberg
Produced by Jacob Collier
Mastering Engineer: Emily Lazar
Video shot by Ed Rode
Video editing and additional score editing by June Lee

Follow Jacob:

[klossz_]

You know the choir is high level when the conductor reacts with a simple 'alright' at the end.

[SuperJerbot]

When the Sopranos and Altos kicked it into high gear my soul left my body.

Thank you all.

[pedrohkhalil]

Is no one going to congratulate the bass singers? Like, man, these are some very low notes and they do it so perfectly! Jacob Collier is indeed on another level of arranging.

[Murk__]

I truly am lucky to be alive at the same time as this guy

[fledglingrockets]

I can't image how much emotion, how much power is lost in the recording.
What I wouldn't give to stand in that building when they sang!

[dominikn]

Jacob singing and moving in the background, realising ideas only he could bring into this world. These are the standards of the future - timeless masterpieces. He’s a global treasure and we are more than lucky to witness his genius mind.

[pputnam]

Finally, a choir capable of bringing Jacob's music to full life..!! I knew it would be amazing watching him get better as he got older but this is just ridiculous (sublime)

[Lauren-fjvy]

I'm currently singing this (I'm sop. 2) in an incredible 74 person choir filled with music educators and other professional musicians. Actually, just got home from rehearsal a few minutes ago (it's about 10:30 pm). As we rehearsed this today, standing in a massive circle around the church we use as a rehearsal space, our director sitting in a pew in the center, I watched people literally shiver from how beautiful this is. Our directors jaw dropped and she looked like she might cry. One of the most incredible pieces I've had the honour of singing. You sir, are a mastermind. Thank you for your gift and your music, it's an honour to live at the same time as you.

[mysterkleppka]

Jacob discovers choirs: "Wait, so you're saying I _don't_ have to sing each voice by myself...?"

[iloveaccepella]

I am a proud Oakwood University Aeolian (eh o lee an) alumni. This choir is always been world-class and is an excellent instrument for Jacob Collier’s musical genius. This is the best choir and out stand representative for God and the SDA music legacy cultivatedat Oakwood University ( HBCU, 1896).

[davidschofieldinsf]

Jacob Collier AND the Aeolians together (head explodes) I'm thinking there are not many choirs on the planet that can sing that score. Even tho it's challenging to sing, it was so emotional.

[chrisblock]

Lost my son 4 weeks ago due to addiction, what a beautiful song with amazing harmonies, thank you for producing this it helps me heal.

[juliensauter]

Shortly after your album came out, I stopped listening to this song after the 8th time or so, because it just felt too beautiful to be in a playlist. Since then I've reserved this song for special occasions, so that I can listen to it fresh every single time. There have been a lot of your songs Jacob that really touched me, even make me cry most times I listen to them. But, to me, this song is the most beautiful piece of music I have ever listened to. Particularly, when they start singing "and when I call your name" I cannot describe how I feel, every single time. The Aeolians are absolutely incredible, but this arrangement isn't something I can put into words.

I hope you never stop making what you love, the world is brighter for it!

[jonathanolson]

There are many days when music moves me to tears. Today is one of those days.

[modalmixture]

I recently had the opportunity to listen to World O World as I sat all alone on a scrubby hilltop, watching the sun set over the Escalante desert, timing it so that last chord would hit as the sun disappeared behind a red mesa. At that moment, a core memory was formed. "I will never be able to make a piece of art as moving and profound as this, " I thought. Then I learned that Jacob composed the whole thing on the plane the day before the recording.

[billyfairbank]

Well, now I know what I want sung at my funeral. Gorgeous 💗

[ArthurBurston-lmoj]

This puts my headphones to shame.

I want to hear this live one day.

[peternicholas]

The problem with this song is that you can't listen to anything else afterward. I have to wait a day before I can even consider listening to anything else.

[CameronBenoy]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate that this song was written the day before the session!?! I know about creativity flowing from the pressure of a deadline, but this is something else!

[chungman]

Every. Single. Time. I listen to this song, I cry.