Vocal Coach/Opera Singer REACTION & ANALYSIS Pentatonix 'Hallelujah' (2016 Christmas)

I LOVE a capella music. I've been singing, writing, and producing a capella songs my entire life - and I couldn't be more excited to do this first reaction to the Pentatonix! Warning: we'll be going IN DEPTH and doing a detailed analysis of the vocal writing, so be prepared for some critical listening.

Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to this for the first time.
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Performed by the Pentatonix (Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, and Kevin Olusola) - Composed by Leonard Cohen
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This video is from A Pentatonix Christmas Special in 2016 .

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WANT MY CHAIR? I don’t blame you…and here’s a link to make it even sweeter:
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--------------------------------------COURSES-------------------------------------------
🎵MUSIC APPRECIATION COURSE🎵

🎶DEMYSTIFYING SINGING🎶
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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#Pentatonix #Reaction #ElizabethZharoff

[alankadair]

Actually Kevin has demonstrated that sound that you heard where he goes directly from the backwards snare to the tom-tom without missing a beat. Also, the floor has little drum pads that he uses quite often.

[Demonpixyb]

"They don't need another girl, they have Mitch." Accurate but hilarious.

[damnedtolive]

Pentatonix, honestly, doesnt have a weak link. Every one of them are masters. I do have to say though, mitch is like a rare unicorn among unicorns, if that makes sense. His voice blows me away every time I hear him. It's high, whimsical, and delicate at times, or he can switch into his powerhouse mode and shatter the earth. Dude seriously is a rarity

[YSongCloud]

I feel like the best praise for their version of this song was that the great Leonard Cohen himself got a chance to hear it before he passed and commented that it was his favorite version of it that he had ever heard. High praise from the songwriter himself. RIP Mr. Cohen. I'm glad you got to hear this and see how these amazing and talented singers were able to do justice to your equally moving and amazing song.

[susanb]

No no no, the "backwards cymbal" is Kevin using his mouth to beat box. He does all kinds of special auditory effects.

[jerolddavis]

I need a moment to appreciate Kevin handling 3 different percussions simultaneously. 🤯

[chasingbirds]

Love your reactions. No extra backup sounds. That's all Kevin.

[littmusify]

I'm a 43-year-old grown man, and when I first heard this arrangement, I sobbed like a baby. It is beautiful. The lead vocals, harmonies, the dynamics, the reverb (thanks sound man). This is perfect. I loved your reaction!

[susanb]

A lot of people didn't believe that Scott was singing the bass line, but he can do it. You can tell it's him, not Avi dubbed in because it's not quite as full and rich as Avi's. But he does a pretty good job nevertheless.

[wiccanteddy]

You can't tell when it switches to Scott doing the bass at the beginning because it happens right as Avi begins singing the second verse. It's seamless.

[kryos]

There's a really beautiful vocal slight of hand when Scott hands off to Avi. I think, and I had to listen to it over and over, that Scott slides down into the bass part as he ends his last phrase, and the handoff with Avi is seamless. It's amazing.

[jman]

Avi's voice is amazing, but it's hard to say who is the most intriguing/talented singer. This is by far the best version of this song. This is one of the all time best live performances ever of any song by anyone.

[jenniferkamigaki-sander]

That WAS Kevin she Kirstin came in.. Watch his mouth. He also uses a stomp pad.

[andreschneider]

To this day, I firmly believe that this is their masterpiece. While all their other songs are beautiful and musically impressive, this song is perfect. So much complexity and beautiful nuance and it comes together perfectly. A true masterpiece

[starfreek]

The beat was all Kevin. You should watch some of his solo stuff and you will see how crazy he is.

[Tombrute]

Your face when Mitch came in says it all❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[Lookinforrealmusic]

Avi helps with percussion when Kevin needs it. You see this happen a lot. Avi can sing bass and do percussive sounds at the same time. It's unreal when you hear it in person.

[MichaelSimmons.]

Avi's bass throughout the song, is amazing.

[FlammySpritz]

I remember Ben Folds saying something about Kevin and his backwards symbol on one of the Sing Off performances, so I think it's something that he can do. Super talented that guy

[martycullison]

I think Kevin's foot stomp is what is giving you that back beat you are talking about. In the Official Video it is more obvious. I feel in each of their solos they each time bring you up into their pain, and the final part of each solo you can hear and feel the pain that the songs words bring. I can not keep myself from crying each time I hear it. If you have not heard the Official video, I would like to see you react to that also. The setting of the video is also great.