VOCES8: The Blue Bird by Charles Villiers Stanford

VOCES8 sings 'The Blue Bird' by Charles Villiers Stanford at the VOCES8 Centre in London.

TEXT by Mary E. Coleridge

The lake lay blue below the hill.
O'er it, as I looked, there flew
Across the waters, cold and still,
A bird whose wings were palest blue.

The sky above was blue at last,
The sky beneath me blue in blue.
A moment, ere the bird had passed,
It caught his image as he flew.

[FromGeminor]

I see Voces8 and I hit play...then I hit replay. Simply best of the best.

[janetbrown]

Wow!
Andrea and Molly in such unison.
Incredible as ever. Thank you Voces8

[genevievesulway]

Glorious ! I expect nothing less from Voces8. The sopranos blend is as one voice. Perfection ❤

[cyzmix]

I literally have never heard better voices than those held by Andrea and Molly. Their accuracy and tone is out of this world.

[karenhardie]

The beauty of this piece is overwhelming, so moving.

[yvonnemason]

Having sung the soprano part as a solo, I can say that it takes a huge amount of control to pull it off well. Andrea and Molly make it look like child's play. They are exquisite! Well done, once again to my favourite choir! :D

[CaresinVerse]

Andrea has the best soprano in this world. Gives me goosebumps. She and Molly are so awesome together. This whole group is like a big opening in heaven that engulfs the listeners with their harmony.

[jools]

Good to see Molly back and always worth hearing her and Andrea in perfect unison.

[saetmusic]

This is such a beautiful piece, but this performance was beyond exquisite! It was breathtaking!

[MrBoybergs]

Stunning. i've never heard more precise and perfect intonation with any voice or musical instrument than that achieved by the two female sopranos.

[Silkari]

Yes, yes, yes! Perfect piece for you all! Magic. Have been waiting for you to do this. Absolutely beautiful. Stunning calm, soprano unison, and I definitely have a weakness for Blake's voice carrying that tenor line with such tenderness and ease. Can't wait to hear you live one day!

[jpadiver]

Mon Dieu, Andrea showing the world what pure tonality really is. Outstanding recording team, thanks for brightening the day!

[Ozpeter]

I recall as a young tenor singing this with the Exultate Singers under the direction of the late Garrett O'Brien probably 50+ years ago, at the "Boston Stump" (church in Lincolnshire, England). The two solo sopranos - Pamela Morrice and Janet Lince it must have been - stood at the back end of the church with the remainder of the choir in front of the altar. That separation really seemed to suit the work. But I suspect it would not have been suitable for a video. I loved this song so much I incorporated elements into a song of my own as a fond tribute to one of the sopranos. Anyway, back to the present - and indeed this performance is a present for lovers of the work, thank you!

[Cioofek]

A piece with delicate and ethereal harmony, creating an almost impressionistic, spatial effect.
A characteristic element of the piece is the high soprano part, which floats above the rest of the voices, symbolizing the flight of a blue bird.

[Gnahtte]

This song was one of the last sounds my Aunt heard before she died on Saturday. At night, a bluebird came to her windowsill which was an unusual sight. It stayed there for some time chirping. This lead our caretaker to looking up bluebird sounds and discovering this piece of music. Upon hearing Voces8, she said "Beautiful..., " and fell asleep.

[tigger]

Sopranos blend so perfectly they sound like one voice.

[owlley]

Those sublime high notes....golly. also nice to hear the birds singing along with you! Sad to hear Molly is leaving. The blend was amazing, her voice was such a match for the group and I wish her well.

[SteveL]

Thank you Voces8 for giving us much needed respite during these tumultuous times. It is everything. ❤

[robertduerr]

This was absolutely STUNNING! We did this in college many years ago along with "Silence and Music" by RVW. They do go together as the dedication in the RVW piece is, "To the memory of Charles Villiers Stanford, and his Blue Bird." I would love if they would record that one too.

[staffanolofsson]

It is spring in Sweden. This song fits perfectly for our blue evenings when the sun has set. Wonderful VOCES8, as always!