The esteemed sacred music group VOCES8 is back with one of their finest showings yet. This time, they’re singing a rendition of “Agnus Dei” from the pen of 20th-century composer Samuel Barber. The eight singers of VOCES8 put on an incredible showing for a song that many listeners may recognize from movies and TV.
It is not very often that a composer will revisit one of their own previous works in order to turn it into a hymn, but that’s just what Samuel Barber did in 1967, setting the Latin lyrics of the “Agnus Dei” to his monumental hit “Adagio for Strings.” The composition has been used many times during some of the most emotional scenes in cinema. You may remember “Adagio for Strings” in such films as The Elephant Man, Platoon, and Lorenzo’s Oil.
The singers of VOCES8 stand perfectly still throughout the entire performance, bringing an almost surreal feeling to the utterly beautiful sounds that they create. It is incredible to hear how voices can fill the position of strings with such excellence. While the song went without the Latin lyrics for some 30 years, it sounds like the song was tailored to the Latin. The diction brings a subtle flair to the piece, while it’s hard to argue with those high notes in that tremendous soprano.
VOCES8 has been very busy of late, putting a great deal of effort into building up the VOCES8 US Scholars program, as well as their valuable work with their charity, The VOCES8 Foundation. In addition, the group is currently on a tour through Australia, before heading back to Europe for a few stops in Germany and the UK.
Learn more about VOCES8 at their official website and be sure to follow them on YouTube to keep up with their many fine releases.
