New CD "Christmas with LIBERA" in 2019

[Padmachou]

I did not mentionned but I was pretty sure that Ding Dong Merrily on High would make it to the setlist, unlike most. But I have been a huge supporter from even before Sam Coates wrote the arrangement I suggested on the french website that he should try it and clearly he took my advice And I was sure it would be a success for the boys and a stage performance.
I am surprised on the contrary that Noël Nouvelet isn't performed during that tour.

I also admire how the boys are able to pack all of that into a tight time plan: rehearse for the concerts, rehearse for the album, the concerts/tours, the recordings, plus their church duties including further rehearsing and all of that on a super-high level. Wow!

And not to mention that some (all ?) of them sing in other choirs, practice instruments, play football and all... I would like a peak at one of them schedules !

Benedictus Deus has various disadvantages compared to Ding Dong, although it is technically not such a challenge for them : I am not sure they own the rights to perform it on stage, and it is not as much an easily-accessible christmas song. Plus, it would strongly rely on a soloist.

[TullyBascombe]

So the physical CD is available also? I thought that only the digital downloads were available?

Only the Japanese version has been released as a physical CD or download. Regardless of format, you can only get the music from Japan at this time. The international version (CD or download) is unavailable until November 15.

How is the Japanese version different other than titles being in Japanese?

[fan_de_LoK]

How is the Japanese version different other than titles being in Japanese?

Same tracks. Order differs.
Read my 1st message on the 1st page of this subject, it summerizes all.

[Liberation]

I got my "Christmas with Libera" CD today !! Also with the Christmas card (but a different photo) Ludwig1874 is talking about.
I got mine on cdjapan.co.jp
I'm delighted ! Nice present, thanks to Libera.

[Liberation]

I just received my CD this afternoon, which is sooner than I expected! I have one question regarding the instruments. I thought there was a harp playing in "Walking in the Air" and possibly a couple other songs, but in the credits the only hand-plucked instrument mentioned is a guitar. There is no mention of a harpist.

I thought I heard a classical guitar on "Wexford Carol" but I was not sure and didn't mention it. It was definitely used in the Ireland live recording as you can see it at 1:08. A versatile instrument that should be used more.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's a classical guitar in "Wexford Carol". I'm wondering if the harp sounds I hear in other songs come from a synthesizer which uses sampling of a real harp.

The credits mentioned "Strings" - played by Project Instrumental, first mentioned on the album Beyond. Sometimes strings were used by the finger picking style which could sound like a harp maybe.

[bachmahlerfan]

I thought I heard a classical guitar on "Wexford Carol" but I was not sure and didn't mention it. It was definitely used in the Ireland live recording as you can see it at 1:08. A versatile instrument that should be used more.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's a classical guitar in "Wexford Carol". I'm wondering if the harp sounds I hear in other songs come from a synthesizer which uses sampling of a real harp.

The credits mentioned "Strings" - played by Project Instrumental, first mentioned on the album Beyond. Sometimes strings were used by the finger picking style which could sound like a harp maybe.

If you listen to the early parts of "Walking in the Air", the plucked instrument has way too much reverberation to be a cello, violin, etc. The strings on a harp vibrate for a much longer time than those instruments. The gentle sound of the instrument also suggests that it's a harp.

[Liberation]

I wouldn't be surprised if that's a classical guitar in "Wexford Carol". I'm wondering if the harp sounds I hear in other songs come from a synthesizer which uses sampling of a real harp.

The credits mentioned "Strings" - played by Project Instrumental, first mentioned on the album Beyond. Sometimes strings were used by the finger picking style which could sound like a harp maybe.

If you listen to the early parts of "Walking in the Air", the plucked instrument has way too much reverberation to be a cello, violin, etc. The strings on a harp vibrate for a much longer time than those instruments. The gentle sound of the instrument also suggests that it's a harp.

You got a point there. But it doesn't sound like a keyboard-harp either. In my opinion.
Lets assume they have forgotten it to mention.

[filiarheni]

If you listen to the early parts of "Walking in the Air", the plucked instrument has way too much reverberation to be a cello, violin, etc. The strings on a harp vibrate for a much longer time than those instruments. The gentle sound of the instrument also suggests that it's a harp.

You got a point there. But it doesn't sound like a keyboard-harp either. In my opinion.
Lets assume they have forgotten it to mention.

I make out a harp sound as well in several songs, quite exposed at times, but the missing credits confuse me, too. I remember that with "Beyond" the international version lacked the second soloist's name of Do Not Stand, but it appeared in the Japanese one. That's why I had decided to wait for the second release of this Christmas album to see if that had happened again. However, missing an instrument of which such extended use was made would be hard to believe.

I agree with both of you that a strings' plucking (pizzicato) is not able to produce a harp sound. But what about a special type of guitar or guitar strings ...? With guitars you can do such crazy things. Here is an example of an 18 strings guitar, listen at 0:50.


While this comes close, but still doesn't have the very gentleness of a harp. But I'm not sure in what way you can influence it for example by the choice of the guitar strings or by the playing technique.
On the other hand, with guitars you often hear the typical sound of playing the chords. So if they used a certain type of guitar, it must have been treated very carefully to avoid that sound, with a profound intention to make it sound like a harp. (Or I just haven't heard that sound on the album. )

I also admire how the boys are able to pack all of that into a tight time plan: rehearse for the concerts, rehearse for the album, the concerts/tours, the recordings, plus their church duties including further rehearsing and all of that on a super-high level. Wow!

And not to mention that some (all ?) of them sing in other choirs, practice instruments, play football and all...

... and brush their teeth.

Benedictus Deus has various disadvantages compared to Ding Dong, although it is technically not such a challenge for them : I am not sure they own the rights to perform it on stage, and it is not as much an easily-accessible christmas song. Plus, it would strongly rely on a soloist.

No talk of Christmas here.

The only argument that could convince me is that about the missing rights. I'm sure that performing Benedictus Deus on stage is doable for Libera, now more than ever. In fact, I was aiming at the demanding polyrhythmic and furthermore synkopised structure among solo and choir in the middle. Correct, the solo is hard and also very extended, but we should not underestimate the importance of the choir in this piece either, who is challenged as well. Both is needed, a fit soloist and a fit choir. We do have a fit choir, and regarding the capabilities of the soloist, I have a concrete boy in mind who could do it; if not now, then in one or two years.
I would jump for joy if this bright, festive song landed in their concert set list one day.

General question: What are the chances in your opinion that To the Future makes it to the UK concert set list in December? Normally they sing such songs in the song's host countries only, but sometimes they appear here as well. And if not, do you think that Noël Nouvelet could replace it? In this case it must have been rehearsed, but why rehearse it and then not sing it in Japan. I hope for it, but whether it's likely, I'm not sure about.

[Padmachou]

General question: What are the chances in your opinion that To the Future makes it to the UK concert set list in December? Normally they sing such songs in the song's host countries only, but sometimes they appear here as well. And if not, do you think that Noël Nouvelet could replace it? In this case it must have been rehearsed, but why rehearse it and then not sing it in Japan. I hope for it, but whether it's likely, I'm not sure about.

I refuse to bet or choose, since I want to hear both Let's replace Angel.

[bamboo]

Silent Night
Arr.: Robert Prizeman
Solo: Luca Brugnoli, Benedict Bywater, Dominik Clarke, Mathias Montoro, Victor Wiggin  
This is likely to be the most famous Christmas song of the world with all kinds of interpretations; over here frequently sung at the end of Christmas services with the electric light extinguished and singing by candlelight only. Robert's a cappella arrangement of this totally peaceful song is just stunning, performed by just five boys, which feels like a reduction to the essential in life and furthermore emphasises the extraordinary beauty of the song's melody. The boys are simply amazing here! Another jewel on this album.

Any idea who is the soloist right at the start of the song? It doesn't sound like Luca, I'm guessing maybe Ben or Victor?

[TullyBascombe]

Got it. Only 3 days from Japan to Virginia.

[justin]

Silent Night
Arr.: Robert Prizeman
Solo: Luca Brugnoli, Benedict Bywater, Dominik Clarke, Mathias Montoro, Victor Wiggin  
This is likely to be the most famous Christmas song of the world with all kinds of interpretations; over here frequently sung at the end of Christmas services with the electric light extinguished and singing by candlelight only. Robert's a cappella arrangement of this totally peaceful song is just stunning, performed by just five boys, which feels like a reduction to the essential in life and furthermore emphasises the extraordinary beauty of the song's melody. The boys are simply amazing here! Another jewel on this album.

Any idea who is the soloist right at the start of the song? It doesn't sound like Luca, I'm guessing maybe Ben or Victor?

If the Japan tour was any indication, the first boy was Luca.

[Padmachou]

And who is the second voice in Walking in the air ? Japon tour experience welcome

[justin]

And who is the second voice in Walking in the air ? Japon tour experience welcome

The second is Ben B. Then Matthias who joined in. After that Victor (replaced by Daniel in the 2nd concert in Tokyo) and Dominik

[Padmachou]

And who is the second voice in Walking in the air ? Japon tour experience welcome

The second is Ben B. Then Matthias who joined in. After that Victor (replaced by Daniel in the 2nd concert in Tokyo) and Dominik

Are you talking about Walking in the Air or Silent Night ? This group is the Silent Night one if I do not mistake...