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Converting Chorales into Beautiful Ballads


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Does anyone know of any chorales that would make really nice ballads?

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I'm told Barber's "Adagio" was originally scored for voice. B)

Also, although I have no 'titles' at my disposal....The Welsh people, whose national past-time is singing, have some hymn arrangements with rich, deep harmonies that will bring tears to your eyes. We're talkin' BIG goosebumps! I've heard recordings of a 1,200 member all-male choir at the Welsh National Music Festival, recorded live; outdoors. I can't find the words to describe the beauty, and emotion of that music. :wall:

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Water Night - Eric Whitacre :wall:

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If by "chorale" you mean strophic hymns of German origin, here are a few of my favorites:

Komm susser Tod (Come Sweet Death)

Herzlich tut mich verlangen (usually known as O Sacred Head)

O Welt ich muss dich lassen (O World, I Now Must Leave You)

Es ist ein Ros (Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming)

O Jesulein suss (O Jesu Sweet)

Schmucke dich (Deck Thyself, My Soul with Gladness)

Schonster Herr Jesu/Crusader's Hymn (Fairest Lord Jesus)

Most of these exist and were popularized in the harmonizations by JS Bach. As wonderful as they are in their own right, the simple stanzaic forms and fairly straightforward (usually 4 bars) phrase structure of these hymns don't necessarily provide the long, sweeping melodic lines so favored in many ballads. On the other hand, if you're willing to expand your search beyond German chorales to include other forms of hymnody, many tunes from the English and early American traditions might be more appropriate.

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Water Night - Eric Whitacre :wall:

I was thinking either cloudburst or October. All three amazing!

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