VOCES8: Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber 

When performed by an accomplished orchestra, Barber's piece is mesmerizing. But VOCES8 just made it otherworldly.

In the spring of 1970 my high school choir performed this piece while visiting another school. We performed it a cappella. On that day we performed it perfectly. It’s a great memory. Our only mistake: we never recorded it. It exists only in my memory. Whenever I hear this piece I am deeply moved and I am reminded of how meaningful it was, and still is. My best to VOCES8.

"Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us." Amen

Clicked thumbs up, then play. 😀

Me: there cannot be a more beautiful sound than the sopranos, then the altos take the line, then the tenors take the line, then the basses. No group transports me more than Voces 8.

Le voci angeliche di VOICES8 mi portano in pochi secondi al settimo cielo dove è possibile cantare con loro la preghiera all'Agnello di Dio. Grazie ❤

Hard to believe this piece of heaven has only been on the internet a mere 8 hours and we lucky 5000 get to bask in it today. Praise God.

I'm not a christian believer but this touched my heard... This is not from this world....

The meaning of " deep peace " set to music 🏵️🕯️ Thank you so much for releasing this into our troubled world 😢

Whatever song I hear from Voces8 is an experience that somehow transports and transforms me every time. Thank you for your gift of music.

You make the world a better place.

Cheers for the new soprano

The best choral version EVER. 🎼🎵🎶

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="336">5:36</a> One of the most poignant moments of silence in music.

Otro nivel. Cordero de Dios, que quitas el pecado del mundo, ten piedad de nosotros.

"Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace." had no idea those were the words sung. Makes the ending climax hit that much harder.

My words, 'thank you,' never seems to be sufficient. Never. I will still continue to greatly appreciate all each of you do to lift my heart up, & begin to show sunlight to my spirit. ❤

VOCES8's performance will surely go down as the best recording of this magnificent piece ever

I am at a loss for words. Thank you Voces8 for bringing us as close to human perfection as possible.

Exquisite perfection. This vocal rendition of Barber’s “Adagio For Strings” is simply supernal. I performed and soloed with the Tabernacle Choir for 20 years and my wife has been a violinist with the Orchestra at Temple Square, the companion orchestra to the choir, for 25 years. We know and appreciate great classical music performances. This is the finest vocal offering of this great work we have ever heard. Thank you for your continued outstanding offerings of a capella and ensemble performances. You set a world class standard for tone, pitch, blend, dynamic range and amazing choral beauty. God bless!

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful. I cried 🌼🕊

They positively shimmer and shine. So beautiful!

Mad impressive to pull this off with only 8 singers!! Breath control is off the charts. ❤

Saw them live in Athens, Georgia, I had the honor of meeting them after the concert. Genuinely nice people with transcendent musical abilities.

One of the most superb compositions of all time, performed by the most exceptional ensemble of our time.

I’m listening to this on the first anniversary of the death of my son. It really reaches the depths of my grief. Thank you.

C'est aussi plus que sublime pour quatuor ou orchestre à cordes... Il se dégage de cette oeuvre une sorte de paix intérieure indicible et l'on en sort vraiment transformé à chaque écoute . Merci les Voces8 !!!! pour ce bonheur Dominique

I used to think I wanted "Adagio for Strings" played at my funeral. I've changed my mind and I think I want this now.

I always love this piece, and this version is just exquisite. The balance is just impeccable!! I love it so much!!

Thank You, Voces8 For This Beautiful Gift Of Music 🎶

Arcydzieło w Kompozycji oraz Wykonaniu. Serdeczne Dziękuję.❤x8🙏x8

The first time I heard this music was in sad circumstances, and for decades, whenever I heard it, those memories of sadness would return. As I listen to this performance tonight, the sadness is replaced by a deep feeling of peace, and I have no doubt that will continue forward. Voces8, your truly amazing ensemble singing always brings such a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction that it is the music and not the performers that are brought to the fore. You have obviously found a wonderful new soprano to carry on seamlessly in excellence. An understatement: This, ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done! Attending one of your concerts in person is top on my bucket list. Returning peace to you...

Absolutely exquisite, thank you, end of day and the perfect way to wind down here in Australia. A perfect end to a perfect day. Thank you a thousand times over.

Oh look, it's my favorite group singing my favorite piece.

Still the best vocal group on the planet.

Tears of peace and solace at the end of a trying day. ‘Thank you’ is inadequate.

Andrea is amazing - so are the rest but she shines.

I would love to sing with this ensemble, if only one time, this specific piece, in the presence of our Lord in the most holy Eucharist. What a beautiful experience that would be!

Thank you Voces8, for bringing out the soul of this piece. 💜

This is magnificent. 🙏🏼 May our Savior and King reign forever

the most beautiful and moving version I have ever heard of this masterpiece... and this is what happened next: me, listening to this and crying...having seen Voces8 live already... Me instantly afterwards looking for tourdates and tickets- so did maaany other people at that very moment. I find a date and location fitting, I check the availablitly... almost sold out, only 6 tickets left. I spend about three minutes contemplting which two of the six seats I should book, I click refresh... only 4 tickets available. I interrupt my husband's shower to tell him I'll have to buy the tickets right now, is the date ok for him? He says yes... I click refresh - only two tickets available... I click through the process and probably only seconds faster than someone else, I got the last two tickets in November this year... Soooo looking forward to this!

Well familiar with the work of Samuel Barber... knew to expect a challenge for the group. But, confidence was high. I was in no way disappointed. Sent shivers down the spine of this otherwise cynical old trombonist.

Soli Deo Gloria. Christ have mercy on us. Stunning.

We are made in God's image. Beautiful.

I just felt a warm intrution of warm blood entering into a thighbone thats been dry without hope for and age of an acient age. And in the distance of that melincoly a suttle rattling rising a divinity to glory before an ignorant world That was humbly HOLY

Завораживающее пение..гипнотическое..слушаешь не отвлекаясь на другое..Спасибо..это божественно..❤

This is the very finest a cappella singing there is. It almost borders on the impossibly beautiful. This is like pure honey for the ears. I know Sam would be thrilled by their performance.

A truly religiously, as well as artistically moving experience.What beautiful music this supurbly sensitive ensamble offers for our inspiration. Many thanks !!

Samuel Barber would have been astounded by your rendition. It is absolute perfection. Thank you 🌹

Heavenly perfection, and so honoring of our Agnus Dei. Deeply nourishing my soul: Thank you 🙏

I burst into tears at that perfectly tuned chord at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="325">5:25</a>. Exquisite.

You are always wonderful! Thank you for sharing this piece of heaven.

This may be the most exquisite version of this that I have ever heard. Both immaculate in is musicianship and emotional impact. 😢😢❤❤

The finest version of this I've ever heard. The clarity is breathtaking.

Causes goosebumps. You may know this tune but not in this pureness. Never heard it performed like this. Thank you.

That performance was absolutely sublime; thank you.

Wow! Like a wave of peace washing over you. Just what I needed...

The conviction of making the ultimate sacrifice for all, that we may live in a better world. The music seems to turn this ancient recitation, this prayer into a reminder of the eternal presence of that sacrifice. Merely an interpretation of a stunning rendition of a sublime piece. Thanks Voces8

So many groups, both orchestral and choral, have performed this piece, and it is always hauntingly beautiful. But this? Perfect, transparent sound like no other. Barnaby's voice, in particular, gives me chills! But the beauty of V8 is that every member's voice can be clearly heard, and every line of the harmony followed. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Lamb of God....who takes away the sins of the world...have mercy on us....good timing on this one

This is the best from the best. Best vocal ensemble in the world. So beautiful Thanks so much voces8 🙏🙏🙏❤️

This Agnus Dei is the most explicit I ever heard. The voices are sometimes almost in a fight with each other, still it ends in total harmony. I have never before heard such a rendition of this work. I cannot really explain what this means, in a foreign language like english, but I am fascinated and shaken by this experience. VOCES8 has again proved they are the best vocal ensamble for only eight voices. Greetings from Sweden!

Fiercely difficult for an octet! The breath control and long line you need is extraordinary. I sang this in a larger ensemble and tried only to breathe at the rests and the bare minimum at other times, and *that* was challenging. Isn't it interesting that Barber took his instrumental work and transformed it for vocal ensemble? This is one of the truly sublime works in all music. Bravo on your performance.!

Each one better than the last.

Absolutely astounding. It's amazing how well the Adagio for Strings adapts into choral music.

I don't know why but this composition just jabs an arrow into my heart every time I hear it, and this rendition is even more powerful.

Thank you VOCES8 for this performance. Beautiful, meditative. Congrats to the new soprano! Proper appearance for such a worshipful piece. Love the men's pocket squares! You continually amaze me.

Я так долго ждала этот трек в вашем исполнении. Большое спасибо!

Pure beauty, genious and discipline to have such a strong, yet silky colour in a choir. Congratulations!

Es una de las obras que más me gustan en la vida! Gracias!

Hermosa y sublimemente interpretada con alma y perfección. Gracias! 🙏🏼

Beauté, pureté et délicatesse infinies. Merci à la nouvelle soprano auprès d'Andrea Haines, dont la voix s'élève, s'élève ....

This lifts me onto another plane - it truly is divine inspired.....,.

Дуже дякую! Молодці!

Oh, my word. Yes, this. Abundant gratitude.

YES! Here for all you produce. Thank you, Voces8!

As usual, performed with such integrity to the composition and with so much emotion. Utterly superb.

SO many overtones! In bliss and in tears.

Wunderschön🕊 ❤❤❤

Love it, this moved me to somewhere else and that was good place to be.

Wow Voces8 your performance of Agnus Dei has moved me to tears this is so incredibly emotionally profound and powerful and moving

For eight minutes I am transported by this stellar production!

Glad they made a video for this, probably my favorite song they've done

Omg I love this song but this is the best version I have heard in my life ❤❤❤❤

Это божественно! Настоящий гимн любви к Богу!❤ спасибо огромное!

This is their best version I’ve heard so far. Very intimate.

There are certainly other excellent interpretations of this moving piece by Barber, but this one by Voces8 is not only particularly beautiful and haunting, it's also very special in terms of texture. Usually, Barber's Agnus Dei is sung by a larger choir, producing a homogeneous sound in which the individuality of the voices is more or less indiscernible, and all the more so because the writing of this adagio is so melismatic and thus naturally encourages the fusion of voices ; but here Voces8 seems to me to have produced an ideal mixture of blending and personal intensity. The voices supplement each other perfectly - and at the same time, you get to hear very intense climaxes by Andrea Haines and Barnaby Smith, or incredibly tender singing by Blake Morgan and Christopher Moore ; and the main climax is powerfully built by the eight singers together. Sweetness - and grieving at the same time - both personal and collective : it's as close to perfection as you can get on earth.

Angels singing 🙌🏽💜👏👏👏

Indescribably Beautiful

Oh. My. Goodness.

Simply perfection.

Wonderful!

they are absolutly fantastic

One of my all time favorite pieces! I jumped when I saw you posted this. You are all so amazing. Thank you for making my day.

Exquisite!

What an absolutely mesmerizingly beautiful piece and performance. Truly, this is a perfect trifecta of goodness, truth, and beauty. Voces8, you bring so much joy into the world through your music.

Meraviglioso! Bravo Voces8!!!

Love, love, love. Thank you!

I absolutely fell in love with this piece when we sang it in college choir. I don’t think I have heard it performed with such a small ensemble, but your sound is excellent as always.

Superb! The instrument only version always takes me to the final scene when that Lamb returns as a Lion...