The Robert Shaw Chorale was a professional chorus founded in New York City … Read Full Bio ↴The Robert Shaw Chorale was a professional chorus founded in New York City in 1948 by Robert Shaw, a Californian who had been drafted out of college a decade earlier by Fred Waring to conduct his Glee Club in radio broadcasts. The Chorale enjoyed an intermittent existence, being formed and re-formed on an ad hoc basis for national and international tours and RCA recordings until 1965, shortly before Shaw assumed the post of Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. During its existence the Robert Shaw Chorale became arguably the best-known and most widely-respected professional choral organization in the United States, with repertory ranging from J.S. Bach to folk music and Broadway tunes. The group's album recording "Christmas Hymns And Carols" released in November 1957 was certified gold in August 1964 by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This recording peaked at #5 on Billboard's Top Pop Album Chart. The group made several tours sponsored by the U.S. State Department as part of a cultural exchange program, including 21 European and Mid-eastern countries in 1956; South America; and in 1962, a seven-week tour of Russia.

Hallelujah!
Robert Shaw Chorale Lyrics

|: Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! :|

|: For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! :|

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
|: Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! :|

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
|: King of kings, and Lord of lords, :|
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And He shall reign forever and ever,
|: King of kings! and Lord of lords! :|
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

Written by: Adolphe Adam

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

jevalles

12y↑16

In rehearsals, Mr. Shaw insisted that we were going to throw out pre-conceived notions as to how this was done, and he had the chorus focus on minutiae in order to re-design the musical landscape of this work. By re-shaping and honing new elements repeatedly, the chorus was forced to shed it's traditional lethargy concerning this piece, having now to be mindful of the many indications Mr. Shaw had laid down for this performance. A freshness and energy was thereby added--and piece revitalized.

Christian Hale

13y↑7

That was way too good to be live. Robert Shaw is the man.

enzothebaker22

11y↑6

Simply brilliant. For Robert Shaw, all of the people in this piece and those of you who have the gift of music and song, thank you. Nothing says 'Hallelujah' like sharing your gift with the rest of us.

Tan1723

13y↑4

Oh man, I absolutely love how Robert Shaw slows the sopranos down at 2:17, it makes it so dramatic and unique.

Ron Bernardo

14y↑3

This is one of the best versions I have heard and seen!

katy484

14y

This is the gold standard as to how the chorus should be sung. Perfect pitch and tempo. Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for uploading!

Eric David

15y↑1

Robert Shaw (chorus) has one of the best versions of Hallelujah ever (ranks up with London Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra versions). Also, check out Helmuth Rilling's version.

Vyoletpanda

14y

I'm an alto in a school chorus and I'm impressed that sopranos can get so high at certain parts in this song.

Donald Paulus

14y

Wonderful rendition. Performed with grace and beauty. Shaw and company sure does Handel proud.

stiv2slava

14y

Choruses of all levels can make this piece sound good beacuse Handel was a master of, in this case, simplicity. Robert Shaw's chorus sounded so good because of his meticulous attention to detail. Notice particularly the tempo and subtle alteration of it at certain points in the music which all serve the dramatic effect of the movement.

Donna DeMuro

11y↑2

Love it! Sang it for four years in high school chorus for three part women's voices. Never tire of hearing it.

6271949

13y

Robert Shaw and chorus attain the glory that this piece of music is intended to convey (even if it was really for "Easter"). Bravo to Robert Shaw and this great group. Beyond impressive. Closest to musically perfection I have heard to date.

courtney schaff

14y

we sing this every year at the christmas concert. =] i abolutely love the power this piece has.

basketcaz

13y

Brilliant. In this song more than most the sopranos will either make or break it. Every one of these women must be able to sing a high F in order to pull off the beautiful high notes they did. Crisp, clean and powerful choir perfectly directed.

Phil Davis

13y↑2

This is often done by choirs as turgid, bombastic choral sludge. Shaw presents it as it should be: a bright, crisp Baroque masterpiece.

GreenAshR47

11y↑1

This is awesome. I was in a kid's choir that performed with this choir at Christmas. At the end, we sang this piece along with them. It was over twenty-five years ago,but an unforgettable experience.

basketcaz

13y

Jacquie Tyre

12y

Fabulous....Robert Shaw conducting the ASO & Symphony Chorus was absolutely phenomenal. So glad this is available to enjoy again and again.

gramps2matt

14y↑1

WOW! I realize this is from a performance over 20 yrs ago but it's still awesome. Of interest is how Mr. Shaw spaced his chorus out across the risers and not the usual choral CLUMP as I call it. Also the organ appears to be a mini tracker type.

dvora072096

15y

Brings back memories of the Shaw/ASO Messiah sing-along evenings when I studied at Emory... unforgettable!

Mike Barrett

13y

This is one for us and the angels to listen

foodmore

14y

I love atlanta symphony orchestra and chorus. Their Carmina Burana is the best i've heard so far.

Liz Whitten

14y

THANK YOU SO MUCH ! LOVED IT !!!

chicagoman58

12y↑2

He and Margaret Hillis were the greatest choral conductors of the 20th century.

MysteryAndroclese401

14y

That was awesome! Too bad we didn't have an orchestra accompaniment when we did ours last Sunday! I wish I could reach as high as those tenors without straining! [it shouldn't be too hard, but reaching that high and sounding tall at the same time is!] [usually I can hit that high and sound good no problem]

lightbulbrld

12y

I love the tempo!

baritonebynight

15y

Excellent!!

fireredakara

13y

I admire this choir. We are learning it for it is a tradition for my choir's Christmas concert. Well throughout 2:12-? the sopranos gooo wayyyy up high and it's not hard to hit..they are just hard to make it sound right. Not to mention keeping correct diction! ;) There are a bunch of high notes on this sound...we are either really high or really low....and a little in the middle. :)

Donald Quintero

14y

Incredible..........!!!

Michelle Ryan

15y↑1

Thanks for putting this back on youtube. I missed it dearly.

m8roth

14y

Robert Shaw was a man with a very fine ear for music.

Theresia Swiebel

11y

For always great music !

jimraw1

13y↑1

@jennie12ish So do I. For me Shaw was the greatest choral conductor of his time - one who managed to push his groups to maximum effort to achieve that huge sound he wanted. I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and John Rutter is amazing with what he does with a small choir, but I always wanted to sing for Robert Shaw - even if was a tyrant.

Rahul Pothan

13y

great song

ayrianara

13y

when i sang this song in middle school i was a saprano and i could hit those high notes i was so shocked!

west7689

15y↑2

I absolutely agree. I have both Shaw's ASO recording as well as Leonard Bernstein's NY Philharmonic recording- in my opinion, Shaw's is a lot better.

gracemei65

14y↑1

Hallelujah to My God, my Lord, all man-kind Messiah, the savior. Amen !! a Chinese Christian

baritonebynight

14y↑4

This is the way it is supposed to sound.

Ian Lee

12y

When a woman says yes, you gotta turn this music up. Just Epic.

MrRich

14y

speechless!

m8roth

14y

The Robert Shaw Chamber Singers sing Christmas carols as well as any choral gorup.

HectorJW2007

15y

Shaw! Excellent!

jennie

13y

@popertop All have great voices and I'm totally impresed. Wish I could have been there singing as well.

josparkes1

14y

Glorious

bakayaroonna8

13y

Our Victorian caroling group did this a cappella, out in all kinds of weather, way back when.

6271949

13y

Musical pefection; Robert Shaw, in my opinion come closest of all productions of this song and indeed, the entire Messiah. The only disappointing thing I found was that the audience did not stand as the music began; sort of a tradition and certainly respectful to Mr. Shaw, Handel and God.

Shyr Velez

14y

very impressive kaau xa...i could give a smile...

brucecab

13y

Love Robert Shaw, love ASO!

Allie C

14y

@gracemei65 YES! praise God! HE is the MESSIAH! :)

Cody Green

14y

our choris in school is doing this its sounds almost as good as this

MandyJMaddison

14y

Regardless of the association with George II, people usually stand, either as an act of worship or to honour the composer. Either way, it seems a bit slack not to!

kiaoraguy

14y↑1

Have to differ- sitting 15 rows back in the Conference Center at Temple Square and being enrobed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square- it is truly one of the great experiences of life, the entire audience in tears because of the majesty and soaring emotion that Handel blessed the world with- it has to be experienced first hand to fully understand- as close to a Heavenly Choir as we will ever see...

GingerMae77

13y

@popertop yeah and those notes r hard to hit! i have to sing this song for choir its hard i admire them they r soo loud! and u can understand them!

DemokrasyaTV

15y

Merry Christmas to all!

bookworm261

14y

ah! im playing this at school (violin), anybody have any advice?

mettaxa

14y

top

baritonebynight

13y

@6271949 I saw this done when I was a kid, but it seems a tradition that is vanishing. I personally like it myself.

Christopher Anton

14y

My God that's fast

al1936ful

13y

@yoshiofdeath Do you have the whole "Messiah" on video done by Robert Shaw?

popertop

15y

those sopranos sound hot

benten blooha

14y

i need to find the altos only

bwayguy17

14y

@christophersanton not as fast as some conductors take it.

Noreen Jackson

13y↑1

@strokerman01 He Lives and He reigns. You just need to seek Him and ask Him to forgive you and tell Him that if He is real, to please reveal Himself to you. It will change your eternal destiny. He loves you.