6 Breathtaking Choir Performances of ‘Silent Night’
Here are some of the best choir performances of the carol from throughout the world
Christmas is fast approaching, and few carols better define the winter season than the hallowed ‘Silent Night’. Here are 6 of the best choir performances of the carol from throughout the world.
‘Silent Night’ is not only one of the most well-known choral songs globally, but it’s also one of the most deceptively simple. Its straightforward lyrics about the birth of Christ (originally written in German by Joseph Mohr), and its uncomplicated yet unforgettable melody (composed by Franz Xaver Gruber), have made it timeless and universal - and yet the song offers endless opportunities for choirs to make it their own.
We’ve likely all heard how ‘Silent Night’ can change based on the setting and the arrangement; it can be delivered in a cathedral hush, or sung high to the rafters with plenty of treble, or delivered with a velvety warmth to match the cosy season. Each stylistic choice renews the song, making it original.
In the choral world, we hear this carol in countless languages and styles every year. It has never stopped surprising us, so we thought it was worth looking at seven breathtaking choir performances of ‘Silent Night’ from throughout the world.
Conductors, choristers, music fans - we hope to help you breathe new life into an old song as we head towards the Christmas period:
1. King’s College Choir, Cambridge (UK)
We mentioned the phrase ‘cathedral hush’ in the introduction, and no version better captures this unique feeling than the one below, delivered by the King’s College Choir in December 2009.
This performance seems to float, unhurriedly, finding a quiet majesty in the rounded vocal deliveries. Listen closely, and your ear almost strains to hear the quiet gaps between the singing; silent night indeed!
2. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah (USA)
While many versions of ‘Silent Night’ aim for the heart, The Tabernacle Choir’s version - performed in 2017 - feels like it’s aiming for the head. Theirs is a lulling, meditative, quietly ambient version, where the lyrics seem to sit on par with the full orchestra. In particular, this version is made rich by harp and woodwind sounds.
3. Vienna Boys Choir, Vienna (Austria) — “Stille Nacht”
There’s a special glow when you hear Silent Night delivered in its original German. The song, after all, originated in the picturesque mountain city of Salzburg, meaning it has always had a special connection with Austria. The Wiener Sängerknaben (Austrian Boys Choir) has been noted for their performances of ‘Stille Nacht’, managing to thread tradition into the song while also imbuing it with fresh, boyish charm. Their 2019 version, in particular, tugs at the heart and the soul.
4. Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa, performed in Ontario)
Few songs can claim to have the wide international appeal of ‘Silent Night’, but the fact that it is performed globally is proof that it has a universal reach and has, along with evergreen trees and Santa Claus, become practically synonymous with Christmas.
In their version, Soweto Gospel Choir brings an element of sunshine to ‘Silent Night’, a song which typically suggests cold winter nights. Their version is defined by rich harmonies and warm grooves.
5. Philippine Madrigal Singers, Quezon City (Philippines)
Some versions of ‘Silent Night’ can feel too polished and pristine to be truly affecting - but this is not the case with the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ 2016 version of ‘Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht’. Delivered to a packed audience, which can be heard at the start of the performance still shuffling about, the Singers manage to hush the crowd with the textured, almost buttery delivery of the carol. It’s an excellent example of a choir understanding its audience and how to subdue yet please them.
6. St. Olaf Choir, Trondheim (Norway)
At its heart, ‘Silent Night’ is about reconciling peaceful contemplation with grand majesty. St. Olaf Choir - featuring the Nidarosdomens jentekor (Nidaros Cathedral Girls' Choir) - manages to reconcile these two key components brilliantly in their version, performed at Nidaros Cathedral in the northern Norway city of Trondheim in 2013. Their performance is stunning, one of the few that truly earns the hyperbolic phrase ‘hair-raising’.
If you like what you’ve heard and you want to continue hearing what excellence sounds like, explore the INTERKULTUR World Rankings and get inspired by top choirs from around the world!
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