The Sistine Chapel choir in 1925 sucked

[The Harlequin King]

One of my Facebook friends shared this sample from the Sistine Chapel choir in 1925. It's just horrific to listen to.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiauDE4kApM&feature=player_embedded[/yt]

By contrast, this is more what it's supposed to sound like:

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NNYF0y825s[/yt]

[Basilios]

The choir master is the best part of the 2nd vid. Big and jolly and having a ball!

But yeah, big difference. If the Sistine Chapel choir was a more recent version, though, I'm sure it'd sound a bit better.

[The Harlequin King]

But yeah, big difference. If the Sistine Chapel choir was a more recent version, though, I'm sure it'd sound a bit better.

Only a bit, sadly. Pope Benedict invited the Westminster Abbey choir to sing with the Sistine choir not too long ago, and the Anglicans really showed up the local talent, in my opinion. It was embarrassing.

Furthermore, my friend said that in an 18th century tour guide, the author actually wrote that the Sistine choir wasn't worth hearing. So this is apparently not a new phenomenon.

[Der Kaiser]

But yeah, big difference. If the Sistine Chapel choir was a more recent version, though, I'm sure it'd sound a bit better.

Only a bit, sadly. Pope Benedict invited the Westminster Abbey choir to sing with the Sistine choir not too long ago, and the Anglicans really showed up the local talent, in my opinion. It was embarrassing.

Anglicans IMO do have the best modern choirs.

[Larry]

The second is undoubtedly better than the Sistine choir. But remember that recording equipment was pretty lousy in the 1920's. It would probably sound better if modern, state of the art recording devices were used.

[Pheo]

There's only so much that you can blame on recording equipment.  I have old piano recordings that don't sound great superficially, but the quality of the performance still comes through.

They're not using the right timbre for polyphony.  And way too much vibrato.  They sound like carolers - not that there's anything wrong with that, but it doesn't suit this song.

[Jacafamala]

Still better than "Eagles Wings" or "Gather Us In". You have to pick your problems sometimes. 

[Armor of Light]

Still better than "Eagles Wings" or "Gather Us In". You have to pick your problems sometimes. 

Amen, Sis!

My stupid brother played "Ave Maria" at my dads funeral mass last year. On the saxophone. Badly.

[ImperialGuardsman]

The second is undoubtedly better than the Sistine choir. But remember that recording equipment was pretty lousy in the 1920's. It would probably sound better if modern, state of the art recording devices were used.

Well, 1925 was the first year of electric recording (at least with the major record companies in the US).  That being said, those early recordings are often very clear, lound, and have a nice warm quality to them.  Edison's acoustic process of recording (no electricity, no microphone) lasted through 1926 and has brilliant sound.  The recording posted here seems pretty weak though.  The preformance isn't too good either. 

[bben15]

The second one is definitely better. The first one sounds like a national anthem.

[Dextimus]

One of my Facebook friends shared this sample from the Sistine Chapel choir in 1925. It's just horrific to listen to.

but who am I to judge?

[dymphnaw]

"Sucked" is an insult because it refers to fellatio.

[Mr.Crowley]

I think it sounds charming myself. Obviously it's an extremely poor quality recording, not even comparable to a phone ringtone from 10 years ago, but it sounds like a nice choir. I can sort of imagine a bunch of nice little Italian folks being all rustic and stuff. It's really cute and not an overwhelming wall of sound like the second one. I reckon modern choirs try to sound like what they think choirs should sound like, if ye get me.

[The Harlequin King]

I think it sounds charming myself. Obviously it's an extremely poor quality recording, not even comparable to a phone ringtone from 10 years ago, but it sounds like a nice choir. I can sort of imagine a bunch of nice little Italian folks being all rustic and stuff. It's really cute and not an overwhelming wall of sound like the second one. I reckon modern choirs try to sound like what they think choirs should sound like, if ye get me.

And I suppose Jar Jar was a charming addition to the Star Wars franchise too?

[Mr.Crowley]

And I suppose Jar Jar was a charming addition to the Star Wars franchise too?

I... I l-liked him