An article titled “The Chillingly Expressive ‘Let It Go’ Cover Sung by an 11-Year-Old Girl”[1] appeared in my Facebook timeline. Remembering that my daughter had watched the original on YouTube just recently, I took a look, and it was amazing. It opens abruptly with live-action footage of a snowy land, accompanied by Alex Boyé’s African-style chorus, which is powerful in itself. A djembe then sounds as though resonating from beneath the ice, and in the next instant a girl appears between walls of ice and begins to sing, looking as though Anna’s sister Elsa herself had come to life. A children’s choir appearing in the icy world supports her and expands the sonic imagery.
Live performance really is wonderful. As of today, it is easy to understand why the video has more than 30 million views, approaching the original.
I listened to the original afterward, and wondered whether the orchestra was synthesized. The vocal and orchestra also sound separate, as though they were probably recorded independently.
By comparison, the cover properly comes together as a unified piece of “music.” That is why it has such power.
Incidentally, the video was made by Alex Boyé, a British-born Nigerian Mormon[2]. Elsa is sung by 11-year-old Lexi Walker, who is probably Mormon: she apparently has 6 siblings, and she is from Salt Lake City[3]. She is a member of the backing choir, the One Voice Children’s Choir[4]. This choir of 120 members[5] is directed by the Japanese musician Masa Fukuda[6], originally from Takatsuki, Osaka, who also conducts in the video. His musical instruction must surely be excellent as well.
What a wonderful performance to hear.
Finally, a bonus: ThePianoGuys combine Vivaldi’s “Winter” with Frozen. Watching it makes you realize that Vivaldi’s Winter really does depict winter. Classical music is amazing.
[1] “The Chillingly Expressive ‘Let It Go’ Cover Sung by an 11-Year-Old Girl” (Yokkun, Whats)
[2] According to Alex Boyé (English Wikipedia).
[3] According to Behind the scenes of 11-year-old Utahn Lexi Walker’s viral ‘Let It Go’ performance (Sara Patterson, Desert News, 2014/3/25). This article also includes behind-the-scenes material and is quite informative.
[4] One Voice Children’s Choir official page
[5] According to the presenter’s remarks in Do You Have Room? / One Voice Children’s Choir.
[6] According to information on Masa Fukuda (Facebook, current as of 2014/4/2).
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