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What a combination, Voces8 and Whitaker. Some superlative singing in this new release. However, Voces8 are not always quite so serious, so try this for size – how they enjoy their music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9xDt4oduYE

Led in this by Andrea Halsey, who is herself a fabulous soprano.

Garth

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Alex5723

Thanks Alex, one of the truly great Trios.

Garth

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Fred

Indeed, many many thanks to Oscar, for the truly wonderful selection of music within. I shall miss the interchange of views so much.

Thank you in turn, Fred, for your many contributions to this thread. Not least for that which you chose as an end-piece, the Serenade to Music, surely one of the greatest pieces of music ever composed. One comment on the performance reads “I first heard this in my teens and could not stop listening to it; a lifetime on, I find that same sense of safety and peace within its score” and another, “Thanks for posting this beautiful video, with one of my favorite pieces of music ever written.” How true that is for me.

As a personal matter, the views accompanying the music simply add to my own feelings, as I was born in that same High Peak more than 80 years ago, and whilst I have lived in several other countries, and do so now, that part of England truly counts as ‘home’.

Fred, all best wishes to you and the other contributors to this long-lasting thread.

Regards,

Garth

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Fred

I can’t recall if there have been any examples of Welsh male voice choirs previously, but anyway here is a fine example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsJmLHpJ2lI

This is the Morriston Orpheus Male Voice Choir, perhaps one of the very best, in their performance of that beautiful traditional Welsh love song Myfanwy. A very different type of singing from the operatic style, but one which absolutely stirs the emotions. This is a great favourite of mine from many years back, when I lived in Wales for a few years.

Garth

I wouldn’t bother with the planks, just the deed!

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Fred

Thanks indeed Fred, what great music. I have said before Rita Streich with Rusalka is one of my very top favourites in music, so great to hear it – twice so far today! Delius is a top composer for me and I know well all his music, so that’s another plus. Debussy has some wonderful music, and Petite Suite is a favourite, but I don’t know the orchestra or conductor, so good to hear and see that performance. The American is one of the most attractive string quartets, and these performers are superb; that viola sound is quite something – just listening now as I write this.

Lovely autumn day here in Scotland, sun shining bright, wonderful music – what could be better?

Garth

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Fred

Indeed it is, one of my favourite pieces. And to hear it in that lovely clear and laid-back manner by Ravel himself, that is a bonus. Thanks very much for posting it, Fred.

Garth

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Fred

I was extremely fortunate once to hear a live performance of this supreme Tallis piece in a church in Perth, Scotland. No special performers, just the local choir – although widely augmented from nearby similar choirs and soloists – spread around the church, in all the naves, front and back. The glorious sounds literally surrounding us, how wonderful.

And then, at the end, after a short interval, they did it all again! Their excuse, if one was needed, was that it seemed a shame not to take advantage of all the available and willing participants.

Garth

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OscarCP

The problem is, I suppose, we could extend this process considerably, with many more (great/talented/gifted/skilled – name your own adjective) musicians. Some will excel occasionally, some will do that more persistently, like say Barenboim or Ashkenazy, and then there are the few really great musicians who come once in a lifetime. We will all know of them, and have our own choice for, I suppose, personal or interpretive reasons, but should never forget that “comparisons are odious” as Shakespeare said. No truer than in the art of music.

Garth

My favourites:

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra

 

Glasgow Orpheus Choir

Günter Kallmann Choir

 

Simon Rattle – conductor

Georg Solti – conductor

John Barbirolli – conductor

 

Luciano Pavarotti – singer

John McCormack – singer

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf – singer

Jesse Norman – singer

Kathleen Ferrier – singer

 

Jacqueline du Pré – cellist

Joshua Bell – violinist

Daniel Barenboim – pianist

Vladimir Ashkenazy – pianist

Gervase de Peyer – clarinettist (and conductor)

 

Garth

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OscarCP

(Sir) James Galway is perhaps the greatest ever exponent of the flute, and has been hugely popular for many years here in the UK.

He was principal flautist for firstly the London Symphony Orchestra, then the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and finally the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He became known as “The Man with the Golden Flute”, both for his performances but also for his actual golden flute, and is credited with elevating the status, stature, and performance standards of his instrument.

There are many biographies available, here is just one:

https://biography.yourdictionary.com/james-galway

There are also numerous performances and masterclasses on Youtube, but I wanted one which gave an idea of the man himself, as well as some select performances. This is a documentary showing his life and origins, as well as his musical life. A great film for sure, and a great player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6rh4I_fSEw

Garth

I saw a BBC TV film about Jacqueline Du Pré a couple of years ago, but I don’t think it is available on Youtube unfortunately. However, there is a similar but shorter documentary which is available, and it is well worth watching – so enjoyable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvPza4XosW4&list

What comes over so well is her absolute joi de vivre (“exuberant enjoyment of life” which says it all, really) as well as her sheer musicality.

N.B. There is a comment immediately beneath the credits (from Christine Newland who apparently knew her well) also worth reading, which adds another perspective to the actual film.

Garth

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OscarCP, Fred

Fred,

As Oscar said, Youtube remembers what you watch, and offers accordingly, so long as you are content to allow Google to do that. It is possible to stop that happening, but then one tends to get a mixture of what other people like and which is often ‘rubbish’ so far as I’m concerned. I am careful not to allow Google free rein on most things, but allow YT to offer more of what I like.

If you want more information on the YT algorithms, that is available if you want to get more into the detail.

Try this for starters:

https://www.shopify.co.uk/blog/youtube-algorithm

It contains details of a research paper (and link) published by Google engineers which goes into much more detail still.

Garth

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OscarCP, Fred

Oscar,

I might agree that Bach’s “Air” is somewhere close to the top, but very much doubt his Adagio is anywhere near. There are many candidates for top spots, and everyone will no doubt have their own choice, but without a reasoned choice supported by evidence it is nothing but a personal opinion. Views on Youtube is simply that, a choice of those who watch Youtube.

I don’t personally believe Bach is the most popular composer, preferring Mozart and Brahms, even (horror) Wagner, but that’s only me.

Another way of looking at things is that used by BBC Music Magazine, who asked critics to vote on the top 50 recordings of all time, with the following first 12 recordings. Part of the difference is down to the recording artists, obviously, and you would need to see the reference for all the details (below) but the result is valid in a different way, I suggest.

https://www.classical-music.com/features/recordings/50-greatest-recordings-all-time/

 

1. Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelung
2. Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos 5 & 7
3. Britten: War Requiem
4. JS Bach: Goldberg Variations
5. Puccini: Tosca
6. Elgar: Cello Concerto
7. Wagner: Tristan und Isolde
8. Ravel/Berlioz: Shéhérazade/Nuits d’été
9. Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos 4-6
10. Gershwin: Porgy and Bess
11. JS Bach: Cello Suites
12. Beethoven: Late String Quartets

 

Of course, with no Mozart, I have difficulty accepting this as ‘correct’ either!

 

Garth

 

 

Here is another wonderful version of another beautiful duet, the Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann, (Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour)

This again features that most talented mezzo Marianne Crebassa, this time with a singer I am not familiar with, Fatma Said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTyxSjeSfCE

Garth

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OscarCP