Barbra Streisand - "Beau Soir" (Beautiful Evening)

[1437Ziggie]

Whenever I need to be alone and supremely happy I listen to you.

[billyboylb]

One of the most beautiful melodies I think I've ever heard.

[Ellasings7]

are these words in french? i need an answer

[Hanntastical]

@Ellasings7 yes they are in french

[missbunniswan]

Such a lovely song.

[taosimplicity]

Gorgeous and sublime. Sounds like . . .freedom.

[yentl50]

I love this song from the Classical album (yes, they were called "albums" back then. 

[josiewosie22]

singing thiss for miss. paegents(: suchh an honorr!

[khman1983]

Barbara Streisand has a wonderful voice, working with Claus Ogerman was a mix of two incredible talents.

[laceytony1]

When I was in Vietnam, hers was the only music I listened to. She has the most exquisite voice; and I have studied French, she is flawless.

[caraphyllis]

Barbra, you are a genius.

[ManricoV]

Fantastisc ! She's Great !

[bibifrijam]

... of course Streisand is not Dawn Upshaw, but she does not claim to. Her voice has a unique charm and the orchestral arrangement is superb. My only regret : she should have sung an English translation of the poem. She is clearly not at ease with French, despite her commendable effort.

[elizdy]

How can you compare Barbra to Renee?? They are both great in their own way. I like that Barbra in her Classical Barbra album has presented many songs to folks who would not otherwise become acquainted with them. The Beau Soir rendition was in my opinion too high for her voice.

[Fholer28]

@elizdy This is actually a lower version of the song. The more popular version is much higher.

[FRENCHINVESTIGATION]

You must hknow the music is from Claude Debussy and the lyrics from a poem by Paul Bourget. Sha sang in french with her little accent... It is so beaufull... What a voice! Dear Barbra. Frédérick, FRANCE.

[Monrocsol]

Anything the lady sings, sounds beautiful.

[stevevandien]

Though not a Streisand fan, I must admit that she does very well with this great melodie. Also with this album in general:). I'd add only that this key seems a little high for her -- not that she's straining after the notes, not exactly, but she sounds uncomfortable at the climaxes. Taking it down a note, maybe a note and a half, would have been easier for Streisand AND equally effective ---

[billyboylb]

I don't care for classically trained singers. They all sound alike. This is the most gorgeous version of this I've ever heard.

[stevevandien]

If you truly believe this about "classically trained singers," you simply haven't heard enough of them. Mediocre classical singers do not have distinctive sounds, nor styles. The best (and even many of the second-best) have BOTH. Here's hoping that you'll listen to many more classical singers, from the past as well as the present. Doing so will help broaden your understanding and appreciation of classical singing and increase your musical knowledge:) --

[billyboylb]

Thanks for the feedback. When I hear classically trained singers they seem focused only on technique, so there's very little emotion. But I'll be more open to them I promise...LOL. :)

[stevevandien]

And let me add that you're quite right about many classically-trained singers. But we could say the same about a lot of pop singers. Now we do have some fine pop singers -- I especially like Elliot Yamin and Kelly Clarkson -- but most "American Idol" contestants and even winners sound pretty much the same. The bottom line: there are few OUTSTANDING singers, regardless of genre. Many singers -- again across genres -- are good. But most are either OK or mediocre --

[billyboylb]

You're absolutely right. There are very few (if any) of the current stars that I listen to partly because they are very generic, but the quality of the material is awful. I tend to listen to the older singers...Streisand, Aretha, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett....and I'm not THAT old...lol...or some nice latin jazz. I love classical music but usually not with vocals.

[stevevandien]

Your taste in popular music is damn good! If you haven't, check out "Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall," recorded (I think) in 1962 -great stuff! Aretha and Johnny have recorded so much splendid stuff as well. Love 'em both. As I've said, am not a Streisand fan per se -- she tends to PUSH her (admittedly great) voice awfully hard. BUT she's made some fine records. Besides "Classical Barbra," my favorite is "Songbird:)." I like latin jazz too, plus a lotta jazz in general --

[mollie600]

I'm not going to pretend I am a fantastic singer who knows everything, becasue I definately don't but I might just say that having arguments over youtube is pretty sad, regardless of whether you are a fantastic musician.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, we have free speech for goodness sake!!!

I think Barbara did a fantastic job of this song and conveyed so much emotion, but that's my opinion, I can understand to classical musicians how they may not like it.

but be tolerant!!

[popazz1]

And,there you go!So many people have this idea that Streisand is capable of only one,maybe two,genres of music!Not so,as testified here,and in the album," ...........and other musical instruments"

She is timeless!

[fan2jnrc]

Unbelievable. Before to hear it, I thought : "Barbara Streuisand singing this??? What is that joke?!"

And fact, there you are : There is not one single "lyric singer" who can sing this melody like her. Not one!

I can't believe it!

She's the one to understand and to feel what she's saying... A masterpiece...

[stevevandien]

By "lyric singer," do you mean "classical singer?" Streisand's version is excellent.  But quite a few classical singers have performed this piece superbly, including, let's see, Maggie Teyte, Charles Panzera, Pierre Bernac, Gerard Souzay, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau -- that's off the top of my head; there are probably many more --

[samsnitem]

oh bella canto jocelyn ;)

[bellacantojocelyn]

ok, not gonna lie, totally didnt expect her to sing that well.

the first thought when i saw her name was, "are you kidding me right now!??!?"

But her diction is great (minus a few changes i would personally make here and there)

her tone was very calming and i think overall she was nothing shy of wonderful.

[Chasson0318]

Totally! I'm actually a classical singer. It was because of this that I sang Beau Soir for my audition at the Hartt College of Music 30 years ago. Since then, sang all over the world, and the Met!

[xpoopypoopsx]

merci! magnifique :)

[AulicExclusiva]

Surprisingly effective.

[meltzerboy]

The bittersweet nature of the poetry, touching on "la condition humaine," is something we might recall more often and be more sensitive toward. I think Streisand captures the sweet part more than the bitter. I have this album--which Streisand was very proud of--and this is one of the more successful selections, her "Apres un reve," somehat less so; and never mind the Handel. She maintains her pop style but with her customary sincerity and uncommon restraint. Thanks for sharing.

[meltzerboy]

Pardon the typo: I meant "somewhat."

[divine1111]

Spectacular...cosmic...profoun­d...there's something utterly transcendent about her performance here...makes me think about "what could have been"...what even greater projects she could have done...and yet I'm grateful that in the midst of her super-superstar days she managed to record this, and the whole magnificent album. This has become one of my all-time favorite performances ever. What a delight to see it here. Thanks for posting!

[eurekayes]

Beautiful Evening When streams turn pink in the setting sun, And a slight shudder rushes through the wheat fields, A plea for happiness seems to rise out of all things And it climbs up towards the troubled heart. A plea to relish the charm of life While there is youth and the evening is fair, For we pass away, As the wave passes: The wave to the sea, We to the grave.

[mikeleto1]

Lorsque au soleil couchant les rivières sont roses,

Et qu'un tiède frisson court sur les champs de blé,

Un conseil d'être heureux semble sortir des choses

Et monter vers le coeur troublé.

Un conseil de goûter le charme d'être au monde

Cependant qu'on est jeune et que le soir est beau

Car nous nous en allons,

Comme s'en va cette onde:

Elle à la mer,

Nous au tombeau

[tenminutesgone]

Fabulous. She sings like an angel.

Listen to her singing ' In trutina ' from Carmina Burana, also on youtube. utterly wonderful.

[FrederickNetwork]

Just three word: majestueux, magnifique ...émouvant!

Merci!

Debussy and Streisand, beautifull!

Frédérick, FRANCE.

[laolvidada]

ay!

i love her

[billyboylb]

This is my favorite cut from this album....hauntingly beautiful.

[cosmicblast1]

we did this song in my freshman women's choir- she sings it soooo much better!

[eatondani]

Nice job putting pictures that go with the translation and intermingling them with pictures of Barbara

[eatondani]

Her French on this piece isn't half bad either.

[sommertyme]

I sang this my senior year as a soprano for state solo competition. I love Barbra's rendition, and this song is just beautiful...truly beautiful. My grandmother has the record, she recorded a tape for me and I've since lost it so it's great to see this song posted on youtube.

[notenut]

if you dont love it you dont know what your hearing and I feel sorry for you. this and most of what she does is pure magic.lets bee real there have been a few...well not so hot offerings but most is nothing short of geinus...well godnus no matter what simple minded ppl might have said about her. its work like this and Pavane the Evergreen and Guilty the brodway and the disco the t.v. specials the concerts movies fundraisers that make her the best...

[ernent]

A great rendition and it would have been greater if not for the kitschy arrangement.

Still it's great ...

[babicherry93]

i sing this as an alto part and everytime i try to sing along to this part it confuses me SOO bad and loose all my notes.

but just beautiful.

barbaras voice is like no other.

[0future0star0]

I'm singing this song for my state solo competition... I just hope I can do it justice.

[fritzwerner]

Bravo and thank you !That video is great!!

No discussion about Barbra - she is wonderful with that song.

[tomasp2]

Sublime! Wonderful Streisand! Thank you for posting.

[bassethound1]

One word: sublime.

[eldiran2]

This really is one of her best albums...if for no other reason than the simple, classical arrangements that highlight her voice, as does hearing her in a foreign language: it accentuates the incredible beauty of the Voice itself.

[sisalrug]

The only thing wrong with the Classical Barbra album is that it's too short. I could listen to songs like this forever. It's so perfect for her voice. Barbra if you read these (Yeah I know) please make another one, cherie.

[initiationscores]

Esto esta preciosoo!

[tutoo1234]

Muy lindo!!

[ilovenygirl]

I love this song and she really has mastered French!

[MrMoto]

Lyrics by Barbra Streisand?! Try Paul Bourget.

[BarbraLovesYou]

LMAO sorry, thanks for the correction - *wink*

[punisher21200]

Hey I don't have this Streisand Cd is it an essential Cd to add to my collection?

[pastre999]

Hi! No, it's not in any of her "Best" or "Essentials", it's in her Classical Barbra cd. Yopu will love this album of hers, so so beautiful and artsy..

[giselleybelly]

beautiful!

i gotta learn this song in 2 days! :O

so this'd help me 2 perform it better! :]

[udz39]

While Barbra does not have a classically trained voice she nonetheless adds a wonderful quality to this song. Pure, modest and natural. Many trained singers don't achieve this. Simply beautiful. Thanks for posting.

[phialin1954]

Tres jolie!

[criny009]

hey, I love all theses comments and fully agree with all of you... how do you want us to love her voice, her music and interpretation without using the word "DIVINE"?

We all hope she will still bring out some more albums for our joy and happiness in the heart. Please Babs, do that, we all need you, we'll never have enough of listening to your divine voice.

[Ridenaude]

It's amazing how adaptable her voice is.Great interpretation.I also liked "Pavane" from this cd.She looks stunning on the original back cover photo.

[twofinedays]

And Debussy is very, very famouse French composer from the turn of the last century, and not just some 'gentleman'.

[twofinedays]

She's quite wonderful through out the whole album, except for her terrible German diction.

[BlueCougar]

Bullshit. Her German diction is actually quite good.

[BarbraLovesYou]

I Love her politics! :-)

She's a smart lady...

[K3yP1ayer]

Can't stand Barb's politics, but love her voice! And her comedic skills aren't bad either. Need to make a correction, though: the French poet Paul Bourget wrote the lyrics that Claude Debussy set to music in perhaps his most famous song.

[poppazzz]

I had the "Classical Barbra" album a number of years back & foolishly loaned it to a "friend" who omitted to return it!So,to hear a track from the album here brought a tear to my eye,well,both eyes actually! My spelling is atrocious,so forgive me,but I also adored Liengshang quo pengo,la cruda sortee!Gawd,I just know that is such an incorrect interpretation.Plus,the russian track,last track,second side,which I think she also sings in english!

[jamriding]

Simply perfect!

[alfie4472]

it was Debussy, the music...she also sang Gabriel Faure's "apres un reve" same album...awesome performances...there is a song from Carmina Burana..love the album..

[Horstiworsti]

I think you should mention that is was Claude Debussy who wrote this wonderful song.

[himhh]

Listen closely to WHEN she breathes the first time after starting! her voice was like a musical instrument. anybody who likes to enjoy babs with the best she ever did (classical barbra) HAS to listen to that album! try to describe her without using the word divine!

[Sesshyismine]

Oh, we're singing this in chorus! And apparently all wrong! XD

[tjonesmusicman]

Yes!!! I finally found a video/recording of her singing this song. and it's in the key that I'm singing it in!! Thanks for posting this!

[iluvliberty]

Simply amazing.

Aw my Barbra <3

[BarbraLovesYou]

The very first rose in the video is the Barbra Streisand rose - but I am not sure if that was the final choice, because that interview was done during trial & cultivation period for that particular rose... But the Barbra Streisand rose is a classic amongst rosarians!!!

[Jaggyj]

is that the barbra Streisand rose

[streisandgarlandlvr]

wow this is gorgeous!! how do you make something like that?

Jessica

[distantm]

impeccecable french, beautiful tone, just lovely.just streisand..

[Twpsyndwl]

So stunning this song,her voice, great editing.Watching it brought tears to my eyes because of it's beauty

[Mayasita]

Very nice - Thank you - Love Barbra!