Brennan Hall Counter-Tenor

[Melimo]

Beautiful, Brennan!

[sieira12]

WHATS HE NAME OF THIS PIECE? AND COMPOSER?

[bbnotec2]

@sieira12 "Quella fiamma che m'accende" by Benedetto Marcello

[suoidolem]

I have to say, it is a voice with potential. But... singing high tones does not make one a singer. Meaning:

- I find the recitativo quite immature. Unfortunately, many singers (+ teachers) treat it as the useless blab between two arias.

- The text is italian, yet the inflexion of the text is not followed, especially at the endings of words.

- Ornamentation sounds uncertain and, in most cases, out of style.

- Uncontrolled vibrato; rather unhealthy for his age.

[drigao16]

really good singer, for me these notes are so easy, a think my voice still in mezzo soprano tone,=/.i dont understand, i am 17 age, and my voice dont change.

[martykaver]

what is the name of this song i plan on singing counter tenor and i like this.... man your voice is freaking awesome i wanna sing countertenor like u 1 day =]

[justasondheimbaby]

Beautiful timbre and clear diction. I'm a fan :)

[eduardoromera]

No me gustó un pasaje agudo pero en general me gusta mucho su voz. Me gustaría saber qué está cantando.

[jeffey217]

you can make alot of money with a good countertenor voice

[blairerox]

i think thats what i want to do

[justaguy230]

i like it

[saintandrews84]

Truly an amazing voice,love to hear Brennan sing some madrical hyms ,Purcell & Co.

[xxibbyusxx]

altho i think its amazing he does this without squeezing his balls...i went on it to see this because our music teacher said they sound like woman and i do find it slightly worrying...i think is the word...no...disturbing...i dnt know...its fucking weird...but...nice....if you close ur eyes.

xxx

lol

I can't stop laughing

if i was at this live i wood be lmao

sorry

x

[MrOpera777]

your comment is the only worrying thing about this video.

singing counter-tenor requires a great deal of skill and tecnique. There is absolutly nothing "disturbing" about a musician who has invested a great deal of time learning the proper tecnique to sing and perform counter-tenor repotoire. The only thing I find disturbing about this as I said before is your comment.

The singer and all other singers deserve your respect. If you cant grant them that then keep your comments to yourself.

[okebaram]

This guy is singing classically in head voice, and a man's head voice does not sound much different from a woman's head voice, whether or not he is a counter tenor or just a tenor. But most (not all) counter tenors do sound like women, especially when they sing, in chest voice even, and I'll just come out and say, it's wierd to me too, even though they have such ridiculous ranges. A very good example of an amazing counter tenor in chest: search "mr melonie daniels". That boy is a beast too!

[SuperHeroMan411]

@xxibbyusxx i dont care how old this is but you are an absolute idiot!

[forgottentenor]

Great control!

Lil' Robert Richardson

(CounterTenor)

[imillian008]

this is absolutely fantastic...but i find counter tenors moderatly unsettling...

[mradaChris]

Why?

[xxibbyusxx]

lmao to you too

[xxibbyusxx]

hahaha

lmao

[trlkly]

You are a really good countertenor. You're the first I've heard that has a chest-voice-like sound. I'd actually be interested to hear what you'd sound like on more contemporary repertory. I can't say that to many countertenors.

If I may offer a humble critique, I'd say that the only thing I'd like to hear is some blending on that low B, if that's even possible for you.

Also I love Quella Fiama. It sounds so much better in your fach, though.

[Mercury2301]

amazing voice!

[miracle2see]

studied voice with Mr Rayam 98-2000 his first counter tenor discovery at BCC. I sung very high tenor, but he took me on up there. Keep up the good work!

[miracle2see]

Hey Brennen, I actually studied with Mr. Rayum as his first counter tenor 98'-2001. I had a very high dramatic tenor voice, but he discover I was a young dramatic counter tenor. I sing both, which is rare. Nice voice yo.

[KEEPDATBS]

Excuse me do you study with Curtis Rayam?

[bbnotec2]

Yes I did. I worked with him for about a 1 1/2. He's an Awesome teacher.

[KEEPDATBS]

do you still study with him? He is still there? He is a GEM of a person and singer!!! Please give my best to Ms. Kimberly also..

[bbnotec2]

I don't, but he is a great teacher and I will make sure that I will tell him that you said hi.

[Royalorgans]

HI, I like your voice, Different from mines Im a Dramatic Coloratura Counter Tenor. With my voice sounds somewhat like Joan Sutherland, Kathleen Battle, Birigit Nilsson, in the high range although my tenor voice is a helden tenor.

[PeterObi]

sounds like a woman but nice i guess

[Royalorgans]

He is not a Counter Tenor, He just singing in hi falsetto voice.

[mnaoss]

Um.. that's what a counter tenor is.

[mradaChris]

If that is so then when a man sings in head voice, not in falsetto, what is the classification?

[sour7lemon]

A sopranist.

[pichaky]

Although, men who sing in falsetto to achieve high soprano notes are also sopranists. The average range of a counter tenor can easily extend to F5, but many "sopranists" reach notes beyond the commonly held range of a counter-tenor. The classification is definitely variable upon the person that you ask.

[trlkly]

Sorry, I meant countertenor veretto ("true high tenor", as opposed to falsetto "false high tenor"). That I would call this singer countertenor falsetto does not mean that I think any less of his voice, however.

[Gaseoushead]

I agree with organboi, this is not a legit singing voice. It is a cultured falsetto. They truncate part of the voice to make the vocal folds vibrate at a higher frequency. I also agree with organboi, in that they all pretty much sound the same. I, has a helden tenor, have had to work many years to take control of my large, weighty instrument. It has been a long and frustrating journey.

[trlkly]

While I appreciate the hard work you had to put into your heldentenor instrument, I think it is beyond reprehensible to insult another's vocal fach. Do you think that taking the usually unsingable falsetto function and making it into a beautiful instrument is easy?

Oh, well. Heldontenors are a dime a dozen, and countertenors, especially dramatic ones, are in quite high demand.

Anyways, I wish you luck in further developing your voice. And your attitude towards others'.

[FIRSTENOR18]

I couldn't agree more!

[trlkly]

(continuing my previous post)

If I had to make up a term, I'd call it a countertenor con voce piena (full-voiced high tenor) or contertenor pienetto (as opposed to countertenor falsetto).

[dbrel]

Once the top comes in more, you will have an amazing sound. The lower really is good-- no detectible passagio at all, which is unusual. I am curious what your regular voice is -- are you a tenor or a baritone?

[bbnotec2]

Well it was Baritone up until my sophomore year in college!

[dbrel]

That explains why the lower is so nice ! You will do fine.. I would encourage you to work on releasing your hands as you sing, which I am sure you have heard before. The top needs the "back up over forward and out" approach, where you are thinking of "drinking" in the sound. I think it would open up even more ! Your teacher has obviously done a great job!

[Gary2837]

@bbnotec2 Just hearing you and hope you are still singing those beautiful notes. Hopefully you ignored those critics who were attempting to be impressive with their little critiques. I was not impressed with their words only impressed with your voice. Baritone to countertenor??? Amazing!!!

[starbreez3]

@dbrel Maybe his highest notes aren't as good as lower because he trained already as baritone.

[MManuRere]

I don't hear any of the most common technical problem I usually see countertenors run into -- the "chirp" that tends to show up on vowel-initial notes. I know (as a countertenor before suffering some vocal-cord damage) how difficult that can be. There are still some pitch issues, but it sounds like those can be revolved -- and the sound quality is great, resonant and with a nice capacity for smoothness.

[matteyfield]

quite nice voice, but little bit like women, is like mens opera tenor vocal, i like tenor voices but rock and metal style,,, but this is too kind of nice..

[lampardm]

Great voice. Nice tone, and great range... keep the breath support even to keep the sound even , also soft palate up to stop the wobble at the top... and do do some work on the Italian... very important. But keep going... there are the foundations of a wonderful career here.

[johnnycool3000]

Where was this filmed? It looks like the Junior College auditorium near where I live, which host a lot of classial music.

[Anavyia]

Your voice is beautiful

[fieryblaze84]

Hey what is the name of this piece? its nice.

[stormstryk]

This is Quella fiamma (Il mio bel foco is the recit) by Benedetto Marcello.. you can find it in the standard 24 or 26 Italian Arie antique collections..

[redshield3]

What is the high note at appx 1:30?

[ozarkboy1964]

The top note is a "g" at the end. I think the highest before then was an "e"

[ozarkboy1964]

I do believe it is "Il mio bel foco"

Benedetto Marcello

[bbnotec2]

Yep your right, I just forgot the name of it!

[KMatteKudasaiC]

May i ask what exercises you use.. or how you approach falsetto to make it sound so clean and pure?

[bbnotec2]

Breath support plays a major part, and also relaxing the muscles around the neck so that is feels effortless (almost like drinking water). "E" is usually my favorite vowel to warm up with.

[saiyangohanz]

I've always liked this song.. yet i don't know the title. Does anyone know the title of this song by chance?

[COALLSTATE07]

Il mio bel foco

[WKCIV]

I enjoyed this... I can sing like this... but i' sure it's hard to get accepted into college singing counterTenor

[reallyharried]

Very good! Beautiful voice... Italian diction sounds fine to me!

[tjlooking4u]

YOu did a very good Job!!! Pease forgot the comments of these stupid haters because everyone thats a counter tenor does not sound the same. I'm a counter tenor and study in boston at longy and know how hard the switch is and getting used to singing up there...lol..Great job!!

[blckglam]

that's good stuff where r u studying?

[alfieism]

is this all falsetto, then?

[bbnotec2]

I only used chest voice for three notes in this song because it was easier, but there pretty quick, everything else is falsetto

[ljespin]

Of course darling !!!!! His pronunciation is the worst I've ever heard!!!! Nevertheless he has a beautiful voice. Keep trying.

[sigmablu07]

some of us are blessed with both voices

[MAnuciao79]

Damn, he can sing *g

[urgrad03]

Some pitch issues, but lovely.

[AluCardGr]

πολυ καλος κοντρα τενορος ''sakis arabatzis tenor''

[organboi]

these fake falsetto 'singers' all sound the same. this is not legit singing. listen to russell oberlin, the real thing, NOT falsetto. this guy is one of the ''better" ones though. but you all sound the same. and it's tedious after awhile.

[tenoroctaves]

WOW

[melalibero]

bravo

[justwatchingyours]

I love this song.. he is good!

[emilycharmante]

o dear..

[bigpapausa]

what a voice! keep it up & work hard!

[everascendingworship]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I WISH I WAS A COUNTER TENOR!!!!!! THEY're SO FREAKIN LUCKY! lol

[MAGEofOBLIVION]

Brilliant! Just recently, found I am a countertenor, however just learning to use my voice, yours is Brilliant! Good job keep it up!

[Contratenor18mlg]

A very beautifull voice... bravo!!

[3DDIEO8]

i tHINK yOU dID A gREAT jOB...sOME pEOPLE jUST eXPECT fOR cOUNTER tENORS aND tENOR oNES tO bE bRIGHT aND lYRICAL..bUT u HAVE a nICE rICH vOICE!!!

dO wAT u DO

[petipoi34]

very good ! wonderful colors, gorgeous low notes. bravo !

[joshklein19]

Beautiful

[xTheDoctorx]

This isnt the original key.. lets hear the original high A!

[toccaraoperadiva]

You sang this better than me.I love the color in your voice!!!!Bravo

[tenorbear60]

Wonderful voice! 2 things to watch: 1) you must improve your Italian. Watch out for the dipthongs... no American AYY at the end of m'accen-de. If you sing the countertenor repetoire Italian is your bread and butter. 2) you must connect emotionally with the words. A professional singer must know and understand EVERY word they sing. You must act as well as sing. Many good wishes to you!!

[musiqe07]

WOW! you sang that! you have a very good career ahead you keep singing! i wish you Godspeed!  like the other counter tenor said more support is needed for the top but i feel like that is a confidence issue,which you will soon work out if you havent already! you are well on your way!

[musiqboy3989]

GET 'EMM... no seriously... you have a nice voice man...

[Tekka]

Impressive

[altodivo]

WHAT a beautiful voice. Thick and Rich, like cream. And it sounds like it has some size behind it. A good body and good looks mean a career in opera methinks...

[baritenor81]

really nice voice! just a little bit less american accent in italian text and a little bit more "interest" while singing- then the high notes will also remain stable. but veeeery nice voice, brennan, keep the great work!

[CounterTenorAltus]

From one countertenor to another.. beautiful lower passaggio. It appears that your breath is a little high in some places.. make sure to lift the soft palate and shoot those upper passaggio notes up through the mask.. they need more breath support from your intercostal muscles. And don't slide to your high notes. also, include a crescendo at the end.. hold on to the note a little longer--that's what we'll pay to hear. One more thing..

[blasticore]

I was off to your far right, about half way back in the hall. Once again, well done. =)

[senesino83]

Lovely! Just watch out the Italian pronunciation... must be practiced... Hugs and keep up the great work!

[opera21]

Gorgeous voice. I don't know much about the history of counter tenors. Why did they have men sing so high? I'm studying classical voice but I'm still new in terms of music history.

[DrGarri]

Beautiful voice, keep up the good work!

[bruceagogox]

wow.

beautiful. <3333.

[hesings]

nice job

[infiniteFinality]

Wow.. 0_0''' such good use of the head register

[sexybcl21]

Could this be the Brennan I went to church with and sung tenor in the choir with? If so, my god man you are great! I'm also doing some counter-tenor work, but it seems you take it more seriously than I. Great job!

[eustazio]

Excellent, especially the low notes. Your physical presentation (your arms and hands in particular) make me thinks of derek lee ragin :)

[Oikuvxwbos]

I am a baritone and I also sing counter tenor, and I find this gentleman to be very good.

[IMSOFAB]

A truly beatiful voice,be sure to resist the urge to fidget it destracts from the over all performance.Keep your musical fucus when singing and im sure well be seing more from you .Good Job!

[operagirl81]

Wow how cool to hear a counter-tenor! He's very good!

[nipponchica86]

Brennan u are AMAZING!!!! =) You singing always takes my breath away.

[charlizzzzle]

i love you, brennan. hareg and i felt like we were at a vpa recital in the good old days. ;-)