Aafje Heynis, Sea Pictures by Sir Edward Elgar

[vincentvanbuuren]

I agree with remark about the vibrato. Still the voice is so unique. In Holland she was always compared to Kathleen Ferrier, which is unfair to both. I prefer Aafje Heynis before Karhleen Ferrier, I have most recordings of both ladies. I did not know Aafje ever sang Elgar's Seapictures, what a pleasant surprise to find this recording. My favourite recording, in spite of the lovely Janet Baker recording which I love very much, is the recording made by Yvonne Minton.

[coryisawake]

This is the most gorgeous voice and reading of this music that I've heard.

[Leah041]

alguien tiene la version con Janet Baker?

[amandamarie82694]

that was a pretty video and love the pictures

[saturne46]

La voix d'Aafje Heynis me transporte. Quelle merveille !

[BrickLaneBetty]

Janet Baker is still the definitive.

[christiaandhooghe]

Hmmm, they are NONE similar.

[Uruguruh]

Beautiful, thanks!

[andreasscholl]

Pitty there is only one part of this cycle!

Hope there will be more in the future be found....

[jcriedijk]

Dear Andy,how things can change in a short time.I commented 3 months ago abt Bernadette Greevy the famous Irish mezzo,not knowing until today! that she passed away 26 sep 2008..aged only 68. Aafje Heynis(1924)is still alive in Holland,aged 84, although suffering from Alzheimer unfortunately.

Sea Pictures by Bernadette Greevy should be found elsewhere on Youtube, but not under her name, so you must check carefully among Sea pictures Best regards from the Netherlands. Koos Riedijk

[ashleyguidera]

ocean's shadowy MIGHT ;)

x

[jcriedijk]

To Andy: very nice pictures you have added to this Sea Song.Regarding the contralto: Aafje's vibrato is a bit too much to my liking, remember she was still young when it was recorded! The Irish contralto Bernadette

Greevy(1940)scores from the 25 versions I have heard about the best.Unfortunately there is nothing on youtube of this Grand Irish singer (range alto/contr/mezzo)Her

Irish folksongs are great too.

[andigrim007]

Hello jcriedijk

I still think this is a very moving version of Slumber Song.

You are probably right but because of her gentleness in singing, and not only, she convinces me each time.

In a way, as Maria Callas (yes, totally opposite in temperament and repertoire !)

she gives something in her singing that for me is more precious than a technically perfect instrument.

Thank you for the references.

I appreciate

andy

[Lohengrin]

Heynis is so uniquely moving This is beauuuuuuuuuuuutiful

[rupepill]

Wonderful to hear an example of Aafje Heynis's singing which is a model of how beautiful a really fine contralto may sound. The voice is rich and warm and her diction remarkably clear. Many English singers sadly make less of the words, in clarity and meaning, than does this grand Dutch artist.

[DivaDeb1234]

This is such a gorgeous song and nice that it is orchestrated.

And what a lovely alto voice.