Birthday Ode for Queen Anne, James Bowman, countertenor

[Ceenth]

Amazing.. :)

[bigowl9408]

A wonderful voice!

But some how it comes over a bit flat and not as ethereally spiritual, as Alfred Deller's

[sfkcbf]

@bigowl9408 You have a good point. To match the style of this ode and the astonishingly precise Baroque trumpet, one needs a voice that is more trumpet-like, focused and clear. Imagine what a Baroque castrato would sound like singing with full voice and large lungs.

[grofaz1939]

Fantastic! As superior to Kathy Battle(Axe) as Pierre Ferrand is  to a 40oz. malt licka!

[loge10]

I disagree--I just listened to the Robin Blaze version and think that while good, it doesn't move me nearly as much as Bowman. What some may seem to interpret as a lack of involvement for me is a paring down to pure expression with no affectation.

Bowman has Soul!!!!

[paradoxicus]

En el hecho musical,tal vez,no quepa decir el mejor.

Para mi,por su control,por su vibrato,por sus pausas,por su propia tesitura y fraseo,tal vez,el m....! 10/10

[titchinjp]

Who is the trumpet player?

Bowman likes working with Christian Steele-Perkins, so I assume it is him...

[VoceCorale]

@titchinjp Yes, you're right.

[titchinjp]

@VoceCorale Cheers, just wanted to check :)

[Gilliebean1958]

This is my absolute favourite recording and no matter how many times I hear it sends shivers down my spine.

[Consoltremass]

This sounds like The King's Consort - and probably you don't get a much better recording than this !

[Hradrik]

@Consoltremass

In fact I got the cd of this incredible version and it's the Arion Baroque orchestra.

[Consoltremass]

This sounds like The King's Consort Record - Hyperion Recording KING3. Absolutely stunning stuff !

[trickmastermonkey]

I just heard this on my favorite classical station, KDFC 102.1! from a segment called The Sacred Concert, with host Jeffrey Thomas

George Frideric Handel: Ode for the Birthday of Queen (26:01)

Gillian Fisher, soprano James Bowman, alto

John Ainsley, tenor Michael George, bass

Kings Consort

Robert King, conductor

Handel: Music for Royal Occasions

Hyperion HYP 66315

[Hradrik]

Nice and accurate version of this work. I think no vibrato has it's place here: it's eternal light so the voice must be as cristalineand pure as possible and Bowman offers us an excellent example

of it.

Thank a lot for posting!

[gianm73yout]

This is still the best version, in my opinion.

[Sesquiltera]

Why leave out the harpsichord???

[olialto7]

I do think that Robin Blaze does a better job with this aria, although his vibrato can be a bit irritating. But I think he sounds more involved than Bowman. Neither of them would be my ideal choice, however! If only Michael Chance had recorded the ode, preferably in the company of a soprano and baritone like Nancy Argenta and Stephen Varcoe for the duets!

[sfkcbf]

I agree with your astute assessment. Of the two performance that I posted, however, I prefer Deller's (even with his somewhat early, more primative countertenor technique.) His more clarion sound better matches the pure trumpet. Also, to borrow your phrase, Deller seems more "involved." To sing this aria properly requires strong vocal power. Perhaps no countertenor truly is up to it. Maybe a "Farinelli?"

[olialto7]

I am a fan of Deller. To think that his technique was utterly self-taught! I try to imagine what he would have sounded like had he been around nowadays and had the benefit of history behind him and, perhaps not 'lessons' as such, but some vocal advice from other experts. I think he would have been magnificent to hear!

[Monrealese]

Have you heard Scholl? He does a good job with this piece.

[titchinjp]

@olialto7 Robin Blaze's recording is fantastic. But on the whole I prefer James Bowman's recording as I feel that his voice suits it more. Blaze uses too much vib for my liking!

[paradoxicus]

Simplemente impresionante.

[lapanen007]

Good heavens, I never know Dr. Bowman had recorded this. Thank you for it! I can't really see this piece being sung in any other way. Sometimes music caries it self. Theres no need to to attempt to "produce" it any further. I think this is one o those pieces.

[tenormanjd]

Nice. However, the constrained vocal tone of the countertenor combined with the lack of warm in the trumpet lives me cold, personally. The musical line as performed here plods along with no real climax. If Baroque style is defined historically as such by some..fine, but it is certainly not my definition of it. Give me Wynton and Kathleen any day.

Nevertheless, I respect that many appreciate this held and pinched type of sound for Baroque. It is just not my preference.

[sfkcbf]

I listened carefully to several renditions before making the Bowman production, although I was not truly satisfied with either the voice or the trumpet. I dismissed for several reasons Robin Blase, along with several female vocalists. I, therefore, did the Deller video, even though his older recording was a more primitive countertenor. The trumpet, however was superb Baroque. If by "constrained" you mean unnatural & labored, I agree. If you mean lacking of heavy vibrato, that IS Baroque style.

[lapanen007]

True true! I love the trumpet. Clear as a midwinter day in Lappland.

[lapanen007]

Thank you for a artfull and adult way of telling your view. I disagree with you, but it's wonderfull to see a "normal" opinnion voiced in this day of spray and pray in regard of net postings! =)

[lapanen007]

my post regarding the way of voicing an oppinnion was meant for tenormanjd. sorry about the mixup!

[farinelli1977]

I love everything from Handel but this is the most beautiful aria he wrote!!! It always makes me cry... Can you hear that beauty inside? That sense of music? That is Mr. Handel. The greatest composer of all times...!

[yamiyugikun]

Beautiful! Divinely gorgeous. You can't say the Stuarts gave up the throne though. Check out Sir Walter Scott's Waverly.

[brychar66]

Wonderful music & video, watching her grow older. A much more interesting woman than many of her modern counterparts! Thank you Stephen.

[treblechoir99]

Oh boy. Magnificent, great voice here with Mr Bowman for this piece. My friend see Mr Bowman in England. Thank you for this moment.

[mradaChris]

This is very good!

c.

[emperoroberon]

Great video. Mr Bowman was in particularly fine voice on this day. He sounds much smoother than in some other works. Bravo!