Kathleen Battle & Parkening Perform Ave Maria

[Hermeterec]

from Jose' Sepulveda, the Hermeterec.....That guitarist to whom you refer, callastoujours, is the great Christopher Parkening, former student of the master himself, Andres Segovia and undeniably one of the finest classical guitarists who ever graced this spinning blue marble! Note that he had to alter the original music by using a capo in order to conform to the incredibly beautiful and talented Ms Battle's vocal range. Not an easy task but routine for a guitarist of Parkening's great ability.

[Epicman1122]

Once i saw a girl that was 5 and she sang ave maria

[Michajeru]

Perhaps I am overly emotional but I started to cry when I heard this. It is beautiful beyond description.

[noragloria]

Brings tears to my eyes -- the beauty of this. My God.

[goscott4]

BEAUTIFUL!

REV  18

[beatriceabbott1]

i am not well-versed in things musical, but i do know true beauty wheb i see it or hear it. this raised gooseflesh on my arms when i listened. truly moving and magnificent.

[kinddude]

@beatriceabbott1 - Thank you kindly for your comments. Have often felt what you felt and wondered how artists like Kathleen Battle have the ability to move us, to reach this level of magnificence you mention.

[misterbigboy]

I love the response from Dionne Warwick at the end, she is a bit overwhelmed. This is truly inspired and must have been so moving in-person. What a gift.

[GosfordAbercrombie]

watching the 2011 grammys makes this look like the citizen kane of live performances!!!!! what a travesty that performances like this don't really happen anymore on mainstream television!!!!

[snjones99]

@GosfordAbercrombie I agree !

[Up2DaRack]

I too remember watching this broadcast live in 1987. Many of the numbers on the show were typically over-produced and over the top. Then, like a breath of fresh air in stark contrast to all the other production songs, the spotlight shines on a single vocalist and a classical guitarist accompanying her. Music in its purest form, sublime in its simple elegance and beauty. I was as mesmerized as the audience by this special magical moment. Glad someone captured it on tape and shared it here.

[kinddude]

@Up2DaRack Thank you for your heartfelt and well articulated comments. Wishing you the best this holiday season.

[Curatica]

Wonderful singer! A great duo, indeed.

[wsp67326]

for those he thought Evancho was so incredible... THIS is a true artist. Pretty neat voice for a 10-year old, but come on folks... you get so much more out of a seasoned artiste than from a little girl with a pretty (though advanced somewhat, I agree) voice. Just sayin'...

[mami1998amanda]

Gilgamesh.......I must gived props to Chris Parkening too. Remarkable job of accompanying this angel, Chris is a national...no, a world treasure.

[sillyboydeux]

This is the best rendition I have ever heard, including Tebaldi, and hundreds of other great artists. She is without a doubt up on Mt. Olympus with a very few others. Such concentration and subtle passion are extinct nowadays. God bless you, Kathleen, for the many concerts and operatic nights that are etched in my memory. How about your début as the Shepherd in Tannhaüser? I was up in the 4th ring and people were GASPING at the ravishing thread of sound you spun that night, like silk of gold!

[mami1998amanda]

Gilgamesh.........Sublime.....­Pure as mountain air.

[MrMartapaiva]

muita linda

[jsantiago31]

so he is playing Bach Prelude 1 while she sings Ave Maria? That's tight.

[kinddude]

@jsantiago31 When I was a student teacher, "tight" was one of the highest complements you could pay someone, something. Totally agree.

[Curatica]

In fact, this is how this piece of music was written. Gounod wrote the melody superimposed over the Prelude in C Major.

[davehshs]

@jsantiago31 The reason it's called the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria is because Gounod superimposed the sung melody that he composed over the Bach prelude. What an inspired marriage!

[Amfortaz]

Kathleen Battle is a very deep and sensitive person. There are very few artists who combine such fantastic technical ability with such sensitivity. What a lovely woman.

[kinddude]

@Amfortaz Well put.

[tyedrooms]

thank you in the greatest of hold, mommey is with regards ... b~

[Amfortaz]

This is one of the best renditions of this classic.

[RodrigoLimaa1]

wow!! I had never heard of kathleen before.

She is amazing. Fantastic voice!!

[politicopol]

what a dream combo...kinddude thank you...

[kinddude]

@politicopol You're most welcome. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[boyoungc]

This is how this song is supposed to be sung. I went to the Christmas concert and a tenor played this song and it was not as touching as Battle sings.

[swerveon]

thank you so much for posting this!

[ElegantPaws01]

would you happen to have Kathleen Battle singing Hallelujah? That one always sends me and when I truly realized she is one of the greatest living coloraturas.

[kinddude]

Great news. That version is on youtube. In the search box, enter: Alleluja - Exsultate, Jubilate - Mozart - Battle

Hope you enjoy it! :-)

[ElegantPaws01]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for the heads up. I am going right now! Happy Holidays!

[callastoujours]

As I said, Kathleen is awesome, but the guitarist is at her same level. Hear please, how he perfectly accompany her, he waits for her to express, he gives her the serenity that she needs to sing piece.

He is marvelous !!!

[kinddude]

Callastoujours - Thank you for that. Well It is an important point that you make -- these artists are awesome, each in their chosen professions. It is easy to hear if you listen for it.

[GEF69]

he is indeed,,,she took many liberties and he made it all sound seamless.

[callastoujours]

5 stars!!!

[Jitpring]

Wonderful!!

[2009abcd1357]

What a wonderful performance!

Thanks.

[Oldtinear]

Magical! Bach in good form, Gounod never better, Parkening excellent, and Battle sublime. And by some alchemy the result is greater than the sum of the parts. As good as it gets. Thanks very much for posting.

[Proverbs2719]

I love her voice so much. If there are others with such a beautiful tone please enlighten me, because i've never heard anyone with such a clear, warm, and pleasant tone.

[kinddude]

Proverbs2719 - Thanks to you (and others) for your comments. I too have yet to hear anyone with a tone as clear, warm, pleasant. To you great list, may I add: I have yet to hear anyone with such a "bright, agile, full, expressive, "deep" tone.

Thanks again!

[niseleven]

Proverbs 2719,

I think the following singers also have a clear and wonderful voice.

1. Barbara Bonney.

You can search "The most beautiful rendition of Ave Maria" in Youtube.

2. Sissel

She's not an opera singer, but her voice is very beautiful.

You can find her videos by searching "sissel, over the rainbow" and "sissel, pie jesu".

Wish you enjoy them.

[jenson7720]

love this piece ...love that build up!love this version...in every way!

[mililaniguy]

I just listened to this and Charlotte Church's version, and I think Battle is a much better classical singer.

[stingabe]

nooooooo! you think!

[summerbunny612]

Thank you so much for posting this kinddude. It's as though they were both born to sing this song together.

[kinddude]

You're welcome so much, summerbunny. It is a gift that these artists share their talents with us and a gift that we have ears and heart to appreciate it!

[osmargds]

Simply wonderful! What a beautiful guitar, what a superb voice!

[soulsurrender]

Her voice reminds me of an aged violin..so warm and mellow, without being overbearing on the high notes. I love the way she sort of 'embraces' the climax by holding back a bit without losing power.

[kinddude]

Thank you. Beautifully said, soulsurrender. Your post made me think of her broad range of texture and emotion and notes -- done so artfully...

[gctlcda]

Agree w/ you both: soulsurrender & kinddude. I have always adored K Battle's singing and think this duet is simply divine!

Thx for the upload.

[bevostumpedrevielle]

two of my favorite people...

[Bobsyermomsuncle]

I wore This CD out.

[yutaka6010]

クリストファーパークニングとキャスリンバトルの夢の競演です。­すばらしいギターの伴奏と天使の声のバトルの歌声は聴く人を虜に­してしまう魅力溢れた演奏です。

[kinddude]

あなたが正しいか:-)ありがとうございます。

[roemerudi]

I'm sure this is the most awesome version of Gounods Greetings to Maria.

[M3T4L3U]

キャスリンバトル

[dorotheafayne]

Interesting interpretation.  Cool! Dorothea :)

[devastaticon]

she really does take liberties with the tempo but parkening should have altered his accompaniment better so they would be together!!

[halaluani]

It seems to me it is Parkening taking the liberties. Like many male classical guitarists, he thinks the faster he plays the more impressive it is.

[krazyguitarpicker]

I doubt parkening thinks that. He studied under segovia, who definetally didnt think that (compair sergovia's version of asutrias with Ana Vidovic or John Williams).

[halaluani]

It is acceptable and expected for a vocalist to take these liberties. The problem is that Parkening is not an accompianist but a solo performer. A good accompianist is difficult to come by. It would be very unusual for anyone in Parkening's position to be a good accompianist. As both a vocalist and a classical guitarist (vocalist longer),I would have been really frustrated singing or playing. I'd want to find the producer who thought this was a good idea and smack, ummm, I mean, educate her/him.

[pietieeeee]

großer Auftritt, sehr schön das Duo stimmt und ist optimal aufeinander eingestimmt! Merci 1000 mal! Arno, deutschland

[kinddude]

Genau! Danke fuer deinen Kommentar. Ich bin froh daß sie Fans in Deutschland hat.

[ChantHappy]

L'Ave Maria de Gounod m'a toujours bouleversée

Je le découvre, ici, interpérété par Kathleen Battle .... je reste sans voix ! Une pure merveille !

Merci beaucoup

[paulostroff99]

I like it even more now then I did 7 months ago when I praised both artists!

[kinddude]

Thanks for your kind words, Paul. I suspect most of us share these files, so that others like yourself can enjoy them so.

[kantsyz]

je maintiens ce que j'ai dis kinddude...et vous ai laissée un p'tit message..(veuillez par ailleurs m'excuser d'avoir mal libellé le nom de Kathleen Battle dans ce msg).

[kinddude]

kntsyz - merci bcp pour votre commentaire. desole, mais je ne trouve pas ton message. c'est pas grave. mais si tu t'attends a une response...

[paulostroff99]

kinddude-And this is very kind of dudes such as you. Best wishes.

[echoise]

I love Kathleen Battle. I wish she'd perform opera again.

[kantsyz]

erratum :je veux dire Gounod's

[kantsyz]

une des plus belles voix.L'interprètationque je préfère de l'Avé Maria de

[kinddude]

Merci, Kantsyz. Je suis tout a fait d'accord avec toi.

[kinddude]

Thanks to all for your thoughtful and heartfelt comments. They are very much appreciated.

[Florhusband]

I've long been a fan of Bach/Gounoud's Ave Maria, and can tell a great rendition from a merely good one. No contest on this one - it was so beautiful, I cried...

[camposi]

Great interpretation. Bach`s Ave Maria is my favourite!!!

[swe50]

When Battle keys down and avoid ornamentals she is simply enchanting. The guitarist is marvelous, Battle at her very best. And that means great ! A piece if art !

[roar007]

And apparently Dionne Warwick's emotion buttons were pushed by the performance. Amy Grant sitting behind her jumped out of her seat.

[ladydorothea]

The purity of Kathleen Battle's voice paired with the excellence of Christopher Parkening.....Sublime.....BRAV­O!

[ashcake25]

This is absolutely the most beautiful rendition of Gounod's Ave Maria I have ever heard! Wow, I absolutely love Kathleen Battle, and the accompaniment was outstanding as well!!!!

[ERWINROMMEL16]

A OK

[Jurneyman2]

This is the first time I have heard Kathleen Battle and I am delighted I took the time I think she has one of the most soft and mellow voices I have heard now I am a fan:-)

[IHUNAMES]

I am not an Opera enthusiast and I prefer Schubert's version of Ave Maria. However, Kathleen Battle sings this so beautifully that I could not resist listening to it a 2nd and then 3rd time. Awesome job!

[caperat8587]

Christopher is a Master of guitar teacher,ive learn alot from Him!

[lizclegg]

This is a really lovely version. Thank you for posting

[TassieJean]

I just sent this video to my marriage celebrant so she can play it at my wedding. I think its just beautiful.

Jean.

[paulostroff99]

This to me -is the best of the female opera singers versions.With the able assistance of C.P on guitar.He,by the way-is a world renowned guitarist.

[storkdiva]

This is just a beautiful and heavenly performance. The pairing of the guitar with Ms. Battle as the soprano is perfect.

[alcolesel]

Linda voz e magnífica interpretação!Brava!

[kinddude]

Muito obrigado

[noaj8121986]

Amazing. I love the latin version! It was beautifully song and played very well on the guitar!

[dozer1189]

Fantastico!!!

[sanguinefan]

What an exquisite performance! Beautifully understated singing, and the guitar accompaniment is just perfect. A real gem.

[Benj888]

Loss of clever words, or any words for that matter........*sob* The perfect songbird.

[BradamantKnight]

My favorite version of Ave Maria finally done right. So many are so overblown and self=indulgent. This one is perfect - and I normally don't favor sopranos.

[texmatt]

AMEN! So many singers today - both classical and contemporary - have become so focused on "impressing" the listener with vocal gymnastics and overwrought performances. When you demonstrate that you can sing a song beautifully the RIGHT way, you build up your credibility so you can then take a few - and JUST a few - liberties with it the next time! ; )

[komodiakarma]

I sooooo agree texmatt. Extreme vocal gymnastics do NOT impress me..The simplicity of this is much more difficult than it seems. And I ditto what notfromohio says. Parkening is not just some SHREDDER guy. lol. In today's music world there is little room for understated elegance. Everything must be BLING-ed. Dripping in tacky.

[MyGuitar9]

Pure loveliness. My favorite Ave Maria and instrument. Thank you

[70zGirl]

I hope Dionne Warick wasn' the only one to give them a standing ovation!

[texmatt]

I remember watching this original telecast in the 80's and was mesmerized back then. I also remember the entire audience - after a stunned pause - following the lead of Dionne and Amy and jumping to their feet with wild cheers.

[inclusio]

Entrancing performance of my favourite Ave Maria. Bravo Kathlen and Christopher

[kinddude]

Very glad you all enjoyed this. I think this is what true art does. It entrances us. It gives us pleasure. It feels us with the understanding of our higher selves...in some way.

[booboobear8269]

beautiful, thank you for posting

[skingaz]

This is utterly wonderful and she has the most beautiful and pure female soprano voice I've heard in some time. For an interesting comparison, check out the recording on here of the Bass Ivan Rebroff doing the same piece. Makes for a fascinating comparison. :)

[viktor1950]

bellisima interpretacion, Bravo!!

[Jayforme]

Beautiful

[holansent]

for this ave maria,i really think no one can beat her.

[odessa321]

Even Dion got up.

[Moyuelo]

es lo mas hermozo que he oido en mi vida ... T_T

[Moyuelo]

he is a little Earth God in this already lost earth without

[Moyuelo]

exelente! I want that video: (

[Brownmuscle2007]

Christopher Parkening and Ms.Battle represented two great artist at the top of their muscianship. The classical guitar and voice. I would love to hear these two paired for several classical Spanish songs.

[Kaite84]

Lovely! My voice teacher went to college with Kathleen and even competed against her many times. She was always struck with how sweet her voice was. Very true and bell like.

[morningtide]

Seriously, if I was singing with Christopher Parkening, I would ask him to shut the hell up. It's really, really distracting.

[squidtoad]

Which is probably why he never asks you to sing with him.

[morningtide]

Nice.

[lizclegg]

LOL

[wedidntknow]

seriously his playing is amazing and adds such an elegance and simplicity to the song the isn't heard with the organ nor the piano...

[chasong]

"goosebbumpsly" awesome

[joseitox]

OMG that's how this should be sung =)

[cantanteporsiempre]

I have seen this dress in some other performance!! I think Carmina Burana, or at least it¨s very similar.

[adrummerandagirl]

BEAUTIFUL!!!

[caedmon211]

magnificent rendition. I wonder if this piece was really created for her voice...lol... She's really great!

[Grandtenore]

OF COURSE IT WAS!! She and Gounod were the best of friends! lol Naw, I know what you mean...it does fit her voice very well. I love it.

[jimmyp37]

heaven's soundtrack