British Contralto Carmen Hill ~ The Green Hills o' Somerset (1913)

[alixgono998]

@CurzonRoad Contraltos are usually categorized in 3 ways: Dramatic, Lyrical and Coloratura. Im just asking which kind is she.

[alixgono998]

This is lovely. But I have a question: What kind of Contralto was she?

[mayatatyana1]

Thank you, Doug. Beautiful voice! Lovely photo. Maya

[sunnydale22]

A lovely upload.

[CurzonRoad]

@sunnydale22

Thank YOU... very much!

[sunnydale22]

@sunnydale22 You're very welcome!

[gorky6uk]

Um. This was my late father's favourite song. It's just a comment about the words. I believe they were written by Frederic Weatherly, who also wrote "Danny Boy". Eric Coates wrote the music. I have to say, though, this is a beautiful recording.

[SusanSusaw]

Such a lovely voice...And such an excellent recording...It seems a lower voice was recorded better at this time in History

[Tenortalker]

She would probably be called a mezzo soprano these days. I too find her style much more modern than Clara Butt and i wonder who she studied with. This is a very tender performance. Thank you for allowing us to discover these recordings.

[mayatatyana1]

Doug, this is a lovely old song. Beautiful performance. Lovely photo, Thank you.Maya

[lornabegbie]

So charming and pure - what a lovely posting! Lorna

[opertutto]

Such exquisitely balanced singing. Remarkably beautiful. Thank you, Doug. George

[Kievest]

Elegance, open-hearted but stylish es-

pression of the most infinite longing,

conversational and approachable artistry,

adroit diction and charm to spare!!

Carmen Hill is a contralto for all seasons!

Thank you Doug!

[rupepill]

Yes, warmth is there surely. The singer's photograph also shows her face as being a sweet and sensitive one. Very nice altogether.

By the way, what do you do to bring out such good piano tone from acoustics? Even in those very early records of Boronat, Calve and Adams, the pianos sounded remarkably clear to me, and my hearing is poor.

[WilyDacklor]

could you please write the lyrics?

Her voice so warm, and soothing, and this is make me inspired as we both are contralto

[CurzonRoad]

THE GREEN HILLS 'O SOMERSET (Eric Coates) Oh the green hills o' Somerset Go rolling to the shore; `Twas there we said that we'd get wed, When spring came round once more. `Twas there we kissed and said goodbye Beside the kirkyard wall, And the song the blackbird sang to us Was the sweetest song of all. Green hills o' Somerset! Green hills o' Somerset! When shall we walk by you, Green hills, once more!

[CurzonRoad]

Oh the green hills o' Somerset Go rolling to the sea, And still today the violets Are blooming there for me. The shadows kiss the waving grass, Beside the kirkyard wall, But the song the blackbird sings to me Is the saddest song of all. Green hills o' Somerset! Green hills o' Somerset! No more we'll walk by you, Green hills, once more!

[schlusnus]

Hi Doug... Your endless collection is a joy for all.

All major contributers to fine music on YT are a blessing

it means so much to so many. Thanks in perpetuity.

[stuartliff]

Stunning. This is what singing is all about. There is scarcely a singer alive now who sings with such tenderness and expression. It is also a very lovely voice. Joan Hammond made a good recording of this fine Coates 'song but Hill leaves her standing.

Vivian

[CurzonRoad]

Much obliged, indeed very rewarding. It is, needless to say, a wonderful thing to bring the sounds of an artist such this back to life. If not mistaken, unaware of a single reissue of Carmen Hill.  THANK YOU! Doug --

[fuzzbear6240]

Doug, Such a warm inviting voice. Thank you!

YF, J.

[Shabannie]

Very beautiful!

-------Ellen

[castodivo]

Absolutely lovely. She paints a picture with her voice. Such delicate phrasing and expressive line!

[CurzonRoad]

Greetings.... and many thanks! Doug --

[althazarr]

Very nice! What label is this one on?

[CurzonRoad]

Hi Lloyd: His Master's Voice (HMV). Thanks! Doug --

[Kievest]

Hill's lovely, creamy, velvety voice with

its light vibrato and expressive coloration

is stylishly restrained but touching in its

limpid poetry. The meaning of every

gracious stanza is revealed with detailed

attention and warmth. Thank you for

introducing me to this wonderful singer!

[AulicExclusiva]

A lovely feminine voice and affectionate style.

And what a lovely song.

[meltzerboy]

Clear and lovely tone, facile technique, and delicate expression are all there in Hill's performance of the song. A welcome discovery for me! Thanks, Doug.

[paulostroff99]

A lovely rendition indeed! Brava! TY Doug.

[ginnykaren]

A wonderful presentation. She was marvelous!

[65attila]

Doug

A beautiful voice and clean production.

Thanks-John

[Bivolari]

Very lovely. In contrast to Clara Butt and her ilk, Hill seems to be a contralto more to the modern taste. A more soprano like tone and an avoidance of the booming chest. Remarkably clear recording!