A sublime Kaddisch from a very great singer. It was truly a privilege to stand on stage next to him as a young singer of 22 and experience the full impact of that soulful voice. A precious memory from my first season in opera.
@pedrinrj The Kaddisch, the hebrew words used for this song by Ravel, is a jewish prayer that is exclusively said to comfort mourners after the dead of a beloved. Although the tekst speaks only of the greatness of God and not of loss or death, the sadness in the song is very profound and present. I am always touched by the respectfull way Ravel used this very special prayer from jewish tradition in this beautiful and almost spiritual song.
@adamknul Just a slight correction. The kaddish is not only said in times of mourning. It is also part of every prayer service (in a few different forms) and is used to mark transitions or endings of various parts of the service. However, Ravel clearly had its use as a prayer for mourners in mind when he wrote this transcendent melody.
@timespacesoul01@pedrinrj The Kaddisch, the hebrew words used for this song by Ravel, is a jewish prayer that is exclusively said to comfort mourners after the dead of a beloved. Although the tekst speaks only of the greatness of God and not of loss or death, the sadness in the song is very profound and present. I am always touched by the respectfull way Ravel used this very special prayer from jewish tradition in this beautiful and almost spiritual song.
@tuadolcefanciulla As a great admirer of Van Dam, I agree with almost everything you've said:). I would argue only that he is a bass-baritone. He has sung baritone, bass and bass-baritone roles with equal distinction ---
Il fallait savoir que Ravel s'intéressait et la voix de José Van Damme... (bon peut-être une imperfection comme dans les tapis persans!) Seul D. jugera! Merci pour cette production!
wow! by the time it got to the end! what a buildup! I've only been exposed to ravel's piano works and love those but this is great too. woot woot for ravel!!
One error: In measure 14, Ravel is unclear as to the pronunciation of b'chayeichon. He wrote a dot over the last o, which makes no sense. Van Dam sings it as
b'chayeichoen (the oe standing for [o] umlaut, as if were b'chayeichern. How that error escaped the notice of the producer is mysterious. But that is a very small quibble in a really wonderful performance.
it is common that Hebrew prayers are pronounced differently in east European dialect. It is strange that all the piece is in perfect (modern) Hebrew a part of that word...
Ravel wasn't exact with the consonants either; in the same word b'chayechon most singers are unaware of the guttural letter ח 'chet' and sing a regular 'h'.
parfait !
anastasia7536 2 weeks ago
José van Dam is a utterly stunning singer!! Truly brilliant!
Brunnhilde66 11 months ago
A sublime Kaddisch from a very great singer. It was truly a privilege to stand on stage next to him as a young singer of 22 and experience the full impact of that soulful voice. A precious memory from my first season in opera.
Tenortalker 1 year ago
So moving. I like his timbre, I like his interpretation. A true artist.
blichilde 1 year ago
No-one sings this better! Perfect marriage of voice and song. Van Dam's da man!!
Octorod 1 year ago
Beyond perfection.
pedrinrj 1 year ago
@pedrinrj The Kaddisch, the hebrew words used for this song by Ravel, is a jewish prayer that is exclusively said to comfort mourners after the dead of a beloved. Although the tekst speaks only of the greatness of God and not of loss or death, the sadness in the song is very profound and present. I am always touched by the respectfull way Ravel used this very special prayer from jewish tradition in this beautiful and almost spiritual song.
adamknul 1 year ago 4
@adamknul Just a slight correction. The kaddish is not only said in times of mourning. It is also part of every prayer service (in a few different forms) and is used to mark transitions or endings of various parts of the service. However, Ravel clearly had its use as a prayer for mourners in mind when he wrote this transcendent melody.
spn1007 1 year ago
amazing performance ! despite not knowing the meaning of the song, i need to repeat listening to it , thanks for posting
timespacesoul01 2 years ago
@timespacesoul01 @pedrinrj The Kaddisch, the hebrew words used for this song by Ravel, is a jewish prayer that is exclusively said to comfort mourners after the dead of a beloved. Although the tekst speaks only of the greatness of God and not of loss or death, the sadness in the song is very profound and present. I am always touched by the respectfull way Ravel used this very special prayer from jewish tradition in this beautiful and almost spiritual song.
adamknul 1 year ago
Hermosísimo!
eneve 2 years ago
Artist is the word...beyond a singer.
aguacun 2 years ago
Amongst the finest baritones of all time, I find
Jose Van Dam's voice always recognizable by
the unique beauty of its timbre. His technique
is amazing. His musicality profound. His range
of repetoire - done well - is surreal.
tuadolcefanciulla 2 years ago 8
@tuadolcefanciulla gorgeous indeed, he also sings as a bass... see don quijote. or only as a bass???
petrahartt 1 year ago
@tuadolcefanciulla As a great admirer of Van Dam, I agree with almost everything you've said:). I would argue only that he is a bass-baritone. He has sung baritone, bass and bass-baritone roles with equal distinction ---
stevevandien 1 year ago
Comment removed
tuadolcefanciulla 2 years ago
Van Dam is a fine artist. I've always loved his rich, wide-ranging bass-baritone. He sings this great piece movingly and beautifully.
stevevandien 2 years ago 3
Il fallait savoir que Ravel s'intéressait et la voix de José Van Damme... (bon peut-être une imperfection comme dans les tapis persans!) Seul D. jugera! Merci pour cette production!
QSPF11 2 years ago
unbeatable performance sung with sheer strength, commitment and belief
umvumvumvu 2 years ago
wow! by the time it got to the end! what a buildup! I've only been exposed to ravel's piano works and love those but this is great too. woot woot for ravel!!
figaromagniffico 2 years ago
Simplismente maravilhoso!!!!
mvbaritone 3 years ago 2
Perfection
RossAllanPorter 3 years ago 10
Beautiful. Thank you...
grdzelli 3 years ago 4
Anyone would want to hear this on Yom Kippur. What a vocally, aesthetically and spiritually unified rendition. Magisterial.
danpincus 3 years ago 3
One error: In measure 14, Ravel is unclear as to the pronunciation of b'chayeichon. He wrote a dot over the last o, which makes no sense. Van Dam sings it as
b'chayeichoen (the oe standing for [o] umlaut, as if were b'chayeichern. How that error escaped the notice of the producer is mysterious. But that is a very small quibble in a really wonderful performance.
danpincus 3 years ago
Insightful, and I'm not surprised.
henryasher 3 years ago
it is common that Hebrew prayers are pronounced differently in east European dialect. It is strange that all the piece is in perfect (modern) Hebrew a part of that word...
kropchik 3 years ago
Folks, a little correction: the text of the Kaddish prayer is in Aramaic... :0)
But Van Dam is great!
basselyrique 3 years ago
Ravel wasn't exact with the consonants either; in the same word b'chayechon most singers are unaware of the guttural letter ח 'chet' and sing a regular 'h'.
basselyrique 3 years ago
This is an amazing song and performance.
Thanks for posting.
DivaDeb1234 3 years ago 2