In The Bleak Midwinter - Kiri Te Kanawa

[sfden50]

One of the wonderful things about music of this level of quality and beauty, is that it reminds us there is still so much good in the world, despite the violence and inequalities we see all around us.

[calvinator6]

Thanks for sharing.

[ultras1uk]

Absolutely beautiful!

[45oldbear]

Actually I was not joking but asking. He is indeed the possessor of a magnificent tone. Thanks for the education. It was a bit too much to hope for, but stranger things happen every day. Just watch politics!

[ozzian2000]

This concert got me through my first Christmas away from home. Wonderful!

[Eurofrank1]

Who are "they"? This version is the original!

[BERSSIT]

This is not the melody they used to sing in the old days. Why do they change everything? the old melody was far more beatiful.

[hatstalker]

@BERSSIT I prefer this melody. It is far more delicate and beautiful IMHO.

[lipera]

Cette femme est constamment étonnant moi. Peu importe si est chantant opéra ou un autre genre de musique. Dame Kiri est un véritable artiste, et seulement elle est capable de fasciner des millions chaque fois qu'elle ouvre sa bouche bénie.

[45oldbear]

Firstly Holst's poetic imagery of the impenitrable hardness of the world at Christ's appearing. Second,g- the arrangement is devotional.Third, Dame Kanawa's legato and pianissimo sublime. Fourth, what a shock to think this is the George Michael of pop yesteryear. Is it so? What a gorgeous and elegant baritone sound- his demeanor so restrained and excellent. Wonderful that the libretto is visible in its full glory. This is music that is truly God honoring, truth and beauty uniting in humility.

[MrSwifts31]

@45oldbear

I hope you are joking!?

This Michael George a wonderful operatic/oratorio bass baritone.

[sfden50]

Very Beautiful

[65TUBU]

The very sound of Christmas! Those angelic voices!

[mariachivers]

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Well done Kiri and Michael, keep up the good work and spread the words of joy. Happy Christmas everyone.

[alphashed]

Dame Kiri is like a magnificent flower. The flower takes an abundance of care but the beauty Dame Kiri & Michael George radiate in this beautiful piece is as near angelic as we will ere perceive.

[beastiez1]

I found the Annie Lennox version forced and borderline negro spiritual, and the artificial music (electronic music) superfluous and much much too loud and distracting.

[jrdallasjr]

Stunningly beautiful. 

[pattigeeful]

Why compare? This is good and complete and enough as is!

[pattigeeful]

Why compare?

[RThelizardprincess]

Prefer sissel....

[swanningaround]

@RThelizardprincess Always gets down to Kiri vs Sissel, doesn't it? They should have a sing off.

[ariachino]

Dame Kiri has never 'murdered' any piece she has chosen to sing. Annie Lennox's version is just in a different style. I enjoy both.

[ManOnTheMoon2]

She murdered it..see annie lennox version

[invinciblec1]

i love this song so very much bringing back a flood of memories of time gone by but this beautiful song is timeless.

[SarahW4023]

beautiful :) no words could possible explain how amazing it is

[alphashed]

It must be part of God's Blessing to us, if from the bleakest of times, Christina Rossetti could pen these beautiful words. According to Wikipedia: Although the lyrics were written as a poem by English poet Christina Rossetti before 1872, it was published posthumously in Rossetti's Poetic Works in 1904 and became a Christmas carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906 with a setting by Holst.

[GosuSan]

Very good, but the version with Sissel Kyrkjebo and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, here on Youtube, is stunning!! Sissel`s angelic natural soprano fits this song like noone else!!

[radostsguy]

Kiri is one of the best!

[gimmeachallenge]

Well, it's all beautiful from the very beginning. . . but it was that final phrase, "give Him my heart" that got me. My God, how she can charm with the way she spins a phrase. Love her!!

[kcrnjch]

she pushes herself so hard. :)

[holiday299]

truely sensational no matter whos version i hear it brings tears of joy to my eyes as it makes me remember all the happy past Christmases with past much beloved relatives and friends that are no longer here it makes me feel truely blessed to have there memories. its such a powerfull song that should be played at this time of year with the others i.e. the drummer boy, silent night, hark the herald angels sing amoungst a few sadly Christmas is not Christmas no more its all give give so shamefull

[PitaLeCatt001]

@holiday299

Supreme.

Breathing, conrol of sound.

Dame Tiri is superb and Christina Rossetti's words are made for music and sound.

[allislove1]

This has to be one of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever - and sung by Dame Kiri makes it even better.

[puppy2646]

I really like the part were she sings if I were a shepered I would bring a lamb.

[Rosetta98]

beautiful i love it!

[zenawillyminky]

This brought back so many memories. I sang this at my audition for the school choir in 1956. I made it!

[musicyh]

Lol I just realised...just saw the description. (now why didn't I see it yesterday?)

[musicyh]

This was so beautiful...love the last verse (which Kiri sings). Who's the male soloist? He did a fantastic job too!

[jbjumpback]

Oh My ...

Soo Beauty ful.

[misterstanfield]

Please! Please! Please add the rest of the DVD. It has been my unabashed favorite for years.

Thanks every so.

[deanomusicman]

I think that the man singing did it a bit OTT.

[grandcharm]

Heh, funny I thought the opposite! He's an oratorio singer and they usually are quite understated (as opposed to opera singers I mean). I loved this concert. Bought the CD but couldn't find video. Thanks amethyst for posting!

[wimsnykers]

Would you tell me the name of barcode of the CD, so that I can also purchase it

[grandcharm]

Hi, so sorry but currently overseas and all my CDs are in a box stored away somewhere, so I can't tell you that. But it's on the Teldac label, maybe you ca search online?

[grandcharm]

Hi, I found my CD! I don't know if this helps, but the barcode number is 4509-99000-2 on the Teldec/Warner Music label. :)

[liaojunder]

Christmas is coming...