Jessye Norman + Kathleen Battle 'He's Got The Whole World In His Hand' 1990

[susanadelorenzo]

Soberbio.



[CoolPhyaMusic]

I've performed at Carnegie Hall and it wasn't anything like this. Love it. Thanks

[CoolPhyaMusic]

The whole thing was fantastic but at 2:26 was just flipping magnificent. That's what you get when top vocalists get together and do a face-off , you get something magnificent. No words for it.

I use to hear it on NPR and didn't know it was these two fantastic vocalists. Thanks for sharing.

[sarmadasco]

Man, 2 great voices, but Jessye, blows you right out of your seat. Kathleen has a sweet voice but not the power the Jessye has! They are also both beautiful women but again, Jessye is magnificent looking. Check Jessye out singing the Marseilles at their bicentennial singing around the Place de la Concorde, dressed in the French Flag. Goose bumbs all the way!

[Damick513]

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD! and they did!!!

[stephencassista]

That awkward moment at 2:24 when they avoid eye contact is pretty funny.

[cola625]

two of my favorite opera singers... love them and this video!

[AviatorEvans]

starting at 2:49 they kinda have this awesome battle of who can sing the end the best lol

[cirloam]

É tão  lindo que dói!

[brethynda123]

Such beautiful voices. Very different, but each of them pure, clear and entrancing.

[godivapaw]

Amazing! Breathlessly, desperately, screamingly AMAZING!!!

[Damick513]

Amazing and beautiful !!!!

[dellabrook]

what note did kathleen battle hit at the climax of the piece

[DarrylTaylorCT]

while "He's Got the Whole World in His Hand" is a traditional spiritual, this is not a traditional or public domain arrangement. The arrangement is by Margaret Bonds. Additional credit should be given to whoever did the orcherstral/choral arranging.

[dandetim]

very beautiful....Thanks

[jordanstevencarroll]

Who composed this arrangement? Thanks.



[1969SL]

wow

[brajmabull]

WOW! Jessye Norman AND Kathleen Battle- celebrating African-American heritage across genre lines- two fine singers presenting reasons to be open to more than just the latest lackluster lyricists and illegitimate "auto-tunes" artistry

[shells500tutubo]

FYI: Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, Leontyne Price all started out singing in their respective Black churches. Just because they sing opera does not make them inauthentic in singing spirituals or gospel.

And for those of you who think serious gospel singers just naturally sing that well, you are delusional. They work on technique and vocalize as much as any classical performer.

[MrOu83]

@shells500tutubo I am certain that "serious gospel singers" spend quite a bit of time honing their skills. But, however, to say they spend as much time as classical artists is delusional. Specifically, both Battle and Norman have bachelor's and master's degrees in music. Each did post-graduate work after earning their degrees with maestros at the finest conservatories. Not to mention the ongoing training they undergo just to maintain the greatness they have.

[shells500tutubo]

@MrOu83 You are equating classroom training with performance. They are not the same. The top tier gospel artists AND jazz artists do spend as much time honing their skills, and many have completed formal academic training also. Too many people try to delegitimize non-classical artists. Bet you won't find Norman and Battle doing that.

[OperaDiva2391]

OMG! What a magnificent performance simply sublime! two beautiful voices make one magnificent and incredible voice its beautiful

[Sadiesexy]

Love Jessie and Kathleene here.

[djthomas1991]

SO MUCH POWER!!!!

[55mommacat]

how flipping phenomenal is this??? This is breathtaking!!!! me

[BWNonBM47]

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!

[Luwinged]

Stupendous! ...and Marian Anderson in the audience!

[2010dispencer]

This is absolutely fantastic

[alexmuso1943]

Did anyone spot the great Marianne Anderson in the audience - the first black African American to sing at the Met and a leading human rights figure in the USA!

[helanle]

Amazing!! Interesting how Battle's forward sound completely overpowers Norman's voice in the second half. That 'bright' sound as some would call it, is definitely needed to cut through the orchestra, really really interesting.

[Liwah]

@helanle Very true but, if you'll look closely, they're singing with microphones. I doubt you'd have heard Battle over the chorus otherwise. She had a beautiful but lyric voice.

[janpinas]

@Liwah I think the microphones are for the recording of this concert.

[Liwah]

@janpinas That may be but bright sound or not, there is NO way Battle would overpower Norman like that without amplification of any sort.

[amickeyb2]

In reference to the comments made as to whether this song should be sung as a classical spiritual or as a contemporary spiritual with tambourine and drum accompaniment, I would think there is room for both. The wonderful thing about music is that there is variety and we can pick the type that we enjoy and respect the other. The church I attend has a chancellor choir, gospel choir, teen choir, male chorus and down home choir which sings acapella with foot stomping and clapping as accompaniment.

[TsalagiAgvnage]

They work so well together:)

[ecceadam]

Jessye looks like she's about to feast on Kathleen Battle

[jeanette1946]

absolutely beautiful! first one singer gives me the chills and then the other singer comes along and gives me another set of chills.

[carreonhugo]

WOW!!! BRABISIMI!!!! 

[amuse4god]

@carreonhugo You mean "Bravisimi"

[belcunto]

i watched a recent video of kathleen battle - she really turned out beautiful

............

[roamenka1211]

Dynamic instruments endowed by God.  Facial grimaces, body movements, good breathing, are methods to extract notes otherwise impossible to reach. Ms. Battle is not faking nor does she look fake. She uses her instrument with strategic precision and is beautiful while doing so. As well Ms. Norman, equally gifted and beautiful uses her mouth, grimaces, movements to "play" her voice to perfection. Whitney Houston--though a powerful singer--does not hold a candle to these ladies. This is greatness!

[chicagomarchingbands]

Both are Soprano's or is one a mezzo?

[Joshua12254]

@chicagomarchingbands Jessye Is The Mezzo Soprano

[harpguy18]

@chicagomarchingbands Both are sopranos just Ms. Norman's voice is more darker and can go lower than Ms. Battle

[chicagomarchingbands]

I find the way Ms. Battle moves her mouth and facial expressions to be so......fake looking lol. Lovely singers, choir, and orchestra

[roamenka1211]

Dynamic instruments endowed by God. Facial grimaces, body movements, good breathing, are methods to extract notes otherwise impossible to reach. Ms. Battle is not faking nor does she look fake. She uses her instrument with strategic precision and is beautiful while doing so. As well Ms. Norman, equally gifted and beautiful uses her mouth, grimaces, movements to "play" her voice to perfection. Whitney Houston--though a powerful singer--does not hold a candle to these ladies. This is greatness!

[chicagomarchingbands]

@roamenka1211 Yea. Kathleen sounds so good and has a pretty voice. Something like you would hear in disney movies. I have been trying to find out if she has ever done Verdi's Requiem. I would love to hear it

[harpguy18]

@chicagomarchingbands I would think the Verdi Requiem would be too heavy for her

[lipsbach]

What's so great about this? They ruined a VERY classy, beautiful arrangement by Margaret Bonds and made a broadway number out of it. Battle seems to be imitating Whitney Houston here.

[denidowi]

Isn't it wonderful to hear two great singers working together - especially for something they believe in.

[Miguel53de]

oh my Godness, music really can make one happy and crying in the same moment. Those voices are just stunning.

[Davie1954]

My family bought our first television in 1957 when I was age three years old.  All life would come to a complete halt when President Dwight David Eisenhower would speak to the nation or Marian Anderson would sing this hymn. I plan to use this hymn during the Gymanfa Ganu part of my wedding.

[WhiteLionKing10]

All I can say is WOW!!!

[blectsan]

Lindo... meu sonho é ouvir Kathleen e Battle juntas, um sonho... 

[nasturtium7]

Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Merci for posting!

[wTrevorh]

Two beautiful gems in concert!

[JaredPaul54]

For Tyler Clementi and everyone who thinks they are alone. You are part of the whole world in his hands.

[BaritonePierce]

Still exquisite music-making!

[wendy1037]

AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL :)  Thanks for sharing!

[wendy1037]

AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL :) Thanks for sharing!

[jpcenet]

U dont happen to have "scandalize my name?"

[porterkiko]

Have you the video of the song " You can tell the world ", of Jessye Norman, in the same concert? Thank you from Malaga, Spain

[porterkiko]

Have you the video of the song " You can tell the world ", of Jessye Norman, in the same concert? Thank you from Malaga, Spain

[timewaitz]

UGLY! leah mitchel sings better!!!

[IvyDiniay]

i dont get opera xd

[sigrone]

3:00 me da escalofríos! // give me chills! Awsome :D

[jeriwho]

Love this. Would love to see more. You can't get the video any more, and it's not out on DVD (just CD--audio). Thanks for posting. Really beautiful!

[jeriwho]

Thank you so much for posting this. This is so amazingly beautiful. Jessye Norman is so incredibly expressive and sincere as she sings. She sings with all her voice and her mind and her heart.

[JaredPaul54]

I could die draped in Jessye Norman. Talk about spiritual joy and its all real.

[jevryday84]

It doesnt get much better than that....

[seagullied]

LOLOLOLOL at 3:02 she blinks uncontrollably!!!!!!!

[AfrikanGod1]

i want the soul version of this...

[javoiles42]

do you have the entire concert up yet?

[musicyaay]

WWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW­W!!!

[Meganazu]

can someone please tell me the composer of the particular song? its sooo lovely!

[bravissima1]

@Meganazu Margaret Bonds, though what you're looking at is an adaptation for two soprano's and choir.

[jorgepda]

so epic.

[violinistx100]

Her dress looks like her Pamina costume! :D Great job ladies!

[bobzeschin]

@violinistx100 ...And Jessye Norman's looks like Sarastro's.

[bobzeschin]

@violinistx100  And Jessye Norman's looks like Sarastro's...

[markcosborne]

I've been watching and enjoying this concert for the past 20 years and I now I have it on my iPod. Such an incredible event.

[rubyweston]

this is what angels sound like!

[gimmeachallenge]

Oh my gosh-- was that Marian Anderson standing at the very end? That alone brought tears to my ears.

[tess5340]

That Top D is MESMERISING

[TreblesBasses]

Beautiful!

[Robinorgan]

Is this arrangement published?

[thenextmezzosoprano]

I love Jessye but comparing her costume to KAthleen, she looks Aladdin here!

[voicemyopinion2]

Nice duet...the best part was seeing the late great Marian Anderson at the 3:22 mark applauding, very fitting.

[Akee1990]

@voicemyopinion2 Omg u just pointed that out 2 me.That was history and an honor to get an applause from a woman who had to break down racial barriers in opera.

[neb20210]

hi can u add two renditions from this concert. It used to be on youtube and they are performed by battle only. The first is "witness" and the second is "over my head". I like both of them no favourite, but i just missed those pieces of music.

[LEGENDSOFTHEROD1]

Hi Neb ..... I will be putting the entire concert ... featuring the songs you have mentioned ... amongst others ... on a new channel soon ..... watch out for it ... will take a bit of time because there are 20 songs to upload .... and I have to think of a name for the channel : )

[Beto246]

I am looking forward to see the other pieces of thic concert. Thanks a lot!

[amuse4god]

@LEGENDSOFTHEROD1 Can u upload this entire concert?

Absolutley marvelous!!

[qyzuf]

@LEGENDSOFTHEROD1

can you put Kathleen's "witness"? It was spactacular

[qyzuf]

@LEGENDSOFTHEROD1

oops, I didnt read through

[qyzuf]

@LEGENDSOFTHEROD1

Hey there!

Did you put the album up alreaedy?

can't wait to see "witness" again...

[qyzuf]

@LEGENDSOFTHEROD1

another reminder...:)

[qyzuf]

@neb20210

yes yes! They used to have "witness" on YT, and now it's gone, and you can't get it anywhere! (it's not even on the CD)

[lipsbach]

This is based on the Margaret Bonds arrangement, but I don't see credit given to her here!

[singingdreamteam]

J:N.

Sie ist einfach eine wudnerbare Sängerin, ich kann es gar nicht in Worte fassen - diese Ausstrahlung

[fedmut97]

so good to see the vid of this after loving this piece on this CD for years.

[blairinnyc]

I guess to each his own as they say, I too am African-American and much prefer that spirituals are sung with a well trained voice such as is demonstrated here. Good tone and voice production shouldn't be lost with the fervor and emotion. Brava ladies!

[Hervinbalfour]

I guess we can all agree to disagree but I doubt a person in a pentacostal church would catch the holy ghost to their style of singing verses someone like Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker or Shirley Ceasar.

[Hervinbalfour]

Being an African American sometimes it's hard for me to get into African American spirituals being sung with a classically trained voice. Growing up in a Pentacostal church these interpretations are missing the fervor that goes in on in the Black church. The hand clapping, foot stomping, tamborine rattling, drumming, organ and drums.

At the same time this is still absoultely beautiful. But if you want to hear how we REALLY sing this head over to your nearest pentacostal Black "chuch"! lol

[singinfoo]

I understand where your comin' from. but like you said it's still a beautiful song

[Hervinbalfour]

Whats so interesting is the two thumbs down that I got. It's obvious that it was from people who never attended a pentacostal church. Any Black person can tell you that we don't sing spirituals like this in the Black church. So whatever to the thumbs down......

[jlynechank]

I am a "Black person" and we sing songs like this in my "Black Church" a some others I know. As a matter of fact I'm singing this song in my church in 2 weeks. You CAN NOT speak for the entire "Black Church".... So that may have been part of the reason why you got your thumbs down. You can only account for what you know. Now I will also say this to you....If you can't get into a song without the hand clapping, foot stomping, tambourine rattling, drumming and organ you have some thinking to do...

[Hervinbalfour]

No I can't speak for the entire "Black Church" but I think I can speak for the MAJORITY of the Black churchs. Most BLACK Baptist/COGIC/Holiness Churchs do not sing spirituals in this manner and you it. How many gospel artist sing songs in this European approach to singing?

We can agree to disagree but the average Black church goer would be more moved by Mahalia Jackson, Shirley Ceasar or Bessie Griffin singing in their raw, soulful, ferverent singing than hearing it sung in a European approach

[dare57]

I myself black! i agree with you.. after years of hearing my grandparents and a host of others singing these songs in church .. something is missing.. in the baptist/ pentacostal they took us back to the plantations..

[Marcelosopro]

Duas grandiosas vozes reunidas...

[mrportobello]

So I'm totally going to grab tickets to see Battle in Costa Mesa in February!

[mrportobello]

what the hell is norman wearing????? hahahahahahahahahhahahaahaahha­a

[Shanniquitie]

*sigh* why must people like you be such vulgar trash?

[mrportobello]

Actually the dress is quite vulgar. Why must people like you exert aggression on a medium such as Youtube where any real judgment of character is impossible. Thank you for calling me vulgar trash. Have a super day.

[Shanniquitie]

Alright, i'll educate you: the dress is certainly camp, and thus mitigates any inherent vulgarity - it creates a space in which her extravagance matches titanic talent. regarding judgements of character - you showed yourself up. I'd blame the parents but *that* would be unfair. Take some responsibility and move on.

I hope you appreciate my taking time out to explain all this to you. I wish you a productive and fulfilling life. Good bye.

[myrnaturner]

Exactly! Well Put!

[amarritza]

that was beautiful

[chonaV]

Kathleen's voice is a voice of an angel. Jessye's voice sometimes scares me.

[musicismylife17blue]

jeysse norman always looks like a queen :)

[misslady1908]

@musicismylife17blue

More like a Goddess! :)

[musicismylife17blue]

haha agreed!

[unc7480]

I've always enjoyed Jessye Norman- her preparation and professional musicianship never overshadowed her warmth and genuineness.

Whatever the truth is about Kathleen Battle's history, her soaring, silvery tone is angelic. She certainly looks relaxed and pleased to be here, and respectful of ensemble.

[SuddenSparkles]

This is the song my mother asked that we play at her funeral... and it seems to be so fitting that my mother's pure and simple trust in God carried her to the very end... she died less than a month ago and I wish that I could erase the years of suffering she carried within but only God could do that and I am grateful for her being able to rest with Him now though I don't know what I'd give to have her back just for two more minutes.

[Akee1990]

I' sorry about your mother man.

[only4miami]

2:27 is my favorite part of this whole song. i love their harmonies

[Akee1990]

Two singers with two entirely different vocal timbres?Great mix.I'd like t'hear these two duet some more.

[only4miami]

something about when Jessye Norman sings she looks so happy and enthused

[JeeRant]

Do mine eyes deceive me, or is that Marion Anderson at 3:22 ?

[LEGENDSOFTHEROD1]

yes .... it is she

[seriesscratch]

@JeeRant This concert was a tribute to her. I remember when it first aired on PBS. Love it!

[godivapaw]

@JeeRant Yes it was! She was there!

[RaehannB]

Does ANYONE know who's arrangement this is, and if the sheet music for choir and soloists is available?

[duaname]

Margaret Bongs

[RaehannB]

Do you mean Margaret Bonds? I have her arrangement for solo voice but you're saying this recording for Soprano, Mezzo and SATB choir is arranged by her as well?

[RaehannB]

Do you mean Margaret Bonds? I have her arrangement for solo voice but are you saying she did this arrangement for Soprano, mezzo, and SATB choir?

[bellasong75]

does anyone know of a song these two together. i believe it may have been a spiritual. they sorta acted it out like they were having a conversation and it was funny. i saw it on youtube about a year ago. cant seem to find it now. any info would be appreciated :)

[WillYear2002]

I think you are talking about "scandalize my name", which was from the same concert as this performance.

[LEGENDSOFTHEROD1]

yep ... its called 'Scandalise My Name' ....... I am in the process now of putting the whole concert on a new youtube channel (due to the high demand i am recieving) ... and will include the song you have asked about. : )

[schef123]

Oh you are so the best!

I absolutely love Jessye Norman!!!

[blasianFMA]

that was called "Scandalized My Name" and it's here on youtube somewhere. Just search for that title.

[TatanBrown]

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this wonderful video!!!

[idaspe]

What a warm voice has Jessye...!

[Ailianli]

Thank you so much for uploading - I really enjoyed it

[mm9913]

joy, joy, joy.

[blasianFMA]

Thanks for uploading this!  Do you have "Certainly Lord" from the same concert?

[LEGENDSOFTHEROD1]

Yes .. I certainly do

[p4tt13]

jessye kinda looks like eveleen from the wiz in that outfit

[jaibright]

Thanks for uploading...would it be possible for you to upload the whole concert?

[Beto246]

I´m so happy for the oportunity to watch this video! Thank you very much!

:D

[VoyArrasando]

Marian Anderson!!

[LEGENDSOFTHEROD1]

Thanks Kime .... I wondered who that Lady was at the end of this video ... now I know! Thanks again.