Ombra Mai Fu "Xerxes" by Kathleen Ferrier オンブラ・マイ・フ なつかしい木陰

[kasha1932]

Such a voice! Miss Ferrier sings with such deep sadness and passion that I cry listening to her...I don't think we have anyone today with such a very strong, yet sweet voice. I do enjoy it very, very much. thanks You Tube for allowing this to be posted...otherwise people like me would never , ever know such a voice existed. Sing with the angels, Mis Ferrier. BRAVA!

[ALEXISVASSILIEV]

Oui c'est une voix qui fait pleurer. Merci Joele! AV

[CanadaPisces]

Glorious singing by one of the greatest contraltos! Thank you anonymat21 for posting this wonderful recording!

[136Graham]

Absolutely the best rendition of this too often mangled piece

[Wisterialodge]

I am not a expert on classical music but this voice and this piece could serve as an anthem for the entire universe

[88Ed1962]

Again, a voice that we can't compare to anyone today. so rich and beautiful. almost a forgotten gem. thanks for posting.

[Krulasek33]

Che bella voce !

[lozzarus]

If you think this was good, listen to her recording of it issued on cd by Pearl - Kathleen Ferrier and Friends.The interpretation is better and the tempo just a smidgin faster (4.29 as opposed to 4.39).The voice was in superb condition and

has a more sublimely mellifluous quality to it than on the YouTube version in my opinion.

[anonymat21]

Dear lozzarus,

This playback time is almost the same as Decca's CD.

According to Decca's CD that is same recording, the recording time is 4 minutes and 38 seconds, not 29 seconds.

I think that the Pearl's playback time is shorter than original recording's.

[lozzarus]

If you think this was good, listen to the recording isssued on the cd by Pearl-Kathleen Derrier and Friends.It runs 10 secs less than this and the interpretation

is less oratorio like, but most importantly the vocal quality seems to be so mellifluously enhanced as to produce a rendition of heavenly sublimity.Sheer perfection!!!

[jhb134]

@lozzarus - You're probably right, and Ms. Ferrier could do LITTLE, if any, wrong ... in her entire, short-lived career. Marian Anderson, Dame Clara Butt, Ernestine Schumann-Heink and a few others were in her class, as contraltos, but Kathleen's voice had a unique timbre and DELIVERY, to set it-apart from others. Thanks!

[bailharico]

A sad voice... so beautifull.......

[jhb134]

@bailharico - Well, not really a SAD voice, but one that could be-capable of the melancholic-type arias, of Handel and even Mahler. Actually, it was a very-VIBRANT contralto, but also subtle and very-expressive, from a young woman who died, very young. Her forebearers ... and/or contemporaries,, in the contralto range, included Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Marian Anderson, Dame Clara Butt, and others. ... Ferrier has still, one of the GREATest of reputations, well-deserved..

[jhb134]

Compare THIS late, great contralto to versions by Gigli, Tauber and others.

[feikevandervijver]

de meest hemelse stem ooit....

[JOELEV1]

Cette voix est l'exemple magnifique -que je suis, modestement et à distance, lorsque je chante!!!

[Jazzdog40]

Divine. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, whom I also loved, can't hold a candle to Ferrier.

[borlange11]

Musicianship in its PUREST form

[cavendishable]

la plus émouvante des interprétations ; merci à anonymat 21 pour ce plaisir de '-ré-entendre la sublime

[543693The]

Catherine FERRIER est magnifique...et ce largo de Händel ...sur ce 78 Tour a un charme tout particulier !!!

[macciboma]

@543693The Bella Ombra mai fu cantata magnificamente . Grazie Mariek da Walter.

[heasmans]

I still think that this rendition is just about the best I've ever heard.

Have you heard the Bjorling version?

If anybody knows where I can find the Louise Homer recording of the same, made in 1917, I be most grateful to know. I think it comes in a close second.

[anonymat21]

Dear heasmans,

No, I have not heard the Bjorling version.

[heasmans]

If you'd care to let me have your e-mail address I'll send you an MP3 file of the Bjorling version.

Stuart

[anonymat21]

Dear heasmans,

Thank you for your proposal.

But , I do not need it.

[bonnies1234567]

@heasmans

Yes! Bjorling is my other favorite--he and Ferrier are the finest and most reverent interpretations. I read where she was also a concert pianist, but on a whim, entered a singing contest and won--hence, her careet as one of the finest artists.

[heasmans]

Try to hear the Louise Homer rendition, made in the pre-electric era of 1917. The recording is no longer available commercially, unfortunately. I heard it quite by chance on a French radio station and asked where they had found it, but they didn't know!

[bonnies1234567]

heasmans,

There are several of Louise Homer's recordings on YouTube, but not "Ombra mi fu." This YouTube site is incredible for we can not only enjoy priceless treasures of the past but also share comments!!

[heasmans]

Couldn't agree more about YouTube.

Yes, I have listened to most of the recordings by Louise Homer on YouTube. I'm heart-broken that Ombra Mai Fu is not amongst them. Even the British Museum Sound Library doesn't have it! What's the world coming to?

Disgusted,

Tunbridge Wells

[bonnies1234567]

Dear Heasmans,

Perhaps her recording of "Ombra Mai Fu" will appear. So many of the great artists are from the past, continuing the tradition of bel canto method. I studied voice on and off and found a teacher who taught the method. After five years of vocalies, I found the correct placement.

You are from Tunbridge Wells! My parents in the 1960s attended classes at the St. Hill Manner, E. Grinstead--Scientology. They appreciated the experience and I enjoyed their commun.

Sincerely, Bonnie

[heasmans]

I wish I'd studied voice. That way, perhaps, I'd feel more confident in my appreciation of other singers. As it is, I rely on gut emotion. Bjorling is likely to remain my favourite tenor of all time.

I hope you won't be offended to learn that I did not appreciate Maria Callas' voice, for example.

If I ever come across the Louise Homer recording I'll be sure to let you know.

Stuart

[bonnies1234567]

Hi! Stuart,

Having been a singer, I feel that the most important thing is to interpret the song/aria with the depth and simplicity of spirit intended by the composer. So that the listener is aware of the overall emotion. No--I do not care for Maria Callas' voice either. I do not like too much effects added.

Have you heard Kathleen Ferrier's "Erbarme dich Karajan" (St. Matthew's Passion)? Beautifully interpreted, like no other.

Bonnie

[cavendishable]

@bonnies1234567

[schlusnus]

Dear Lochness 11.

How right you are. "beyond description" made for oratorio

allBrahms, Mahler, Folk songs..every 100 yrs a gift is given

and our contralto is way and beyond all others. Perfection

in all she sang, she was a true rareity. Dear Kathie.

[trimar42]

merci

je pleure d emotion à chaque fois que je l entends c est la voix d un ange

ja mais égalée depuis

Thanhs a lot

Fred from rance

[Wisterialodge]

An eternal sound

[bobdoney1]

Not a "performance", just superb singing straight from the heart.

Incomparable!

[CARBONCINO125]

CHE BELLA  CANZONE

[FRUTIGH]

sehr schöne - morgen folgt meine Version mit Panflöte

[OlDoinyo]

There are quite a few versions of this piece (in all vocal registers) on YT. This one gets my vote for best female version. It makes a fascinating contrast with Yoshikazu Mera's: the latter rendition sounds serenely celestial, whereas this perfomance is worldly, brim-full of weary humanity.

[louicoba]

Wonderful with an interpreter above realities : Thank you ..... Kafhleen Ferrier....

[lochness11]

The voice which is beyond description,singing this piece of plangent Handel.Many thanks.

[lars6682]

just wonderful

[Lohengrin]

K Ferrier belongs to the Divine

[lamsalgado]

Wondeful and fitting comment!

[kulsho]

Il trionfo del VERO UOMO!!!... ma che bella linea di canto però, come sempre con la Ferrier.

[Moegiust]

The natural beauty of her voice was a given, but the amazing breath control! What a singer!

[rstl99]

Kathleen Ferrier indeed had a very interesting career, starting off as a piano accompanist before being discovered as having a most exquisite voice, which after proper coaching and training became one of the most distinctive voices of the 20th century. Illness took her from us much too soon. Dear Kathleen, she is singing in Heaven's Choir now, but the recordings she left us have a power to move that is a blessing to us all.

[dorjenne]

A beautiful voice and a beautiful soul! I recall listening to her as a young vocal student - I loved her because she did more than just sing notes.

[Ravenbright]

A+M+A+Z+I+N+G! ... I have been listening to different versions for days now .... How these simple words, in praise of a tree and its welcoming shade,combined with this exquisite theme and Kathleen Ferrier's gift, just breaks your heart! ... A+M+A+Z+I+N+G! God bless her too!

[ne0n8]

non mai pui suave... Si

[angelarted]

In the pianissimo parts she is just amazing! as in every other parts! meravvillous!

[sfkcbf]

For this male-role aria, her voice had suitable masculine darkness. Her feminine tremelo was, in constrast to many singers, not excessive.

[birgitnilsson]

las palabras no alcanzan para expresar el tumulto de sentimientos que esta fantástica versión despierta en uno. Maravillosa!

[lamsalgado]

Sim...

[alejandoga]

hermoso

muy bien

excelente

saludos

[clowne43]

She was not only attractive, witty but had talent and she will hold a special place in my life as it was her voice that as a wee child introduced me to classical music. Having read her the story of her life I now feel a little sad but still she is a part of my life and my memories. God Bless her.