Vocalise

[Thomas02ify]

C'est magnifique ! Merci de partager un tel plaisir d'écoute avec nous !

[hermitcrabbot]

I'd like to live in a country where this is the national anthem.

[0011486]

@hermitcrabbot Count me in.

[rexpakyue]

with sadness absolutely..

beautiful! brilliant

[Barytendo]

Dessay nous offre un printemps léger, Fleming nous offre la mélancolie d'une pluie d'été à attendre que le soleil revienne. Deux essences sublimes. Merci mesdames

[MegaNelson8]

Von einem andern Planeten ...

[demarezmichel]

Belle interprétation

[semelecharter]

Lovely. Everyone has to remember that this is a recording, however. I'd like to hear Renee sing it live. Her voice has a beautiful tone. I urge everyone to listen to Dame Kiri's live performance as well, however - just her, the orchestra, a bare stage and her stunning voice.

[awesomedude4105]

..?

[jayjaypwnz]

This is sort of familiar...

[lightfootharry]

0.59 lol boob

[arturroart]

Bravo Renee !!!

[MeikoEgloff]

このピアニッシモ！何とも言えない美しさ。うっとり。おやすみ前­の一曲に。

[Ladpride]

Lovely Version!

[illfurter]

après avoir entendu cette version, merci Madame Fleming, les autres versions me semblent fades

[hirmiestelio]

What a gorgeous song! Thanks so much for posting this. So interesting that it has no lyrics. Not every singer could carry this off. Wow!

[LJBSasha]

Beautifully done indeed on Ms. Fleming's part as well as the orchestra's playing. However, two strikes against this interpretation: 1) I miss the repeat of the 2nd-half; 2) Jeffrey Tate has a couple of unpleasant moments (e.g., at the conclusion of the 1st iteration of the 1st half, why be that loud so suddenly?) that surely subtract a star!! Definitely a pity as Ms. Fleming really aces it in the coda with that 'piano' high-passage!!! 4/5 in total...

[andrewmckayja]

@LJBSasha I always find comments like your so funny. As with any art form, the individual is open to express his/her interpretation as he/she is led. Hence, is it possible that Renee's interpretation may differ form what you deem "normal"? 

[LJBSasha]

@andrewmckayja: did you note that one of the criticisms was against the accompanying conductor rather than the singer - if not both (whose decision was it to omit the repeat of the 2nd-half)? Thus, if you're out to hurt me because you think I've maligned Ms. Fleming, reread things again. Besides, if one doesn't aim for some sort of constructive criticism, how can you expect to improve in your artistry? [And it's the artists who can be their severest critics, period...]

[andrewmckayja]

@LJBSasha Well, from that angle, you do have a point.

[trefod]

You definitely don't want to find yourself in a shouting match with Renée Fleming!

[enriqueali]

A SUPREME ARTIST AT THE TOP OF HER GAME DOING WHAT SHE DOES BEST..... CREATING SPELLBINDING MOMENTS OF TRANSCENDENTAL BEAUTY.!

[IfYourMomWereATaco]

@enriqueali WOW!!!!!!

[classicvinylbiz]

Vishnevskaya / Rostropovich (piano): Vocalise (Вокализ), Op. 34, Nr. 14 (Rachmaninov) - DG, 1976

watch?v=F5Sj7QpUXNk

thanks and regards

[lszyman51]

One of the most round and full Sopranos I have ever heard. Beautiful range and tone. Not one thin note- a true operatic talent complete with a passion and depth few singers ever really come to convey.

[Celticwomanfanpiano]

Oh I'm so glad to see this! I had a recording of this and then lost it. So I'm so glad to have it now! This piece is phenomenal!

[JORGITOUGALDE]

Extraordinario, bello, soberbio, espléndido !!!!!!!!!

[portzblitz]

@TheRestlesswind It is!

[Silver54ful]

@TheRestlesswind Exactly! I couldn't agree more Renee Fleming is a jewel. Her voice possesses such beauty and wonder, it makes me feel as if I'm floating on a cloud. I can't help but recieve shivers in my spine when I hear this gorgeous voice create such effortless art. Absolutley wonderful! :)

[543693The]

Oh ces nuances ! oh ces pianissimos à peine murmurés...à couper le souffle à qui l'écoute...Renée Fleming est divine ....

Cet air de RACHMANINOV est toujours beau en toute version !

Merci pour cette suprême beauté ....

[bassfanne45]

And for something really different, and exceptionally beautiful, listen to countertenor, Brian Asawa's version of the Vocalise. It's also on YouTube.

[tenorlovesasoprano]

oh my goodness. this is breathtaking. i also love Dame Kiri's version, but there's something about Renee's version that makes my knees melt. I love how gently she sings the High C towards the end, practically pianisimo, whereas Dame Kiri bangs that C on double forte.

[moonligh111]

I hear it again and again! Don´t get tired of it! Especially the end is beautiful! She takes breath at 4.57 and hold it till 5.10! Exceptional! Really!

[nobhill56]

Truely Glorious!!

[VideosAlcides]

Delicate and sad...

[candacekanecook]

Wonder how many takes to get this? So glad Rene has thrived in the biz, but so sad that she allowed herself to be vocally exploited. Her vocal hardships throughout her career have really told the sad tale of the push for fame when all technical wisdom is pushed to the side. Thus, the instability in her top and the strident, over-singing at times. Sad when it's manufactured and not natural such as Te Kanawa.

[ancientLavada]

Wow yes. After listening to a ton of versions the last 2 lunchtimes have to say Flemming and Moffo are the queens in this realm. I suspect Lily Pons just might edge them out for me but unfortunately the recording is so trashed it's hard to really tell.

[blondzuher]

Diese Lied ist genug fuer mich.

[zcwink176]

This is one of the best renditions of "Vocalise" that I've heard. I don't normally listen to classical music, but her voice is so hauntingly beautiful I could stop listening.

[Anth4444444]

I thought only larger women could sing like that. She sings beautifully and WOW she is beautiful toooooo.

[artemusica100]

grande, dolce geniale , bravissima!!!!

[ahhhmaooo]

bravo! great control of her voice, very nice interpretation as well! really enjoy listening to her =)

[moonligh111]

Not bad? I think, this is an excellent performance! She has a wonderful creamy and ful voice and her sliding from one note to next is exceptional. The only performance which is as good as this is Anna Moffo´s. Also very excellent.

[blauauge2]

not bad,but...i prefer kiri te kanawa.much more natural.

[ALESSIAlala]

mi ha fatto piangere...

il pezzo è struggente e lei ha colto l'essenza.

the best

[igosiling]

Listen to ann moffo- that's wonderful true!!!

[robertdonkers]

Yep, the best one for sure, although I love Fleming too.

[444mariam]

BRAWO

[MarikaNovikova]

BRAVA!

[peruyerak]

It was wrote without lyrics, for sopranos or tenors . Excelent version., but i prefer Kiri Te kanawa interpretacion

[carladlr78]

Wonderful! I admire her so much!

[moonligh111]

This is so great! The best Vocalise I´ve ever heard! She is so wonderful! It almost makes me cry!

[artemusica100]

Una delle migliori interpretazioni ! Che filati! Che dolcezza!!

[MsJaeC]

I love how the high notes sneak up on you at the end . Sometimes the end of a piece can be very loud and dramatic and I love that as well, in it's place but I am amazed at the way she brings the drama to this piece without the volume.

[cheezymint]

0:39

[erial80]

Muy buena versión y hermosa voz.

A quién le agrade esta pieza vocal, le sugiero escuchar a Iván Kozlovsky.

Erial80

[Royalorgans]

This song is not for her, kathleen Battle sing it better

[ghostwriter11]

Too bad she forgot the lyrics at 3:37.

[jaibright]

There are no lyrics...

[blaa94]

Was that a pun ? she's only singing "ahh"

[Vladey14]

well the "pun" was not even remotely funny.

[bachkicksass83]

the perfection in her phrasing and her tone color in her voice just makes me have goosebumbs and chills in a good way. I look up to her and try to achieve my goals. Yay SOpranoS!! <3

[pianonine]

Few voices can do the Vocalise its proper justice like the instrumentalists can (Yoyo, Itzak,), but Renee is superb offering the understanding and depth of Rachmaninov's unparralleled melodies.

[blueperegrine]

My favorite voice for Vocalise.

[klausknulp]

what about anna moffo?

[raquelnog06]

SO BEAUTIFUL SONG AND VOICE!!!!!!!

[bud21s]

THIS is how Rochmaninoff intended this piece to be performed ! Exquisite , indeed ....

Thank you for posting !

David

[darnmat]

oh my!!!!!!!!

[Freeasabird1979]

That was so amazing.! Thank you for posting this.

[bethanie43]

I'm not a fan of operatic singing, but I do love this. I've been browsing the Vocalise this evening, and this the best so far. As previously noted: AMAZING control. Flawless phrasing. NOT overcooked - not even the stunning high section at the end! And the best part: she leaves room for the stunning orchestra accompaniment!! Many people - even world class performers - rush through the parts where the orchestra has the best harmonies and counter-melodies. But this is holistic and wonderful!

[hootersnooter]

Bethanie, I couldn't agree more, the usual performances of this peice of perfection are operah singers, who crucify it with overdone vibrato, and who take please in not hiting high notes straigh away, This is a wonderful emotional/expressive performance - Beautiful

[juliuscena]

wow

amazing vocal control

[endrrahene]

The photos, in my humble opinion, distract one from the astonishing quality of the singing. I would suggest just leaving one picture up (may be the one with the flowing sleeves). This interpretation is too divine not to be fully immersed in.

[violinist1990]

I absolutely love Renee Fleming's voice! It is stunning and so pure! She one of the best sopranos I have ever heard! And this rendition of Vocalise is just spectacular!!

[larapongo]

woooooooow MAGNIFICO!!

[rayclentchris]

She's not only an incredible singer but incredible looking!!

[gclef2288]

4:45-the end....WOW

[juggling88]

It makes me cry...

SO beautiful, so clear, SO...

[Palomablanca2008]

Magnifico!!

[boogerlip]

When I listen to this song, I forget all of the pain that surrounds me. I am completely wrapped in it's swirling sultry and sadness.

[wedidntknow]

It's funny that your interpretation of this is sad... i think its immense happiness. funny what music can do

'

[musicalme95]

ahamazing! this is lovely.

[FARINELLI99]

What great beauty sung Wonderful thanks you

[yourforte]

This is a beautiful piece and of course it sounds beautiful when it's sung. I find it really interesting that the voice sounds so effective even when it's not singing words

[Webarton]

Nice observation.

[loosewrists1]

i don't think there's a musician alive who wouldn't benefit from listening to this; truly a master class of master classes performance!!

[cookiesNrainbows]

can someone help me out please.

there is a recording by jo sumi called "vocalise" for a hollywood movie called ninth gate. does it have anything to do with vocalise by rachmaninov?

[victoriamadeus]

oh my...so sad and so beautiful at the same time...her angelic voice adds sweetness to it and it's simply heavenly beautiful.

[foxfirebend]

She is so beautifully expressive. I can hear the anguish in her voice. Its such a beautiful way to convey sadness. I always picture a woman just wailing with sorrow when I hear this work. It just gives me chills every time. I adore the smoothness of her voice, especially as she sighs down from that high C.

[AulicExclusiva]

Rachmaninov dedicated this piece to the legendary Russian coloratura soprano, Antonida Nezhdanova, whose voice was not unlike Fleming's.

[GoldenAgeSunshine]

You know, in this particular vocal piece, the voice should specifically become an instrument (as a violin would): Moffo knew particularly well how to let her voice 'meld into the orchestral mass'. These ethereal 'PP', that perfect legato, that warm, fruity and sexy sensuality were entirely hers! But of course, other soprani have sung it beautifully well too.

[Millene92]

Yes, I like her performance too. I don't like Dessay doing this, I think that she sings so light...I like darkening, and, as a singer, I also do that.

[Lohengrin]

light is understatement, voice thin as a hair is more like it... Fleming is the perfection here Her vocal line is not real!!!

[KarlRuprectKroenen]

oh how i love this song! i first hear it just last friday at an airforce concert. i love how rachmaninov gave the option to sing on any vowel of the vocalist's choosing so they would never forget the words.

[5ilviaMC]

Deliciosa!

[chanlerbrown21]

Sergei Rachmaninoff wrote this peice with Renee in mind!!!

[GoldenAgeSunshine]

No, for Anna Moffo!

[coopandre]

Both do an excellent job. I cut my teeth on Moffo's versions.

[ebaytimr]

I actually think Lily Pons sings this the best.

[AudreyN]

Lily Pons also thinks she sings this the best.

I kid, I kid.

[LizN90]

When was this recorded?

[MusicalFeelings]

Magnificent as always!

[Chopin1986]

I never knew, that a human's voice could sound like so sweet with that touch of tragedy...

[GronKarol]

Beautiful voice, beautiful performance!

[5360007452]

Her voice is as beatiful as her self.Wonderful technique.Perfect!

[jadran1959]

beautiful! the most underestimated female singer. her 4 letzte lieder with eschenbach is my top of the bill

[CAROLIVERDI]

perfect legato singing, a natural musician, like a continuous golden thread of sound.

[godlovesyou333]

I never used to like her voice. However, the more I  listen to it, the more I consider her the best lyric singing today.

[stephenTGV]

Wonderful.Thanks

[Dobrib]

Glorious!

[rachmaninovbrahms]

Moffo/Stowkowski is the best recording of this

[dione007]

my teacher wants me to learn this piece for comps next year

[godlovesyou333]

Good luck. Though I would suggest that your voice be very mature before you try to sing this.

[dione007]

yea it is ive been singing opera and classical for 3 years and my voice is very mature for my age

[ladomi7962]

MAGNIFIQUE!!!

[BellaChanson]

Sigh, Renee is soooo glorious. That voice has so much beauty and control it takes me away. :)

[Yettamae]

Simply beautiful, thank you.

[mdcam89]

so exquisite... such a beautiful tone!

brava!

[jorgerardo68]

Bellísima interpretación, llena de tecnica, emoción y matiz...la mejor que he escuchado, tambien por la orquesta.

[operaticbaritone]

Renee is just a gorgeous Gorgeous singer... ahhh... She is so beautiful ... thanks also go to brother Rachmaninoff

[singanddream]

wow the picture at 17 seconds is so beautiful!

[iAMturandot]

honey, the choir of angels is jealous. brava renee!

[brahmsj]

Absolutely beautiful...

[Lohengrin]

renee is simply a Goddess!

[patjan1992]

This is beautiful in every way. But, where is Anna Moffo's version. I can't find it on You Tube any more. It is sensational.

[iheartverdi]

Thank you for your posting. I've heard Moffo's version of this on vinyl however, I don't care for her voice.

[gondorado]

I think that the best three in this aria are Fleming, Moffo and Dessay

[singanddream]

Yes! I've been looking for it, it's gone now!!

[urthanjell]

This makes me want to cry! I have to sing this with the famous french circus in october I hope I do just as good! Pray for me yaw!

[tenormcgee]

i like it, but NO ONE can top dessay on this!

[maurizio888]

she is so beautifull... and the fraseo, the tecnic resources,,, the diction was spectacular... but shes not trasmit anything when she sings this GREAT WORK by Rach... hymon falls in the C sost... but she brings EL ALMA... RENNE sing EXACTLY THE C SOST. but ... don`t bring any felling... (sorry my foreing english)

[Skyewatcher21]

Absolutely magnificent. The color of her voice is sheer perfection for this gorgeous work.

[citlalliguevara]

Beautiful.....

[Lupromat]

Beautiful ! Excellent !

[bachianasbrasileiras]

beautiful !!

[Luirs]

Good!

[musiqe07]

she has her own carress when she sings a song that i feel every artist should try to achieve.

[idigvivaldi]

She rocks my socks!! Dopeness. She's exquisite.

[OnGuardForPeace]

What great beauty sung by a great beauty!

[egrosz]

Beautiful lady with beautiful voice!