Yes, John Aler gives an excellent rendition of Handel's Where'er you walk. His voice captures every note with precision and he brings great warmth to the words.
Weren't the words taken from Alexander Pope's poem? - He, who, in life, and by all accounts, an unlikely, unattractive fellow was also a 'sad silent lover' of certain Georgian beauties' who he ogled relentlessly pursuing jealously with results to his pathetic reputation (always disreputable toward rival suitors with brilliant published rhyme). Is there a biography of the fellow that says as much. If not - there should be.
Though a magnificent recording, I disagree with the statement "as it was meant to be sung." In the Baroque period, singers and musicians had the liberty of adding their own signature ornamentation to the music during its performance. Very few scores show any records such renditions. Thus, what it's a paragon of how to perform this aria or any other one may be still subjected to interpretation or opinion. Thank you for sharing this musical gem.
@1969Chronos Yes, of course. When I said "as it was meant to be sung", I was referring to the other versions I posted by a countertenor and a soprano which were transpositions. So I finally posted this one which is sung by a tenor, hence the statement "as it was meant to be sung: by a tenor." I didn't mean he sings it the best way or anything of the sort.
@civileso Although, if I had to pick a tenor to sing it, John Aler would definitely be up there on my list. He's always been one of my favorites. I can't believe I was unable to find a version of "Every Valley" from Messiah or either of the big tenor arias from Elijah ("Then Shall the Righteous" or "If With All Your Hearts") on YouTube. I had the honor of singing with a choir in a performance of Elijah where he was the featured tenor soloist.
@arriannekprawl Nyssma? Lmaoo its a level 4 nyssma if you're from new york, i did it last year hahahaa. quick and easy song certainly one of my favorites
It´s beautiful... the aria is really great... I hear this aria since childhood, sung by Kenneth McKellar, he sang very well, and this version remainds me a lot...
A wonderful rendition of this beautiful song! I'ts a pity that this sort of music doesn't seem to have a place in our present society. The irony is, that society would be the winner. Corinthian.
I don´t think this is the actual scores to this song ( or at least not to this recording.) John , and all the others I´ve heard, signs this aria in G-major, but these scores are in Bb-major. so the highest note is E, not G. Just want to make it right.
The score is B-flat major as it is on the Chrysander edition (but the one I used is not Chrysander, although in the same key), you can check the score if you go to IMSLP website. Yes, this is the original key. And Aler is also singing B-flat major here.
The legendary Rosa Ponselle upon hearing John Aler sing for the first time said that he reminded her very much of the great Irish tenor John McCormick. John Aler is indeed a very fine artist. This recording is a great example of his Art.
The Best Haendel tenor ,one of the best tenors now hear those sweet G how many tenors can do it without the hooty sound or the coup de glotte or the covering horror. Heavenly maestro!!!
This has been a long discussion about what it is called and what it is considered to be.. I just used "oratorio" because it is what Handel himself called it.. apart from that, I agree with you that it is more of an opera than an oratorio. And one of his finest.
thanks so much for this...I am singing this and "Art thou troubled ", next Sunday as apart of a concert. Lovely rendition, and just the perfect tenor sound for it. Handel sure knew how to write for voice didn't he? I am looking for a Jon Vicker's recording of this-I know it's out there???Anyway thank you so much 'civileso'
My pleasure.. Aler does have that havenly tenor fit for a Greek god, and you can hear that he is sweet-talking Semele to distract her:)) Yes, Handel will always be the favorite of baroque-inspired singers. He gave the best melodies with a lot of opportunity for expressive singing for every voice type.. I'll keep an eve on Vicker's version, you got me curious, too:))
Yes, John Aler gives an excellent rendition of Handel's Where'er you walk. His voice captures every note with precision and he brings great warmth to the words.
bernard1422 2 days ago
Weren't the words taken from Alexander Pope's poem? - He, who, in life, and by all accounts, an unlikely, unattractive fellow was also a 'sad silent lover' of certain Georgian beauties' who he ogled relentlessly pursuing jealously with results to his pathetic reputation (always disreputable toward rival suitors with brilliant published rhyme). Is there a biography of the fellow that says as much. If not - there should be.
JoseighBlogs 2 weeks ago
Beautiful. I love the embellishments in the repeat.
Bullard6311 2 weeks ago
molto buono il tuo lavoro. grazie!
gesaporiti 4 months ago
this is my nysma solo
jadzia812 11 months ago
Though a magnificent recording, I disagree with the statement "as it was meant to be sung." In the Baroque period, singers and musicians had the liberty of adding their own signature ornamentation to the music during its performance. Very few scores show any records such renditions. Thus, what it's a paragon of how to perform this aria or any other one may be still subjected to interpretation or opinion. Thank you for sharing this musical gem.
1969Chronos 1 year ago
@1969Chronos Yes, of course. When I said "as it was meant to be sung", I was referring to the other versions I posted by a countertenor and a soprano which were transpositions. So I finally posted this one which is sung by a tenor, hence the statement "as it was meant to be sung: by a tenor." I didn't mean he sings it the best way or anything of the sort.
civileso 1 year ago 5
@civileso Although, if I had to pick a tenor to sing it, John Aler would definitely be up there on my list. He's always been one of my favorites. I can't believe I was unable to find a version of "Every Valley" from Messiah or either of the big tenor arias from Elijah ("Then Shall the Righteous" or "If With All Your Hearts") on YouTube. I had the honor of singing with a choir in a performance of Elijah where he was the featured tenor soloist.
BillMonarch 10 months ago
@BillMonarch He is also one of my Handel singers. This is why I have chosen him for the originally intended tenor version to upload.
civileso 10 months ago
@civileso He recorded "Messiah" with Andrew Davis and the Toronto Symphony. He certainly does a beautiful job, especially on "Ev'ry Valley".
Taenyr 8 months ago
This is my favorite performance of this piece, though there are many fine renditions. Love John Aler's voice. Thank you for posting.
kiltlvr 1 year ago
the performance is a tone lower than written
paulwilsonmusician 1 year ago
beyond magnificent This is from the Gods
9TheMajor 2 years ago
Bravo John! This is very lovely to listen to.
classyteacherdiva 2 years ago
I remember doing this as a solo ..... love it
arriannekprawl 2 years ago
@arriannekprawl Nyssma? Lmaoo its a level 4 nyssma if you're from new york, i did it last year hahahaa. quick and easy song certainly one of my favorites
LearnToFly1000 2 years ago
I'm singing this in my jury in 3 hours. Quite nervous! Beautiful song though ~
oddxxxobsessions 2 years ago
It´s beautiful... the aria is really great... I hear this aria since childhood, sung by Kenneth McKellar, he sang very well, and this version remainds me a lot...
Leonidaspart 2 years ago
this is great but you should listen to rick wakemans interpretation on utube
ramron333 2 years ago
Handel was the daddy and this was one of his finest.
stonehengus 2 years ago
Just played an organ arrangement of this for a wedding -- worked really well!
amripley1991 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this! Tenors can learn a lot about how to sing when hearing John sing Handel.
10er11 2 years ago
Hey, this was my region solo-enesomble peice, execpt in a diffrent key.
Texas101992 2 years ago
Beautiful! :D
donny558 2 years ago
Wonderful!
Sitronsmak 2 years ago
A wonderful rendition of this beautiful song! I'ts a pity that this sort of music doesn't seem to have a place in our present society. The irony is, that society would be the winner. Corinthian.
ancient446 2 years ago
super!
ramsiwam 2 years ago
This recording is wonderful, and is my Valentine song.
eileeneast 3 years ago 2
exquisite, I have to thank my friend for referring me to this tenor's work
bleetenor 3 years ago 2
i do this for solofest. except for soprano I part. I love it. very high.
golucky11 3 years ago
why cant the good songs be written for basses
10Amuffett 3 years ago
i have to sing this for chorous
emilyashley06042 3 years ago
me too! i love this song though!
thenextstars 3 years ago
It's actually an opera that Handel tried to disquise as an oratorio. Just an fyi.
VocalEsthetics 3 years ago
as is half of the music he composed lol
slicer317 2 years ago
Lovely, elegant rendition. Aler was a fine artist.
AulicExclusiva 3 years ago 4
I don´t think this is the actual scores to this song ( or at least not to this recording.) John , and all the others I´ve heard, signs this aria in G-major, but these scores are in Bb-major. so the highest note is E, not G. Just want to make it right.
LoverofLiszt 3 years ago
The score is B-flat major as it is on the Chrysander edition (but the one I used is not Chrysander, although in the same key), you can check the score if you go to IMSLP website. Yes, this is the original key. And Aler is also singing B-flat major here.
civileso 3 years ago
Yup, he's singing in Bb and the highest note here is a G, and it's modern tuning, not a half step low. I really like it at this pitch.
bleetenor 3 years ago
Oh, well that the scores I have must have been transponated to G-major by some reason. Sorry.
LoverofLiszt 3 years ago
Exquisite singing, just beautiful!Gorgeous phrasing and tone.
matiasmariani08 3 years ago 3
could you please post the scene starting with "Iris impatient of thy stay" and ending with the air "Iris hence away"- I love that scene!!!
hillevifan 3 years ago
I guess, why not..
civileso 3 years ago
absolutely splendid rendition and sumptuous voice perfect for this Handel piece.
davidsolo 3 years ago
I agree, davidsolo!
claudemyers 3 years ago
The legendary Rosa Ponselle upon hearing John Aler sing for the first time said that he reminded her very much of the great Irish tenor John McCormick. John Aler is indeed a very fine artist. This recording is a great example of his Art.
Giovannifabuloso 3 years ago
The Best Haendel tenor ,one of the best tenors now hear those sweet G how many tenors can do it without the hooty sound or the coup de glotte or the covering horror. Heavenly maestro!!!
shwarov 4 years ago 2
Lovely...John Aler is one of the best Handelian interpreters around today....fantastic job!!
nessie96 4 years ago
im singing this song for my grade 5lol
xxxx
cecaiskool 4 years ago
One of the most difficult arias to bring out right. And this version is one of the best I've heard. Thanks.
seapie 4 years ago
Thanks for the sheet music. This rendition is beautiful, but I like it as it was written, with no extra notes added.
sharonlct 4 years ago
werrd, i like the original version better
gpedraza93 3 years ago
I like this rendition. However, I have a recording of it sung by Frank Patterson, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. I love it.
sharonlct 3 years ago
What do you mean? This is the original version.
MehdiCaps 3 years ago
Jupiter's role was written for a tenor (John Beard).
MehdiCaps 3 years ago
Thanks I love his song! I am actually performing this song at a music competition in March and I'm really excited!
boogieboi90 4 years ago
Truthfully, it is considered opera, not oratorio. It's his only opera in english that I can think of.
And this version of the opera is a magnificent one too...
drdre333 4 years ago
This has been a long discussion about what it is called and what it is considered to be.. I just used "oratorio" because it is what Handel himself called it.. apart from that, I agree with you that it is more of an opera than an oratorio. And one of his finest.
civileso 4 years ago
I wana thank you for posting this gem.
shwarov 4 years ago
To drdre333: Acis and Galatea is Handel's first opera in English.
kgus123 3 years ago
Oh yes... I forgot about that one, thanks! That's the one with "As when the dove..." You can hear that at LindoroRossini's page.
drdre333 3 years ago
thanks so much for this...I am singing this and "Art thou troubled ", next Sunday as apart of a concert. Lovely rendition, and just the perfect tenor sound for it. Handel sure knew how to write for voice didn't he? I am looking for a Jon Vicker's recording of this-I know it's out there???Anyway thank you so much 'civileso'
vickersman 4 years ago
My pleasure.. Aler does have that havenly tenor fit for a Greek god, and you can hear that he is sweet-talking Semele to distract her:)) Yes, Handel will always be the favorite of baroque-inspired singers. He gave the best melodies with a lot of opportunity for expressive singing for every voice type.. I'll keep an eve on Vicker's version, you got me curious, too:))
civileso 4 years ago