Schubert "Der Hirt auf dem Felsen" Elly Ameling (Part I )

[aelreynol24]

This video went viral on Hungary

[mmisaku]

is nothing better than this record,with elly ameling,but other tousend of records where she sings,ist unvergeblich!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! she is forever,is a taste of voice,tecnic,stile,charm,elega­nce,rafine,and all positive adjetives you can found to describe such an artist,and musician.i put ther on the very top 10 forever Ameling!

[gfportilho]

Kathleen Battle and Karl Leister have a stronger performance for this piece !!

[2bernarda]

I have always loved this singer's voice and personality. She has wonderful purity and clarity of tone. In 1958 I was in Geneva and went along to the International Concours de Chantes where she took first prize, singing The Jewel Song from Faust. She must have been very young, and I remember that she wore glasses.

The judges chose well and wisely.

[MuseDuCafe]

It really doesn't get better than this, only different. The period instruments, especially the clarinet, are the exact color Schubert wanted, it sounds so perfect here, it is now difficult for me to listen to the best of performances with newer instruments without feeling like something is drastically missing or gone.... And Ameling is (agree?) one of the most perfect of Lieder singers in a galaxy of historically fine Lieder singers.

[bandnerd812]

My friend Angie is SO going to OWN this piece.....

[egteren]

THIS IS SOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!

[ireneherz]

thanks so much for posting the music with it! incredibly helpful for me as a music student!!!

[JohnEBPiano]

I hear this and I am at home.

[clarinetto]

Indeed it sounds fine and interesting in lower pitch,but let's make this clear.Even if the piano is from Schubert era (sounds like that anyways), it is not tuned normally for this period. The typical pitch was ca 430, here we can hear 415 (a regular semitone lower than now). That's the reason why it's being played on A cl. instead of Bb. My guess is, that this pitch was simply more convenient for the (outstanding, btw.) singer. Can anyone post a rec. of this piece with less awful clarinet sound?

[bartje11]

@clarinetto Let's make this clear, why not compliment the up-loader for his fabulous and painstaking job of posting the music + score so we can enjoy it. I doubt it if he uploaded it so the critics amongst us can have a field-day. Cheers!

[martinlgreen]

This is performed on an original piano from the actual era of Schubert , i.e., the pitch variation. In the list of those who have recorded this they left off the name of Beverly Sills (not a typical Schubert interpretation, but hey, it's Beverly Sills!)

[jobee9356]

Shahn, it is being played in the correct key.

[shahn1951]

@jobee9356

I believe that the clarinet is A, not Bb, and piano/voice are using the A major score.

[danylaley]

great you included the scripture

[shahn1951]

I think this is played in A instead of Bb as the score shows.

[shahn1951]

Yes, this is the very best I have heard!!

[buggerationable]

very dutch though :-)

[j16j43t01]

Le son magique de la clarinette trouve une parténaire légandaire dans la soprano Elly Ameling. Sublime. J'aime beaucoup aussi, la version de Margareth Price, que je ne trouve pas ici. Jean Molins.

[paulostroff99]

Awesome-PERIOD! TY.

[Kittylight2008]

Stupendous!!!!

[StrawberryTablet]

oh gosh. it's really beautiful.

[jonaggod]

Anyone else bothered by the pianist here? He can't seem to play eighth triplets in any uniform way. Rubato? No, later he plays straight eighths with proper rubato, yet not at the start--curious. And Ameling's German is lacking. Witness the third measure of the vocal line (1:53) the mangled "Hoechsten"; bad vowel, bad consonants. And there's good reason mezzos sound better with this: the low B flat (2:45).

[gtimny]

@jonaggod Yes, jonaggod, I'll second you - Demus (the pianist) does some odd things, but Ameling with her purity of tone, dead center pitches, and her plain naturalness to my ears is superb.  The 1960 Benita Valente, Harold Wright version is fabulous also - the more so because Rudolf Serkin provides an incomparable, nearly totally self effacing accompaniment but controls the rhythmic nuances to perfection, and Valente's voice is truly a shepherd boy's - young, slim and nearly vibrato-less.

[dziady1]

This is quite beautiul ,another

to hear as beautiful is Benita Valente

[cantorandopera]

@dziady1 so glad to see her name on youtube - her recording of this and her Pamina were golden standards for sure.

[MrBacilodekoch]

delicioso...un pequeño bombón de chocolate negro y avellana de la mejor calidad.

[cantanteporsiempre]

marvellous

[Agneschuable]

Elly Amiling is one of my favorite concert singer, saw her live back in the 90's, she was in her 60's then and I was blown away by her beautiful tone, still so sweet and pure.

[MastersoftheOpera]

Schubert 's poetic Lieder music is gorgeous. I love this song & Elly Ameling sounds marvelous, with a distant, romantic sound. I also like Beverly Sills singing this same song.

[gctlcda]

What a wonderful upload - many thx!! Great job on the research, too; appreciate it. Ameling is the best and has set high bar for other sopranos on this performance. Wunderbar!!

[jukka5520]

Delightful. Elly Ameling is the best. If sombody has her Bach kantata Bist du bei mir I would be in heaven. It is a love song, I think.

[mclaire12]

to 24marz

[vonspre]

(2)

I am consumed in misery,

I have no use for cheer,

Hope has on earth eluded me,

I am so lonesome here.

So longingly did sound the song,

So longingly through wood and night,

Towards heav'n it draws all hearts along

With unsuspected might.

[ikerio]

Gracias Emil esta pieza es una autentica joya.

[vonspre]

(1) When, from the highest rock up here, Down to the valley deep I peer, And sing, Far from the valley dark and deep Echoes rush through, in upward sweep, The chasm. The farther that my voice resounds, So much the brighter it rebounds From under. My sweetheart dwells so far from me, I hotly long with her to be O'er yonder.

[vonspre]

In the first section a lonely shepherd, high on the top of a mountain, listens to echoes from below. In the second section the shepherd expresses his grief and LONELINESS. In the lively third and last section the shepherd anticipates the coming of Spring and with its rebirth.

[sharknosediesel]

This might be the most beautiful song ever written, and sung by one of the great lieder singers of all time. I have always believed had I the power to choose a great artist from history and grant him another thirty years of life, it would be Schubert. If this was the last song he wrote, I know I 'd have made the right choice.

[Deadlysoprano16]

I'm currently learning this for my spring recital and it is such a wonderful piece! The last section especially feels like flying!

[clarygirrrl9]

Fabulous, and thanks for posting the score as well... I am learning this and loving the piece... errrr... well... except for the last (piu mosso) section which is fast and very difficult! My fingers need a turbocharger.

[debbie94510]

Hi Clarygirrrl9, are you doing slur 2/tongue 2 there? BTW, this is my favorite piece of all time. It was my first professional gig and I still love it!

[clarygirrrl9]

Not being a professional musician by any means, I am happy if I get most of the notes, never mind slur two/tongue two! Just did the performance and I managed to get through the whole thing without any major train wrecks. Hooray! Such a gorgeous piece, it was hard not to be distracted by the singer.

[droi74]

This is my first time to listen to Ameling singing. Thank you civileso for posting. Everyone has ears should not miss this. So beautiful.

[redlaxmi]

Beverly Sills also performed this piece.

[OyJoey]

Can anyone tell me why this recording is low in bitch? One note at least, it seems like it's performed with A clarinet almost. Or was it being performed with Period Instruments? Beautiful performance anyways. BTW I thought I really LOVE the recording by Kathleen Battle, James Levine and Karl Leister! If you love this piece please check that one out!

[Yoavmw]

it is performed by a period clarinet (by the amazing Hans Deinzer) and hammerklavier. That is the reason for the low pitch.

I think it is a wonderful performance.

[thenextmezzosoprano]

low in "bitch"? hehe. :)

[civileso]

LOL, I liked that one, too. :)))

[thenextmezzosoprano]

lolz! you look like in a music profession. can u suggest any mezzo soprano oratorio for me. it' for a competition, so i think maybe a competitive one....

[bachianasbrasileiras]

Have you ever heard this piece sang by Erna Berger ?? ... beautuful and such an easy ,natural interpretation, very similar to Elly A.

[schmup53]

I used to sit in the recording lab at school and listen to this over and over and over again - I should have been practicing! That was in the 70s.

[Seikilou]

It's a very beautiful piece :) and I love this interpretation...

[heyheyheylolita]

I still remember listening to that piece (and all of Elly Ameling recordings of Schubert) and fall into pieces... So emotionnal and I rarely saw a perfect match like this between a voice and a composer. So pure and yes floating. Like bubbles suspending in the air that you try to catch but cant :P

[meredith21846]

A lovely voice that simply floats over Schuberts sublime melodic line.

[usignola1]

Thanks so much for posting this! Wonderful!

[aurorazpiazu]

Schubert, siempre Schubert.....siempre encontrareis un movimiento de una pieza de camara, de una sinfonia un Lieder que se ajuste en ese momento a vuestras necesidades espirituales. Cuanto mas le conozco más le amo. Boreal

[1000musica]

One of the greatest and most beautiful pieces for voice!

I love it and I play it!

[AntoniodeOrnelas]

Sou somente um ouvinte, amante da boa música, e agradeço a Deus por nos presentear com estes dois seres maravilhosos: Schubert e Elly Amelling.

Obrigado Senhor.

[musicpiano14]

second part of my post:

Many people for example can't love any one, so why we should sorry for some people who can love like no others?

I'm personaly only could feel sorry for these blind and deaf people who can not do more than eat fastfood, see sutpid TV shows, and watch Tv news who brings lie all the time to our brains.

Many people loves true art, so we must perform for them as good as possible.

GoodLuck!

[alextempogiusto]

wonderful recording, i've the one Benita Valente and rudolph serkin did... It's also sublime. I'd love to play it with some pianist and singer friends of mine... Could anyone send me the music?

[keeplaughing]

Love Schubert, love Ameling.

As the manager of a symphony orchestra, I've always felt very, very sorry for career classical musicians; they nit-pick to the point that they can't enjoy music anymore.  What a loss - the rest of us can enjoy it all.

[capicap100]

As a pianist,I've always felt very sorry when i see that only we professional musicians can enjoy some master pieces. I don't think romantic music is made for a small group of wise ears,those who are so used to music that they believe everybody is going to understand it.You can see most of people prefer listening to rock,pop,salsa, than stand a boring classical concert in which they don't find anything interesting. I blame musicians, for playing master pieces in a sweet but really boring way

[musicpiano14]

Guys! Don't be sorry. We are people who love classical (I don't like this word, it is makes it kind of museum music, but this music beyond time) music, we have a privilege to understand the true beauty, is it not great thing? many people don't have this ability(unfortunatly) as well as they can not understand poetry and great paitings, because all this things realeted to each other.

[mdehkram]

I remember listening to this recording in college many years ago in preparation for a concert in which I performed the piano accompaniment for this song. Ameling has the right tone color for Schubert lieder, pure, clean, simple, natural.

[jm960]

Stellar singing. Love it madly!

[bartje11]

What does it matter who is better? Nit-picking is an art everybody seems to have mastered. Why not just enjoy this beautiful recording as it is?

De beste stuurlui staan altijd aan de wal.

The best captains are always on shore.

No matter what, Elly Ameling rocks!!

[capicap100]

I agree the sound of the voice is wonderful. However, i miss more difference in the mood between sections. I think the first section should be faster, and have more energy, more light, like the sun in the mountains! The second section should be slower and with darker sound, and the final one even faster. I think Battle, Leister and Levine's version is better on this.

Ok,Schubert was going to die, but this doesn't mean we have to do a "funeral" of this piece! Anyway is enjoyable.Congrats.

[musictman]

the clarinet sound is too spread in the clarion range... =/

but the soprano is to die for!

[borlange11]

I think this is the very best performance existing. There are no wishes left: very beautiful voice, very musically used, perfect pronunciation (just listened to the magnificent Kathleen Ferrier in "An die Musik": "Kun" instead of "Kunst", "Wel" instead of "Welt")

[Steinbach1984]

@borlange11 Not to mention the perfectly pure rendition of the high notes in the clarinet party. You can't imagine how difficult they are in pianissimo.

[Leomerya12]

The soprano is wonderful. But I'm not particularly fond of the clarinettist's tone. Though their still skilled.

[JanetteHeffernan]

Absolutely beautiful! How could anyone write such a glorious piece on their death bed!

Wonderful voice! Just right! I love Schubert!

[jjdra]

Bless you, you beautiful soul for posting this!

[Egoetego]

Schubert : one of the most poetic composers ever.

[LadyofMetal16]

This woman is a genius. She intrigues me every time! Every time! Brava!

[enigmulo]

Einfach fantastisch! Absolut schön! Ausgezeichnet, obwohl ich kein Deutsch-sprachiger bin...

[lucialight4]

Just beautiful! Thanks for this

[xXxSocorroDovesxXx]

Beautiful...

Thankyou for your informative commentary and the translations also, civileso... I enjoyed this very much!

[quelasol]

Yes, she's performing with fortepiano here. This is from her record titled Schubertiade, in which all the songs are with fortepiano. Another highlight of that record is a stunning "Gretchen am Spinnrade." It's available now as an excellent CD, half Schubert & half Schumann (Editio Classica #77085).

[soprano2k]

Thank you! Beautifully done (and my teachers always taught me to listen with a score in my hand).

[fanakaulitz]

Beautiful !! thanks

[CzechViolist]

In reference to why she's performing down a half-step-it is probably with a fortepiano, a period instrument, which would be down a half step, like baroque strings.

Elly Ameling is amazing. What a beautiful voice.

[PONSR500]

Gracias.

[ottokees]

So wonderful !!!...thank you very much !!!. Cheers!!!, ~Sergio.

[Nightfighter74]

Absolutely perfectly sung -Chapeau- ...

[vivalamesotes]

jorg demus forever

[musicdivinemusic]

I love the song and the clarinet. I dont agree it gos on without much variation. There's a lot of subtle variations. And it's so nice to be able to follow the score. Many thanks to civileso for this lovingly prepared video.

[makswen]

Her performance is lovely, but I find it a bit too precious, mostly in the section section. I also disagree with her decision to hold the high B-flat (high-A in her case) at the end past what is written...it ruins the rhythmic excitement that Schubert seemed to be striving for. This is a lied, not bel canto opera. I also don't know why she would record it down a 1/2 step. It is more challenging to spin those piano notes up even a 1/2 step. Strange.

[Ellapostan]

Beutiful!amezing lied and amezing performance, thank you for putting it on youtube!

[Ellapostan]

Beutiful!amezing lied and amezing performance, thank you for putting it on youtube!

[ipmoic]

I meant his 16th note pick up notes sound like eighth notes--NOT what was intended. // Could it be that the pianist played this down a 1/2 step and the clarinetist used his clarinet in A rather than Bb? Seems the most logical--but the piece sounds dull in A rather than Bb major. Also, strangely short eighth notes from the pianist in the second section. Sounds silly.....

[jjoh1983]

Please remember that there is a difference between the german system and the boehm system - especially in the sound of the clarinet... maybe you have heard about ritardando? that's not a techno-song with a strict beat of 130 bpm

[ipmoic]

Lovely performance--heavenly Ameling. In the first section, the clarinetist (excellent as he is) plays all of his 16th notes as eighth notes. Not so good Mr. Deinzer.

[codonauta]

What a big skips the singer have to do!. I think this is not easy to sing that.

( The composition is great )

[lamsauping]

I LOVE IT

[chrish12345]

very odd piece, just goes on and on without much variation, but it works, of course...

[niamaztor]

Elly Ameling is my idol, she is wonderful!! It's a pleasure to listen to her sing...<3

[cadenza0216]

This is a beautiful rendition of one of Schbert's best lieder. I'm currently working on this piece with a friend of mine who's a clarinet performance major and it is such a joy to sing!

[ciccioclarinet]

Scandaloso il clarinettista, suono pessimo e interpretazione anche.

Brava la cantante..

[clairannette]

sounds like period instruments... amazing vocals!

[tomwestbrook]

Elly Ameling had a perfect voice for lieder and oratorio. I wish more of her recordings were available these days.

[gracesnotes]

There are places in her voice that are so pristine that I can almost believe in angels wishing they could produce such glorious music. Love her..Worship and adore!

[buecherdidi]

You should hear this wonderful voice of Elly Ameling in Bach's "Willst du dein Herz mir schenken, so fang es heimlich an...". She was the Greatest!

[bossmuscle]

great, but why is it a half step flat? Are they using a fortepiano with a lowered pitch? Clarinet in A also?

[fiordiligicymraeg]

probably - that is more what it would have sounded like at Schubert's time. This way it sits more comfortably on the voice too - it's amazing what a difference a half tone makes!

[paulostroff99]

bb-Erna Berger is now one of my all time female opera singers-Thank you for the great recommendation.These 2 great ladies have no superiors.

[donnanna23]

She is a Godess in this piece. THE BEST EVER!!!

[paulostroff99]

Sounds even better every time that I listen to this performance.YES,ONE CAN PROBABLY RIGHTFULLY CONCLUDE THAT SHE PROBABLY OWNS THIS PIECE OF MUSIC.

[paulostroff99]

She is a super vocalist!Stylistically,no one outclasses her.

[bachianasbrasileiras]

I agree with you ,she is among my favorit singers , wish there were more of her singing and perhaps videos of her performances !

Thanks for posting this piece . I sang it many times with great pleasure.

[paulostroff99]

I'm sure that your mentor Heitor Villa Lobos would have loved to have heard you.

[nhf7170]

I adore this piece. I think Elly Ameling "owns" it. I used to go to the library to listen to this version when I was studying in Paris. The only version I could find was Kathleen Battle's, which is a bit thin for this piece. She's practically inaudible on "der Klufte." I love the way Ms. Ameling attacks that note with gusto.

[civileso]

That part is my favorite part.. Yes, you need a very strong chest register for that. That's why I always thought a very light mezzo could sing this one much better than a soprano..

[paulostroff99]

sorry,I meant to comment on the Puccini Soave funnicula aria.What I said is still meant on this glorious posting.Thank you again.

[bachianasbrasileiras]

A very good interpretations is also by Erna Berger .

[paulostroff99]

I fully agree that she has one of the best voices,and it truly is sad that she is so comparatively little known.I shall listen to Erna Berger within the hour.Thank you for the info.Have a nice day Ms.Villa Lobos.Ha,ha.

[TedShepherd]

Thank you for posting this wonderful music. I would have liked to see the performers, but following along with the printed music was good too. The recording of Shepherd on the Rock by Elly Ameling, Joerg Demus, and Hans Deinzer won Grand Prix du Disque and Edison awards. The keyboard instrument is not a modern piano but a hammerfluegel from Vienna, 1835. Though Schubert died in 1828, this sound is authentic for his time.

[vonspre]

Gracias por tu consejo...quiero también felicitarte por tus maravillosos videos,todos son espléndidos...un abrazo muy fuerte.

[civileso]

Thank you very much! Take care..

[vonspre]

Unluckily,English is the "imperial"language

[vonspre]

Sorry for my english...but i prefer French,German or Italian.

[civileso]

Why don't you then? You can comment in any language you like..

[vonspre]

Ya lo he dicho.El inglés es el idioma que todo el mundo comprende, aunque sea de forma vaga...y siempre es bueno que tus opiniones lleguen al mayor número de personas,no crees?A eso me refería con "Lengua del Imperio"...No ocurre así con el francés,alemán,italiano o español,lenguas bellísimas pero menos extendidas por decirlo de algún modo...He aquí la prueba., entenderá algúna persona que no sea sudamericana,centroamericana o española lo que ahora digo?Muy pocas...

[civileso]

I guess you are right, it reaches to more people.. But I myself have no choice but to use English.. If I use Turkish, what I have to say would reach to far less people than using Spanish.. I thought Spanish was one of the most spoken languages worldwide.. Why worry.. Just go ahead with your choice of language.. I wish I could comment in Russian, or Portuguese, or any other language.. But I can't, because I don't know any languages but Turkish and English..

[vonspre]

This one is the last lied written by Schubert.His death came little later...What a sublime beauty,what freshness!The strophe in minor is one of the most heart-breaking and beautiful things that the Muses have ever blown in the mind of this Genius.Always tormented by his homosexuality,he didn't lose maybe the hope to find the Love.But unfortunately we'll never know the sufficient thing of his inner life.Sometimes this mistery torments me.

[nhf7170]

A couple of the great composers seemed to die after writing masterworks for clarinet, e.g., Mozart. Coincidence?

[bsartist]

Coincidence or......CONSPIRACY!!1!?

[vonspre]

Great comment.Thank you.

[soundfond]

I've always liked this lied a lot too. And the beauty of Dutch Elly's voice is refreshing. Also, I find it very thoughtful that you name other singers who have recorded the same piece. Thank you.

[BachLoveNat]

Thank you dear Eser. It is so beautiful.........

[lvicente]

The first I saw Natalie Dessay was in a recital in Barcelona... She performed this lied and since then I'am a fan of hers...

[AlanDNZ]

Thank you for this item - it is among a selection from Ameling that lead me to become besotted with her vocal beauty. A I have previously stated, IMO she is a master of this leid. The acompanyment is in perfect balance.

[civileso]

She is relly good, yes.. I'm glad you liked it.. This is one of my most favorite Schubert lieds.