A Balm in Gilead Kathleen Battle Jessye Norman James Levine

[Swartmeid]

I can watch this over and over and over and never tire of it! If only I can sit at their feet as they sing I would die in peace!!!

[86amadeo]

Oh my Lord, this made me tear up with happiness .. thank YOU so much for uploading it

[forthisvideo]

@86amadeo

Very happy to learn that this touched you. Thank you for letting me know that.

[MsGracie04]

PERFECTION! Amazing harmonies. What a beautiful song! Thank you for sharing this treasure.

[forthisvideo]

@MsGracie04

Your welcome.

[Melodiusrose]

Does anybody know who arrange this piece?

[essencerecordings]

Thank you for posting this. It is truly a beautiful duet. I'm going to Canada this week (from Ireland) and will be singing this with my sister at her church on Sunday. We so rarely get a chance to sing together. I usually sing with a wonderful Irish tenor and while we sing some lovely music for tenor and soprano it's so nice to sing with another soprano, especially my sister!

[forthisvideo]

@essencerecordings

How wonderful that must have been. So happy for you and your Sis.

[MrTobytwirl]

Thank you for posting this. Most beatiful!

[forthisvideo]

@MrTobytwirl

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Most beautiful indeed! Can't help but tear up when I hear this.

[ArySantanaMusica]

Muita emoção. Perfeito. Gostei e fiquei fã. Ary Santana

[xxnoangelxx]

Just beautiful! Thank you.

[douwd20]

I'm not sure words exist that can describe the beauty of this duet. Their voices blend together then drift apart then blend once again. Over and over they drift away and come back with a touch as light as a feather only to come together in the end as one beautiful singular voice.

[electricidol]

Wow!!! Amazing

[wellythonvieira]

This concert was recorded on DVD?

What type of DVD? Thank you!!!!!!!

[wTrevorh]

Simply the best!

[nasturtium7]

Raising our biracial daughter in a small German village in the early 90's, I saw this Balm of Gilead version and was immediately uplifted. Seeing my excitement, my husbad recorded a portion of the t.v. recording. While relocating to France, we lost the video. I am thankful to be able to view again the spiritual and emotional artistry of two golden voices. And 21 years later, to be again uplifted. Thanks for posting.

[forthisvideo]

@nasturtium7

WOW. Thank you for letting me know that. I am so very happy it blessed you.

[Shodansixtyone]

Thank you for sharing - Thank you dear God for giving these 2 exceptional performers the gift beyound compare for all of us to enjoy.

[mpchoriste]

With my choir we learn it. It's amazing and powerful spiritual gospel song. I'm so glad to learn it. It's so touching. Each time that i sing this one with my choir it's remember me the hard time that i live and it also make me smile cause God still ther with balm to comfort me.

Thanks God for saving my life.

You are my way my thruth and my life. All i have is in you Lord.

May God bless all of you who watch or wright someting on this vid.

[Arya2611]

i used to be able to watch this on my phone and now I can't!!!!! it is so frustrating can somebody tell me why? I am at the library right now. I feel though that i watched a better quality version but I am not sure...

[singerro1005]

flawless! I love it...

[dayfan1962]

Magnificent!

[Msaem39]

thank you, dear angels for bringing me such joy

anna

[Msaem39]

i cant stop listening, most beautiful version i ever heard

anna

[Msaem39]

hello, does anyone know where you can find a cd of this song ?

where can i get this recording ?

if anyone knows, please write me at anna17@live.nl

[Msaem39]

this is amazing, two angels singing, making my soul so happy and soothed from pain

may god bless you for bringing light into this world

my deepest respect...........

love

anna

[MonsieurDecent]

Indeed, I remember clearly watching-- listening to!-- this broadcast on PBS on the Christmas of '90 in my graduate student apartment (I was washing dishes in the kitchen then.)

[joliegarrett]

The harmonies in this are sweet as honey.

[leilalmv67]

Beautiful.

[colorfulsoprano]

inspiring!

[bsh28209]

Although the video quality is limited, the angelic voices of Ms. Jessye Norman and Ms. Kathleen Battle rise above this for an enchanting and comforting rendition of this Negro Spiritual American classic, one I sang in high school church choir. Thank you!

[dmpetrick]

It just brings tears to my eyes to hear such a beautiful song sung with such soul.

[csereix]

I have tears

[San47di1]

ForThisVideo - Thank you so very much for posting this as I haven't seen it in years! Recalling the 1st PBS airing, the entire presentation brought Happy Tears! Both of these women are simply Magnificent, & with each song, they took me back to the days of my girlhood to hear my Mother sing these same songs while cooking dinner or performing chores around the house, Balm in Gilead was one of her favorites. :-)

[forthisvideo]

@San47di1

Thank you for your comment. What a lovely remembrance of your Mom. She sounds like a real treasure.

[bcwiss]

What an outstanding performance.  Thank you so much for sharing this.

[FIONAAARDERN]

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL !

[JGBeckwith]

What a beautiful and soulful rendition of a deeply meaningful hymn. Thanks for sharing.

[forthisvideo]

@JGBeckwith

You're welcome.

[montsyblackmadonna]

It is an absolute crime,that this vidoe has never been released on DVD.

[swanningaround]

They always said that Kathleen Battle had "issues" She always seems a nice person to me, and has a love lovely voice. Of course, nothing needs to be stated about Jessye - she is always good. I can't see why people go on about Fleming, when we have these two ladies, who are to my mind much better. Of course I love Leontyne too.

[brandondallas]

This is awesome. We want to see "Scandalize my name" by these 2 brilliant ladies.

[rhetoricbutler]

I still have my VHS tape from the original airing, including "Scandalize," but I don't even still have a VHS player :(. Anyway, I played that tape so many times, it's a wonder it still played at all--I could listen to them every day. Their combined voices singing the words that are so soothing to my soul are incomparable. Thank you so much for posting this :).

[forthisvideo]

I know what you mean.  So soothing.

[johngotwalt]

gotta be a way to transfer it to CD. Acetate tapes disintegrate over time. I have a cassette tape of the Callas/diStefano 1974 studio recording (never released) for Philips. I must transfer it soon.

[cgenierun]

@johngotwalt : There is a gizmo that will do it - I saw it at Sam's for about fifty bucks. Will transfer video tapes to DVD.

[SonUpProductions]

Could You post Scandalize?

[forthisvideo]

@SonUpProductions

Sorry I don't have that one.

[ybrown1131]

Beautiful...just beautiful

[voceangelo]

Madame Norman scaling back that immense voice of hers, and Madame Battle's sweet soprano harmonizing over the melody nearly made me cry. Video quality be damned. This is beautiful.

[Akee1990]

What a duo!!Their voices are just as opposite as fire and water, but togetha, they're a fusion.

[TheContralto1]

Does anyone know if there is a video of Kathleen and Jessye's live performance of "In that Great Gettin' Up Morning"? I've seen (& heard) the music upload, but wish to see the live performance. Appreciate your help with this.

[Beto246]

How sweet and beautiful is this song! Battle and Norman are just impecable. Thank you very much for this video.

[forthisvideo]

I agree. Glad you enjoyed it.

[janubhai]

Does anyone have Scandalize my name from this performance?

[forthisvideo]

I remember it. Unfortunately I don't have it. I thought I saw it here on U TUBE but I just ran a quick search and couldn't find it. If I do find it, I'll get back to you.

All the best,

Annette

[LohengrinT]

Incredible!

[TheKat1956]

Two of my favorite singers singing one of my favorite songs and their faces are as beautiful as the song. Thank you for this.

[forthisvideo]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[MamaBear2008]

Thanks for posting!

[forthisvideo]

Your welcome

[Ladyoflight77]

This gave me goosebumps. Amazing!!

[forthisvideo]

I agree. I'm happy you enjoyed it.

[twilliger123]

I love watching this, brings back wonderful memories of being at this concert. During this song I was moved to tears and who held hands with me during it because they were feeling it too? None other than Cicely Tyson! What a memory I'll cherish forever!

[forthisvideo]

That's beautiful!

[Msaem39]

@twilliger123

you are so lucky to have been there to see this wonder, do you know if this is recorded and where can i find it ?

if you can help me, i would be grateful

anna17@live.nl

[Gottendamerung]

Simply beautifull and incredible...A unique mixture of feelings, vocal technique and expression and a great music sense...BEAUTIFULL!!!!!!!

[jaradiant1]

wow..that was absolutly beautiful

[johngotwalt]

to the poster: you may want to store your tapes to DVD for archiving. Acetate doesn'tl last forever.

[forthisvideo]

Good idea.

[surrected4526]

Thank you so much for posting this! I love it!

[trinasp]

I met Jessye Norman after she did a concert in Dallas in the 80's. She is amazing! I have this CD and love every song on it. Kathleen Battle is just as amazing and together, they are dynomite.

[musikenergy]

Wow. You were so blessed. I have it too and I wish I were a fly on the wall to watch it live.

[johngotwalt]

at 3:11, well, get back Loretta !!

[forthisvideo]

I just checked it out (3:11) Yup. Lovely!

[musikenergy]

And as the peanut gallery behind you at 3:11, Hallelujer! LOL!

[johngotwalt]

their voices entwine and their masks are perfect

[H2obearer]

Perfect perfection!

[worshiperkjs]

AMAZING!!! Their voices are so different but they worked beautifully together.

[johngotwalt]

I'm totally crying

[originalwinapina]

so beautiful

[BaroquePearl419]

Does anyone know how to get hold of the arrangements these 2 ladies used for this concert? I first heard this recording right after the concert actually took place years ago...what a wonderful concert!

[Arissonme]

Essa música mexe muito cmigo quando eu escuto é uma coisa maravilhosa que me emocion muito

[forthisvideo]

Estou feliz que você gostou. Eu costumava Traduz Google para que eu espero que isto traduz bem.

God Bless

[troublesomme]

Oh my Lord! That was heart achingly real!

[johngotwalt]

does anyone anywhere have audio from Carnegie Hall Semele with Battle and Ramey ?? My vinyl set was stolen and I long to hear her aria.

[koolladym]

I love that you answer. Way Cool, YOU....

[koolladym]

Thank you. I stumbled across you, Forthisvideo, looking for, I hear music in the air, not knowing what I was going to get. Awesome!!!!

[forthisvideo]

Very Cool :)

[SirLarkin1]

I get chills at 4:14 when this extraordinary battle begins; Jessye has eliminated the deep richness of her obvious tone to take on the high tonal beauty to match Kathleen's natural state.Incredible beautiful sounds so the fun is who will hold the longest sound to the end and at first I thought it was Kathleen thats why Norman gives her I think a look of recognition, Kathleen coquettishly lowers the eyelids. It's so tremendous; I mean the looks and the triumphant voices: a great spiritual.

[johngotwalt]

you're the man. !! TY for your sensitivity. I heard these two beauties in Mahler's 2nd conducted by Lenny B. Unforgettable. They both wore snoods. We called them Big Snood and Little Snood, respectively.

[bahwenge]

Great observation....like that old spiritual.

[kingdombread]

Forthisvideo, I bless you!!! I have been craving this performance of Kathleen & Jessye for years!!! My vdo copy was destroyed and I've been trying to find it on DVD or VHS but to no avail and tonight while surfing the YouTube, EUREKA!!! I especially loved that ending starting at 3:55 til the end when Kathleen ends on that Ab6!!! Thanx so much for posting! I appreciate your artistic excellence! God Bless!

[forthisvideo]

I am so glad to hear that. Thank you for the blessing.

[infiniteblaq08]

I used to have this CD. Just beautiful!

[misssusser]

Chills..! I really did get chills!

[forthisvideo]

Me too. When the page loaded up as I was approving the comment you posted, the song started playing in the background and I got chills all over again. Never does get old.

All the best,

Annette

[bahwenge]

PRICELESS. I

[whiteliketar]

I am speechless! This is from somewhere in heaven? perhaps?

[forthisvideo]

They surely nailed it didn't they? I don't know of a better version than this. I don't know if you checked out "Give me Jesus" by Kathleen with Branford Marsalis. (check out my page or the column to the right if you haven't already). She did it on the Tonight show in the early '90's and brought a hush over the entire audience including over Jay.

Blessings,

Annette

[Msaem39]

@whiteliketar

thats just what i was thinking when i heard this version, i play it every day

yes, this is somewhere in heaven !!!!!!!

love

anna

[tRaCiEq]

Yes, I most definitely enjoyed! Reminds me of singing spirituals in the Chorale at Texas A&M-Commerce.

[forthisvideo]

Hey Tracie,

I read in your bio that you sing with your friends. I went over to your myspace site hoping to hear your singing. I heard the song you loaded in the player with the Donny Hathaway song "Lord Help me" in the background. Loved it! Who's it by? I'm over at myspace too if you want to check out my songs. I recorded them in my house. Not too bad quality. Enough to get out there.

Myspace/ AnnettesMusic Have you recorded anything that I can hear?

Love your boldness Sis. He is worthy.

Annette

[marcus1961]

I know the difference between gosple and spiritual. And this is a Spiritual. This reminds me of my Grandmother so much. Thanks for posting

[forthisvideo]

Your welcome.  I am so glad this is blessing others.

[tRaCiEq]

WOW! Magnificent! Effortless!

[forthisvideo]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[BraunBoy]

Beautiful!

[twilliger123]

I was there, it was so amazingly beautiful, something I'll never forget!

[forthisvideo]

I can only imagine.

[diddisgrl]

This is so Beautiful. I love there voices its so rich in color and tone. Makes you cry. Specially the ending.

[forthisvideo]

I so agree.  They couldn't have done it any better.

[ejtka]

Beautiful

[TreblesBasses]

JUST AS THE AnGELS WOULD SING IT!

[forthisvideo]

I agree.  Moved me to tears.

[pianoandpipes]

I love how Jessye leans over and is like 'listen to this, kid'

[forthisvideo]

Yup. These gals did it up right.

[tanxdandie]

Thanks, I am hoping someone will make my day by posting those soul inspiring songs here.

[tanxdandie]

Thanks a million for this piece. Please I yearn to hear more of Jesse Norman's gospel songs. Will be glad if you can find songs like "I couldn't hear nobody pray", "There is a man going round in Gimead" etc. I miss her version of these songs a lot.

[forthisvideo]

Glad you enjoyed it! Sorry, I don't have anything else by Jessye Norman. Only this song she did with Kathleen.  Maybe someone reading this might have something by her. Hopefully...

All the best,

Annette

[CriticalListener]

A balm for the soul indeed. Thank you SO much for sharing this with us!

[forthisvideo]

My pleasure.

[balladtree]

YEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

[forthisvideo]

:-)

[VoyArrasando]

I hate to be a Butt head sweety but james levine is conducting

[forthisvideo]

No butt head at all! I really appreciate it. Thanks for the correction.

Blessings,

Annette

[VoyArrasando]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS­SS!!! I've been waiting for someone to upload this thanks! :)

[forthisvideo]

Yay! That makes me happy.

All the best,

Annette