Aafje Heynis, Sea Pictures by Sir Edward Elgar

Sea slumber Song
Sea_Pictures by Sir Edward Elgar
Aafje Heynis - Dutch Contralto
http://www.cantabile-subito.de/Contraltos/Dutch_Contraltos/dutch_contraltos.html
Text by Roden Berkely Wriothesley Noel

See Slumber Song

Sea-birds are asleep,
The world forgets to weep,
Sea murmurs her soft slumber-song
On the shadowy sand
Of this elfin land;

I, the Mother mild,
Hush thee, oh my child,
Forget the voices wild!
Hush thee, oh my child,
Hush thee.

Isles in elfin light
Dream, the rocks and caves,
Lulled by whispering waves,
Veil their marbles
Veil their marbles bright.
Foam glimmers faintly white
faintly white
Upon the shelly sand
Of this elfin land;

Sea-sound, like violins,
To slumber woos and wins,
I murmur my soft slumber-song, my slumber song
Leave woes, and wails, and sins.
Ocean's shadowy might
Breathes good night,
Good night...
Leave woes, and wails, and sins.
Good night...Good night...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sea
• Pictures
• Edward
• Elgar
• Aafje
• Heynis
• Slumber
• Song
• Dutch
• Contralto
• Classical
• voice

[jcriedijk]

To Andy: very nice pictures you have added to this Sea Song.Regarding the contralto: Aafje's vibrato is a bit too much to my liking, remember she was still young when it was recorded! The Irish contralto Bernadette

Greevy(1940)scores from the 25 versions I have heard about the best.Unfortunately there is nothing on youtube of this Grand Irish singer (range alto/contr/mezzo)Her

Irish folksongs are great too.

[andigrim007]

Hello jcriedijk

I still think this is a very moving version of Slumber Song.

You are probably right but because of her gentleness in singing, and not only, she convinces me each time.

In a way, as Maria Callas (yes, totally opposite in temperament and repertoire !)

she gives something in her singing that for me is more precious than a technically perfect instrument.

Thank you for the references.

I appreciate

andy

[vincentvanbuuren]

I agree with remark about the vibrato. Still the voice is so unique. In Holland she was always compared to Kathleen Ferrier, which is unfair to both. I prefer Aafje Heynis before Karhleen Ferrier, I have most recordings of both ladies. I did not know Aafje ever sang Elgar's Seapictures, what a pleasant surprise to find this recording. My favourite recording, in spite of the lovely Janet Baker recording which I love very much, is the recording made by Yvonne Minton.

[coryisawake]

This is the most gorgeous voice and reading of this music that I've heard.

[Leah041]

alguien tiene la version con Janet Baker?

[amandamarie82694]

that was a pretty video and love the pictures



[christiaandhooghe]

Hmmm, they are NONE similar.

[saturne46]

La voix d'Aafje Heynis me transporte. Quelle merveille !

[BrickLaneBetty]

Janet Baker is still the definitive.

[Uruguruh]

Beautiful, thanks!

[andreasscholl]

Pitty there is only one part of this cycle!

Hope there will be more in the future be found....

[jcriedijk]

Dear Andy,how things can change in a short time.I commented 3 months ago abt Bernadette Greevy the famous Irish mezzo,not knowing until today! that she passed away 26 sep 2008..aged only 68. Aafje Heynis(1924)is still alive in Holland,aged 84, although suffering from Alzheimer unfortunately.

Sea Pictures by Bernadette Greevy should be found elsewhere on Youtube, but not under her name, so you must check carefully among Sea pictures Best regards from the Netherlands. Koos Riedijk