Birthday Ode for Queen Anne, James Bowman, countertenor

Eternal Source of Light Divine, from Birthday Ode for Queen Anne (1665-1714; assumed the throne March 8, 1702; last of the House of Stuart), by George Frideric Handel. James Bowman, countertenor.

Eternal source of light divine
With double warmth thy beams display,
And with distinguishd glory shine,
To add a luster to this day.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Birthday
• Ode
• to
• Queen
• Anne
• Handel
• James
• Bowman
• countertenor
• contretenor
• Baroque
• voice

[bigowl9408]

A wonderful voice!

But some how it comes over a bit flat and not as ethereally spiritual, as Alfred Deller's

[sfkcbf]

@bigowl9408 You have a good point. To match the style of this ode and the astonishingly precise Baroque trumpet, one needs a voice that is more trumpet-like, focused and clear.  Imagine what a Baroque castrato would sound like singing with full voice and large lungs.

[olialto7]

I do think that Robin Blaze does a better job with this aria, although his vibrato can be a bit irritating. But I think he sounds more involved than Bowman. Neither of them would be my ideal choice, however! If only Michael Chance had recorded the ode, preferably in the company of a soprano and baritone like Nancy Argenta and Stephen Varcoe for the duets!

[sfkcbf]

I agree with your astute assessment. Of the two performance that I posted, however, I prefer Deller's (even with his somewhat early, more primative countertenor technique.) His more clarion sound better matches the pure trumpet. Also, to borrow your phrase, Deller seems more "involved." To sing this aria properly requires strong vocal power. Perhaps no countertenor truly is up to it. Maybe a "Farinelli?"

[tenormanjd]

Nice. However, the constrained vocal tone of the countertenor combined with the lack of warm in the trumpet lives me cold, personally. The musical line as performed here plods along with no real climax. If Baroque style is defined historically as such by some..fine, but it is certainly not my definition of it. Give me Wynton and Kathleen any day.

Nevertheless, I respect that many appreciate this held and pinched type of sound for Baroque. It is just not my preference.

[sfkcbf]

I listened carefully to several renditions before making the Bowman production, although I was not truly satisfied with either the voice or the trumpet. I dismissed for several reasons Robin Blase, along with several female vocalists. I, therefore, did the Deller video, even though his older recording was a more primitive countertenor. The trumpet, however was superb Baroque. If by "constrained" you mean unnatural & labored, I agree. If you mean lacking of heavy vibrato, that IS Baroque style.

[gianm73yout]

This is still the best version, in my opinion.

[Hradrik]

Nice and accurate version of this work. I think no vibrato has it's place here: it's eternal light so the voice must be as cristalineand pure as possible and Bowman offers us an excellent example

of it.

Thank a lot for posting!

[Ceenth]

Amazing.. :)

[grofaz1939]

Fantastic! As superior to Kathy Battle(Axe) as Pierre Ferrand is to a 40oz. malt licka!

[loge10]

I disagree--I just listened to the Robin Blaze version and think that while good, it doesn't move me nearly as much as Bowman. What some may seem to interpret as a lack of involvement for me is a paring down to pure expression with no affectation.

Bowman has Soul!!!!

[titchinjp]

@VoceCorale Cheers, just wanted to check :)

[VoceCorale]

@titchinjp Yes, you're right.

[paradoxicus]

En el hecho musical,tal vez,no quepa decir el mejor.

Para mi,por su control,por su vibrato,por sus pausas,por su propia tesitura y fraseo,tal vez,el m....! 10/10

[titchinjp]

Who is the trumpet player?

Bowman likes working with Christian Steele-Perkins, so I assume it is him...

[titchinjp]

@olialto7 Robin Blaze's recording is fantastic. But on the whole I prefer James Bowman's recording as I feel that his voice suits it more. Blaze uses too much vib for my liking!