Aksel Schiǿtz- Every Valley from The Messiah

Aksel Schiǿtz singing Every Valley Shall Be Exalted from Handel's Messiah for HMV. My source for HMV dates for discs recorded outside of Britain seems to have disappeared so I don't know when this was recorded - other than it is no earlier than the late 1930's. Arguably the best recorded version (Webster Booth is good too).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Schiǿtz
• Messiah
• HMV
• orthophonic

[johnster1964]

An impressive sound. Haven't heard of this artist and cant find wiki info. Almost a helden tenor I would say. Very nice machine you have there too - I think there's one on gumtree at the moment for GBP60 !

[merrihew]

@johnster1964 Did you spell his name correctly? There's a Wikipedia article about him. He was a major, well known singer.

[tomcluster]

This is an electrical recording, and I assume the sound track was created with an electrical pickup and a more modern turntable than the acoustical turntable shown in the video.

[merrihew]

No, you're hearing acoustic reproduction picked up by a microphone about 10 ft. from the horn.

[tomcluster]

Interesting, I'm surprised it's as good as it is.  I don't have an acoustic phonograph so I can't conduct a test on my own, but I would assume (and maybe I'm assuming wrong) that playing it though an electrical pickup would produce even better results.

[merrihew]

It depends on how well the recording was made. Records from about 1932 and earlier sound better on this machine. Later records such as this one (with greater frequency range) sound better on modern equipment. I use the orthophonic for visual interest. Sometimes I post with my modern system. I won't play perfect condition records on the old machine.

[Imogenn]

Marvellous singing!

Thank you for posting this treasure.

[preruminator]

There is puissance in his singing born of an inner glow.

Heartfelt thanks for this preciosity.

[klokheten]

I wonder if the accompanying recitative,Comfort ye!

is on the other side?

It would be nice if you posted that one too since the sound from the horn is so beautiful. Impossible to compare with the cd-sound which is clean but cold.

[jhb134]

@meltzerboy - (tempos) - Not to be overly-contentious, but a Woldike tempo is probably as good as a Beecham one. The VITAL parts are the aria, itself ... Schiotz's unique interpretation and timbre ... and the orchestral "pushes"/support. I still say the first part is MET by the 2nd (Schiotz), and Woldike left many, fine recordings ... although Beecham's way would have been VERY-individual. ... Enough of picking-apart such a fine, enduring recording/upload .... and hope that all had a great Xmas!

[meltzerboy]

@valdengo1 Yes it does. I meant Beecham is NOT the conductor, because if he were, the tempo would have probably been sprightlier.

[valdengo1]

@meltzerboy  Does not that record say Mogens Woldicke as conductor?

[mhantholz]

"Arguably the best recorded version ..."

Not "arguably": Decisively, conclusively THE best version, on Angel-U.S. mid-'50s. To get the full rich golden gusto, you need that big Blaupunkt console AM/FM/SW-STEREO with master-blaster speakers and *tubes* for full range @ high volume. A.S. had the pipes and the heart to give it heavenly life. It's only over the years, as I've heard the others that his greatness has emerged in bold relief. Big voice, big heart, big man.

[jhb134]

An exultant, ringing rendition .. with the note values SECURE, up and down the scale. Would like to listen to Vickers, Bostridge and others .. but the Schiotz performance shows what a LOSS it was, to have him leave the recording mikes, at a somewhat-early age. .. Many thanks, merrihew!

[meltzerboy]

The tempo is too slow; apparently Beecham is not in charge! However, I love the singing and the beautiful voice of this very gifted tenor. Thanks for sharing.