Russell Thomas - BARBER Knoxville, Summer of 1915
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- čas přidán 20. 10. 2015
- BARBER - Knoxville, Summer of 1915
Russell Thomas - Tenor
Simon Lepper - Piano
Rosenblatt Recital: London 21.09.2015 - Praised as a “superb singer” (The New York Times), tenor Russell Thomas has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting vocal and dramatic talents on the international opera and concert scene. Here he is in his making his Rosenblatt Recitals debut at Wigmore Hall accompanied by pianist, Simon Lepper.
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this is so exciting to hear this piece done by a tenor! And frankly some of the clearest diction I've ever heard on this work. Unbelievable, bravo!
Truth!
...yes...truth...I can understand each and every ...word in what he is singing...oh his knockville...as a bass baritone I have sing along ...to the recordings of this...song...this guy...Russel Thomas...slows the work down...and brings it in at 16minutes and then some...and he makes it work ...yes ...truth...loved...it
Absolutely. Loved the high notes in chest voice and head voice. Tempi held back in places beautifully, really bringing out the James Agee darkness
Years later after this posting, and yes; a master of dictation.
Diction is far more understandable in this octave because of vocal tract acoustics and the way they interact with pitch. The fact that it's easier for the tenor than a soprano to be understood in this setting is Barber's fault (he should have set some of the text with closed vowels lower in the range if he wanted it to be understood in the soprano's vocal range). Not really a criticism though. The song is a masterwork and this is a terrific performance.
This piece is a natural for tenors. After all, the story is being told by a young male child. This is indeed my favorite performance of this piece to date!
Oh this pianist is insane. His playing is unrivaled. Almost as good as a small chamber orchestra. Both performers are doing the impossible.
Jazzzzzzzxxxzz - That's what I was thinking as well from the first couple measures, absolutely stupendous playing.
Simon Lepper is quite simply one of the best accompanists in the profession, anywhere.
I listened to the end...and was awed by the accompanying at that point...and the vocal!
I agree!
I do wish the piano was tacet during "But will not tell me who I am" near the end of the piece. It would add to the lonely, directionless expression. Otherwise, the piano is doing some seriously heavy lifting!
Remarkable performance by two consummate musicians. Just discovered this. Nothing is lost without soprano and orchestra. In fact these two musicians give it a perspective that wants nothing. I am so moved by this performance.
Agee's prose is magical and along with Barber's fabulous setting. This makes for one of my Desert Island works.
I never can listen to the closing lines without welling up for the love of my own lost parents and childhood.
Beautiful words from you.
I've been addicted to Dawn Upshaw"s version for 20+ years. I have now been moved and changed. This is magnificent.
Lovely job. This is the first time I've heard a man singing the piece and its works wonderfully.
OMG! If this doesn’t bring a tear to your eyes, you are not human!
Stunning, I sang this piece 38 years ago, this is so difficult. and his accompanist is...just...wow
FABULOUS PERFORMANCE of this very difficult work by this magnificent tenor and wonderful pianist !!! This superbly trained, richly DRAMATIC tenor conveys a heartbreaking nostalgia in this work that no lyric tenor could approach. Russell Thomas sustains the (interior) drama of this work through the extended instrumental interludes by the depth and sincerity of his identification, rather than by any attempt at externalized acting. After such a long, concentrated stretch of singing, Russell Thomas's floated, meditative high soft singing on the final phrase ("But will not ever tell me who i am") is something of a miracle ! Simon Lepper performs a comparable feat in showing that the piano reduction can be as kaleidoscopic as the original orchestra version. Gratitude for these two formidable artists for taking no detail for granted, and recording such a memorable musical experience---- what a superlative display of artistry !!!
Solomon , yes a wonderful singer ,indeed, but he is NOT a dramatic tenor. I would say a juicy lyric. The voice is not big enough for a a dramatic tenor . You want a real dramatic tenor? Check out Limmie Pulliam. Peace!
Totally agree with your comment about the head voice on the "But will not ever tell me who i am". I felt this voice could have been utilised more in other sections rather than the full bodied chest voice to portray an innocent boy.
I agree with all written about the clarity and richness of these performances. But I can't get over Barber's setting of this text, whether for piano or small orchestra. The pacing, the color, the structure: so beautiful and moving.
I am blown away by this. I’ve never heard it performed by a tenor, and am just nearly in tears from the intimacy and tenderness of this performance.
this made me cry...so moving!
One of my favorite pieces. Years ago, I was lucky to hear Leontyne Price sing it. This is very fresh. Gorgeous!
this works with tenor and piano. The music architecture is clear and the piano with a superb pianist evokes various colors and lyricism of the orchestral writing, Most important Russell Thomas is a great tenor who has sung at the Metropolitan Opera . His enunciation of the text and the emotional depth of the words are clearly projected in a marvelous performance. This rendition of the work rivals the best of the female singers and orchestras. Thomas has also sung great performances of On Wenlock Edge by Vaughn Williams He is a superb musician This is a great performance which would have pleased Barber
He does Wenlock! Excellent!
Very moving. One of the best renditions ever and always a top vocal performance from Mr. Thomas.
The pianist is also world class. I almost don't miss the orchestra.
What a stirringly magnificent performance of this piece--one of my all-time favorites. First time I've heard a man sing it, but WOW--Russell Thomas gives a full-bodied, emotional performance of the piece and has extraordinarily good diction. Simon Lepper--WHAT a pianist. Not only does he essay the difficult passages of this piece like an orchestra, but he in consummately musical. Bravi to both performers.
June 2024! Who's here? ... from Fort Worth, Texas
missed your call by one month :p
Man!...that Dude Russell singing full chest voice was incredible...and even singing in his chest voice so softy was simply amazing...I actually got chills listening to this...
So good to hear a man singing this. Thanks for posting!
Superb diction .....I enjoyed this performance immensely the accompanist is equally talented. Bravo Bravo Bravo......this singer is indeed a storyteller....a lovely voice great placement....superb indeed
I’ve been fortunate enough to see him perform at the LA Opera. The intensity he brings to each performance is ...... wow. Just WOW.
I did not expect that voice to come out of that guy. Gorgeous voice. 👏👏👏👌👌👌
Why not?
Astounding performance of this. Mr. Thomas is amazingly gifted. What a powerful but articulate voice.
This is utterly incredible. Thank you both for this gift. I am in tears.
BRAVO! I've never heard this version for tenor-- it still brings tears to my eyes. What an excellent performance by both musicians!
Beautiful performances! The Allegro section of the piano part is quite challenging and Simon Lepper did a great job of performing it. This piano reduction was done by Barber himself and he didn't do anything to make it easy for the pianist. This is the first recording I've heard by a tenor. Russell Thomas' performance is now one of my favorites!
Beautifully sung !!!
I've never heard this performed as a piece for piano and tenor. What a beautiful beautiful performance. Russell Thomas and Simon Kepler are wonderful! Thomas's diction is miraculous, and the piano is absolutely a replacement for the orchestra. Gorgeous.
Completely won over by this. Superb.
This has always been one of my favorite pieces and have listened to Ms. Price's recording for decades. I've always wanted to sing it. I grew up near Knoxville in the 60's and lost a parent at a young age, so this means so much to me. I'm so glad men are singing this now.
LYRICS:
It has become that time of evening
When people sit on their porches
Rocking gently and talking gently
And watching the street
And the standing up into their sphere
Of possession of the trees,
Of birds' hung havens, hangars.
People go by; things go by.
A horse, drawing a buggy,
Breaking his hollow iron music on the asphalt:
A loud auto: a quiet auto:
People in pairs, not in a hurry,
Scuffling, switching their weight of aestival body,
Talking casually,
The taste hovering over them of vanilla,
Strawberry, pasteboard, and starched milk,
The image upon them of lovers and horsement,
Squared with clowns in hueless amber.
A streetcar raising into iron moan;
Stopping;
Belling and starting; stertorous;
Rousing and raising again
Its iron increasing moan
And swimming its gold windows and straw seats
On past and past and past
The bleak spark crackling and cursing above it
Like a small malignant spirit
Set to dog its tracks;
The iron whine rises on rising speed;
Still risen, faints; halts;
The faint stinging bell;
Rises again, still fainter;
Fainting, lifting lifts,
Faints foregone;
Forgotten.
Now is the night one blue dew;
My father has drained,
He has coiled the hose.
Low on the length of lawns,
A frailing of fire who breathes.
Parents on porches:
Rock and rock.
From damp strings morning glories hang their ancient faces.
The dry and exalted noise of the locusts from all the air
At once enchants my eardrums.
On the rough wet grass
Of the backyard
My father and mother have spread quilts
We all lie there, my mother, my father, my uncle, m
Y aunt,
And I too am lying there.
They are not talking much, and the talk is quiet,
Of nothing in particular,
Of nothing at all.
The stars are wide and alive,
They all seem like a smile
Of great sweetness,
And they seem very near.
All my people are larger bodies than mine,
With voices gentle and meaningless
Like the voices of sleeping birds.
One is an artist, he is living at home.
One is a musician, she is living at home.
One is my mother who is good to me.
One is my father who is good to me.
By some chance, here they are,
All on this earth;
And who shall ever tell the sorrow
Of being on this earth, lying, on quilts,
On the grass,
In a summer evening,
Among the sounds of the night.
May God bless my people,
My uncle, my aunt, my mother, my good father,
Oh, remember them kindly in their time of trouble;
And in the hour of their taking away.
After a little
I am taken in
And put to bed.
Sleep, soft smiling,
Draws me unto her;
And those receive me,
Who quietly treat me,
As one familiar and well-beloved in that home:
But will not, oh, will not,
Not now, not ever;
But will not ever tell me who I am.
GOD I LOVE THIS SONG , sounds by him as well
Wonderful music-making! I had just listened to three famous sopranos sing this, and then, within 20 seconds of this performance, I was moved to tears.
WOW! I'm a devout Samuel Barber fan (and this piece in particular) and this performance by a male tenor rather than a female soprano was so moving it made my hair stand on end.
Such a gorgeous voice! And pianist is amazing, as well!
The dedication and focus required by both artists is amazing. Congratulations on a stunning performance.
Fantastic. Bravo to Russell Thomas. Very moving performance. And piano by Simon Lepper was wonderful.
OMG, this was already one of my top five favorite pieces of music and stumbling upon it being done by a tenor just makes me love it even more.
Wow. The transparency here taught me so much. Like others I am torn between preferring the orchestral or piano version.
fortunately, we need not prefer one over the other. ;)
Wow! Wow! Wow!! I love him!
So touching... and beautifully done. Bravo!
Beautifully interpreted. Intimate but balanced with power. Splendid voice.
Stunningly beautiful! Bless you!
Beatific and heartbreaking. These are two great artists.
Absolutely stunning performance in every way. Bravo to both of you on creating such magic.
Gosh. Wow, what a voice!
Absolutely amazing
To paraphrase Joni Mitchell, "Something's lost but something's gained" in this performance without orchestra.
What's gained is an intimacy with the musicians, and through them, Agee's voice, in poetic prose, as a young boy.
Exquisite performances by both pianist and tenor.
and page turner! don't forget the page turner
The existential despair & lonely soulful concern for his family can be nicely explored with piano accompaniment.
I play 'cello in a community orchestra, and we performed Knoxville in Spring '17. It's a complicated piece for amateurs.
This performance is unbelievably lovely. It is brilliantly performed, of course --- but it also identifies Barber as an underappreciated genius. Many people know about that Adagio for Strings, and sure, that's fine.
But Knoxville: wow.
Check out Renee Fleming singing an orchestral arrangement of Lauro Nyro's "New York Tenderberry" . It's nice but not as complex as Barber's beautiful work.
He has a beautiful voice.
Beautiful, clear, emotional tone, gorgeous voice..bravo!
Oh what a beautiful rendition by a tenor, and certainly in harmony with the piano accompaniment, it is almost like its a chamber orchestra
What a beautiful performance and so interesting to hear it sung by a tenor and with the intimacy of a piano. Both Thomas and Lepper were outstanding.
Moving!!! Wonderful artists
That moved me.What a wonderful voice.
That was amazing! Bravo.Such an amazing singer.
Holy Cow this is beautiful. Less than the usual musicians but they’re playing their hearts out
A tremendous performance.
Brilliant sensitive pianist make the score transparent and delivers the disruptive street car.
The soloist has the warmest tenor capable of extending into dramatic registers without ever loosing luster.
Both gentleman have given me an unforgettable experience of a work I thought I knew.
Thank you for a magnificent gift.
Exquisite. Moving.
Incredibly moving and exquisite singing. Bravo!
back to re-visit this lovely interpretation of a favorite. Just . . . wow!
Russell Thomas is a treasure and I can’t wait to see him live again.
But whether it’s him or anyone else, i just can’t do opera in English. It doesn’t work for me. But his voice is amazing in any language.
Agree with all the comments about this performance and the pianist really amazing.
Ian
Both performers do a great job. Thank you both!!!
one of my top 5 favorite pieces of music and I have absolutely enjoyed this version (so much so that I just ordered the piano/vocal score). Bravo Signor Tenore!
wow...that was spectacular!!!
WONDERFUL performance !!! Thanks !!!!
beautiful.
Stunning!! Bravo!!!!!!
That pianist though.
Wonderful
I can’t “like” this or I’ll be number 666. Haha! But wow! I really liked this!!! Amazing interpretation!!!
Simply Fabulous!!!!
Russell's voice is like butter, so smooth
Brilliantly done.
What a georgeous voice. My favorite up to this point is Dawn Upshaw. Of course, the words are Agee, who is a man, and who was writing about his childhood. So this is perfect. And that this is done with just the piano. We have a small chamber music group on Long Island called North Shore Pro Musica, and maybe I can suggest that they look this up. It would be perfect for their last performance of the season, which is the beginning of spring. They only do five performances a year.
czcams.com/video/LzDAkA67ZsY/video.html This is the definite version.
This is my new favorite interpretation of this piece.
Absolutely wonderful!
So moving! Bravo!!
beautifully executed....
BRAVO!!!!!!!!
Incredible performance. Astounding voice. Diction and emotions perfect.
Would love to hear him sing it with orchestra.
I wish he had sung "street" instead of "stream".
Gorgeous.
Bravo to both Thomas and the pianist.
Tremendous Job !!!
Nice finish on the vocal with "no not tell me who I am". I didn't get a sense that it was sung thru a young boy eyes nor the playfulness on the street car noises movement. Powerful chest voice. Some notes could have been extended. Great articulation. The phrasing by the pianist of the piano transcription was impeccable.
Impeccable!! Simply So!
This dude right here.
Also, I don't play piano, but I need a page turner. Just for regular reading.
Perfect!
wonderful!
For those that are wondering, this work has been sung by tenors in the past. The first ever public performance of 'Knoxville, Summer of 1915' by a tenor was in 2004 at the Lanaudiere Festival in Montreal (with the Montreal Symphony and Anthony Dean Griffey as the soloist). I think there is a recording of it somewhere.
I heard John Aler do the piece at a chamber music festival in Newport RI, in the late 1970s. Beautiful performance; don't think it was recorded. While Barber wrote the piece for soprano, and there are wonderful soprano performances of it, I am very fond of having a tenor sing the piece -- the adult Agee conjuring his feelings as a boy, through the medium of a male voice, adds something.
Beautiful
so glad this is here, I come back to it often. Dawn Upshaw's version might be my favorite but only because it is with the full orchestration. This is just too wonderful not to re-visit from time to time! :)
Dawn Upshaw, mine, too. But I just discovered this today. It's just beautiful. You can hear the words so clearly, and it really works.
Have you heard this one? czcams.com/video/LzDAkA67ZsY/video.html I just heard it yesterday. I think it will be hard for anyone to ever beat.
Try Leontyne Price's version.
@James V. Same here! ❤️
Wonderful singing.
Excellent...
Bravo!!! Wow!!!
I agree with the comments concerning the greatness of this. I'd just hope that people also read James Agee superb book, from which the words are take, "A Death In The Family". The title by the way was his choice and he stuck with it, no doubt despite publishers telling him it was would put buyers off. Suggestion : resist the temptation to read the blurb on the cover.
soul healing.