Barnaby Smith, one of the two brothers who founded Voces8, sings counter tenor with Voces 8 , singing what in a female section would be second alto. What a pleasure it is to hear his beautiful sound! Not to mention his ability and knowledge as a conductor and musical director of Voces 8!
This request is outstanding for several reasons: This is a duet taken from Bach's B minor Mass which was his last great work, written as an attempt to secure a position in a catholic church as opposed to the Lutheran churches where he spent most of his working life; the accompanying musicians, the Illyria Consort, are all playing authentic ancient instruments; we get to hear Katie Jefferies-Harris' beautiful alto voice when she is usually playing a supporting role in the group; we get to hear Barnaby Smith singing his part in the duet, duplicating the pitches of Katie, demonstrating what a counter tenor sounds like; and we get to see it all being recorded, much more informally than in any concert, I would guess as they rehearsed it, in the Voces8 Center which started life as a church!
A wonderful example of baroque music. Bach truly was a genius. I wanted to share with you an anti war piece by the English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams, Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant us peace). This video was filmed in a cathedral in Lebanon. It is one of the most gripping performances I have ever heard or seen. They use lighting effects and visuals of the result of war. The poignant text is by Walt Whitman, who by the way worked as a nurse during WWI. His words about the futility of war as sung by a phenomenal baritone are heartbreaking. I'm sure there are moments in the piece that will move you and your followers. It is worth watching the whole video. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958) Dona Nobis Pacem Yasmina Sabbah, Conductor Le Chœur de l'USJ The Lebanese Thanks, John
Katie's vocal range is remarkable; consider the high notes she hits so cleanly in this recording, then consider her low end as displayed in "Slumber my darling" (which Jeff reviewed some months ago now). Not only is the range impressive, the variety of tones she can produce is also remarkable. In this recording, she uses controlled vibrato, which is completely absent from "Slumber my darling". The skill is extraordinary.
The thing that always amazes me is how the classical composers were able to develop these complex pieces. The two vocal lines with how their interplay speaks to each other is an accomplishment in itself, but when you add all the other instrumentals and the varying counterparts, MIND BLOW! And, at no time was MIDI involved. This performance was Top Shelf for sure.
Wonderful stuff. I love both Barnaby's and Katie's voices here. Also of note, the oboes are baroque oboes, not modern full conservatory instruments. Voces8 8 just dropped a cover of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters". No performance video, but it's stunning. For more male countertenor singing, check out the American group Chanticleer. All male ensemble, and good friends of Voces8. Blake used to sing with Chanticleer.
Hi Jeff...Interesting formation of a circle. I really like that. Of course Bach can be nicely complex with his syncopated counter melodies. These guys did a great job of holding it all together. By the way...Lucy Thomas "A Whiter Shade of Pale"?
The imitative counterpoint has theological importance here: "And [I believe] in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all the ages, God from God, light from light, true God from true God" etc. It shows the unity of the Father and the Son in the form of a love duet.
