Music video by Sylvia McNair, The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner performing I Know That My Redeemer Liveth. (C) 1992 Universal International Music B.V.
I spent a year in Afghanistan, 2009-2010 deep in the combat theater as a Navy vascular surgeon seeing the worst of the worst. I had a small almost sized CD player and a few discs. One was 8 selected pieces from Handel's Messiah. This composition was played nearly every night when I could. It calmed me, brought me to peace and back to the enduring breathe of our humanity and got me thru the worst of times. Still brings me to a sudden stop and tears much of the times. Bravo !! S.F. McCartney, M.D. FACS US Navy Medical Corps (retired).
@@denisefairhurst7255 Thank you I worked at Bastion Level 2 surgical hospital in Helmand Province. Worked with UK medical personnel the entire time. I admired them so much. The soldiers of UK suffered a lot nearby in Sangin. Very brave.
I was a member of the Ionian Youth Orchestra playing the violin. At 12 years of age I was accompanying my late mom who used to be in the Ionian choir. She used to sing “I know that my redeemer liveth” and every time she sang this song with her angelic beautiful soprano, I always felt like I was in heaven. This was way back in the early seventies. When my mom passed on in 1991, on her tombstone I wrote “Here lies a woman who knew that her redeemer liveth”. Beautiful rendition this is, reminds me so much of my mom, it’s like I was listening to her. Our redeemer still lives even today.🙏🏾
Oh wow, such a beautiful memory. I read about the Ionian Choir from the late Dr Sibongile Khumalo which was conducted by her father, Professor Khabi Mngoma. Is it the same choir? How I wish such existed in our lifetime.
Why on earth will 217 people give this song/performance a thumbs down? Hey guys there is indeed a redeemer out there who truly lives, & I pray that you all get to know Him, Amen.
Yep!! Truer words have not been spoken. I have planned my own funeral service and it begins with Sylvia McNair singing this famous song. Philip Wilson South Australia. By the way I'm not in a hurry!
People will give anything a thumbs down. You could literally state "I will give $1 to anyone who gives this video a thumbs up 👍🏾" and you'll get a 10:1 up to down ratio.
Sylvia McNair had already established herself as an outstanding interpreter of the soprano role in MESSIAH before she retired from opera to focus on musical theatre.
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
I used to work in Sylvia McNair's management at the height of her career. It was always a delight to work with her. A sweet generous person, with a lovely lyric voice perfect for Handel and Mozart.( If you check your comments, Sylvia, hello from Elaine.)
My husband and I used to sing the Messiah. He died at Christmas 10 years ago and I haven’t been able to sing since. I am reading a book by Mary Balogh and one of the characters sings this so I had to find it on RU-vid. Now I’m crying, I haven’t heard thus music for ten years. Thanks Mrs Balogh and the soloist here. It brings back such beautiful and sad memories.
I was the same after my husband died. He was an organist and I sing, it was how we met. A year or so after he died, I plucked up courage and joined a choral society. I could hear his voice in my head telling me off. I'm still singing well I was before coronavirus
The psalmist declares that the tears of the godly are so precious to Him, he preserves them. If God preserves our tears,will he not preserve us? Be encouraged my friends. He will leave us bor forsake us.
We chose to have this played at my grandma's funeral, as she was deeply religious and absolutely adored Handel's Messiah. The last moment I spent with her was listening to Colin Davis' 1966 recording. But I know that her redeemer liveth, forever.
Reminds me of the great Saint Mary Magdalene, who was, in her heart, surely singing this when she became the first Apostle of the Resurrection. What an amazing story is hers, Mary Magdalene's. Can't wait to meet her in heaven. Talk about Christ turning a person's life around-- if we see Mary Magdalene at her low point, we'd probably be tempted to label her as hopeless, and here she is, the Lady Apostle of the Resurrection and one of the greatest Saints of all time! Glorious woman is she, Christ had a special place in His Sacred Heart for that beloved girl, and she for Him. If only the secular world knew of such true love in the midst of so many false, weak, and perverted notions of "love"... May we Christians live according to Christ's commandment of charity so as to make true love manifest in the world, a strong sacrificial love like that of the Master Himself.
So beautiful. Lovely performance. I picture Handel in his London flat composing this divinely inspired work of The Messiah. Living on. Lifting us through troubled times.
It amazes me....Job's words from a time of suffering, inspired by the Holy Spirit, set to music by a gifted composer such as Handel, and sung by a talented vocalist as this woman...wow!
The Bible. The Living Book. Job 19:25-27: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."
I loved reading all the comments and how this piece brings peace, calm and lovely memories to people. I love it also, especially the beautiful orchestration behind the main melody. Handel is a master of this.
She makes it look and sound so easy! I know hundreds of hours of training and rehearsal go into making something as divine as this, but I love when performers have obviously prepared so well that they're able to forget all about technique and nothing but joy comes out!
I sang this at st stevens Church at tovil Maidstone Kent during the rehearsal I could not sing it so the organist a Peter bonnet said go to see a film in the afternoon and it will be o k and so it was I was in my teens at the time
Ms. McNair's voice and interpretation are unmatched! I applaud her fine work and great feeling she puts into her vocal performance. A BEAUTIFUL solo.... Brava!
How beautiful! To have Sir Neville Mariner and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with such a perfect soprano. This is a gift to cherish. Thank you.
"Adequate?" What a ginormous insult. You have no idea of what you speak. Personally I can't find enough superlatives to describe the impeccable beauty of Ms McNair's voice and artistry. 'Adequate...?' Huh! I suppose in your eyes you'd describe a diamond as having possibilities.
Well it is plain english (maybe old but still understandable) so why not? Anyways jokes aside, every professional singer regardless of language or religion owght to at least look up at the libretto they sing; what is behind it it, what the meaning is etc. so I am sure whether she believes deeply in god or not she surely knows what she is singing about.
I'm not religious but I like The Messiah and I also like some hymns. Religious music will be performed and enjoyed for the art form itself when religions have all but disappeared.
@@ubermensch4304 What about the religions of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome? They came and went as did others. There will probably always be small groups of people in the future who will form minority cults/ religions. I admit religions have given us some wonderful architecture music and art but they will exist for their own merit without any religiosity attached. People often can't think out of their own time bubble and look at what's happened in the past and realise those changes can be repeated.
Thank you, Dr. McCartney, for sharing. What peace and hope this aria can bring. I pray that many helpers in these times of wars, might be sustained through this, and their horrific memories be forever coupled with this beautiful piece of hope.🙏
I am the 400th commenter 😊🤗 this by far is the calmest and most soothing rendition of this great aria, sung exactly how Handel would have been inspired for. Void of unnecessary vibratos and ad lib, pure and true to its message! Great one
One of my favorite movements from George Fredrick Handel's Messiah. One of the most beautiful soprano solos I have heard in music for a while. I have to say an outstanding masterpiece from scripture.
I know that my redeemer liveth And that he shall stand At the latter day, upon the earth I know that my redeemer liveth And that he shall stand At the latter day, upon the earth Upon the earth I know that my redeemer liveth And he shall stand Stand at the latter day, upon the earth Upon the earth And though worms destroy this body Yet in my flesh shall i see God Yet in my flesh shall i see God I know that my redeemer liveth And though worms destroy this body Yet in my flesh shall i see God Yet in my flesh shall i see God Shall i see God I know that my redeemer liveth For now is Christ risen from the dead The first fruits of them that sleep Of them that sleep The first fruits of them that sleep For now is Christ risen For now is Christ risen from the dead The first fruits of them that sleep
Hello Rachel 👋 if I should say, Your smile is like the morning sun and your eyes is like the night moon, your making color is like a pure gold. Following you has made it known to me without doubt that you’re a true explanation of God true nature and i now begin to wonder if God is a woman. You’re beautifully amazing i must say.. Hope you don’t mind if we are friends . do have a nice and blessed day
Hello Sylvia I was looking up a verse from the book of Job. I know that my Redeemer Elizabeth and your charming rendition of Messiah came up. It was about 4 o’clock in the morning in the Philippines and it is a wonderful way to wake up in the morning hearing your charming voice, I remember you so well from Indiana University and your kind heart and comments. God bless you always Dan Brewer.
Blessings from Taiwan 🇹🇼😇🧧💖🥰 What a BEAUTIFUL song 💖 to REMIND us that our redeemer lives so we will have ETERNAL HOPE 😇🥳 Hope EVERYONE will VISIT Taiwan when the pandemic is over. 🇹🇼🥳
I'm working on learning this piece at the moment. It's a truly lovely piece that I've loved for a very long time, full of ineffable joy and faith. I really like what Sylvia has done with it. It is really nice to hear it done the way it should be. Great inspiration for putting those hours in to get it right.
This is the way it should be sung. I love the Messiah; all of it. I love this part. I brings tears. What of? Joy? Appreciation of the beauty of it ? The promise of those words? I don't know. I just love it. Sylvia McNair has a beautiful voice. I was born not far from St. Martin in the Fields.
You post expresses my thoughts and heart exactly. Thank you. I love all of the Messiah, too. Sylvia McNair's beautiful voice. And I love the promise of the words.
I remember hearing her for the first time years ago and being struck by how clean and simple her voice was. This is a perfect example of a naturally placed, unaffected soprano with a lovely, buoyant vibrato. 4:28 is so, so beautiful.
I am currently doing a Bible Study of the Book of Job and just finished Chapter 19. So glad that I took a few minutes to find this hymn inspired by verse 25. It makes the heart soar! I wish Job could hear the music and his words sung in such a lovely way. 😊
I love how she sings this piece and how her voice just moves me. I'm working on this piece to sing for Easter and hopefully I can move my congregation like she moves her audience.
I have sung in the chorus of the Messiah a number of times, but this is my favorite of the whole oratorio. I like to comment that this is the most beautiful song that tells about worms destroying the body, but I always choke up at the phrase "...yet in my flesh shall I see God."
Oh really? And you know this how? Pardon Me but like our founding fathers (Jefferson and Paine for example) I tend towards scepticism. Beauty is not proof of Yahweh's benevolence. In fact much of the bible points in the opposite direction.
People actually think that she is singing flat in this performance? I worked with her at IU, and intonation is one of the biggest issues she has with her undergraduate students. Her pitch is perfectly accurate, and she sings this piece magnificently.
Most people have no idea what they're saying when they call someone's singing flat. I think they're talking about her subdued energy and lack of inflection which I found quite tasteful that she kept it simple and pure.
I was reading a regency romance in which the heroine sings this song. I’m glad that book lead me here. The book was ‘Simply Unforgettable’ by Mary Balogh and the heroine had dark hair like Sylvia!
Just watched on of the finest films ever made. Spring & Port Wine by Bill Naughton & when the family sing this around the piano it raises the hairs on the back of my neck. A beautiful piece.
Sylvia McNair is a lovely singer and she has the absolute clarity of tone which I feel is rarely being cultivated nowadays. She interprets the aria as a meditation/ reflection ( rightly so perhaps after all the categorical exuberance of the Hallelujah chorus?) rather than an outward statement of Christian faith and conviction. It is a valid and lovely performance so I don't understand some of the nonsensical comments and criticisms posted here. Why not sit back , reflect and enjoy such beauty?
I believe EVERY word she's singing. She sings with utmost conviction, but not desperate though, she sings from a place of peace and intense love because of that conviction. That is what she transmits to me.
Where there are none of the lengthy melismas that are found elsewhere in The Messiah this very pure interpretation with minimal vibrato is quite masterful.
Sylvia McNair sings like an angel, as does Barbara Bonney. mrrkdino not withstanding, all those sopranos of the 80s and 90s I was, and am, just in love with. My favorite is probably Dawn Upshaw, who I have several mementos from.
