I agree that Robert Goulet is objectively the best, but personally, I find this version more emotionally impactful. Something about Matt Ford’s interpretation of this song moves me on such a deep level. Not that I find Goulet’s version unmoving (far from it)- they’re just different approaches.
John Wilson used the more wistful and sweeping arrangement and orchestrations of Alfred Newman for the 1967 film version of Camelot. As with the film's original soundtrack, the orchestra is unintrusive yet so romantic. The vocal pauses to allow the orchestra to have its more dramatic moment. This was one of Newman's finest musical adaptions and he deservedly won an Oscar for this work.
Great, Great performance. John Wilson seemed to have been truly inspired and moved by this music. Mr. Ford delivered a wonderful interpretation of this classic Broadway hit song.
The most glorious of all the versions I've heard and that includes knowing the original very well. Continued congratulations to John Wilson and Matt Ford.
If ever I would leave you It wouldn’t be in summer Seeing you in summer I never would go. Your hair streaked with sunlight, Your lips red as flame, Your face with a lustre That puts gold to shame! But if I’d ever leave you, It couldn’t be in autumn. How I’d leave in autumn I never will know. I’ve seen how you sparkle When fall nips the air. I know you in autumn And I must be there. And could I leave you Running merrily through the snow Or on a wintry evening When you catch the fire’s glow If ever I would leave you How could it be in springtime? Knowing how in spring I’m bewitched by you so? Oh no! Not in springtime, Summer, winter or fall! No, never could I leave you at all!
I was there! John Wilson along with his superb orchestra and soloists took the prom audience on a wonderfully nostalgic musical journey. This lovely performance being one of the highlights.
Well here I am Tuesday evening in the kitchen clearing up and listening to one of the greatest love songs ever written, being played by one of the greatest orchestra's and being sung by one of the greatest singers. Heaven.
Lol...I was too, cleaning up dishes after eating back from Mass . I had to play again to fully enjoy. So happy for RU-vid letting us relive ,enjoy, dream .
Great job by one of my favorite classic melodies! The arrangement by Alfred Newman (the grandaddy of all those Newton boys), was and still one of the best orchestral arrangements of this song! The sweeping strings with all of its rich harmonies are superb. I just wish that I could peep at that masterful score!!!!!!
Oh to be there to hear this live! There's no way one could ever fight a war with a violin playing in the background. And to the 4 dislikes, you must have no souls.
One of my favourite songs ever, played by my favourite orchestra. It's a shame Mr. Wilson hasn't been able to reassemble it to do another one of these wonderful Prom concerts . I've been fortunate enough to see the orchestra several times when they were on tour, my favourite being Gershwin in Hollywood. Fantastic experiences!
@kateharrison6776 John Wilson has a tour coming up in November with The Sinfonia of London, many of the Musicians are the same players from JWO. Singers are Matt Ford, Kim Criswell & Jamie Parker
Love viewing this compelling performance, one of brilliant Matt's favorite moments, if I remember correctly. During the orchestral interlude, Maestro John passionately embodies -- not just with his facial expressions but his entire physicality -- indeed the romantic sweep and sweeping romance of this luminous, transportive gem of a classic song. The evocative, poetic lyrics alone are irresistible. The material altogether lends an interpretive opportunity to craft and illuminate an emotional, dramatic, heartfelt, fully invested arc and trajectory.
Why ,oh why , do people make comparisons with performing artists..? Each is rightly gifted and delivers what he does ! Beethoven,is not Mozart , Nureyev not Nijinsky , Hepburn not Davis , John Wilson is not John Williams , and Ford is not Goulet . Just be glad to be entertained and enjoy. Thank God for the talent , skill , artistry and labor each does to contribute to culture.
I LOVE ‘Matthew Ford’s singing….but I guess I just prefer Robert Goulet singing this song to Julie Andrews. And separately …..for heaven’s sakes….who ever is ‘tutoring’ Matthew Ford re his on stage presentation , go away and leave him alone! Since those clip on round the ear mikes appeared, someone’s been influencing his presentation/acting, call it what ever, and he didn’t need any of this. Matthew Ford’s style, take the song Treat me Rough, or any of his numbers in the Proms of 2011 just to pick a year prior to the clip on mike era, Matthew’s presentation possesses a distinctly natural touch, that’s quintessentially his and his alone. However, on the other hand, this newer very rehearsed style presentation, which is very clearly evident with the likes Annaleene Beechey & Louise Dearman, but not so with Sarah Fox or Clare Teal, who perform with a much more natural flair, which is lost when too many fuss pots come along advising hold your hand out this way here, put your hand down now, turn to your right here, look up there etc etc and the entire number becomes so polished it gets just a little fake. The ultra ultra polished presentations can work, sometimes, but part of the Proms attractiveness lies in the naturalness and easy relaxed more natural presentation adopted by the entertainers. I think it’s a big pity if this is lost. Sure, a clip on mike means two hands now that need something to do, the hand held mike used keep one hand busy…well for men, one hand now could just be left down by the side, or thrust in a trouser pocket, most men like a hand in their pocket, it’s just a relaxed habit for them anyway, so really the less one hand does the better, it goes back in a sense to when one hand held the mike, it did that and almost became invisible because we were so used to seeing performers holding their mike in front of them, so really, the less one hand does the better…the other hand can then be used to add emphasis, emotion and feeling, but overdoing it doesn’t work…less is more. Matthew, just do your OWN THING, go back to your own style, you’ve got it in spades, you don’t need to do ultra polished, it only serves to hide your natural easy charming and beguiling style!
