I have always been fascinated by Lawrence Tibbet. My Father bought his house in Naples, Fl back in 1960 and he left this huge down feather couch with his name stitched on the back of the pillows. Our family of 5 shared many evenings on that couch together. Thank you Mr. Tibbet for those great memories.
Tibbett was in the radio a lot when I was a child. (I am 95) and not a disappoinment to see him on film. My grandpa took me to the movies starting when i was about 5 when he was "babysitting" a term that came into use much later so i saw all the greats going back to the silents, accompanied by a pianist. I didn't understans all that was going on until I saw them later in life.
Marilyn ,what a lovely story. Very much alike my mother's,She was born in 1908 and was also around 5 when she began watching silent movies. My very best wishes to you !
My father also knew Tibbett rather well but this was at the end of my father's career. He always spoke well of Tibbett's vocal mastery and when I come across him on RU-vid, I always listen. He was not only good on a technical basis but wonderful at interpretation. Thanks to primobaritono for posting this.
This is splendid. The sheer range and the control that Lawrence Tibbett had over his precious instrument (vocals) is just phenomenal. That voice brings tears to my eyes. This man was/is a national treasure. I appreciate the post, primobaritono!
If you compare this recording against the score for the song, you will see how exquisitely faithful Tibbett was to all the markings. In other words, he exemplified not only great singing, but also exceptional musicianship,
One of Tibbett’s most moving recordings, IMO. I think it was played during his memorial service. As fine a voice as he had John Charles Thomas’ singing never touched me emotionally as Tibbett’s did.
oh my I am 67 years of age keep active keep young But im ashamed to say i had never hear of this great baritone Lawrence Tibbet . I am at my home in Portugal thinking of my beautiful home in Wales went back to bed for 15 mins with cup tea as it was cold raining hard here . Then to come across this magnificent rendition by accident just blew me away . I was taken back somewhat by his voice .Up to this date i believed the great Paul Robeson sang this song better than anyone but here is a man who many years ago sang a song that was so very beautiful that surely it was sent from the heavens . If the whole world sat and listened to this great man singing this song about
Ron Peebles only just seen your post. sorry The whole thing is Ron Im not Welsh Im from Shropshire on the border But my great grandfather was A welsh minor and a preacher .But I love Wales .the people .The Hills And of course the songs To listen to a Welsh choir is A joyful treat It is hard leaving home I left to live in a nursing home in !968 Only 5 miles away from my family but could not afford the one shilling and six pennies it cost to go and visit my father ,brother, sisters Only one day a week off in those days, Pay was 10 pounds sic pennies a month, and I had to buy clothes, outdoor uniform And medical books. The nurses I trained with then went hungry the last 3 or 4 days waiting for their monthly pay slip .We worked 48 hour a week then . Portugal is a wonderful place Ron and the kindest people I ever met . Most of them poor as church mice but would give you what they needed themselves . The Welsh are a close nit people and its beautiful here in mid Wales .
Tibbet's voice has such gentle emotion in it...and BEAUTY. You have a lovely way of showing how much we all want to be with people who love us and whom we love...no matter what race or colour!!!
note that he is singing with the FULL orchestra. Makes a lengthy presentation.. As a kid in Rochester NY,I lived about half a mile from Eastman Theater .Remember seeing the poster bills outside. PS I am nearly 92!
jaddy, I was born in Rochester, on Woodward Ave.,in 1940. My Uncle Cosmo Cilano, also of Woodward Ave., was elected to the NYS Assembly and the NYS Senate. He passed away in 1937 from TB. I visited the Eastman Theater to see Judy Garland, around 1962.
+jaddy540 You see, listening to beautiful music opens the years to our hearts..! Wishing you a lovely year and happiness til you decide it's time to go on the other side of the veil..Hoping you sing as well...!
Very nice-beautiful voice. 'Goin Home is one of my favorite songs.The most beautiful rendtion of this song which I have heard was sung by Nelson Eddy on a CD I have of one of his radio programs-wish that Nelson had recorded this. Nelson was an admirer of Tibbet`s voice and they were good friends. I also love Paul Robeson`s beautiful rendition of this song. Lorraine
I had never heard of Lawrence Tibbett before I saw this video. What an incredible voice he had! Now I'm going to try to find more audio or video of him!
not a truer word said!! i first heard this driving on boxing day on a radio whilst getting my kids it sent a shiver down my spine an i was hummin it all over xmas very touching and warmin to hear.
No question about the real talent, but there is no need to denigrate present-day performances. This was always my favourite version and the only one that justified a symphonic movement being made into a song, but now I'm in two minds now about this and the version of Bryn Terfel. Give it a hearing.
@@ericgarbutt8561 aye, thats the right way to think about it. People are free to enjoy what they may and thats the way it should be. Im currently 16 but I grew up and was raised with some of the older singers such Nelson Eddy and Peter Dawson and i still adore them to this day. it's still however, important to appreciate other peoples favourite music/singers. (I for one think Terfel is a lovley singer however.)
i am 55 and it was only just last week that i came across this chap , i felt like someone tapped me on the shoulder and whispered "where the f,,,, have you been Anthony ??? ha ! there's so much out there that you have no idea of. . it was only by chance that i came across this extraordinary chap with the most magnificent voice , that just absolutely nails this beautiful song !!! im going 50 50 Lawrence Tibbet / Paul Robson as they are equally incredible.
Great voice. Apparently Frank Sinatra used to prepare for his studio recordings by listening to Tibbett - that says a great deal about the latter's quality!
Likely someone already identified this song as the beautiful ballad "Going Home" -- it is truly unforgettable! Thank you for posting this rendition -- there is a beautiful version sung by Paul Robeson on youtube as well -- We who believe in Christ hold these lyrics in our hearts. God Bless All.
O thank you! In all languages. I had forgetten about this beautiful singer..and hear again how great he is ( because that beautiful music is always alive..)
One of the greatest "singing actors of the 20th Century as was Gobbi but an American singer who went back to acting A loss when personal troubles plagued him (Warren as good as he was couldn't reach those heartfelt depths of emotion while singing in the moment. Thanks for reminding me!
Yes I agree. I don't know why, but in the mid 30's he began opening the top more. He did know how to cover (modify) very well and he didn't need to do that.
I saw the movie, bought the soundtrack and sing often to it! Barbara is an idol of mine. And need I mention that watching Mandy Patikin in the movie was a REAL PLUS.....(growl).
It's my understanding that Gershwin stipulated that Porgy and Bess be performed only with Black performers. But I agree that Tibbett is a wonderful singer.
@jbuckaroo82 . I stand corrected. You're right. Also, a musical scholar friend of mine confirms that "Goin Home" is not really a spiritual, but a paraphrase of a melody by Dvorak. It's interesting how beautiful music can spring from so many influences and sources. I think it's an example of our "Melting Pot" culture at its best. Thank you for posting this wonderful rendition by Mr. Tibbett.
song Title "Goin' Home" Lyrics: music by Dvorak, lyrics by William Arms Fisher and Ken Bible "Going home, going home I'm jus' going home Quiet like, some still day I'm jus' going home It's not far, yes close by Through an open door Work all done, care laid by Going to fear no more Mother's there 'specting me Father's waiting, too Lots of folk gathered there All the friends I knew All the friends I knew I'm going home Nothing lost, all's gain No more fret nor pain No more stumbling on the way No more longing for the day Going to roam no more Morning star lights the way Restless dream all done Shadows gone, break of day Real life yes begun There's no break, aint no end Jus' a livin' on Wide awake with a smile Going on and on Going home, going home I'm jus' going home It's not far, yes close by Through an open door I'm jus' going home Going home, going home
Yes, he obviously new how to cover and did it most of the time very well. You just have to be careful opening F naturals or even E naturals for that matter, but he knew what he was doing.:)
That's his predecessor at the Met, baritone Antonio Scotti, whom he completely stole the show from in Falstaff. Tibbett was Ford and Scotti Falstaff. The performance was to commemorate Scotti's long career at the Met. Here Tibbett congratulates Scotti in his dressing-room after a performance of L'Oracolo.
Emotional content,to the Opera lovers who ask about Mr Tibbet's High F Natural why don't you just take it for exactly what it is a beautiful and may I add touching performance.
@stefakamelpash - Excellent point! Covered singing can sound very affected to English speaking audiences! There are singers from the early to mid 20th Century who sang very covered and who sound artificial to modern audiences.
Elsewhere on "RU-vid" Paul Robeson has a version that I think superior and I say this as a big Tibbett fan. Also, Robeson is accompanied only by a piano and his accompanist is just about as brilliant as he is. Still, this is a great presentation, particularly the pic of him with Scotti who was also a very great baritone.
"Going home, going home I'm jus' going home Quiet like, some still day I'm jus' going home It's not far, yes close by Through an open door Work all done, care laid by Going to fear no more Mother's there 'specting me Father's waiting, too Lots of folk gathered there All the friends I knew All the friends I knew I'm going home Nothing lost, all's gain No more fret nor pain No more stumbling on the way No more longing for the day Going to roam no more Morning star lights the way Restless dream all done Shadows gone, break of day Real life yes begun There's no break, aint no end Jus' a livin' on Wide awake with a smile Going on and on Going home, going home I'm jus' going home It's not far, yes close by Through an open door I'm jus' going home Going home
A beautiful rendition of this song. The comments are also interesting. Can you explain to a non-singer just what "covering" a sound means? Thanks for posting this lovely recording.
"Covering" is altering the vowel you're singing to make it a little more forward or closed (so "Ah" moves closer to "Oh", and "Oh" moves closer to "Ooh", etc), and sending some of the air and sound into the nasal and sinus cavities. It helps make high notes smoother and more focused, and protects the voice, whereas uncovered high notes can sound raw and shout-y. I've heard it described as making every vowel a little like a French nasal vowel. You can hear Barbra Streisand do this when she sings those delicate high notes - it almost sounds like she's humming with her mouth open.
