I have listened to this version more times then can be noted over the last year. Every version from every singer possible on youtube and hands down, this is the most bone chilling experience to listen too. This man is one of the greatest lyrical tenor voices in the world today. May he continue to bring the world such incredible singing.
I have been listening to Matthew Polenzani since he started singing at the MET. The most wonderful, gifted tenor ever. His musical sense is just incredible. Simply a gorgeous sound that fills the hall. Whenever he sings, I am there !! WONDERFUL !!!!
Never heard a better version of DB. It is like if he sang it with his heart instead of his vocal cords. I hope am making myself clear. Thank you Mo Polenzani.
I listened to a few versions of this song(one of my late dads favourites) tonight......this is the only one that made me cry........stunningly beautiful, and one of the best versions Ive ever heard....
Sadly, this kind of glorious singing is not widely appreciated these days. People seem to like bigger more forceful, bombastic tenors. I hate to say it, but I think the extraordinary subtlety, taste and restraint of Polenzani probably escapes most listeners today. His performance of this song is exquisite. Thanks for posting it!
Slow songs in the key of F major makes me cry with an open heart. Yet, Mr. Polenzani, you have a great voice of a great tenor. I saw you in La Traviata.
I completely agree, Bob. I've seen him live a few times now, as Ferrando, Tamino, and Romeo. And each role was a miracle... effortless, elegant and refined lyric singing of the highest order. I have frankly never heard any of those roles sung better, live or on record.
I could listen to him sing for a long long time. Wish I could be there. San Francisco and New York. What a marvelous technique. Matthew please get a web site so we can stalk...I mean follow you and your goings ons. :)
The last time I heard his voice he was doing a lunchtime concert here in England at the Wigmore hall with Graham Johnson on piano of Finzi's song cycle "Young man's Exhortations" and Mozart concert aria "Misero o Sogno" as beautiful then as now in this, an unmistakable voice. I'm not sure but I wondered if Florez has recorded Danny Boy?
I read that this sublime song is the most perfectly constructed folk song known. That well may be true. There must be a million recordings of this song, some interpretations silly, inaccurate, disappointing, and even abominations. THIS rendition, however, is about a perfect as one could hope for from a mortal singer. I bet, however, few know what the song truly is about.
Yes, a lovely sweet clear voice but certainly no John McCormack. If only these comparisons were not made, I could enjoy this lad for what he is without being reminded of what he is not. Danny Boy is in my never humble opinion, one of the most beautiful melodies ever written and glorious examples of it exist in every kind of singing, including the drunken Pogues, each in its way, wonderful.
I read that this sublime song is the most perfectly constructed folk song known. That well may be true. There must be a million recordings of this song, some interpretations silly, inaccurate, disappointing, and even abominations. THIS rendition, however, is about a perfect as one could hope for from a mortal singer. I bet, however, few know what the song truly is about.
