Simon Keenlyside is one of the greatest baritones of all time, to my ears. What a sound!! I love the uncertainty -- I believe that he is aware of how ephemeral that singing 'in the moment' is... and as others have said, it is a very human quality that I wish MORE classical artists possessed.
Kathleen Ferrier was once taken to task by a critic for glancing at the ring on her finger to highlight the words of the song she was singing. I think she might be forgiven. Along with Mr Keenlyside. And Jacqueline Dupre, and all those incredible musicians who live what they are performing.
On the contrary, those hand-gestures radiate the casual confidence of a singer who, perhaps a little like Chaliapin did, ENJOYS being artistically different & independent~!
@eurydike Twin Spirits is the sad, beautiful story of the marriage of the Schumanns, told through their letters, read by singer Sting and wife Trudie Styler, Illustrated with songs and music by Robert and Clara. Robert's songs are sung by Simon, and Clara's by Rebecca Evans. Also includes some songs from Dichterliebe. It's worth it because you can see Simon singing the songs! So sad I cry every time I see it. There is also a bonus dvd with interviews with the cast and a lovely photo gallery.
This is delicious , golden singing. Yes it does surprise me like many others here that he is so fidgety. I wondered if he viewed the lover in this song almost as anxious with longing or is this at an early moment in his programme and he is nervous? He is none the less superb.
There is nothing wrong with the performer adding non-verbal means to his recital, it is more engaging than the tradition of standing like column in a temple. Really, in such an emotional piece hands gestures are allowed, especially if the hands are musical and beautiful, they can tell a lot. Looks quite expressive here, though the static tradition is different, but people are also different, to some gesture just does not come naturally, here it is a part of personality so is beautiful,
How funny and lovely is this; there have been more shy singers in history,and this obviously is one...i came from Hans Hotter, and was immediately irritated by gesture and accent, but i didn't want to click him away, so i decided to scroll, and while doing so within few seconds i thought; this voice is great,such pity that in times like these, you're not forgiven for flaws in your presentation, unless...well, unless you sound as good as he!!! Haha thanks for posting; i love Keenlyside!!!
@ escamillion - what I think you fail to realise, with respect, is that in front of him are the microphones used by the BBC to broadcast live around the world, the concerts at Wigmore hall (and often record for CD)... So he's really thinking 100% about the sound.
@theflossie100 there is also a beautiful song on the simon´s cd of schumann lieder, where he sings that he is a knight or servant or what to a lady , i think it is just before Der Hidalgo:-)
@escamillion i agree with your comment. in the situation of a recital you can do so much with a turn of your eye sight or your facial expression. it actually looks like he is using the movement to free his voice which would be stupid of me to say because its simon keenlyside, one of the best baritones around today.
@eurydike Such a shame you don't still have the cd - one of his best, although they're all excellent! My own favourites on this cd are the brilliant "Lowenbraut" and the lovely, sad "Stille liebe", which he also sings on the "Twin Spirits" dvd. Do you have this? A real tearjerker!!
@theflossie100 i hear it when he sings for the second the time "es ist so suss zu scherzen" :-)) when he sings "scherzen". it is my favourite song from this cd , the other greatest favourite of this CD is the song about the schwert (der leidige frieden?), i dont have the cd at home now, so i cant look at the names now.
@theflossie100 I own the CD of SImon Keenlyside, with Schumann lieder, including the Der leidige Frieden, die Lowenbraut, Der Hidalgo, but i don´t have it now at home because i took it to work and i listen to it sometimes there so i have the booklet at work too:-) this is maybe my most favourite Simon´s CD:-))) i don´t have Twin Spirits and never watched it though. Is it really worth buying if i already have the Schumann+Simon CD?
@PlusKanal Thank you for your comment, saying what I have always thought! Anyone who is put off seeing Simon in recital because of nervous gestures or whatever are really missing a treat! To them I would say, just close your eyes and LISTEN! There is no-one around at the moment who can sing Lieder better than he does, and only a few who are as good! For me, I wouldn't care if he was doing cartwheels across the stage while singing - that magnificent voice is what matters!!
If the body were tense, surely this would be heard in the voice? there is no vocal tension at all here and he sounds completely unforced and in control of a marvellous instrument, especially when he sings piano at the top of the register.
Without schubert's music and his great performers, the humanity would be very lonely It is surprisingly wonderful performance. I can't imagine the regrettable of this great composer who died at the age of ３１． Why was he destined to die young ？Did he have to be？ I don't know why. I don't know，
I think it does matter that his hands are so off putting! And I think he'd think that too, given some of the interviews on youtube, where he talks about how important acting is for classical singers. What's interesting to me is that he still manages to make such a friction' AMAZING sound while doing such weird things. Like most people, I just looked out the window, and everything seemed right in the world.
@PlusKanal and @ theflossie100 I completely agree with you. So he does not know what to do with his hands while singing. And who cares? He definitely knows what to do with his VOICE - and isn't that's what singing is about?
I'm going to see Simon at Wigmore Hall in 2 days time and can't wait!! To all you critics of his hand movements, gestures and whatever - get over it! I don't care what he does with his hands or his body as long as he sounds as gorgeous as this!!!
Who cares if he gestures and moves as he sings? He's a human being, not a robot. Why do people expect classical singers to deny their basic humanness? In fact, the formality of classical singing is one reason so many people are put off by it. The music is gorgeous, the singers are great, but the stuffiness of the whole enterprise is often unbearable. Mr. Keenlyside, if you want to move while you sing, go for it. Do whatever you need to do to feel comfortable producing your great sound.
Outstanding singing, but a choleric performance. This must be an old recording, because his performance in Deh vieni alla finestra, together with the mandoline player, is from another world: controlling the scene, which this performance does not do.
Beautifully sung, but his movements are distracting; he is telegraphing that he is very uncomfortable. I am surprised because Keenlyside is known for his strong acting. I understand that he is not a robot, but the tension in his body is uncomfortable to watch.
We accept an overweight soprano dying of consumption if her voice is good ( as we should) but some people object to an outstanding singer like SK using his hands too much. Absurd.
vocalità poco adatta à questo repertorio . come suona il pianista, così deve cantare anche il cantante ... attacco del suono rigido e violento . non mi piace .
I dislike when singers keep grabbing the piano during a performance. Very distracting and unprofessional even though this guy has a gorgeous voice. Excessive arm movements are unnecessary when singing lieder.
