Let's talk music, no genre boundaries


This is an offshoot of the jazz thread. I and others found that we could not talk about jazz without discussing other musical genres, as well as the philosophy of music. So, this is a thread in which people can suggest good music of all genres, and spout off your feelings about music itself.

 

audio-b-dog

@frogman @mahgister 

Thank you both for your contributions to sopranos singing "Chi Il bel songo di Doretta" from Puccini's La Rondine. If anybody else wants to contribute, that's how you should look up your favorite soprano.

You're right @frogman about there being a more natural flow from a native Italian speaker. I liked Freni and Scotto's versions very much. Caballe's voice was a bit darker and deeper than I expect, probably from favoring Ta Kanawa all these years. What I love about her rendition is the lightness of her voice reminding me of Art Deco Tiffany lamps.

But here's a treat. A video of Callas singing "Chi Il bel songo di Doretta." with subtitles. You can close your eyes if you listen @mahgister, but I think in this case the lyrics are important. These are upper class people singing about the ecstasy of love and art. Probably couldn't get away with writing those lyrics today. In this video we also get to see the magical Callas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ooJwh5Hxcwg

Would lobe to hear Callas singing this, but the link takes me somewhere else.  Please post again.  In the meantime:

https://youtu.be/hf9FbUF2S38?si=F_-iWX_IIqezcz1R

@mahgister, @frogman 

Talking about beautiful soprano solos, I'll post all the soprano parts from Carmina Burana sung by Agnes Molner standing outside in the wind, looking lovely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciUi9yl1Sn0

Delighted to see people talking about Kiri Te Kanawa. I love her voice. Every voice is totally unique ... the timbre of hers is wonderful.

Her interpretation of Richard Strauss' 4 final songs is easily the best of the dozens I've heard (probably own more than dozen, between LP and CD):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzrbd6uuunA&list=PL0iOugSvrIBy65Uho2Kl7gT-JwcHyQCf1&index=1