Elgar had absolutely zero business writing this, reaching across time and space with Janet's voice to rip my heart out and throw it in the ocean. The audacity. I am, as the kids say, shooketh.
Go and see it this weekend performed by the Elgar Sinfornia (24 Oct at St Andrews Church Holborn). Dame Janet Baker will be there to be presented with the Elgar Medal.
Baker was and is still marvelous in this music . What it must be like to experience this in a concert hall ! When you look at the sentimental poor lyrics for 3rd Song Baker's declamation saves its empty sentiments.
Oh I wonder why Elgar writes “through strifes forbidden” whereas written versions of the poem read “through straits forbidden”. The poet is Australian and the way they pronounce “straits” probably sounded like “strifes”. “Straits” makes more sense. Just a thought. I love Sea Pictures.!!
A beautiful cicle, really simple, but very very beautiful... About the interpretation i just don't like the fake pianissimos... Janet Bakers dinamic are away to low in these recording. I don't really love when conductor demand small singing even on studio because IS NOT as beautiful has a opera like song (A TRUE sound).
This cycle is not as simple as it sounds. You can see it here : there are incessant modulations. As for the small voice, there are not many options to achieve a pianissimo on a high note. She chooses the right option (if not the only one possible!) and she shows everywhere great artistry, and a wide vocal and emotional range performed smoothly. Maybe you don't like perfection, which I understand. But this perfection is heartfelt.
Underrated work that needs more performances.
Elgar had absolutely zero business writing this, reaching across time and space with Janet's voice to rip my heart out and throw it in the ocean.
The audacity. I am, as the kids say, shooketh.
A wonderous tribute of music to the sea. Astonishing and mesmerizing! Thank you Elgar and Baker.
No one ever sang these songs better.
Dame Baker singing Where Corals Lie never fails to move me to tears. Thank you for posting, and with the score to boot! Much appreciated. Cheers!
Dame Janet, not Dame Baker!
Absolument sublime voix et magnifique musique orchestration.
Fascinant de pouvoir suivre avec la partition.
0:04 - I. Sea Slumber Song
5:06 - II. In Haven
7:12 - III. Sabbath Morning at Sea
13:30 - IV. Where Corals Lie
17:41 - V. The Swimmer
A sublime recording of this classic beautifully sung by Dame Janet Baker.
Fantástica Janet Baker! Fantástico Edward Elgar! Thanks for sharing.
music at its most sublime, poetic, far beyond mere charm.
Sin lugar a dudas me he ido donde en el mar se encuentran los corales más allá de las tempestades ¡Hermoso!
I’ll be performing this March 2025 in Seattle with the Skagit Symphony.
I know this isn't news to anyone, but Janet Baker is the best
It isn’t news, but when you hear her voice you must say it again.
@@nikispanikiI’m a young mezzo soprano aspiring for big opera dreams, Dame Janet Baker is the BLUEPRINT
Thanks for sharing this beautiful music!
A truly wonderful recording, and being able to read the sheet alongside is very nice. Thank you a lot!
Go and see it this weekend performed by the Elgar Sinfornia (24 Oct at St Andrews Church Holborn). Dame Janet Baker will be there to be presented with the Elgar Medal.
So grateful for this. I’ve been looking for great contralto pieces to perform so hopefully I can do one of these next semester!
Just awesome!❤
Beautiful! Predivno. Savršeno, ako tako šta postoji.
Sublime.
Mesmerisingly beautiful
Wonderful!
Thanks so much for posting!
Baker was and is still marvelous in this music . What it must be like to experience this in a concert hall ! When you look at the sentimental poor lyrics for 3rd Song Baker's declamation saves its empty sentiments.
Performing it on February 22, 2025 7:30 at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA
Lovely
Cool
Oh I wonder why Elgar writes “through strifes forbidden” whereas written versions of the poem read “through straits forbidden”. The poet is Australian and the way they pronounce “straits” probably sounded like “strifes”. “Straits” makes more sense. Just a thought. I love Sea Pictures.!!
14:03 Only Elgar can take the royalties of a D major scale. How can a scale sound so Elgarian??
고맙습니다
An ideal couple: Baker and Elgar!
My desert
A beautiful cicle, really simple, but very very beautiful... About the interpretation i just don't like the fake pianissimos... Janet Bakers dinamic are away to low in these recording. I don't really love when conductor demand small singing even on studio because IS NOT as beautiful has a opera like song (A TRUE sound).
Interesting remark. Isn't it either a fake pianissimo OR small singing? Or do you think both were used in these recordings?
I get what you’re saying but it was always a part of what I loved about this recording. She doesn’t overpower the beauty of the song.
This cycle is not as simple as it sounds. You can see it here : there are incessant modulations. As for the small voice, there are not many options to achieve a pianissimo on a high note. She chooses the right option (if not the only one possible!) and she shows everywhere great artistry, and a wide vocal and emotional range performed smoothly. Maybe you don't like perfection, which I understand. But this perfection is heartfelt.
The dynamics are in the score. They are what Elgar wrote. Sorry if you don't like it.