Jon Vickers - Then Shall the Righteous Shine Forth - Elijah (Mendelssohn) 1979
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- Опубліковано 31 сер 2012
- Tenor Jon Vickers sings "Then Shall the Righteous Shine Forth" from Elijah by Mendelssohn at the funeral of John Diefenbaker, former Canadian Prime Minister at Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, Canada on August 19, 1979. The organist is Godfrey Hewitt (1909 - 2002).
This recording captures what the voice of Jon Vickers was like live, a huge column of tone, like a lion roaring. Most commercial recording were unable to capture this superhuman quality about his voice.
I too sang at this funeral, as a member of the choir. Mr Vickers was behind me, and the church trembled. The choir director was Mr Godfrey Hewitt.
***** Thank you! I have noted it in the description.
An extraordinary voice singing the inspirational music of Mendelssohn with that great biblical text which is so uplifting on a solemn occasion. We have not heard a tenor of this vocal dimension since Jon Vickers left us and I wonder if we ever will .... his voice was a clarion call and just glorious.
We have not heard a voice like this even many, many years BEFORE he left us.
Remember folks, it was a funeral. That means that the organist had little time to pull it together. Probably little to no rehearsal time with Mr. Vickers. Kudos all around for the beautiful tribute!
Thank you, Raphaela, for your insightful comments. I haven't seen the organist's name here, but remembrances of Virgil Fox's style are strong. I was in the opera chorus behind Vickers in several Dallas Opera performances--words fail to describe how he inhabited his roles. Here his faith I have heard about is so apparent. This triumphant text, Mendelssohn's insightful music, Vickers, and such an organist--Heaven, indeed. True Worship.
Decades ago I had the good fortune to see and hear Jon Vickers in a staged performance of Handel's oratorio, "Samson", in Dallas; and also in Britten's "Peter Grimes" in Houston. What a wonderful singer!
The funeral was televised and the musical selection was recorded and passed from collector to collector.
I agree with the notes by the poster. Having heard Vickers in recital, I can attest to the superhuman quality and power of his voice. He was also a marvelous artist who could sing in a tiny whisper. Nothing like him since.
First knew brother John in the 50s version of the Messiah conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham, an unparalleled recording
Glorious voice - such vigour--beauthiful music!
Glorious Voice indeed Rosemary...
Excelente como siempre una mega estrella!!!
The organist was most likely Godfrey Hewitt, organist of the Cathedral at that time.
A little fast, but the tempo is steady. Very exciting, a bit unrelenting, which is atypical of the mighty Vickers.
Wow! How was this recording made to the public ? Can I assume an individual at the funeral used a personal tape recorder ?
... and of course Mr Hewitt was the organist as well.
I had wondered who the organist was. Thank you
Finally, a magnificent performance of this piece! What a welcome relief from the insipid, pathetic attempts by other "singers" on UA-cam. Organist had missteps. The only organist who could have given a performance that matched Mr. Vickers' inspirational, soaring gusto was Dr. Virgil Fox. Such a pairing of genius would have been a worthy glimpse of Heaven!
I understand this was a funeral, and such things are hastily put together. I can’t imagine doing that, and you can’t even hear yourself playing when such singing fills the room.
Wow....talk about pushing the tempo!!! But beautiful nonetheless.