Male Sopranos in Bach’s Vocal Works
Male soprano! (was: Genesis of a countertenor)
Continue of discussion from: Counter-tenors in Bach’s Voval Works – Part 2 [General Topics]
Cara Emily Thornton wrote (June 21, 2004):
Here are some links to info on a gentleman named Dariusz Paradowski, who is apparently the only non-castrato adult male soprano on the planet today. Haven't had the chance to hear him sing yet - when I do, I'll let you know :)
http://www.warsawvoice.pl/archiwum.phtml/6839
http://www.linmpi.mpg.de/~kopp/disc/dp/
Thomas Manhart wrote (June 21, 2004):
[To Cara Emily Thornton] There are presently more than 1 non-castrato sopranos on the planet. Please check out: http://members.tripod.com/countertenors/
Infact, I feel slowly like a minority as male alto, because more and more call themselves mezzos. But seriously, there are some great male sopranos outside. I have, however, not come across any Bach recording with a male sop.
Aryeh Oron wrote (June 21, 2004):
[To Thomas Manhart] There is nice website dedicated to male sopranos (not counter-tenors): http://www.linmpi.mpg.de/~kopp/disc/
Like you, I am not aware of any Bach's vocal work recorded by a male soprano, but I am curious to hear one...
Ehud Shiloni wrote (June 21, 2004):
[To Aryeh Oron] Not Bach, but pretty close: The late Klaus Nomi [German male soprano] recorded a splendid version of "The Cold Song" from the opera "King Arthur" by Henry Purcell.
Bradley Lehman wrote (June 21, 2004):
[To Ehud Shiloni] For some excellent and especially high singing by adult males, don't miss the album of Heinrich Schuetz' vocal concertos entitled "Liebe und Klage" (also repackaged as "Lamenti & Concerti")...recorded by MD+G in 1986 and reissued at least once (1996) in their Gold line. The Schuetz pieces included are SWV 435, 443, 272-3, 263-4, 20, 339, 174, and 21: pieces about love and lament (as the album title suggests).
The performing group is called "Musicalische Compagney". The soprano parts are sung by David Cordier and Derik Lee Regan, and the other parts by Mark Padmore, Harry Geraerts, and Harry van der Kamp. The band includes 3 cornetti, 2 trombones, 3 dulcians, chitarrone, and organ in various configurations.
Wang Xiao-yun wrote (June 22, 2004):
[To Aryeh Oron] And what about Clint van der Linde? I love his aria of BWV 51 and he deserves more fame. Does anyone here know his recent activity?
Johan van Veen wrote (June 22, 2004):
[To Wang Xiao-yun] As far as I know that recording was made when he was a treble - that is, before his voice changed. Trebles are usually not considered 'male sopranos'. This term is used only for adult male singers who sing in the soprano register.
Johan van Veen wrote (June 22, 2004):
[To Wang Xiao-yun & Johan van Veen] Has this this recording ever issued in LP/CD form?
Wang Xiao-yun wrote (June 23, 2004):
[To Aryeh Oron] I downloaded the clip from the file section of BCML and read information from your website, so I know no more than you:)
I suppose Linde should now be considered as a young male soprano and hope he would record the work again.
Johan van Veen wrote (June 23, 2004):
[To Aryeh Oron] All information about this CD and about Clint van der Linde can be found here: http://www.boysoloist.com/soloists/vanderlinde-clint.cfm
Boyd Pehrson wrote (June 24, 2004):
[To Johan van Veen] There is an mp3 track, loaded into the BachCantatas Y-group webpage, of Clint Van Der Linde singing an aria from 'Jauchzet Gott in Allen Landen!' BWV 51, for anyone who wants to hear a boy soprano sing this...
I guess Master Clint qualifies as a "male soprano," ...just a very young one. Max Cencic also recorded BWV 51 as a young male soprano, about 14 years old, and he still sings soprano today at about 28 years of age, using his own unique technique.
Aria of Solo Cantata BWV 51 'Jauchzet Gott in Allen Landen!': http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/BachCantatas/files/
Thomas Manhart wrote (June 24, 2004):
To Boyd Pehrson] That is amazing, thanks for uploadig the file. now i really would trust my ears in analyzing voices. but this voice has a quality unlike any other boy soprano i have heard. if i didnt know it, i had never guessed it's a boy. Is there any information, what this singer does today?
The recording seems very "clear and clean". are there any other recordings of him, at that age, maybe live? i just still wonder, if anything was enhanced technically on the sound.
Thanks
Boyd Pehrson wrote (June 24, 2004):
[To Thomas Manhart] Regarding Clint Van Der Linde's career, Johan Van Veen provided this link earlier: http://www.boysoloist.com/soloists/vanderlinde-clint.cfm
That mp3 is from a studio recording, and I am certain Clint was in the studio's recording booth with headphones when he recorded it, most likely to a soundtrack. What you hear is what you get with Clint. His other recordings with his choir provide evidence of his unique vocal style. That is, it is always the same. I can say he is performing in an operatic style, similar to Max Cencic's style, which is not something boys usually do. Boys, like men, can sing either operatic or in straightforward tones,
but the repertoire for boys usually avoids coloratura arias, thus the reason for Clint and Max to record this particular Bach solo Cantata, is probably due mostly to their complementary singing sytle. That is just a guess on my part.
Johan van Veen wrote (June 24, 2004):
[To Boyd Pehrson] I understand that Cencic now performs as alto (or countertenor) and seems to have given up his ambitions to perform as a soprano. On his latest recordings he is presented as countertenor.
Thomas Manhart wrote (June 24, 2004):
[To Boyd Pehrson] Thanks again for the answer, and sorry that i read over the link in the previous mail.
Amazing site, amazing voices! this clint has indeed an extraordinary voice quality. i wonder how his countertenor singing will develop today. Dor the bach fans maybe also interesting on page 3, there is a sound file of the young Peter Schreier.
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Last update: ýJune 25, 2004 ý18:58:53
