Strauss - Kathleen Battle - Frühlingsstimmen - Voices of Spring

[@Bahia82]

Battle has the purest tone of any soprano ever! what I love about her is that she never over sings a song, or over do it with huge notes. Battle realize that opera is not just about hitting the big note at the end or in the middle, but the whole song being sung with tone clarity and correct pitch. she is one of my favorites

[@DCFunBud]

Battle was a phenomenon. Stoic von Karajan could not suppress his delight. There is nothing like a perfect performance.

[@floris.927]

She truly has the voice of spring! So agile, so vibrant, so youthful.

[@anthonylopezgallegos2682]

One of the greatest voices ever. Her intonation is above all the rest; no one can even come close, not to mention the beauty of her tone.

[@lbcandide]

She sounds like an instrument!

[@Tiffany-fp9rt]

💯😊

[@terrysherman8808]

She was a great singer but, unfortunately a very tiny voice.

[@Tiffany-fp9rt]

@@terrysherman8808 WHY IS THAT UNFORTUNATELY HER VOICE BROUGHT HER FORTUNE . AND WAS A GIFT OF GOD . THATS A TRUE BLESSING. 💖

[@Tiffany-fp9rt]

@@terrysherman8808 IN MANY WAYS .

[@HeavenlyLights]

She is as much a Perfectionist as Karajan and that is what makes this collab so Outstanding. Brava.

[@pepevaladez8096]

The incomparable Miss Battle ! Her velvety, beautiful voice, is out of this world. She is a world heritage.

[@RoyalSnowbird]

If you want perfection - this is it! A ribbon of delicacy rarely encountered - an absolute treat for the ears! ENCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@linda_smilesrfree2744]

Here again in June 2024, and this beautiful voice transcends time. The music is timeless! Bravo!❤

[@spencophany]

She looks like Spring too.

[@dpk242]

Look at von Karajan's smile at the end; he knows this was a superb 8 minutes of Kathleen Battle at her best.

[@versailles1986]

Like a glass of Champagne, in a very expensive French Crystal flute! Her voice is pure Luxury!

[@TheWriterWalker]

Charles Mills, 13 years later, what a marvelous compliment you wrote!

[@AmoClassic]

Never has a compliment suited a voice...like this one.

[@writeract2]

I was going to say 100% - more like 1 million percent true!!!

[@vinemp]

My word---?! That's a rather BRILLIANTLY accurate description. (Like...almost hauntingly so!)

[@atashabanks8968]

I love her voice. Opera is usually too loud or not this soothing. Her voice is pleasant

[@diamondsandpearls7213]

She looks and sounds like an absolute princess

[@violetagiorgiogheorghe2716]

The orchestra under Karajan s baton is PERFECTION, PERFECTION, PERFECTION!!!! And Kathleen is a singer bird !! Sublime, yes!!!

[@garydubois7755]

I don't care what anybody says. being loud is not the criteria by which one should judge a voice. battle has the most beautiful soprano voice I ever heard. just falls so softly on the ears.

[@gaphoogys]

I do agree, I also think Elin Manahan Thomas also has a very beautiful soprano voice as well, even more Renee Fleming. I love listening to all three of them

[@markuse3472]

Its absolutely amazing, surely. But there are quite a few women who have as beautiful a voice.

[@piousaugustus84]

She's right up there with Lucia Popp.

[@shuaizhang9566]

Being loud is important to be a heroine in some operas to some extent. But Katherine has her own characteristic in her voice, and her interpretation of Frühlingsstimmen is best in my mind. The cooperation of the conductor and the orchestra also make a difference. If the orchestra is too loud, it will destroy the beauty of Katherine's voice.

[@HerbertSchepers]

It is my reference always, 'the sparrow' she was called.

[@jamesyu9926]

Well this was a great performance by one of the most beautiful coloraturas.

[@BonaOnofre]

If the season of spring had a human voice, this would be it.

[@josephmosikili1902]

I agree with you...

[@williammorris584]

The sound of silver bells.

[@carlosdossantos917]

Kathleen has the angelic voice that will make Babies stop crying. So velvety. Anyone who can't feel the beauty in her sound, perhaps can't feel at all.

[@micahwoodard]

Superb! Pitch perfect from what seemed to be an effortless performance. She has a beautiful tone. Many sopranos have an almost harsh or scream-like sound to me, but not her. Her voice is absolutely beautiful!

[@lukeortega4245]

I've never heard anything more beautiful

[@Mechanic44455]

Herbert von Karajan passt den Frühlingsstimmenwalzer und das Vermögen der Wiener Philharmoniker perfekt auf den grandiosen Gesang der Kathleen Battle an. Alle Beteiligten sind perfekt! Ein kunsthistorisches Meisterwerk!

[@teldaewick4747]

One cannot stop listening to this masterpiece of a performance! She’ll never be forgotten

[@piustwelfth]

This is a case of a singer's voice perfectly matched with song. It's a superlative performance. Hard to imagine a better one.

[@chorusinger]

Kathleen sang this walz as close to perfection as is humanly possible in my humble opinion, underscoring the fact that she was a great artist 25 years ago as she still is today. Too many times underrated due to gossip about her being difficult to get along with. True or untrue, it should never obscure the fact, what a magnificant soprano she is and belongs among the greats of all times.

[@linda_smilesrfree2744]

I agree⚘️ Her voice is simply heaven.

[@mynamewasgoingtobeautumn3247]

She has one of the most beautiful voices and somehow keeps her facial expressions lovely throughout. What a performer!

[@dirkphilly]

I think her voice is one of the best

[@carolegabry826]

Une pure merveille...je l écoute tous les jours❤. L'orchestre, le chef d'orchestre et Mme Battle sont fantastiques !!! Merci infiniment

[@vivsters96]

She still manages to keep a quality of girlishness in her voice even after years of vocal refinement and strengthening. Beautiful.

[@RA-yb7sz]

What a glorious voice. I have one of her cds and she is divine on it. No matter how many opera singers I hear, her voice always stands out to me. It's so special.

[@MacKenziePoet]

Kathleen Battle was everyone's favorite. We never could hear enough of her. She had the God-given instrument that caressed the ears. And she was always so charming-a pure delight!

[@carlechevarria2226]

The total package. Stunning voice, beautiful face and perfect figure. Kathleen Battle singing Strauss in Vienna Austria = BLISS

[@lbcandide]

Absolutely made to be a superstar

[@bingo1232]

This makes me (1) proud to be German, (2) love Kathleen Battle even more, (3) appreciate the beauty of Strauss’ music (over & over)!

[@albertbauli]

Austrian orchestra, austrian composer, austrian conductor, austrian venue, american singer... XD Why are you so proud?

[@jacquelinelowery5589]

Beautiful, spell-bounding and mesmerizing! No way does she have a small voice. Her voice is light, lyrical and outstanding!

[@tysonprice5058]

Exactly! You can have a light voice like her but still have the volume to fill a concert hall! (I assume?)

[@TheWriterWalker]

Jacqueline, I AGREE!

[@Михаилвторой]

Ну для тех ,кто любит громко пусть одевают усилители звука на свои уши, на ее выступления!

[@wellasang]

The fact that she had been invited by the great maestro to sing speaks volumes already.

[@artsylovelylady]

I always liked how her high notes were so effortless and clearer than most. She's a true soprano.

[@GaryDubois-g4f]

I listen to so many sopranos of her type and they all fade in comparison to magnificently produced voice. She executes every technical challenge with grace and aplomb. Her vocal registers are so evenly balanced and her intonation so perfect its insanely gorgeous. If she was difficult begind the scenes i can't imagine the intense pressure she was under and back biting and jealous behavior of the less gifted members of the metropolitan opera must of been a nightmare to deal with. Nothing dimisheses her legacy.

[@utube0803]

Thank you so much for expressing this so eloquently ❤. I wholeheartedly agree. Her voice is simply sublime. 🎉❤🎉❤

[@afuacooper369]

the voice of the century! what a lyrical songstress!

[@TheAmcconnell]

she is my absolute favorite soprano of ALL TIME!!!!!

[@gilmarbernardo_]

me too!

[@jenespears3140]

Amen

[@tropicana802]

Yes, indeed.

[@entrare_4rbx]

I prefer Luciana serra

[@cattycorner8]

@@entrare_4rbx Agreed 1Million %. KB is a beautiful woman and has a lovely voice, but it is not a true operatic voice. Her voice can fill a hall only via amplification.

[@dem24utube]

She sings this as a consummate musician. Not as just a 'singer'. She has so much in her technical arsenal that you do not hear any efforts of 'singing', but pure music. There are so many details that most people would never even notice--very important stylistic nuances. On top of all that she of course has a beautiful, beautiful voice. This is musicianship far beyond any other rendition I have ever heard. I wish I had been in Vienna in 1987!

[@vinemp]

🎯(Found you!) With ONLY the exception of that ill-advised Zerbinetta, Battle shall forever be the [cleanest] technician WITH the most consistently pleasing-compelling sound.

[@TheEBKJ]

So true, I am not a fan of most soprano vocals but I found this performance mesmerizing. And Ms Battle is a rare being of unparalleled loveliness.

[@afuacooper369]

Battle at her best. Just love her.

[@ruffomaldito]

That is A PERFORMANCE ladies and gentlemen!

[@lapamful]

You know it's funny but I couldn't help noticing exactly the same thing ;p

[@ChagoWilson]

Happy 75th Anniversary Of Life Sunday, August 13, 2023 Our Dearest Soprano Queen, Kathleen Battle!

[@angelicbaby92]

omg. so much control. probably one of the best coloraturas ever. damn. and that pronounciation is gorgeous. I love her facial expressions, what a performance! she brought a lot of playfulness and new elements to this song. :D how wonderful!

[@josedeleon1723]

AngelicBaby the best is patricia janeckova

[@stretch-fd4dg]

The first time I hear Voices Of Spring done with a person doing this is Christine McIntyre she is a singer and actress and she too was quite good at this classical song

[@loryanello7435]

Anna Moffo is my favorite of all opera singers.

[@thatsacoolone9038]

Yes, Patrica also my favourite. Followed her on YT since the beginning. She's a Soubrette. This singer has a more full operatic voice with a different attitude on the song which I don't like very much.

[@tiii5143]

I just watched Patricia Janeckova and she was good but Kathleen still takes the WIN with FLAWLESS VICTORY.

[@triunemighty8060]

If you think you've heard or seen the best in this field, I think its Kathleen Battle. She is perfectly blessed with such an angelic voice and a gorgeous beauty as well.

[@simonapicca8814]

Straordinaria!!!! ❤

[@Imarathomas]

Who is playing this at the beginning of Spring 2024 today 🥰❣ my favorite voice of Spring

[@42_universe]

She'll be performing in May '24 at the Met!

[@sudler2008]

Her voice is so soothing to the ear! It’s full bodied. Her high notes make me want to melt.

[@lizdouglas1952]

I went to Ravinia, in Highland Park, IL to see Kathleen Battle perform under the stars 🌟. Beautiful!!🥰🎶

[@bigmoneyc9395]

As a classical singer, she is my idol. The most perfect soprano ever!

[@Angelkid190]

She has a wonderful voice! I was listening to her when I was 17 and 18 and now I'm 27. It's all thanks to my teacher. Thank you Freidenburg, r.i.p.

[@LifestyleWithDanielleLessie]

The best opera singer ever

[@Sunnivah13]

Best rendition of this one out of every version I have heard. Like a joyful little bird enjoying life and singing along. Splendid!!

[@Sno92White]

I don't get why no one likes her.. She has such a beautiful voice it's heartbreaking.. I'm an aspiring opera singer and I'm constantly looking for muses.. She is #1 on my list. Thank you so much for putting this up!!!

[@deannachurch4911]

Absolutely stunning.

[@SandiTink]

Placement, pitch, and performance perfect.

[@LuStar86]

I love her!! This makes me happy and inspired. What a blessed moment when my dearest teacher told me this angelical voice.

[@marcuswilliams9837]

It’s always fascinated me that Kathleen sings in German like it’s her native language. People put German down so often, but she makes it sound so beautiful.

[@azriel8549]

Miss Battle is a legend.

[@DavidCurtis-g1u]

She sang it again in the 2000 concert, pretty much an undimmed performance, unfortunately unable to find it on here. Wonderful.

[@SopranoAlive]

I love this! Brava, Kathleen Battle, one of the truly great coloratura sopranos of our time!

[@craigbloomfield527]

As a huge classical music fan, I can still maintain that Battle's voice, coloratura and delivery remain among the most seamless of generations (note the S). Certainly, like many perfectionists, she was reputed to be difficult to work with, but many overlook that she was even harder on herself than she was on others. Does this excuse any behavioural indiscretions? Certainly not, but like all of us, she was profoundly human and always wanted to look, sound and be her best for herself and for the music. What of John Eliot Gardiner? One of the finest conductors of the last 100 years who revolutionised early music performance and interpretation...and, according to close sources, a monster in the rehearsal room. People who aspire for perfection often have bouts of hubris - not only in honour of themselves, but also because they see a clear standard they believe is achievable and they want those around them to attain it. Anything else, to them, is failure. The same applies in other fields - medicine, law, literature. The fact is, brilliant people are often quite difficult. To call them divas would be an oversimplification. As to those who make all this fuss about her not being retained at the Met, remember she's not the first leading opera singer to have had this experience. Pavarotti also comes to mind... At the end of the day, we cannot hypocritically sit in our seats, listen to the music of these artists and shred their lives for being more flawed than their vocal production. Let's embrace them, be grateful for them and cherish the recordings they have left us. Small voice, big voice who cares? Voices aren't buildings so they needn't impress with their sheer noise. For a seasoned listener, range, pitch, line, breath, colour and ring matter infinitely more. Little surprise that so many young singers break their voices early in many supposed leading music schools - all trying to be louder and bigger than they were ever meant to be. It isn't the size of the voice that matters. It's what the singer achieves with his or her gift. This remains one of the best performances ever of this piece and shall remain thus for decades, if not centuries. As to those who claim the Met stopped or slowed her career: rubbish. Miss Battle went on to be one of the greatest recording and concert artists of our time. By the time she was dismissed at the Met, she was already beyond her prime anyway. We mustn't forget that the highest voices, however well maintained, are the first to lose their sparkle. They are shooting stars.... I have to thank Kathleen Battle for sharing her immense gift and artistry with us. I have been listening to her for over 20 years and her voice still brightens my day.

[@FelipeHautequestt]

+Craig Bloomfield So much wisdom and truth in your words! Thank you for these clever lines about our very dear Kathleen Battle!

[@40amule16]

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

[@noeldunsky]

Thank you for these wise words. And yes the 10 years when Battle was the world's best light lyric soprano shall forever elegantly brighten up our days . :)

[@craigbloomfield527]

Definitely, Noel. It really is a joy. Thanks for your kind words. :)

[@conorcorrigan765]

Christ, 22 years on, will people EVER stop talking about Kathleen Battle being let go from the Met?

[@walter5697]

beautifully done. she made that strauss piece her own. I can watch this everyday. Her facial expressions are a riot. and von karajan says it all when he looks at her. lol

[@Jevezy]

What an esquisite voice, I have such great love and respect for Kathleen Battle, Jessy Norman and Leontyne Price. These women out to be celebrated and recorded in the annals of history, becoming timeless, legendary figures who made their permanent mark on the Western Musical Canon such as Mozard and Bach.

[@JoannaMeier]

I still come back to this video when I want to hear what Spun Silver sounds like, a truly definitive performance.

[@TheWriterWalker]

Joanna, I just LOVE your comment! "Spun silver." I am baffled by the criticisms I have read about this performance or of Miss Battle herself. Just goes to show: People will find something wrong even when analyzing perfection!

[@infoD1]

One of the most beautiful things ever created. Many thanks to Johann Strauss, Herbert von Karajan, and Kathleen Battle for this amazing performance!

[@artystarkey3289]

This music is just brilliant and Kathleen is wonderful....I could listen to it all day ! Bravo !

[@MarshallArtz007]

Just sublime. You will never hear a performance like this again. 😎🎹

[@MrMinkajajany]

iv watched this over and over again and i must say this is the best. she made this strauss piece her own. and herbert von karajan is totally perfect i dont think the vienna philharmonic has had a better conductor.danke herr karajan und danke wien fur die musik. du bist meine herz

[@operaloveringlasgow]

I watched this superb perfomance during the live broadcast of the New Year's Concert, back in 1987, and never tire of it. The brilliant and unforgettable singing of Kathleen Battle.

[@writeract2]

The most beautiful lyric soprano maybe that ever was - just utter beauty, precision, color and expression in her voice not to mention exact perfect technical proficiency - she is almost matchless.

[@wryan8]

Crystal clear, Delightful.

[@hansmarheim7620]

What a fantastic voice. Kathleen is my favorite singer.

[@sylvettecompagnon2765]

J'aime tout particulièrement Strauss qui enchante mon cœur merci pour cette programmation

[@garydubois7674]

I am a bit of a voice nut. I have heard all of the great voices from Melba to Sutherland but never have i heard a voice has beautiful as Battles. Period. She sent shivers down my spine when i first heard her in the early 80's. I had the pleasure of seeing her live a few times and was always enthralled.

[@Musicdok]

Agreed. I am a huge fan of miss Battle. But listen to the incomparable Ingeborg Hallstein for an even better performance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p56zo3yNZtF6gs0feature=shared

[@fenriquealvarez]

flawless,beautiful voice Kathleen Battle.

[@francesanneflo]

Sie stimme ist so schön! Ich liebe Kathleen!!!!

[@slartybartfast3008]

Her singing is so captivating. Absolutely beautiful.

[@tbryant3685]

my absolute favorite [opera] song by my absolute favorite [opera] singer!!

[@coup919062]

Omg the precision of her intonation is perfection

[@MarketoChristine]

Maestro K cracks me up. You can tell he really enjoys working with her. You should see him conduct while she sings the 5th movement of the Brahms Requiem. It's as if no other voice in the world exists but hers.

[@Nightmaresization]

The best of the best of the best.

[@elizbethcurtsinger5818]

Yes Alan Long I agree with you. My teacher would not accept me until she heard me sing something of substance of real opera. She cried when I sang this same piece to her. I am also black, this was in early 1990's.

[@sudler2008]

Perfection!

[@elijaguy]

And Karayan smiling! einmalig! 3:50 I didnt imagine he could smile! She certainly won the battle. Perfect!

[@kimberlywright4988]

She is just awesome Ms Kathleen Battle

[@orvtimlaw]

Absolutely STUNNING! Ms Battle is such an incomparable singer it doesn't matter what the naysayers have to say about her. I love her singing and she just does her thing regardless. Those who write such callous remarks can't sing anyway. Bravo Diva Battle!

[@ThPaw]

wundervoll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kathleen ist die Beste.

[@youngwoo5860]

Kathreen Battle's voice is incredible and elegant. She must be the best soprano. Her voice has profound spiritual something special. Kathreen Battle was the most brillant and bright soprano in her time in spite of her color.

[@lbcandide]

She and Sutherland are just indescribable

[@MrAndredekock]

Still one of the greatest American coloraturas! Bravissima Ms Battle!

[@lbcandide]

Definitely the best recording of this ever. She was born to sing in German. It sounds like her native language. And her voice and Strauss were made to be together!

[@delvaneysmith100]

I totally agree with you.!! no one can take her place the quality of her beautiful voice and diction is perfect..I just adore her. iam 7years older than her..❤

[@Trenchant463]

I 'm new to opera singing - but this is just incredible.

[@willidok]

Was mir an ihr so gut gefällt ist die Beherrschung der Stimme, in allen Lagen, in allen Höhen, in der Tiefe, vor allem aber in der Dynamik. Selten eine Sängerin gehört, die die Dynamik so sensibel eingesetzt hat wie sie. Schreien kann jeder, aber dieses unglaubliche piano, die Crescendi, die Decrescendi, sind einfach faszinierend.

[@parism555]

Kathleen ist liebreizend. Sie hat eine Stimme, die unglaublich ist. DesEngel Stimme!

[@Arch5280]

I am looking for the best of these performances with a soprano, and so far, this is the best! Brava!

[@pingomatic11]

+Arch5280 Battle is good, but Ingeborg Hallstein's Fruhlingsstimmenwalzer is to die for.

[@Arch5280]

+pingomatic11: They're significantly different sorts of voices. I prefer Kathleen B.'s more lyric approach. Must agree that Ms Hallstein is amazing.

[@jessicaspiropoulos1697]

I second Hallstein!

[@terrysherman8808]

The gorgeous Anna Moffo’s rendition is pretty good too!

[@Arch5280]

@@terrysherman8808 : Well, yeah.

[@ifluvinguiswrong]

Have always loved Ms. Kathleen Battle. Those who claim to hate her I'm sure aren't on intimate terms with her. When she sings Voices of Spring I can almost feel the season change. It is just that good.

[@ejtka]

For poise and beauty of tone, Ms. Battle is incomparable. In any case, it is not a competition. This version with Karajan is a wonderful combination of the maestro in his last days, and Ms. Battle at her vocal peak.

[@adelaferreira4575]

What a magnificent voice and such beautiful singer K B !

[@Nodame2006]

The purity and clarity of her voice is to die for! I could listen to her all day and night :D

[@LifestyleWithDanielleLessie]

Beautiful song