Mahler "Urlicht". Bernard Haitink, Aafje Heynis

Gustav Mahler
"Urlicht" (movement 4 from Symphony No.2 "Resurrection")
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Aafje Heynis, contralto
recorded: 1968

[@morrigambist]

This is one of those moments when beauty of voice, technique, and inspiration come together, along with conductorial understanding and purpose. Surpassingly beautiful!

[@jillsullivan1375]

Glorious!

[@IvanGreindl]

I personally have vivid memories of this wonderful performer, so talented and so humble at the same time, in various sacred works of Vivaldi, under the baton of the great Angelo Ephrikian. I'll never forget her...

[@saturne46]

Musique sublime. Quelle noblesse dans le chant d'Aafje Heynis. Cette femme s'adresse aux Dieux.

[@pietkeizer5216]

Wat kon die Aafje toch prachtig zingen. In 2021 nog een lust voor het oor.

[@qklq42]

One of the greatest contraltos of her time, one of the greatest orchestras ever and the greatest Mahler-conductor of the second part of this century. What a beautiful combination ! Hans NL

[@vlissingse]

Ja zeker!

[@PGH225]

Absoluut.. Prachtig en zo ingetogen.

[@ellandelachapelle]

One of the most amazing singers I´ve ever heard.

[@tuinbuddy3385]

Rest in peace. Your beautiful voice will remain forever!

[@eartvj]

Hier geniet ik van. Prachtige herinnering aan een hele mooie stem van een heel mooi mens.

[@3bonvivant]

haar zang bezorgt mij nog steeds kippevel; heb dank mw Heynis voor uw kunst.

[@martineyeo7491]

I just love this symphony from Gustav Mahler. Aafje's pronunciation is very clear compared to some other contraltos' and it makes it easier for non-German speakers to learn the parts. Thanks for this video!

[@3bonvivant]

zelfs na 50 jaar nog wonderlijk mooi

[@evaluna261]

Absolument superbe!

[@nenealcides]

Simply gorgeous...!

[@heidiskokcontralto8633]

Exquisite. Gave me goose bumps.

[@carlosrevueltamarti7392]

Maravilloso descubrimiento ( para mi) esta contralto holandesa fallecida hace un año. Una joya de voz.

[@chareneperog5832]

So Beautiful....one of my most favourite to listen to and sing

[@Zexion352]

Its so clear and loud Im gonna cry thank you

[@josepaulopintya806]

Magnífico!

[@bloodgrss]

Sublime!

[@travelmusiclove]

Pure beauté

[@evelynedasnoy2494]

Quelle beauté!

[@SAMARA3365]

This is great! so pure and humble. Just how it has to be. PERFECT! Musicaly and also techniquely. In my opinion her voice is even better than Ferriers.

[@belcanto9387]

In terms of vocal technique, she is better than Kathleen Ferrier.

[@PGH225]

Right..softer, warmer

[@YouAreSpotOnWithThat]

Dear Plato, Yes, you're quite right ... note that this singer is still living ! ... Cheers, from, del-boy.

[@benjamincuevaseninde]

-- Merveilleux. --

[@franciscusmaria51]

Ben echt overwelmed door deze absolute schoonheid en inzicht in waar het om gaat. Een talent die, vrees ik, nooit meer terugkeert. Zoals Callas en Ferrier!!! Adembenemend! Frans Giebels.

[@wernertaveirne9370]

This is my favorite of Mahler

[@felicidadfalsa]

Así deben cantar los ángeles.

[@helgeevju]

I think Aafje Heynis has sung in the church music festival in Kristiansand, Norway sometime during the seventies. She had a Norwegian parallel in the wonderful Astrid Hellesnes Hukvari (1937-1989), whose career was interrupted by illness and an early death. Both these singers seemed to have a direct contact with the divine spheres.

[@Orsodaniel]

Very difficult to choose between Ferrier and Heynis. I just love them both.

[@BRUCEEYSTER]

Beautiful post , I love Mahler and have corresponded w/ you in " tribes"

[@LoriAlto]

heavenly!

[@losackp]

Wonderful. I can appreciate other artists, but I definitely prefer this recording to many available here on KZbin.

[@saturne46]

La chanteuse s'adresse à une rose, mais n'est-ce pas un appel au ciel ? Ô Petite rose rouge, L'humanité gît dans une très grande misère, L'humanité gît dans une très grande souffrance. Toujours j'aimerais mieux être au ciel. Une fois je venais sur un large chemin, Un ange était là qui voulait me repousser. Mais non, je ne me laissais pas repousser ! Je viens de Dieu et je retournerai à Dieu, Le cher Dieu qui me donnera une petite lumière Pour éclairer mon chemin vers la vie éternelle et bénie !

[@Amhabetsvanschaaik]

Marian van Schaaik Geweldige uitvoering, zeer doorleefd.

[@Lactoris1]

Aafje Heyni's voice has great character and individuality, and she sings with discipline. I wonder if she has had many opportunities to visit the United States and become better known and work with American musicians.

[@carmenfranco3392]

genial!!

[@tjittemuizelaar]

You don,t have to choose...Just enjoy

[@3bonvivant]

you cannot compare Aafje Heynis with Kathleen Ferrier, They are two total different caracters,

[@Amhabetsvanschaaik]

Marian van Schaaik Geweldige uitvoering

[@staudtwerner]

20.12.2012 the big expected bang 21.12.2012 day 1 after mankind - "Urlicht" is born, the birds are singing

[@peterschneider-hekmann6374]

das beste........

[@pianopera]

Her timbre also reminds me sometimes of Ferrier! Maybe less "silvery" but with better diction.

[@belcanto9387]

They both have the same vocal music teacher. In terms of vocal technique, I think she is better than Kathleen Ferrier.

[@TheMahlerfan]

Zwei dislikes!! Was fehlt diese Menschen?? Ohren ? Herz ? Ich werde es wohl nie verstehen,

[@AlexToussiehChannel]

Cornelis van der KRUK zwei? Sonnen 4. Das ist "a pitty for them" (Meine Deutsch nicht gut)

[@TheMahlerfan]

Alex Toussieh In the mean time 4 (four) dislikes. My comment was 11 months ago. Thats why. Poor music "lovers".

[@AulicExclusiva]

It often just means people who ticked the wrong point.

[@lizardking1979]

best Urlicht ... ∞

[@qklq42]

@ ssballs (43 minuten geleden) Oké, the last century. And: according to the Sängerlexicon she never appeared in the USA, only in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switserland. Hans NL

[@paulostroff99]

As good as an ari w ever sung.

[@herol64700]

love her voice, but tempo far too slow for me. loses the dramatic effect

[@malamati007]

There are a number of wonderful recordings of this piece out there....they all measure about 5:30, so this is a tiny fraction faster...to me, it demands restraint, care, time...

[@Gonkawonga]

maureen forrester was better at this song, i believe.

[@henkoosterink8744]

I don't think so.

[@dthomases1]

Indisputable

[@thesaucegroup1877]

I love you Aafje

[@ssballs]

Hmmmm,nice to be reminded of this version/voice.

[@ssballs]

@Lactoris1 She did sing in teh U.S.,i remember a friend seeing her.

[@ssballs]

@qklq42 Well,the last century....:-)

[@YouTubeIsAssHo]

There are many better performances than this. Too many times she fails to hit the note and it comes out flat. Not a great quality recording, either.

[@crocothemis]

+Dave Cochrane Would you please be so kind and point out the times she fails to hit the note as I (in my ignorance) can't find any... As for the recording quality: for a recording from the fifties it is excellent.

[@YouTubeIsAssHo]

crocothemis Sure! The first couple of flat notes that stick out are at 1:45. Then again at 2:12, 2:16, 3:46 ('ach'), 4:20, 4:22, 4:38 (really bad one), 4:51 (out by a country mile). These are the worst examples. You're right, the sound quality isn't bad for the 50's, although there are better. Have you heard any RCA Living Stereo recordings from the 50's? They're exceptional for the period! I would also recommend to check out the 'RCO Live!' issue of this song (Concerthall Orchestra, Netherlands); the "Ach, nein!" line might send shivers down your spine, such is the passion in the performance.

[@crocothemis]

+Dave Cochrane I honestly can't hear them and I thought I had good hearing for these things, do you mean by "flat" they are of tune?

[@YouTubeIsAssHo]

Yes, tonally flat. Off key.

[@ChickenCastleQQ]

+Dave Cochrane must be in your ears, I only hear a divine voice totally in tune