Messiah (Handel): "But who may abide..." (Emma Kirkby)

[@jochanaan58]

Everything about Ms. Kirkby's performance is flawless, especially her high C in her cadenza!

[@majorcynic]

I like piece this better in the mezzo/alto range, but Emma Kirby's voice is like a beautiful, clear bell and her intonation is PERFECT! And, she makes it look effortless!

[@therealtornadosam]

Bass is also a good rendition.

[@BarrocoeBrahms]

Probabily the best interpretation of "But who may abide...? of the Messiah! her wonderful high sounds cute breath and penetrate our heart! the most fantastic soprano I´ve ever heard!! thanks dear Emma!! Sang early music started to make us happy since you appeared

[@susanafernandez9046]

Schumacher

[@susanafernandez9046]

Sur mpñklml nnnbugijjk . ;-) bnmjmppñlk Oiu

[@quantumangel737]

She is out of this world, what an amazing voice and performance.

[@dfrx3ec]

Моя мама говорила, что это ангел..

[@captainmorgan757]

Emma Kirby is the Jascha Heifetz of soprano singers.

[@martigra1g]

Omg I love her trills they're so light and flawless!!!

[@aug3014]

Emma Kirby ❤️❤️❤️

[@MrChili8888]

Absolutely top class and brethtaking!

[@dabeamer42]

Up a fifth (A minor instead of d minor for the bass), but down a half because of the tuning of the instruments. So it sounds in g# minor to our ears. This is the version Handel used in the 1752 concert for the Foundling Hospital. Hogwood's research.

[@koyunbaba73]

That was so wonderful, I think I have to listen to it again!

[@marie-claireperesse1960]

Voix magnifique.

[@kocsisjanos850]

Handel would be proud...and God is flabbergasted.

[@therealtornadosam]

Nothing flabbergasts God, but I'm sure He is very pleased with how Emma is using her voice to tell of his glory.

[@helenakomrskova7256]

voice of Angel

[@truelove4019]

Incredible performance. Goosebumps and tears.

[@patriciahalbert5522]

What a wonderful version and sound.There is something about a minor key that is almost unearthly

[@robschild.]

Very rare, to find such a good musician.

[@alysonshirk]

The Watkins Shaw edition allows for transposition for soprano of this and several other numbers.

[@eulersalescosta8933]

Emma Kirkby maravilhosa

[@lestinerolle6813]

The Queen herself

[@piepapuk3460]

Wauw❤

[@KatieWentKaboom]

I cry.

[@QuinasaNA]

La mejor soprano Barroca del siglo XX

[@Sherizati]

double comment, I know that Handel would often write parts for specific singers, so I guess it makes sense to change the piece to fit that singers voice better... I guess I answered my own question X_X

[@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247]

This was first written for castrato altus Gaetano Guadagni in d.

[@helenitahurtado]

@@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247 ouch

[@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247]

But who may abide has these versions: for Bass in d minor (1742, for premiere, which was transposed one tone higher to fit a tenor called "Mr Low", as written in his manuscript), Alto in d (for alto castrato Guadagni), g minor (1751, same as Guadagni version), a minor (video version), and a recitativo for bass. Something similar happens with How beautiful are/their sound is gone out.

[@helenitahurtado]

@@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247 that was a nice display of knowledge, thanks, but my remark was concerned to the castrato part jajjaajaj

[@algoodie7761]

She’s good

[@dabeamer42]

It's in a minor, and the bass version is in d minor, so it's a fifth, but they're using "baroque tuning", so it sounds more like g# minor. According to something I read many years ago, this was the version used under Handel's supervision in a certain concert in 1742 (I think).

[@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247]

Handel used the bass short version at 1742

[@therealtornadosam]

@@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247 That would be the Bass version that's like a 15-second recitative, right?

[@jochanaan58]

This is the 1754 Foundling Hospital redaction.

[@elisabethchen]

waaawwww!!!!!

[@PROSPE78]

nightingale ;-)

[@LtCmdrData45]

Do you have "And the Glory of the Lord" from this performance? Thank you for posting this Emma Kirkby solo in any case!

[@helenitahurtado]

the complete one is from the choir church cathedral, oxford. But well, this answer is like 10 years late jajjaaja. You may find it in youtube music.

[@Sherizati]

is this a fourth up from what I'm used to hearing?

[@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247]

Is in a minor. This has 6 versions: D minor for bass (short), E minor for tenor (who's the same as bass), d minor (longer version, of the video) for Alto, written for altus castrato Gaetano Guadagni, the G/A minor for soprano and a short recitative for bass.

[@therealtornadosam]

@@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247 The tenor version I don't think is actually real. It may have been performed by a tenor but I don't think it required transposition.

[@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247]

Oh, yeah, the ‘tenor’ is the bass version transposed one tone higher: E minor

[@therealtornadosam]

@@israeldecarvalhodrumondara2247 From what I know it doesn't seem to be done with tenor these days; historically Handel may have used a tenor once or twice when he had no choice, but mostly these days you'll see the contraltos singing this. So it's nice to hear a soprano take it on.

[@schaumermaldann]

When has this video been recorded?

[@ds1868]

February 1982.