SIX GREAT RECORDINGS : SIX GREAT SONGS AND ARIAS (7) : 2023 RESTORATIONS : COLOUR PHOTOS

I've created a playlist of the "Great Recordings" videos that I hope to steadily add to and if you wanted to listen to them all the link to the playlist is • Great Recordings
The recordings on this video are as follows;
0:00 Jussi Bjorling : Ch'ella mi creda (La Fanciulla del West (Puccini)
Rec 1937
2:25 Richard Tauber : Heidenroslein : (Goethe/Werner) Rec 1926
4:54 Joan Sutherland : I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls :
The Bohemian Girl (Balfe) Rec 1963
9:21 Jan Kiepura :La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetée : Carmen (Bizet) Rec 1938?
12:54 Enrico Caruso : Recondita armonia : Tosca (Puccini) Rec 1909
15:13 Feodor Chaliapin : Ochi chernye (Black eyes) (Hrebinka/Hermann) Rec 1927
The lyrics of I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls are as follows;
I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls
With vassals and serfs at my side,
And of all who assembled within those walls
That I was the hope and the pride.
I had riches all too great to count
And a high ancestral name.
But I also dreamt which pleased me most
That you loved me still the same,
That you loved me
You loved me still the same,
That you loved me
You loved me still the same.
I dreamt that suitors sought my hand,
That knights upon bended knee
And with vows no maidens heart could withstand,
They pledged their faith to me.
And I dreamt that one of that noble host
Came forth my hand to claim.
But I also dreamt which charmed me most
That you loved me still the same
That you loved me
You loved me still the same,
That you loved me
You loved me still the same.
I've tried to get the best possible sound from the older recordings and just for effect, I have added applause at the beginning and end.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

0:00 Jussi Bjorling : Ch'ella mi creda 2:25 Richard Tauber : Heidenroslein : 4:54 Joan Sutherland I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls 9:21 Jan Kiepura :La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetée 12:54 Enrico Caruso : Recondita armonia 15:13 Feodor Chaliapin : Ochi chernye (Black eyes)

[@shicoff1398]

Good picks from all you Posted !

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@shicoff1398 Thanks for listening, I'm glad that you like them.

[@Rosangela161]

Welcome! Another wonderful gift. Precious selection of melodies and interpreters. Exquisite art work. Congratulations and thank you.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@Rosangela161Hello Rosa, I hope that you are keeping well. Thank you for listening and for your kind words, I'm really pleased that enjoyed the video.

[@crisha721]

wonderful selection! I love Jussi Bjorling and Joan Sutherland

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Cris, I'm glad that you like the selection.

[@DNA350ppm]

Awesome selection! Super tasteful, and showing expert knowledge!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening, very pleased that you enjoyed the video.

[@DNA350ppm]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Indeed, a very beautiful and balanced concert! Thank you for providing the opportunity!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@DNA350ppmIt's my pleasure, thanks again for listening.

[@barbaraprest783]

Just so amazing

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Barbara, I'm glad you like it.

[@lilianikolova7685]

Greetings from Sofia, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria. Tonight we listened to some arias in Boris Hristov’s house.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Hello Lilia, greetings from Yorkshire, England. I found Boris Hristov's house on the internet, it looks very nice. I'll try to put one of his recordings on my next selection.

[@marie-jeannevallecalle9991]

Merci beaucoup trop beau 👍👍😊😊❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

It's my pleasure Marie-Jeanne, thank you for listening, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@user-fw3el4gr3o]

Encata a voz suave e melodiosa de Joan Sutherland!E Caruso não tem rival!-'

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment.

[@celinejohnston3694]

Another brilliant collection Michael, I remember Joan Sutherland singing I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls. Brilliant collection.👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏..

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Celine, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@ricardomedinamuguerza3925]

Excelente !!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Ricardo. very pleased that you like it.

[@elenajha4357]

Thank you, dear Michael! Such a wonderful selection!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Hello Elena, it's my pleasure as always, thank you for listening, I'm really pleased that you like this selection. I was pretty sure that you would like at least one of them!

[@elenajha4357]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Shalyapin? You were absolutely right to suppose that ) . This year all Russia proudly celebrates his 150th anniversary. A very good film was released, the vocal part is performed by another wonderful basso cantante Ildar Abdrazakov. I am sure you know him too. He is also from Russia.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@elenajha4357 Thanks for the information Elena, he certainly had the sort of life that would make an interesting film. To be honest, Ildar Abdrazakov is new to me, I'll have a listen later today.

[@elenajha4357]

@@michaelmcgrailengland kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5vFmpl5fqpjgtUsi=sNqfmfrF3_YOeSCg

[@elenajha4357]

@@michaelmcgrailengland kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaOVkqOmqtmjf5Isi=MgGjeIK8cDS9xhq5

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

Again, a wonderful video with a great selection of recordings and a lovely photo gallery! And again, I‘m happy I don‘t have to pick a favourite… Although I must confess that this time I might be able to choose - and my prize would go to Richard Tauber by a hair‘s breadth… He was such a magnificent lieder singer, his interpretation of „Heidenröslein“ being incredibly sensitive, much more empathic than what we hear from most other singers (most of them with Schubert’s more elaborate version) who tackle this song. Thank you, Michael! 🙏🍀 That was beautiful! 🌹⭐️🌹

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

Btw, the composer is Heinrich Werner; so it seems that you are absolutely right and can remove the question mark if you want to … (😄)

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

It's my pleasure Harriet, thank you for listening and for your kind words, I'm glad that you enjoyed this selection. Thanks for the information about the lovely Heidenroslein and I will remove the question mark although I must admit I was happier to think of it as a folk song of unknown origin passed down over the years. I thought it was a folk song because of the notes that come with the CD which state "The collection Das Deutsche Volkslied first appeared in recorded form as an album set of six double-sided 10" Parlophone-Odeon records described by the company as 'a collection of famous German folk songs' , their origins are not further explained. No publication in sheet music form has been traced". Many years before I found them on CD an old friend who had the original set of 78s copied them onto a tape for me. Thanks again for listening and best regards.

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Please try not to mind, Michael, and maybe just think about it this way: The song as composed by Heinrich Werner has adopted the character of a folk song for a reason, because it became so popular that with the passing of the decades it outshone the composer‘s own fame. People thought of it as part of their heritage. That‘s exactly what happened to many compositions that are called German folk songs; the composer is not (always) unknown, he is just no longer noticed in connection with a particular song. Sad for him… but great for the importance of the song as a defining element of a certain culture… Thank you about the given information on the record and CD sets. I hope that you found more than only this one song that you liked! All the best, warm regards! ☘️☘️☘️

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@hrbooksmusic7878 Yes, there are twelve described as folk songs and I like them all but Heidenroslein is my favourite. Thanks again for listening and the information. Best regards and a load of good luck emojis.

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

@@michaelmcgrailengland There‘s something else I found out which perhaps you may like to know: There was actually a folk song from the sixteenth century about a Heidenröslein. Goethe came across it and obviously liked the story the song told, because he adopted it and turned it into one of his poems, reportedly sticking rather close to the original lyrics. In our day the tale of the Heidenröslein is associated closely (or only) with him, and it seems that most traces of the old folk song are lost. We don‘t seem to know the exact lyrics or the tune anymore. Bur maybe Schubert and Werner did! Maybe that’s why the two tunes have so much in common… Who knows? Have a great day, Michael! 🌞 All the best! ☘️☘️☘️

[@MountainwalkwithMusic]

I like dark eyes Russian song. And Sutherland is one of my favorite soprano. Her singing method is perfect. Good night Michael!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Hello Chang, I can't keep up with you tonight. Thanks for listening, and you could be right about Heidensoslein. I typed Schumann's name in in error. The preceding set of songs on the CD are by Schumann but this is in a set called "German Folk Songs". I had a look at Wikipedia and they seem to attribute the song to a poem by Goethe and music, as you say, by Werner. However the CD says that the origins of the folk songs is unknown as no publication in sheet music has been traced but I think I'll alter the composer names to Goethe/Werner . Thanks for the help Chang and a very Good Night.

[@MountainwalkwithMusic]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Thank you for replying. Schubert composed Heidenroslein same poem by Goethe either. Of course different melody. When I was student I confused these two songs Schubert and Werner Heidenroslein. Hahaha!! Good night Michael!! This is Schubert' kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJPaZmZ9hJd9fassi=Ra5h0rkHCYvOxll2 This is Werners' kzbin.info/www/bejne/epXblWqwm6-Xf8ksi=JUc7qAT06RJ95eJ_

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

I enjoyed your latest video Chang, more lovely views and very nice Korean music to accompany them. Enjoy your next walk.

[@MountainwalkwithMusic]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Thank you Sir! Have a wonderful dream. Good night Michael!!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@MountainwalkwithMusic Hello Chang, I enjoyed your latest video. Was it two walks mixed together or was the walk with the lovely red flowers on the way to the mountain. Very nice music as well. Have a great day.

[@meisterwue]

Collection next part.....Jussi Björling : L'Orfeo by Monteverdi, never did it, it wasn't the time , but imagine him in this part : wonderful to imagine listening here singing Puccini in his early years .....Mr Tauber singing a little song in his great way to enchant the ears......excellent slide show by the way to watch all the artists while listening.....collection tasteful indeed❤

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

You beat me to the video, early bird! A great way to start the day… and thank you for your comment! It‘s almost impossible not to mention Tauber and his great gift of lieder singing and interpretation…

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the video. The CD that I took Heidenroslein from describe it as a German folk song of unknown origin but, from other sources, including Harriet I have found that the words are a poem by Goethe and the music was composed by Werner. I was much happier to know it as an obscure folk song rather than some sort of formal composition.

[@meisterwue]

@@michaelmcgrailengland thanks for Your sharing....Tauber is one of my first singers ever heard from my early introduction times into the classics....

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Your research was very accurate and deserves an extra „thank you!“ for diligence! Werner‘s approach to setting the poem to music is indeed very lovely; he tried to keep it simple in order to make it available - and appealing - to everyone, although the closeness to Schubert‘s composition is evident. Very cleverly done! We sang it at school. Now, that I‘m grown up and more familiar with Schubert‘s work, the Schubert version has nestled in my head, and I automatically turn to it whenever I sing „Heidenröslein“… 🌹 Thanks again for the great post! Enjoy the late summer and all the music you can get! 🌞🍀☘️ 🎵🎶🎵🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

@@michaelmcgrailengland I‘m sorry, I accidentally posted my answer under this comment instead of under the one I wrote… Is that very bad? I‘d hate to type it again… With your allowance (and Günther‘s) I‘d like to just leave it where it is…

[@sheilamillar]

Great to have your latest compilation, and like “ hrbooksmusic” I was very struck by “Heidenroslein, how tender and sincere, I also realised that the interpretation comes through as the tune to the hymn “Jesus keep me near the Cross” which I rushed to find in in my old Methodist hymn book, sure it was there but it’s a different tune. Not in CH4 either! Not to worry. I really enjoyed Kiepura too, a new one to me I think. Michael could you tell me which of your sessions had a comment about Kathryn Grayson and Ann Blyth, I’ve been trying to find it, I just wanted to add a little snippet. Many thanks again for all the wonders!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

It's my pleasure Sheila, thank you for listening, I'm really pleased that you like this selection. I love Tauber's recording of Heidenroslein and have always thought of it as a German folk song of unknown origin simply because that's how it is described on the CD that I used, However, since I uploaded the video I have been told that the music is by the compose Werner and according to Wikipedia the words are, in fact, a poem by Goethe. I preferred to think of it as a folk song but there we are! I don't recall the comment about Kathryn Grayson and Ann Blyth but I'll try to keep it in mind and if I spot it I'll let you know. Thanks again for listening.

[@sheilamillar]

Success! I had torn out that hymn tune from an even older hymn book, and the title of the tune is “Healing Stream” by Heinrich Werner so we are all right, though the words (“Jesus keep me near the Cross”) are by Fanny Crosby , 1820-1915. She must have liked fitting her words to the tune. 🙏

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@sheilamillar Thanks for the information, you obviously remembered correctly. I found it on KZbin played by a brass band and, as you say the writer of the words must have set them to the melody of Heidenroslein. I had another message from Harriet (HR Books) that you might find interesting to read when you get time.

[@MountainwalkwithMusic]

Michael! Long time no uploading. Are you OK?

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

I am OK Chang, thanks for asking. I have a video half completed but, from 1st September views of my videos have halved (about 500 a day down to about 200) and subscribers that did increase, on average, by 2 a day don't even increase now by 2 a week. KZbin eventually admitted that they had made changes to the way they recommend videos on 1st Sept that would have a bad effect on some channels and I think the truth is that they don't really want minority interest channels like mine, they just want those that get thousands of views and make them a lot of money from advertisers. I can't decide at the moment whether it's worth continuing uploading but I might as well at least finish the one that I started. By the way, I enjoyed your latest video as I always do..

[@MountainwalkwithMusic]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Michael! What is the purpose of your running a KZbin channel? Are you currently earning revenue through your KZbin channel? Let me give you my opinion because I don't know exactly what you think. The purpose of my channel is purely my satisfaction. And it is also important to keep a video of my hiking record. There are not many people who like classical music these days. But I don't want to put pop music in my video for popularity. My KZbin operation is nothing more than a hobby. My channel has terrible low subscribers and views but I don't mind. I hope my opinion will be of little help to your decision. It's time go to bed in Korea. See you.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for your message Chang. I don't make money from my channel and I suppose that you could call it a hobby but it is a very time consuming hobby involving a lot of work.. I started the channel when I devised my system to improve the audio quality of old recordings in the hope that it might introduce listeners to the great singers of the past and that people already familiar with those singers might get additional pleasure from listening to the improved audio quality. I know from comments that I have had a certain amount of success but if people don't watch my videos it makes it a waste of a lot of my time that, at my age, I don't really have. I'll give it more thought and decide what to do in due course but thanks for your help. See you.

[@MountainwalkwithMusic]

@@michaelmcgrailengland I've been hiking since before I ran the channel and I'll keep climbing if I stop the channel. Video uploading is just one of my climbing records. My climbing record is writing, pictures, and videos. I just use cyberspace and system called KZbin. I post the video for myself, not for anyone else. I don't care if anyone else sees the video I posted or not. So I closed the comments section. I just go hiking for the health of my body and mind. It won't be a waste of time if you also enjoy uploading by improving sound quality. But if the pain is greater than your pleasure, you'll feel like you're wasting your time. And if it's hard to work, uploading the video once in a while is one way. Good night Michael!!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@MountainwalkwithMusic Thanks Chang, keep uploading your wonderful videos and if you keep climbing the mountains you might live to my age!!! Good night.

[@albertogallo8752]

Bjorling, ahhhh Bjorling.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Alberto.