The song that got me into Baroque music 🎶

[@brandonacker]

Join my online guitar course!🎸classicalguitar-pro.com -53 videos -6 hours of content -Learn your first pieces -Simulated recital -Downloads and PDFs

[@haleydaye7246]

I would love an intermediate course!

[@brandonacker]

@@haleydaye7246 Working on it! :) Stay-tuned

[@haleydaye7246]

@@brandonacker 😍 Can't wait!

[@highlandmonk]

@@brandonacker that'll be great! Waiting for it!

[@MegaBanne]

Are you interested in late medieval music to? My friend Gaston from Argentina told me about how fascinated he got when he learned about a lot of newly discovered musical text/notes. Showing that medieval music was far more developed than we previously thought. Last time I talked to him he was making his own late medieval string instrument. He made his own theorbo.

[@appleihate5678]

I came for the theorbo. I stayed for the countertenor. Absolutely enthralling performance!

[@marytolhurst5165]

Aaaah, remarks ike that are what makes a musician's life worthwhile.

[@heavenlymilano]

Amazing interpretation!

[@parti-gyle6466]

Same here. Must learn it on my theorbo, and find a countertenor (can't do both)

[@jaydela7909]

Lovely Thank you

[@sogehtdasnicht]

Same here!!! Absolutely touching! ❤

[@transvestosaurus878]

Skin: clear Cares: beguiled Pains: eased Snakes: dropped

[@Hd-k161]

Disdaining: pleased

[@forranach]

@@Hd-k161 pleased: disdaining

[@luizclaudioaltenburg3761]

Snakes dropped 9 times

[@oldishandwoke-ish1181]

@@luizclaudioaltenburg3761Purcell seemed to connect snakes and women ....

[@snitsmusic]

Dead: freed Whip: also dropped

[@hj2365]

bro, i was not expecting an angel to suddenly bless my ears with such a beatiful voice today

[@attemptedunkindness3632]

If you master the Theorbo, angelic sounding dudes just start showing up to sing for you. I live in the middle of the woods, I don't know where they are coming from.

[@КотКотьев]

​@@attemptedunkindness3632👍😀

[@kishascape]

@@attemptedunkindness3632 The various ancient lutes are indeed angelic.

[@jve3717]

might I suggest listening to Daniel Taylor?

[@Elcore]

@@attemptedunkindness3632Are you feeding them? Do they eat food? What do they eat? At what point will your area of woodland reach angelic sounding dude critical mass? Can the flora and fauna of your woodland support, say, 800 angelic sounding dudes or will they collapse the local ecosystem? Are some of them collapsing from exhaustion from singing constantly? If so, who is tending to the fallen angelic sounding dudes? If hundreds of angelic sounding dudes all sing at once, do they sing in unison, or does their cacophany of different songs become unbearable to the ears, or, in other words, demonic, and against their nature? I have more questions but it sounds like you've got quite a situation on your hands and I don't want to waste your time.

[@chrisbardolph]

"'Til the snakes drop" will now be how I say goodbye to people.

[@woutneutkens]

😂

[@danashane]

drrrrop, drrrrrop, drrrrop

[@user-eg1xw6rj3k]

I can't believe there's music of this caliber for free on the internet. As hard as things might be right now with the economy, we are still truly blessed when it comes to being able to access so much artistic content for cheap or free. Thank you Mr. Acker and Mr. Mobley for this amazing performance.

[@fabiennearlet1608]

Brandon and Reggie, Please Do make a collab album...or perhaps several singles? Your combined artistic genius raises Purcell's timeless compositions to an entirely new, wondrous level of artistic delight and refreshment.

[@verthandijal]

any other recs?

[@melissamusick8300]

Devastating acts of countertenorism. Bravo, gentlemen!

[@hellomate639]

Devastating is just such a good word to describe it. Someone else described it as disgusting, as in disgustingly good. You know that someone is good when words like these are being used to describe how ABSOLUTELY insanely good the vocals are.

[@UniQueLyEviL]

Great comment

[@dmitrishostakovich1447]

I read this as “counterterrorism” and spent way too long trying to figure out HOW

[@ey-eyroughn5972]

@@dmitrishostakovich1447 I was even about to say "Dont you even bring this up here" but then realized "Oi." HAHAHAHA

[@hotmixxable]

@@dmitrishostakovich1447 OMG.I read the same thing. I got mad for a second then read your post.Funny

[@FluffBear01]

Wow... That man's voice is hauntingly beautiful

[@antoinelemoine3036]

I waz just wondering if he was a trans

[@cerealata9035]

​@@antoinelemoine3036 Uh, excuse me?

[@lisalarouge6309]

Sounds like church music.

[@jesse8068]

@@antoinelemoine3036 No, just trained.. Remember, many trans women with deep baritone voices can train themselves to speak in a very feminine tone. A deeper voice doesn't mean the higher registers disappear. 😊

[@milels6917]

He is a man with a beautiful voice Unless a beard has been stuck on a woman ( Biological)

[@woodennebula8248]

the "drop" drop was truly jaw dropping

[@MiloMcCarthyMusic]

Time stamp? Can’t figure out which part you’re talking about

[@lilmilos5176]

@@MiloMcCarthyMusic same

[@woodennebula8248]

@@MiloMcCarthyMusic 1:57

[@MiloMcCarthyMusic]

@@lilmilos5176 give me my name back

[@jarnovanderzee2469]

Why specifically that part

[@pseudio3141]

Reginald's voice is like a beautiful and otherworldly renaissance painting. He captures a contrast of light and shade with the same drama as chiaroscuro that is somehow also softly and imperceptibly blended like sfumato. Sublime.

[@lapin46]

A performance once reserved for kings and nobility. Stunning arrangement by both of you. Love it.

[@Okay_Akei]

Ok, now I understand how a bard can heal your companions with music, I feel revigorated after hearing this piece! It was wonderful, thank you so much.

[@lucacorona6681]

@@ChronoMune D&D

[@KORR]

I just got +3 fire damage to ranged

[@szylaj]

this is how you lay the dragon :D

[@turambarturin5609]

Finally I found the verbal component in the cure wounds spell

[@unabonger777]

go forth and slay something

[@AdamFaruqi]

Mobley is hands down my favorite countertenor of all time. I sang Bach's B-minor Mass back in June with him on the alto solo and he made me weep. His tone, SUBLIME, his connection to the text, GROUNDING, his ornaments, UTTERLY DISGUSTING. So so so pleased to see you two collaborating. More, please!!!

[@Ryush806]

Lolol at “utterly disgusting”. I’m a big metal head and that’s how we’d describe certain things as well.

[@theunheardprophet4315]

Utterly disgusting = hauntingly beautiful, right?

[@hellomate639]

He's incredible. He sounds exactly like a countertenor should sound.

[@hellomate639]

Oh my... I've been working on a project to write music to Tolkien's lyrics in a historically informed passion project... Imagining Mobley singing some of that music...

[@gerardvila4685]

And utterly perfect diction ☺. He sings like an angel.

[@ckturvey]

You guys need to record an album of this. The pairing is quite amazing.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

everything doesn't need to be made into an album, sweetie

[@Marcel_Audubon]

@@Quork no you wouldn't, sweetie

[@Quork]

@@Marcel_Audubon ah, good internet stranger, I acknowledge your comment and would like to point out that you are obviously oblivious to the literary devices, today I'd like to introduce you to the hyperbole. Now read my original comment again and try to find said literary device.

[@MyleneMaelinhon]

I'd definitely buy such album :) Amazing voice, mesmerizing music

[@Dranok1]

​@@Marcel_Audubon Oh this is certainly true -- there are so many albums out there that really didn't need to be pressed... The deciding factor is quality of performance and material. If this pair (perhaps sometimes with accompanying instruments like the occasional sackbut or shawm) let rip with the Purcell and Byrd catalogues, they could easily make a double album that would sell for 20 years.

[@tgrx1901]

Im 65 years old and have never heard such wonderful singing. Magnificent.

[@wordscapes5690]

Oh hooray! A countertenor that knows how to be a countertenor and not a fake castrato. VERY rare these days. Thank you!

[@thetempleoflove6966]

Exactly

[@jessicadebernard8210]

How would someone be a “fake” castrato?

[@thetempleoflove6966]

@@jessicadebernard8210 Countertenors nowadays use falsetto to sing. Falsetto is not a full voice. They can't sing high parts in full voice because they have undergone a hormonal puberty and their voice dropped down in their adolescent years, so they have to "fake" their ability to sing high by using falsetto ("falsetto" even means "fake" in Italian)

[@wordscapes5690]

@@jessicadebernard8210 By singing in the Castrato range and repertoire without being a Castrato.

[@jessicadebernard8210]

@@wordscapes5690 Is that not what a countertenor is?

[@oldman4863]

well that was just the most beautiful thing I've heard in quite some time, Reginald has the most "beguiling" voice and Brandon as always, simply wonderful.

[@hellomate639]

Feels like I've wandered into a clearing in the woods of paradise where two angels are creating beautiful music... perhaps with a pond.

[@franksabatino7576]

@@hellomate639 Thanks. I enjoy visual responses to beautiful music.

[@Sergio_Math]

Came for the strings, stayed for the vocal cords. Sweet mother of Alecto that was majestic!

[@SmittenKitten.]

Who is Alecto?

[@m2il753sif]

​@@SmittenKitten.til Alecto freed the dead til Alecto freed the dead from their eternal, eternal bands Til the snakes drop, drop, drop Drop from her head And the whip, and the whip from out her hands

[@omg9261]

Loved your comment ❤ such a joy to read comments like that one ❤

[@elfaroncarnot]

So, I've been listening to this non-stop for the past two days now. My cares have been thoroughly beguiled for a while.

[@loreman7267]

The control of that countertenor! Perfectly measured and phrased, and his diction is priceless! And that theorbo is a beast!

[@broadwaystar2b]

The drrrrrops gave me chills! Bravo 👏

[@bridgetteharmon7615]

Classical voice is such a thrill to hear after being inundated by strange auto tune and sound board modulations. Just truly a gift to hear pure talent and human efforts. Thank you both

[@AuskaDezjArdamaath]

That’s what actual talent sounds like.

[@eavening4149]

The voice is the most versatile instrument existing.

[@catherinebargo853]

Does not feel like efforts, so fluid, so easy... that's Talent !

[@suburbanbanshee]

No... That is years of practice, patient learning of technique, and then making good use of one's art. And then, he can make his singing sound easy.

[@janach1305]

Talent and training and endless practice. Talent alone will not do it.

[@allonym503]

Reginald Mobley is soooo good here. Gave me chills.

[@kjf729]

Such surprising and unique choices in the vocal ornamentation. This is just the kind of singer we need to breathe new life into this truly priceless musical catalogue. Looking forward to scouring the Internet for everything I can find from this guy!

[@hellomate639]

EXACTLY. This type of creativity is TRULY historical as well, but takes that history and breathes life into it.

[@TheHaughtyOsprey]

In the mornings, sometimes, I sit by myself at the back of my property, beside the barn, and listen to music until I cry from the joy of it. This song is going into that playlist. Thank you.

[@dagugstsdu]

I've never heard anyone sing so beautifully.

[@artsymarxist]

Oh my...that was the most beautiful duet I've ever heard. Ive listened to a lot of countertenors and his is the most beautiful voice I've ever heard, full stop. I hope there will be more like this in the future with Reginald, such a talented vocalist!

[@FancyNoises]

I thought I'd somewhat searched through Henry Purcel's offerings after discovering Dido's Lament / When I am Laid in Earth, and then returning to Bach's sacred choral and pipe organ music, but apparently I must be going through them more thoroughly 👀😲

[@Punkwart]

There are billions of videos on YT, but this one is special.

[@AB-rx6no]

Sublime

[@zacqueen]

Wow! Exceptional singing and Theorbo instrument performance! I didn't expect such smooth and high vocals!

[@NewbeastSwag]

Truly an amazing performance, those vocals caught me by surprise!

[@BrendanMcSherry]

Truly mellifluous, rich and resonant. I am approaching 70 and have have been put off all my life by twee and bogus renditions of this song. This is the way to go when delivering the spirit of this work.

[@danterichardson374]

Wow, just wow. I am a huge fan of Purcell and have heard many interpretations of this piece. This interpretation is fighting for 1st place. Bravo, I hope you both are appreciated professionally and are well compensated.

[@corvinredacted]

"I hope you are appreciated professionally and are well compensated," is my new favorite blessing.

[@Jeanniebugg]

I don't know why this was in my recommended, but I'm glad it was! This was beautiful! I have goosebumps. Reginald, you sir sound like an angel!

[@firsargentum5920]

How the actual f### does one learn, not to mention master, the theorbo?? This playing and singing is from another world. Massive props to both!

[@heikkilevanto5929]

The traditional way was first to be born to and old family of musicians, preferably to a father who was already known as a virtuoso. Then it was just a matter of studying hard for the first decades of your life... Today that is not much of an option. Start with enough money to buy a decent instrument, and to engage the best private teachers. After a few decades you might make it.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

gush much?

[@catsfortheabyss4484]

@@Marcel_Audubon every time i think of your mom

[@Marcel_Audubon]

@@catsfortheabyss4484 that makes you a necrophiliac - ewww! Seek help, sweetie, seek help.

[@jaysparc]

Geniuses are born, not created -- lingling40hours

[@granite_planet]

Love the bass figure that slowly keeps on climbing and climbing with increasing tension and the beautiful singing with matching dynamics, until it finally resolves. Difficult to stop listening to! :D

[@Reycied]

Damn, wasn't expecting the singing, but it blew me out of my shoes. This is GORGEOUS.

[@Amittai_Aviram]

OMG! This is so unbelievably gorgeous! The musicianship of both Reginald Mobley and Brandon Acker is breathtaking. Mr. Mobley, your phrasing brought me to tears - such astounding beauty!

[@mr_ekshun]

Singing usually makes me feel really anxious, though I have no clue why. But sometimes somebody's voice just shuts down everything in my head, forces all the other things out, and holds me captive until the very end of the song. This performance was absolutely beautiful on both parts 🥲

[@amminadabz]

1:00 That little glissando on "eased" was everything actually. I don't no if that's something that might have been done in the period but I love it.

[@liesalllies]

This singer could get me into any music. Goosebumps. What a gift.

[@saveusmilkboy]

I did not read the description, so when Reginald started singing, I was shocked by his smooth, clear, light voice! Amazing performance, both of you.

[@Laura_B__]

Oh my goodness...this singing brought tears to my eyes. I love Baroque music, but this is unusually beautiful even for that time period. Mr. Mobley sings like an angel!

[@ianspinetti]

I'm an Opera/ Classical singer and been following your channel for years because of my huge passion for the acoustic guitar. It's so crazy refreshing to see you doing a colab with a fellow singer!! Super refreshing, thank you for all the years of content!

[@carelesswisper2426]

Wow. You say this song got you into Baroque. Well your rendition of this amazing song has now gotten me into Baroque. Immaculate and moving performance.

[@patrickprotzman2407]

Vocal control is off the charts. Magnificent.

[@brainphelps1994]

wonderful lute playing. But sometimes forget how magnificent an instrument the human voice can be!

[@APetula]

I LOVE love love baroque, renaissance and medieval music. They tend to be simple, yet not easy. I also love how everything was a melody in a melody, not "just" accompanying. Thanks for sharing this. Also some fantastic German Lieder got me hooked.

[@jameslouder]

Superb. I wasn't aware of Reginald Mobley's work until now--I certainly won't pass up the chance to hear more.

[@brunosipavicius7867]

Tears from my eyes. Don't know why. I only know I need more videos like that. I love countertenor singing possilities.

[@leonajones4702]

I love the rolls on "drop"! I sang this at my senior recital many years ago, and you gentlemen did a beautiful thing here!

[@Mr.Kennedy-kn1kl]

This has become a daily listen for me. The singer's voice is so calm it soothes my soul.

[@pakon159]

I have already listened to this like hundred times and I only like it more and more.

[@arkadiuszmoleda940]

Dropped writing my collage assignment, just 'for a while' ;] , to relax with this amazing music. Brandon's playing, smooth, expressive and controlled as always, and the vocalist, Mr. Mobley's voice is beyond angelic. Performance from another star.

[@summerlaverdure]

you mean drrrrropped, drrrropped 🤣

[@J.A.Seyforth]

Henry knew what he was talking about: a darkened candle lit room, high fidelity instrument (or if not available, amplifier and speakers), peace and absolute joyful music (for a while) equals healing time, cares beguiled...

[@artysanmobile]

I’ve always felt that Purcell was in a time different from his own. Very modern ideas with the sound of the early renaissance, not like his contemporaries at all. That was an exquisite duo performance. Just goosebumps beautiful.

[@megleschack9049]

This is the best-sounding counter-tenor voice I’ve ever heard. Full, rich, unforced, natural.

[@jeniskindof]

I was pleased when you started playing I awestruck when that guy started singing

[@merri-toddwebster2473]

Theorbo, countertenor, Purcell. My afternoon just got appreciably better.

[@merri-toddwebster2473]

Listened to this again a year later and swooned a little 💚

[@bahoonies]

Oh that was hauntingly beautiful. Two masters performing the work of a master. Gentlemen you've got to collaborate again.

[@MousesInHouses]

It’s not just the beautiful voice and excellent technique, it’s the attention to detail, to phrasing, and connection to the text. And to hear this with theorbo was a real treat. Thank you.

[@SiKedek]

Mobley's interpretation develops quite organically - and he lets the text "breathe" with his tasteful treatment and ornamentation. His clear enunciation also breathes life into the brief text - which I think is important for a full appreciation of musical allegory.

[@StandhartengerTV]

The most beautiful counter tenor voice I ever heard. Absolutely wonderful gorgeous sound.

[@iksralquyuud]

What a voice! What command! It's a privilege to hear such a performance. And the work on the marvellous theorbo wasn't shabby, either. Thank you!

[@OMGnotThatGuy]

That’s an neat string instrument, but the gentleman singing had the most interesting instrument in this video. What a voice! 🤩

[@NoHomerS]

I've never seen a black countertenor before. It's also uncommon for a person of color to perform early music. I'm so happy to see both.

[@kaid2025]

If you are looking for more, I would check out John Holiday.

[@veronikaortega420]

What a beautiful, sensitive, intelligent voice. Extraordinary

[@smurf902]

Reginald, the ONLY countertenor I have NOT ONE thing that I dislike about! And the ornamentation was so unique.

[@ichi_san]

THIS SONG IS THE KINDA BAROQUE MUSIC IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THANK YOU

[@amphionification]

I'm normally not into countertenor. I make a huge exception here. This gives me chills. Wonderful!

[@dirtyharry0191]

Happy birthday to the incredible Reginald Mobley here.

[@keithlol]

This man’s voice is angelic.

[@domeatown]

Goddamn, y'all sold me most with those snakes dropping. I was somehow both moved and chuckling. My cares were indeed beguiled.

[@LeandroBaca]

Can't stop listening to this. I discover something new with each listen.

[@nickotasla3091]

This guy has trained his voice from low to high. Wow 👍👍👍

[@lyrad24]

This is actually my first time even knowing about the "countertenor" range. Thanks for introducing this song to us too. Every time I see classical music instruments I just think of the complications when keeping them intonated with all the difference in probably scale lengths and string tension.

[@Hyvelez]

My ears hath not been comforted like as this before

[@kaedatiger]

goddamn is that impressive vocal skill, really showcases how well the theorbo complements the human voice

[@martindoesmusic]

Thank you for guiding me to this rendition! Wonderful to hear it on a theorbo rather than a harpsichord. I am a Director of Music currently, delivering the British curriculum and Music For A While is part of the current Edexcel GCSE specification. I love teaching this piece and seeing the mindset of the students change as they learn about the context of the piece and how it fits into the story of Oedipus. Reginald's afflection during some of the key moments of word painting are excellent.

[@pedrobernardez]

Lovely, what an amazing performance; the singer's voice was so pure and understandable that it was marvelous, and perfectly complemented by the theorbo playing.

[@tintinaus]

I sang Aeneis in Purcell's Dido & Aeneis. The moment Reginald began to sing I recognised this as a Purcell piece.

[@jordillach3222]

The music ended a minute ago and I still have goosebumps.

[@djionmustard5921]

YOU got me into Baroque music. The song was your Lucidissima Face from Callisto, still my favourite to this day

[@cesarpizarro552]

I love this song for decades, but this version makes me fell in love with this song again. You both made a beautiful job. Love from Brazil :)

[@marcelouz1]

What a great composer was Henry Purcell, his music is so beautiful, specially the chorals and arias of his operas. Yes, this composer is the transition between the early baroque music and and the latest renaissance period. SO GREAT.

[@oregontenor1237]

Having heard first hand from friends and instructors who have sung near Reggie, I would love to just share a room. Countertenor is the dream and no one teaches it anywhere near me.

[@oregontenor1237]

@BrandonAckerofficial Like for reals? Name the means and I’d be delighted to.

[@mavisemberson8737]

We learned this in our senior choir in the 1950's London Grammar School. Since I listen to music of Purcell Byrd and Tomkins. for preference

[@CU.SpaceCowboy]

this guys voice is incredible

[@smitchered]

If you got this in your recommend, you are a legend

[@jboero7854]

I remember listening to this piece and being blown away by the composing and melodic voicing! This is the same piece that got me into Baroque music! Beautiful performance, amazing countertenor work!

[@TunedNoise]

The best countertenor I've heard in ages. Looove the word painting on "drop, drop": the rolled rs sound like snakes! Genius.

[@orlando1a1]

A commanding performance from Brandon Acker and Reginald Mobley, that beguiles with its apparent simplicity that conceals a mastery that astonishes with its virtuosity, along with its ability to send you off into a reverie of forgetfulness and sheer pleasure.

[@trabaja1550]

when i clicked on the video i was like "this will probably be good". i was right! this was amazing!!!

[@libbyworkman3459]

There is an episode in one of the Midsummer murders stories that features a countertenor. The music was glorious.

[@Zola790]

Up until now, I didn't know what a countertenor was, but this performance was mesmerising. I can't stop listening.

[@thesugarwitch_co]

This is perhaps now my favorite performance of a Purcell piece to date!

[@ForestGirlTeresa]

Phenomenal countertenor. Love his phrasing and pacing. Paired with Brandon’s playing this is a lovely combination.

[@ChrisSunHwa]

This combination of angelic voice and enchanting theorbo would make such a wonderfully soothing lullaby album. 💙💙💙

[@brandonacker]

Thanks! We have a cd coming out in August on Alpha Classics 😊

[@ChrisSunHwa]

@@brandonacker Oh, fantastic! 😍😍😍

[@francisplastuc7898]

As I sit here, immersed in this beautiful music and allowing my mind to drift in pure tranquility, I can't help but wonder why this video has 390 dislikes.

[@VivaLaVittoria]

So awesome to see/hear this collaboration. Mobley is my favorite countertenor and his interpretation of Baroque works has always blown me away.

[@sarahd2607]

Reginald has such an beautiful and effortless voice. This is one of my mother’s favourite pieces and she has sung it many times as a soprano. She now lives in a nursing home and I know she’ll love this when I play it for her.

[@cozyafternoon7826]

One of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.

[@silverstrings2760]

John Dowland would be balling his eyes out to see you two perform such a phenomenal piece. Thanks for the wonderful music : )