The Maria Bb4 Battle from West Side Story

[@lkschultz5064]

Honestly, for me, what it comes down to is ACTING and singing. Because all of them can hit it and it's impressive but it's supposed to have this huge build up to the note and then Tony (the character) just can't hold his excitement in anymore. So add that to vocal chops and I believed Jeremy Jordan. HANDS DOWN.

[@lkschultz5064]

OH and he wasn't included but have y'all seen/heard Corey Cott sing this song? He's tied with Jeremy FOR SURE.

[@ShinobiVocals]

I completely agree with. It’s more than singing. Much much more! I’m stuck between Julian Ovenden and Jeremy Jordan. Jeremy brings that raw passion, Excitement and proper build up of tension. But Julian bring almost a level of humbleness with good technical skill which kind of tones down the excitement to a degree. I’m definitely seeing a trend in the comments it’s somewhere between Julian Ovenden and Jeremy Jordan that people like. I’m kind of curious what other people like about Julian Ovenden.

[@JackGiblenSinger]

Shinobi Vocals Jeremy’s seems more excitement, Julian’s seems more of a disbelief. It’s comparing ‘wow, she’s amazing!’ to ‘wow, I can’t believe I’ve found her’ both work amazingly.

[@ShinobiVocals]

Gibbo Jack wow! I really like how you put that into words. Well put, it didn’t strike me to think in terms of disbelief for Ovenden!🙂

[@dominicc7104]

@@lkschultz5064 not even close

[@jonsantosatlanta]

Jeremy Jordan sounds like he is in love with a girl named Maria.

[@Anjuli50]

For me it was Jeremy Jordan and Matt Cavanaugh, with their vulnerability and ecstasy. Tony is not an opera singer, he is newly idealistic, hopeful youth in the throes of a first passion, and both these guys exude that quality. It's not about technique or hitting the notes - it's about being desperately, ecstaticly, joyously in love.

[@GerardoTonella]

UGH freaking Jeremy Jordan easing into that note like freaking melting butter 🤤

[@MelissaNgai]

If we threw Aaron Tveit into the mix, I'd say he's tied with Jeremy Jordan because they hit the note beautifully and act with such passion. They make the song feel alive and full of sudden love.

[@azvascos7542]

Aaron Tveit in his tuxedo with the orchestra was an exceptionally amazing version!

[@caroline7420]

Aaron tveit is my favorite of all time but JerJor is definitely right there as well😭

[@NickyMay16]

Tveit is the best vocally and you can feel his pure joy. Too many of these men are lost in the vocal gymnastics.

[@2010-f-r4w]

In this video definitely Jeremy Jordan 🤩❤. But my all time favorite Maria is Aaron Tveit. I😭every time I listen to Aaron's version, but JJ comes in a hard 2nd!!

[@robertr798]

Jeremy Jordan for sure. The notes sound effortless and powerful, yet with a vulnerability that’s really touching.

[@ianluk6385]

For the most part, hitting the note is not the issue here, since all of them did it. However, who acted it the best and made choices most fitting for the character? Jeremy Jordan, hands down. I love some of the singers here (loads of respect for Placido Domingo), but it's barely even a contest. There's a reason why his clip was shown twice.

[@imawizard5545]

The fact that the creator put Jeremy first SHOWS who did it best. PERIODTTTTT. lmao.

[@SAVETHEKIDS-bn5zo]

Stunning voice hands down Julian Ovenden MAGNIFICENT!!! Wow what a performance effortless smooth classy......

[@karlmckinney3730]

Jeremy Jordan, without a doubt. Many great singers. But many scenes seem to be about the performer, not Maria. "Tony" is in love and can't contain himself. The mere sound of her name (Maria) must be expressed or he may explode. Jeremy Wins!

[@dukedoll1]

Jeremy all the way vocally/theatrically its as close to perfect as you can get!!! I love Ben Platt but his vibrato doesn’t fit the song as well (in the cover it’s present throughout the whole song).

[@dave00004483]

What was the girl's name again? I forget. Lol

[@ShinobiVocals]

dave00004483 Lol, I forget too! I think it was Sarah!😂

[@oliverdelica2289]

Ohhh I see what you did there!

[@kurtjerichodelacruz2370]

Samantha?

[@Sebastianlawl]

i think it was chino?

[@michaellampson7085]

All these people singing about a Sophia

[@luvroflifepray4890]

Julian Ovenden 's "Maira" was the sexiest version...class act. The 2015 version of BBC PROM a must see

[@olly-kai]

Aaron Tveit, 2017 New Years Eve at Lincoln Center. Freakin' amazing! Gorgeous!

[@Boom23648]

Its a toss-up between Jeremy Jordan and Colton Ryan for me! But they're all fantastic.

[@tomg1776]

Jordan . . .who seemed to be performing it as the character Tony . . in his delight of finding the girl of his dreams . ..he sang it with a constant smile . . Shame to think that performance may have been lost forever without that audience member filning it . . . Never understand how superstardom has eluded him . . .selling out arenas around the world

[@marspowr]

he was performing it as the character… the clip is literally taken from the Hollywood Bowl production of WSS

[@josephhartzler1588]

Ben Bliss! Pure voice. Piano accompaniment only. Small audience. Great setting. Clean, simple, delightful, and moving.

[@isaiahbaston]

GUYS what about Colton? He’s amazing too!

[@wotan10950]

Colton is amazing, for sure. But I think of him more as an actor who can also sing.

[@janettefrancis7445]

I think Julian ovenden at the proms he got standing ovations that night and quite a few Bravo's which he well deserved I love him very much and his voice melts my heart when he sings maria

[@paulmd2208]

Julian Ovenden, hands down. His rendition is easy and natural. Plus that climactic high note just pops - so many of the other singers take a long breath before it - he doesn't act afraid of that note. And, as others have commented his breath control is amazing!

[@zuhalyilmaz6624]

Julian Ovenden is extraordinary

[@angelaclayton623]

I don’t know how you dare NOT show Johnny Mathis singing this beautiful song! He owns it IMHO!

[@scrivener6450]

As I recall (from about 60 years ago), he didn't include the high note.

[@MrButch-ls8vl]

Oh! Almost every one was magnificent! I think I am leaning towards JULIAN OVENDEN ... though. His rendition was gorgeous without being schmaltzy. His timing and breath control was perfection.

[@hollijones-white506]

I would add Aaron Tveit's Maria performance with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra NYE concert, 2017, a well as John Barrowman's Maria performance on a BBC series on The Sound of Musicals in 2005(?). Both are on KZbin. Hands down though Julian Ovendon's BBC Proms performance is extraordinary because of his vocal range and emotion, especially holding that last soft note with such control! Amazing.

[@observeranimationstudios1040]

0:45 this moment really helps and inspires me to believe that I can improve and that voice breaks are just a part of the process as we learn to belt and get used to higher notes. Josh Groban, an incredibly talented singer is wavering and slightly breaking on the note, so knowing we’re not alone in what happens during singing is inspiring. From the looks of it, it looks like his tongue moved ever so slightly cutting off his sound for a brief moment

[@arunsampanthavivat5993]

Jeremy Jordan, simply the best!

[@thebacon8or99]

Josh grobans voice crack tho

[@devinmceachern6619]

To be fair, he is a Baritone so he would be at a disadvantage.

[@TeddyLeitner]

Devin McEachern well so is Ben Platt but he still got it

[@felixstaas6668]

@@TeddyLeitner I think it's safe to say that Ben Platt is very much a tenor xx

[@michaellampson7085]

@@felixstaas6668 Actually I don’t believe he is, yes he can hit tenor notes but that doesn’t classify voice alone. But I’d also like to say voice classification is stupid but with that said his tessitura and low range fit more in line with a lyric baritone. Now if we’re breaking away from the dumb pre-set classifications he’d fall into “baritenor” which is a very sought after voice. A lot of modern Broadway is actually for this voice type even though it’s not official. It takes into account the typical parts of baritone with the upper range of tenors. Hope this helps :)

[@estebanquinones5918]

@@michaellampson7085 all of the roles he's performed in have called for tenor singers yes he has very nice lows for a tenor but there are few tenors who can sing low notes with ease and I've only met a few who actually can hit those low notes. I'm studying music as a singer and I am called a "leggiero tenor" I have the ability to hit pretty low notes that most tenors have a hard time singing and I have a "baritone" quality to my voice but the reality is whether anyone says I "sound" like a baritone I am not I am a tenor and will always be a tenor the way that Ben platt hits the high notes with ease unlike a true baritone who you can tell is trying real hard to hit the notes is real easy to tell and the "baritenor" is a very complicated vocal term as technically speaking it doesn't truly exist why? I don't know beats me but the reality is on opera where it consist of specific type of voice qualities (Ex: Lyric Tenor, Dramatic Tenor, Heldentenor, Leggiero tenor, Etc.) On broadway for males there are only three: Bass, Baritone, and Tenor.

[@ezwriter101]

Colton. Sing, act and he’s the right age for the stage

[@katef6154]

For that note alone it has to be Carreras and with Bernstein conducting as well

[@indiamoye2204]

I saw the new WSS on Broadway before covid hit and Isaac Powell's rendition had me in actual tears it was so damn beautiful. This is coming from someone who is not a cryer, especially in public, but Isaac broke me.

[@santim6413]

I'm so sad it's not coming back to broadway! I especially wanted to hear their versions of Maria, Tonight, and A Boy Like That/I Have a Love. How were the other two?

[@ethantampus6021]

@@santim6413 I was lucky enough to see it. Isaac sang and acted everything perfectly. The cast was filled with many broadway debuts and Isaac being one of the ones with a credit under his belt, he was the best in the show by far. Tonight was astounding. Shereen Pimentel does a supreme job of singing and acting Maria. there was a point in tonight where Isaac ran around the huge broadway theatre stage in circles like 8 times in a row while singing and it was effortless and beautiful. A Boy like that was unfortunately cut though :( but it made sense for what Van Hove was going for

[@silentsmurf]

Ty for saving the best two for last 🙏 I really want to hear Isaac Powell’s version. His Something’s Coming is superb

[@hori166]

There's also John Barrowman's rendition with a more restrained long note sequence that doesn't blast you out of your seat. He ends it with that high note, but wistfully. He sings in a polo shirt and jeans. The "operatic" interpretations are nice, but don't make you think about a guy who works as a stockboy in a neighborhood grocery store.

[@kirstenurielle]

tbh, if you ask jeremy jordan to sing any tenor's emotional theatre song, then he'd always win

[@JK_kline]

Agree. And to be damn when giving woman song for him to sing often it come out better than woman sing herself and got more views count.

[@toddlanetoddlane]

Jeremy Jordan: most effortless Julian Ovenden: most exciting

[@ChucksCherubs3]

Interesting, I was just going to comment how Julian Ovenden hit those notes effortlessly, while Jeremy Jordan struggled a bit, but had more emotion.

[@dominicc7104]

I have to remind myself when I read comments like these that people have different opinions

[@ambercordice8734]

Louis Maskell also does this beautiful, his range and voice is so versatile

[@felicitydunk1237]

Jeremy Jordan for me I love Josh Groban version too, First time I have seen his flawless voice crack

[@mattbrown2190]

I love Colton’s take on this

[@teddysmom765]

Julian Ovenden - so beautiful

[@gugyjar]

Firstly this "contest" should be split between Classically trained Opera singers and Musical theatre stars... In my opinion. For me, it's not just hitting the perfect tone and pitch but since it IS from Musical theatre, the song delivery, emotional expression and feel of character the singer-actor portrays through voice and gestures... And as such Colton Ryan wins big time!! Check out his full video to understand my point...

[@elijahhenderson3505]

Jeremy Jordan is the only one singing on top of the pitch.

[@TylerActs86]

Jeremy Jordan because he's not singing the song, he's feeling the song. The worst....Ben platt.

[@JackGiblenSinger]

Julian. Damn.

[@ShinobiVocals]

My thoughts exactly!

[@raquel4075]

Jeremy hands down

[@HannahSmith-kr5jh]

My favorite (though not featured here) is hands down Max Von Essen, the song sounds like it was made for his voice. His power, falsetto range, and breath control in the song are so incredible

[@angelatigger9506]

Surprised none of y’all mentioned Ben platt...

[@ThatllShowEm]

For hitting the right emotional notes, Ben Platt is one of my top picks. (But admittedly, I'm not a fan of his vibrato here). I was expecting to favor Jeremy Jordan, but Colton Ryan surprised me too.

[@alotlover]

1 jeremy, it's wonderfull and I also really like how maaaaaaaria becomes one whole name again. 2 Isaac, sounds great and exudes charm and joy 3 andrea, park, chad, gregory and ben bliss make me want to re-listen the whole group.

[@_cruiser711_4]

Jeremy Jordan wins by far

[@todorokis_trauma_kettle]

So we all agree on Jeremy Jordan?

[@Diapontios]

Jeremy Jordan hands down

[@TheJuanparock]

Ben platt, jeremy jordan and clonton ryan my favorites

[@ParisDeNicha]

Colm Wilkinson. Matt Cavenaugh. Julian Ovenden.

[@stevendresen2443]

Chad Higgins, Ben Bliss, Jeremy Jordan

[@asumkitty7648]

I saw ryan mccartan do this live and it was the best for sure

[@simonbellsinger]

Jeremy Jordan.

[@TO-jz6ti]

Jeremy Jorden owns those notes, but my favorite all time is Jamie Muscato's his voice is something else.

[@la-gl4uh]

The best rendition of Maria on KZbin by far is Ronan Busfield on Britian's Got Talent. Hands down, the best rendition you will ever hear.

[@shanaemile5168]

I'm upset Aaron Tveit' is not in this.

[@alikoch4066]

it’s because he obviously is the best so they want us to see who’s in second place ;)

[@dominicc7104]

@@alikoch4066 not even remotely close to Jeremy Jordan

[@adamkaren22]

Probably he's not singing Bb4

[@marspowr]

@@dominicc7104 yeah he’s way better

[@georgieag]

Go and listen to Louis Maskell singing it. Oh my goodness it’s the one

[@Dhdjdskdk]

TEA

[@janetmcguffey1394]

Jeremy Jordan and the singer from the cast album tied...

[@marcgunz]

Jeremy Jordan nailed it, this song is not an opera ballard

[@annacheeseman3481]

Thanks to Georgia Griffiths and Joselito for directing me to the sublime Louis Maskell. I would die for Jeremy Jordan, but Louis has such gorgeous dynamic and control; I'll never stop listening to his performance! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWjUYZuDfZdpkKM

[@joselito7776]

For me, the very best rendition of Maria was sung by Larry Kert, whose singing voice was used in the original version of the movie. Unfortunately, his rendition differred in the climax portion, probably because he couldnt hit the note. So if we're talking about who sang it best as per Bernstein's arrangement, I have only one contender so far: Louis Maskell who is currently playing the lead in The Grinning Man. Cheyne Jackson is also a contender but I had to disqualify him as I couldnt see his whole performance. I also disqualified all the singers who attempt the song in the operatic style because the character Tony in my mind is not supposed to have an operatic voice. The beauty of the song is suppose to emanate from his youth and raw power. I had high hopes for Groban but he couldnt hit the note either. I wonder if Jason Gould in his prime could have pulled it off.

[@clarebearclare99]

When it comes to hitting to hitting that high note, no one can compete with Louis Maskell

[@maryloohoo8526]

I was literally just thinking "Wow the best one isn't even in this video where on earth is Louis Maskell's rendition???"

[@2Be-ReBorn]

Larry Kert's voice was not used in the original 1961 movie. It was Jimmy Bryant who dubbed Richard Beymer in the film.

[@joselito7776]

@@2Be-ReBorn thank you for pointing that out. I have the 1st edition of the soundtrack to the movie and all this time, I thought it was Larry Kert singing. Turns out Kert sung Tony in the original broadway production while Bryant sung in the movie. Bryant apparently did not get any screen credits. He is still alive. Kert died in 1991.

[@marspowr]

Wow, never thought of Ben Platt as Tony but I would not be mad at it. Also, you missed Aaron Tveit, who is better than everyone in this video, including Jeremy.

[@ernestromano1967]

Aaron Tveit is by far better than all of them. Smooth, clear and with emotion. Born to sing this and others. Magnificence!

[@danielbarrera8433]

For me Jeremy Jordan

[@jedidog3615]

For traditional Broadway singing: Matt Cavanaugh. Jeremy Jordan starts a smidge flat, and barely fixes it until it's time to get off the note. For the opera singers: I go with Jose Carreras, then Domingo.

[@annak9096]

Jeremy Jordan was overpowered by his accompaniment and he still won hands down

[@mattkugler8068]

Awesome side-by-side! Park Wan, Jose Carreras, and Ben Bliss in my book. I’m skewing operatic lol. Matt Cavenaugh is also brilliant.

[@lucasascari]

Jeremy Jordan and Ben Platt were my favorites ones

[@bowser_bucks2594]

Is this head voice or chest? Very impressive stuff

[@zs1968]

Where is Jerry Hadley?

[@bobgarrett3367]

Jeremy Jordan

[@barbarasmith2369]

Josh Strobl???

[@mirdus0001]

I think this guywho passed away recently was spanning across CZ borders. Unfortunatelly regime here kept him a bit hidden :( Check on his vocally best times. Bb4 from West Side Story - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXi2ZaiQm76gb6s

[@MasonSmith-g9s]

Julian Ovenden wins NO QUESTION! Close second being Jeremy Jordan! Both with such control and support, yet such power and freedom. Very vocally taxing song to sing, and very rewarding if you sing it right!

[@aidenhansen457]

Where’s Andrew Tveit????

[@joeymaiello4867]

Julian Ovenden did the best and unpopular opinion but listen to the rest of Ben Platts version and you’ll see how bad it is. He clearly only focused on the high note knowing people would enjoy how well he did it. People ask me if I like Ben Platt, I say “Yeah he can hit high notes.....” Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar can be ruined the same way if people only focus on the high note

[@zuhalyilmaz6624]

Totally agree

[@cooperhoffman4421]

As much as I love Ben Platt’s voice, it doesn’t quite fit what Tony should be

[@caseynicolecalderon7819]

I like Ben but I agree. Sometimes he definitely focuses too much on sounding pretty than the subtext of a song and it’s a shame because he’s really talented.

[@alexmorris5200]

Jeremy Jordan 100% but Ryan McCartan is a very close second imo defo look at his performance

[@victoriapang2424]

Jose Carreras!

[@maximilianbjorklund6544]

Jose Carreras. No discussion.

[@brianobrien7983]

It's not really a fair matchup. Only Colton Ryan was singing in performance of West Side Story. Although his vocals weren't perfect, his passion was real. 8 performances a week of West Side Story has to be absolutely a killer. Did Jeremy Jordan ever do the full show?

[@dominicc7104]

I don’t get how people like Julian ovendens incredibly typical Oprah sound

[@brendanwienand9836]

With out a doubt, Placido Domingo! Carreras a close second.

[@alexandregalhardo9998]

Jeremy Jordan and Ben Bliss

[@jailynsuarez5454]

y’all have never heard austin colby singing this and it shows

[@grayskull617]

John Barrowman should be in this

[@LoveDemHokies]

There is no contest. Jeremy wins.

[@bobgarrett3367]

and Julian Ovenden

[@jaketottle1581]

Honestly I thought Jeremy Jordan went a little too pop ish with his tone and I prefer some of the more classical sounding voices. He is great at more modern contemporary music I just didn’t like this as much. It sounded good and healthy it just wasn’t my personal preference. I really like Matt’s I think he sounds the most balanced of emotion and good singing

[@ej_buendia]

Colton Ryan!!

[@wotan10950]

Well, Bernstein wrote this music for an operatic voice, and when he made his infamous recording, he demanded opera singers. Unfortunately, Carreras has a vibrato you can drive a bus through. Domingo is Domingo, he always hits the notes, even if they don’t mean a thing. Kunde has been an artist for decades, but unfortunately all those years show in his voice. Ben Bliss is fantastic, making easy work of it. My favorites? Bliss, Jeremy Jordan, Julian Ovenden, Colton Ryan (even if his voice isn’t quite polished yet). Groban and Bocelli are dreadful, despite their undeserved fame.

[@ketepunzelmank4701]

Josh Grobin should've went for the Osaia lol

[@EG-wv3jp]

Cavenaughs the most idiomatic and correct. Look for Rob Houchen's version. Gorgeous!

[@laurap1412]

Matt Cavenaugh, Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo

[@jeremiad1962]

Larry Kert.

[@댕이-s4p]

👍👍

[@alexanderzamora5930]

Josh is not Bb4, I am sure. His is transposed. In fact, many of them are transposed.

[@rickardroach9075]

Nope, all Bb. Some just better than others.

[@scottking6082]

None of the opera singers...sorry, it's supposed to be a boy singing. Jeremy Jordan did the best. But I actually liked Ansel EIgort's version.

[@tomman2972]

Poor Josh groban

[@flaviosouza4040]

José Carreras is at a much higher level. And led by the composer himself Leonard Bernstein. The rest of the singers were invariably singing out of time for the score.

[@eunoiakos2912]

Ben Platt does it the best I believe. Jeremy Jordan did it great as well!