VOCES8: The Cold Song (What Power Art Thou) from 'A Purcell Collection'

Bass, Dingle Yandell from the vocal ensemble VOCES8 records Purcell's 'Cold Song' from 'King Arthur' with the period ensemble, Les Inventions. The track is taken from the CD 'A Purcell Collection' released on Signum Classics

[@kurtmeisenbach1233]

Not only are the bows reversed, but they are playing very close to the bridge. This technique, called ponticello, produces an icy sound which is reminiscent of fingernails on a slate chalkboard. Vivaldi used the same effect in the opening movements of the Winter suite from The Seasons. Purcell and Vivaldi were ahead of their time - exceptionally impressionistic in their use of colors and special effects.

[@stanelli]

Thanks for the info, I wondered why they held their bows differently. Quite effective.

[@carolinefiorentini3233]

I love this effect. Works perfectly for this piece

[@katespalding2134]

Thank you for this explanation

[@fg87fgd]

Sol ponticello plus consistent down bow (like the double bass in 3:45), I guess to create a more constant impression of "harshness" of the cold. What a great performance this is...

[@frkalleidoscope4915]

Thx for the explanations

[@frkalleidoscope4915]

I'm amazed how this 1690's compo is nowaday revisited by many talented artists to turn it on an eternal Ultra Masterpiece again. Thank You. I do love this one. All I like is in it.

[@r.h.7486]

Goosebumps feelings.. I love that voice. It makes me freeze, not because of the cold.🖤

[@ohmy5650]

Stunning version in every aspect. Expectedly with the Voces8 signature.

[@SmartStart24]

Wow. Perfect version. Haunting and somber. People try so hard to nail the tempo they forget the emotion and story. This nailed both.

[@kaybrown4010]

Chill inducing. Purcell is amazing!

[@sophiece]

Wow wow wow...Probably the most beautiful version of this aria that I have ever heard and God knows I listened hundreds of them!

[@kirixlebedev9556]

I agree.fantastic orchestra , beautiful voise and very deep comprehension of this music.

[@PMS1950]

Clearly not enough.

[@lindapoulson2130]

Have you seen the Orlinski clip? Amazing. This is good though.

[@pjacobson8189]

Klaus Nomi' s version is well worth a watch. This one is intriguing, restrained, elegant and powerful. Well done indeed!

[@rosedewittbukater4203]

@@lindapoulson2130 David Greco.

[@freddiemercuryxx]

I NEED MORE DINGLE YANDELL IN MY LIFE. Look forward to hearing more of you!

[@daimonrasmussen2928]

Fantastic rendition... I'm freezing right now :)

[@rerenaissance7487]

Oh no, a bloody kid doing it... Oh my. Well sung. No, superbly sung. And oh, the staging. Absolutely stunning.

[@catherinecurvale4726]

Envoûtée par l'intensité dramatique de cette magnifique interprétation... orchestre et chant. La voix remarquable et l'art sensible de Dingle Yandle expriment des émotions qui vont droit au cœur. Merci !

[@lagunagreg4019]

Wow! What a great idea for this piece! Especially having a bass baritone singing it!

[@ftumschk]

It was written for bass-baritone in Purcell's original "King Arthur". There's a fun concert performance by Christopher Purves here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIbSY3irmdx1gLc

[@jugart1719]

What power art thou Who from below Hast made me rise Unwillingly and slow From beds of everlasting snow See'st thou not how stiff And wondrous old Far unfit to bear the bitter cold I can scarcely move Or draw my breath I can scarcely move Or draw my breath Let me, let me, Let me freeze again Let me, let me Freeze again to death Let me, let me, let me Freeze again to death...

[@stevenmcbride5821]

Beautiful

[@Sarah-oj7bh]

Wow. Henry Purcell would be very happy with this

[@missmaryh6932]

Brilliant and beautiful, genius ... . Thank you x

[@Jay-vs4fi]

Wow, you can really hear the scratching of the bows. Great metallic sounds.

[@dion1949]

Everybody has their own way with Baroque music, and it always works.

[@felipedelmar3553]

this is amaziing!!!! thank you very much!

[@rocketsroar1]

If you had to pick just one piece to illustrate what a towering genius Purcell was, this piece would serve perfectly.

[@davidalbro2009]

When I Am Laid?

[@traviswinterreis939]

Fantastic recording. So glad I discovered this.

[@ivanhoegalahad]

Unbelievable great! Just a little, little bit faster i would love to hear it again, if i had the chance. But it impressed me totally. 👍👏💕

[@fuzziemusic]

Just press the Play speed ×1.25 button ;)

[@cities930]

@@fuzziemusic 😂

[@geiger]

Irony, he's wearing shorts........

[@raphaelb8671]

le climat anglais endurci et rend insensible au froid. Pour avoir pratiqué la voile dans la manche, je peux vous 'affirmer. Blague à part, ce chanteur a une très belle voix, de l'aigu au grave et une très belle technique vocale. Excellent.

[@2001mimil]

J'aime sa voix aussi.. .qui est-ce?

[@jesearle1401]

🤣😂

[@thallesnogueira1022]

Lol. He's not the only on Jakub did the same too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3eXiousa798q6c

[@PMS1950]

It's winter probably and he's British!

[@billneo]

This rendition definitely lets you feel the cold. From the very beginning the instruments sound like ice cracking on a lake. I don't have the same visceral feelings when i listen to the Klaus Nomi rendition i found elsewhere on KZbin. The only fault i find here, if it is really a fault, is that i had to look up the lyrics to understand what he's saying.

[@tjkrijgsman]

I love this

[@Brivixxycej8]

This soundscape just makes you want hot chocolate.

[@BedboundME]

To me the voice was not loud enough in balance with the strings. Bass purves live does my favourite performance. Would be interested to here more of the bass though.

[@AleAnselmi]

Amazing!!!!

[@juniorfranca5499]

Maravilhoso!!

[@hanshorst6641]

the best interpretation of the arie on KZbin

[@dystopian2153]

A great version us from Nanette Scriba. Really unique.

[@user-gf5cc6eh1i]

Wow ❤ he's amaizing

[@ulee594]

wow!

[@Margaret2332]

- King Arthur, Act 3: What Power Art Thou - The Monteverdi - Lyrics - - What power art thou - Who from below - Hast made me rise - Unwillingly and slow - From beds of everlasting snow - See'st thou not how stiff - And wondrous old - Far unfit to bear the bitter cold - I can scarcely move - Or draw my breath - I can scarcely move - Or draw my breath - Let me, let me, - Let me freeze again - Let me, let me - Freeze again to death - Let me, let me, let me - Freeze again to death...

[@Kommentar_Roboter]

Smashing, friends! ❤I would like to see this as trailer music for the next God of War part.

[@jampoles]

This is what I did when I got my first violin and had never seen before how it was supposed be played.

[@kaloarepo288]

The first time the Leonardo di Caprio character gets high on quaaludes in the movie "The Wolf of Wall Street" you hear this Purcell aria in the background-apparently this drug makes you feel cold and shivery!

[@davidwebb9595]

I heard 30 seconds of it in the Netflix Churchill movie with John Lithgow. Episode 9 ...3 minutes and 40 some in...

[@gillesmathivet4288]

Another quite interesting interpretation. The original voice was a bass, as here: not a countertenor like the "Pop" version popularised with great talent by Klaus Nomi. Notice how they hold their baroque bows the wrong end up: it creates that icy, nearly unbearable atmosphere drawn from the ice-age. I love it but this should not be imitated by the rank-and-file ordinary ensemble.

[@laurence.MusicAndSights]

Excellente analyse d'un grand musicien je pense, j'ai commencé par Klaus Nomi, entendu toutes les tessitures vocales, des prodiges mais là c'est grandiose

[@blueraj3]

💜

[@gerryj1946]

I have heard various pieces from King Arthur, and this is one of my most favorite INSTRUMENTAL performances but one of my most dissatisfying vocal experiences. Given Mr. Yandell's great talent and skills. I just want to hear his voice sustain ANY vocal line. I DO like the sound of the accompanying instruments creating SO much tension by the 'stuttered' chords, but I can't hear his voice over them, nor can I understand the text, Please excuse my ignorance of this aria in the context of the larger work. I assume Purcell wrote it this way for a dramatic reason. Can someone refer me to a study or explanation as to why this aria was written to sound like a man choking on his anger, or unable to get out all his feelings except in almost stuttered syllables?

[@samskid8913]

I am certainly no expert, but isn't the vocal style supposed to evoke the bone-shaking shivering of a man coming out of a deep freeze? As for the lyrics,-they are very simple and just sketch briefly the character's wonder at being revived, his icy cold, and, finally, his wish to be re-frozen.

[@balbulus840]

In this semi-opera Arthur's magician Merlin, and King Oswald's magician, Osmond are taking turns who of them can do greater magic. And this is one of Osmond's magic: he brings back a dead genius from the land of dead people - that's why the genius cannot utter a word properly - he is frost. Later Osmond rises a whole frost village.

[@FictionWriter95]

I'm mostly with you here. I think this "shivering" effect (which is actually written into the original score, in the form of a long trill/tremolo line) could be quite effective in the context of a performance of the full opera, but it mostly comes off as odd outside of that context. When I learned this aria in my collegiate voice studies, I decided to just sustain through the long lines, after consulting with a few people (including one of the other voice teachers, who is quite knowledgeable about historical operatic practices).

[@rkurbatov]

@@FictionWriter95 and tempo here is just right. Usually it is performed way too fast (just after Nomi's performance with his falsetto) and it doesn't create the required effect. Now this performance is my ideal one.

[@WigbertTraxler]

Crazy stuff!

[@holyshitdude2283]

How could you do this to Klaus Nomi, you shorts wearer ?!!

[@henriquessilveira]

I image the level of rehearsal to get this result at the strings...

[@DJKLProductions]

This technique is called "sul ponticello". That means to bow the strings near the bridge. This creates this overtone-rich sound.

[@GermanGreetings]

Purcell got me...

[@sexypoo8922]

jesus that was powerful. I felt he could have held some of the phrases longer tho.

[@clarkkent744]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@dion1949]

I see where Michael Nyman gets his inspiration.

[@PMS1950]

Good attempt with an effective dramatic sense, but I think his voice/timbre is a too light for this piece. The tone needs to be dark, ominous and sinister and audible from the depths as he climbs up the scale. I have a recording of Hervey Alan from the 1950s, which to my taste is perfect. The great Italian bass Ugo Trama would have made a perfect Genius.

[@akapushkin]

No wonder he freezes in those shorts

[@Punnery]

Cool! Er--I mean, "wow!"

[@irjakutsar7998]

best

[@Longtack55]

Voice lost a little in the orchestral volume, and enunciation was dulled occasionally. I enjoyed the slower tempo and passionate voice. Thank you all.

[@221Dw]

Good but his diction could be a bit easier to understand

[@etiennerolley9781]

topissime !

[@phhugot1]

cool short

[@baward]

Great knees.

[@babyloniansailor9102]

B R A V O !

[@frogmouth]

Can't hear the words.

[@thierryniord6661]

L'éloge de la lenteur.

[@user-jb5dj8gl5i]

Klaus nomi rip x

[@hans-peterbaumer348]

Klaus Nomi is the best for this Song

[@katbullar]

Beautiful use of the ponticello.... really icing. The singer... I can barely hear... :-(

[@karldelavigne8134]

If any of the words were intelligible, this might be an interesting performance. But it just comes across as an exercise in slow staccato.

[@Ceenth]

It's perfectly understandable to me. But the thing is that the staggered words is part of the meaning of the song. He is freezing to death, or, well, as far as I know he already did, and that's why his words are so stunted.

[@karldelavigne8134]

@@Ceenth You probably understand the words because this song is well known. But singing it this way does not help the meaning. The song is comical, not tragi-comic, of a Cold Genius reluctantly being summoned from the depths of the cold and wanting to freeze to death again, not a man dying of cold and trying to resist it.

[@user-kc8nr1xx7s]

good bowing

[@arkaisk2]

Good, but I miss the icey crystal tones of a Harpsichord ☺

[@margaretsaine8018]

Let the singer wear long pants if he is cold. :-)

[@cht2162]

Is Purcell's Cold Song an antidote to Global Warming? Discuss among yourselves.

[@ChristianMartinez-mp9fs]

quien es el cantante'? who is the singer?

[@erlacortez]

Christian Martínez El se llama Dingle Yandell. Si te gusta esta cancion de la opera de Purcell, te recomendaria otra versiones que también son bellas entre ellas de la Andreas Scholl y la de Klaus Nomi.

[@ChristianMartinez-mp9fs]

muchas gracias por la respuesta! :) muy amable saludos

[@VerduraBotanicaSoap]

Why are the string bows backward?

[@hskshag00]

Ralph Cordova those are baroque style bows

[@christopherherrmann921]

because through this trick the bows get heavier and the response of the strings is a little faster. Which makes sense if you want to have a closed and focused performance like this. Although it's not the only way to make this sound playable. It has nothing to do with baroque bow oder style.

[@user-ie1do3kj3t]

Non, il y a du travail encore

[@ssbphotography]

Based.

[@margygren6666]

100win300piw

[@margygren6666]

100win300piw PROFI

[@margygren6666]

100win300piw KURWA potega

[@margygren6666]

boSSkie

[@sonyaxel9434]

Nou

[@tprice1735]

Not the best interpretation of the piece.

[@patrick6110]

There are many bad interpretations of the cold song. This one is among them. It sounds like the record is skipping. The voice is not serious.

[@emiliocallies2712]

Completely agree. But the sound is pretty interesting as modern interpretation.

[@kirixlebedev9556]

Skarry and very tragic

[@Jade_holloway]

The strings are trying too hard for dramatic effect I feel, and over-use of dynamics.

[@karlberlin5422]

Sometimes less is more. Indeed he is wearing shorts.

[@slobodangalovic1030]

Nice vocal strength but don't feel he is really freezing! I prefer counter-tenor like J.J.Orlinski.

[@user-bl9zd4cq4e]

a vy slysely David Greco's Cold Song? Orlinsky pochivaet

[@user-hz1qm5km6c]

Wretched interpretation and voice. Sing it in shorts is very strange

[@elsdeff6770]

It is a recording session; there is no audience. In these circumstances, performers wear whatever makes them comfortable.

[@jameshelgeson4668]

It's probably a festival on a very hot night in the south of France in August (judging from the date on the video), under bright stage lights (and perhaps the ethos of the festival is relaxed). It doesn't matter. As many have pointed out, the aria was written for a bass.

[@Bernadoguy1]

Well sung but sorry, nothing goes in this connection about Klaus Nomis interpretation ... but each his own.

[@miguelangelramospalacios8309]

No pasa nada. Klaus Nomi es el mejor

[@alftupper9359]

Sounds dreadful. Looks worse.

[@neilsarfati3334]

You must be kidding, it’s the best interpretation on KZbin!

[@kirixlebedev9556]

This i unic performanse Это уникальное исполнение Kirill Lebedev

[@original4969]

so bad

[@lcomfort8683]

Beautiful