Who sings Vivaldi's Stabat Mater best?

Which performance of the largo from Vivaldi's Stabat Mater do you prefer?
0:00 Jakub Józef Orliński
2:51 Philippe Jaroussky
5:54 Tim Mead
8:57 Marie-Nicole Lemieux
11:59 Andreas Scholl

[@quaver1239]

A pity, making it into a competition. The music profession is surely cruel enough as it is. These wonderful singers are all remarkable in their own way, and for different reasons each one is “best.”

[@CarolYost]

I agree completely!

[@HannaARTzink]

Not a competition but awesome comparison.

[@romainlefranc3760]

Completely agree

[@virginielafrench3921]

@@HannaARTzink you 're right . They did not take place in an exam or whatever as Logan Tanner did when he won the Haendel competition . But the context was different for Logan when he was one of the contestants : .he did not participate as a professional ,it was the contest which made him a professional singer. By the way ,i enjoy Logan very much . Amazing voice and handsome dapper guy he is ! 😍😍

[@blake1946]

My dear fellow, I think you taking those things way too seriously.

[@mrinalinisrivastava6871]

This is like asking what is better apples or pears. Just enjoy the diversity of these wonderful artists. When you reach that degree of perfection the question of who is best misses the point completely.

[@UDG2000]

I prefer pears. 😋😄

[@sonodiventataunalbero5576]

I disagree. It's very useful to train and develop your own taste and understanding of music

[@LynneConnolly]

Andreas Scholl. Pure, crystal, accurate, intelligent.

[@jeanmuermans3870]

Andreas has something special

[@user-gq5ul3wi1s]

Melancholy!

[@alecknathan2357]

Jakub Józef Orliński is near to perfection!

[@hongmintz8692]

Andreas Scholl is the best, his musical phrasing is super, his breathing support is perfect, … he’s one of the few singers i can listen to again and again and never grow tired of …

[@user-br7dj6we4k]

They are all beautiful. Not fair that we need to compare. Each has a very beautiful and unique version of this piece.

[@rinassimiento2896]

🕊️ ENTIÈREMENT d'ACCORD .... IT ISN'T F A I R to COMPARE ... les Voix Lyriques s'ils sont des ATHLÈTES de la voix ....don't have to BE CLASSIFIED and NOTED like Tennismen or Footbalers ‼️‼️🎤 🎺 🎹 🎻 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️ fRaNcInE

[@Kelpiejane3252]

Comparison is the thief of joy

[@mariadelourdesbrescianini5201]

Sim, é uma pena essa comparação 😢😢😢 Todos esses são ESPETACULARES....👏👏👏🎶🎶🎶🤩🤩🤩 Adoro TODOS.....❤❤❤❤❤❤ Maria de Lourdes Brescianini (Curitiba - Paraná) Brasil

[@gigibudjonila1596]

Depending on how

[@EleniOperaNoir]

All of them are amazing, each one for their own beautiful color, interpretation and expression. Stop comparing!

[@jacqueslannoy7994]

So true. Artists can't be compared, only enjoyed.

[@oblatusosb]

All of them have heavenly voices. This will never be a competition!

[@popsandworm]

I just can't get over Andreas Scholl's minimal, extremely tasteful vibrato. So beautiful

[@agelessprajna2955]

Marie-Nicole Lemieux, the depth and beauty of her voice expresses the depth of the pain the Mother feels not only for her son but all humanity

[@klaaskecompas9968]

I agree. When I listen to her interpretation I hear pure emotion. And the orchestra is superb too.

[@odettewesterlinck883]

Oui! Difficile de ne pas pleurer en écoutant Marie Nicole Lemieux L’ expression totale de la douleur.

[@matttherock4053]

By far, far far Andreas Scholl!!

[@ritahorvath8207]

The lightness the elegance the warmth . ♡

[@mirellaczajkowska-turek5819]

Andreas Scholl sings so easily, like the singing would be integrated with his breathing. His is voice is so clear and calm

[@JudithVanDenDool]

This is not a competition. It’s Art! 🌹

[@albertodiosmorales5061]

If I had to choose, he would be Andreas Scholl

[@kated2847]

Scholl hands down for me. Such purity in his voice.

[@marcoperusisavorelli4798]

Personally, Andreas Scholl's voice is the one that makes my strings vibrate the most.

[@fellini6431]

Scholl is the best however Jakup’s interpretation is innovative.

[@luisromero-kn1ik]

What?

[@natalijakobi6501]

First place to Scholl and Jaroussky. Wow!

[@stevietv321]

I didn’t know I loved this music so much! I like Andreas Scholl but all were so amazing!!!

[@PeterPan060]

Andreas Scholl forever... his intonation, the focused warm tone, the way he leans into the phrasing in a sequence.

[@radwild2310]

At this level its a matter of perception and personal taste, not which is better. They all are best.

[@keltaruusutravels4024]

All marvelous but Jaroussky was so clean and delicate in delivery.

[@anaisan009]

Orlinsky, voice and soul

[@Malik_Sylvus]

Philippe Jarousky ❤😢

[@bobjuniel8683]

Competition is a contradiction to appreciation of excellence and performance. Each singer is different in their own way, "Vive la difference." I envy them all.

[@jonlilley9161]

I like them all, but for different reasons. I actually really enjoyed being able to hear different artists all performing the same thing.

[@RicardoPinto___]

Andreas Scholl. He sings with his soul, he completely surrender himself to the music. Scholl sings with faith and hope, with joy and devotion.

[@baroqueandbeyond]

Scholl does have those special qualities that you described so nicely!

[@manbaroque]

I think Our Lady would prefer Andreas Scholl Stabat Mater version.

[@filipoa.vasquez4271]

The most traditional is the Scholl's version, and this is wonderful, Tim has a little bit of bel canto way that also make his performance memorable. But I have to admit that Orlisnky sings simply as an angel, It is no coincidence that he sang with the chamber of the Ospedale della pietá, the Vivaldi house ❤

[@erecvonaue7636]

Andreas Scholl, he absolutely masters all points.🫀❤

[@JeanettLou]

They are all great interpreteurs and singers. Orlinski is the most handsome.😌🥰

[@Ro-qr4gp]

Agree it shouldn't be a matter of who's best. They are all fantastic singers and musicians. It just depends on which voice resonates with you most. I love them all, but Philippe Jarrousky is my favourite.

[@jenyaseles]

Andreas Scholl perfect!

[@iwonakmita9580]

Jakub Józef Orliński

[@aleciabailes6199]

Andreas Scholl has the best voice by far!

[@sekam3825]

They're all so talented, but Orlinski's natural, sincere, humble and yet flawless singing has definitely my preference !

[@Ian-vj5pv]

At this level, you can hardly judge, but you may have preferences.

[@2eleven48]

Well said.

[@rosebrown6128]

All beautiful but Scholl’s voice is more haunting for me.

[@ekaterinashiray7348]

All voices are excellent, thank you! I've discovered to myself Andreal Scholl and Jakub Orlinski, never heard of them before. Came here after Philippe Jarousski videos. My morning is blessed today with these divine voices.

[@thamimbatha]

Philippe is my favourite, but they all interpret the song beautifully in their own way. And for me, this video simply offers a nice opportunity to enjoy the same song from different sound. Love them all😍❤🙌

[@gigi4bach]

Scholl- heard him perform it in person… and was weeping…

[@mcirek]

The much more fair question would be: whom do you like the most?

[@nesrinamin8579]

I agree with others that it's not a competition, they're all great. But to me, Jaroussky's crystal voice is always mesmerising, other-worldly.

[@rayblanche1302]

by me Jakub and Scholl

[@geofflilley7465]

Orlinski has such a clear, clean voice - other-worldly.

[@armandoquaglia3219]

Andreas Scholl

[@nickp.hainzl7807]

Everyone is absolutely fantastic - but for me Jakub Józef Orlińskis voice is unmatched.

[@stevenweikert7062]

There is no such thing as a "best performance", only performances that some people will like better and others won't.

[@gerardwillig6125]

It is indeed no competition but Andreas Scholl is my favourite, always has been, still is after listening to the other singers' performances and I think he always will be. There is something in his voice and his musicality that touches me to the core. I enjoyed very much discovering the other versions too, particularly Orlinsky.

[@mariaesperanza6548]

All of them have stunning voices but Vivaldi himself is responsible of my deepest emotions

[@ardianczuk]

Andreas had set the golden standard for this piece, however Jakub and Philippe do the job with emotions. All lovely and loveable performances..

[@victordbgrn]

I think jaroussky is less lyric and dramatic than orlinski. Orlinski is captivant, probably the best singer of the century

[@lepoing5141]

Pour mon goût, Jaroussky est le meilleur interprète

[@claudiaanderson6210]

Lemieux hands down--rich, full, well-fronted tone and the piece is exactly in her natural vocal range. Love it.

[@Unconcerned_Orange]

Orlinski, no doubt. he sings like an angel and looks like one too.

[@martinbijkerk9998]

Scholl's voice and clear diction fits the best.However, Orlinski has the most natural approach. LemieuX the most mysterious. Jaroussky a suprising uplifting lightness. There is absolutely no best.

[@paoloemilius]

Andreas, immenso, fluido, non tremulo ne verdiano - Il migliore perchè esegue il Vivaldi del suo tempo

[@sebastienh1100]

Question of personal taste - Orlinski, love the voice - and Scholl, otherworldly

[@PhillyFrank1]

Jakub Józef Orliński FTW. The most gorgeous, masculine countertenor on the planet.

[@heyespeter]

Calling it a competition is an insult to the performers. We should close our eyes, listen and decide which singer like best. It's a personal choice so - no competition.

[@maitressesarahdit9183]

Voice : Andreas Scholl definitly. Technic: Jaroussky for sure. And if I may, for our friend who prefers contraltos, may I suggest Nathalie Stuzmann.

[@Dum_fata_sinunt_vivite_laeti]

Everyone is amazing in their own way. But My heart goes out to Philippe Jaroussky.

[@carlosmonsalve2350]

All five do it absolutely gorgeous... but Philippe Jarousky with that sweet and beautiful voice is the supreme 💙👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💖

[@XSD.1.]

All of them are amazing ❤

[@figalla]

Jakub Orlinski the best, he's an absolute beauty and pure voice

[@noble4520]

They are all awesome, each singer has his/her own unique voice. I love them all

[@antoninasushko2315]

Jaroussky the sweetest voice ever❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@dianastella]

Absolutely

[@alistairmcelwee7467]

Orliński and Jarroussky were my faves, then Mead just for his gorgeous tone and interpretation. But each of these singers gave lovely performances which should not be judged against each other. For me, vibrato beyond a minimum is unpleasant. Jarroussky had the most pleasing notes, well sung, Orliński had the most pleasing performance, and Mead had the most musicality. Altogether, every performer was entirely wonderful and judging them against each other - is that something you’d do again?

[@mirosawgorecki9761]

Jakub J. Orliński and Andreas Scholl

[@tanyadixon3479]

I must concur. Warmth, realism and pure, transparent musicality solidifies the beauty of his singing. Both have this quality.❤

[@toustennicole9174]

Entièrement d accord, leur chant est épuré...extrêmement musical...on touche les cieux❤

[@marcincelinski5910]

Definitely JJO! The timbre of voice, emotionality, lyricism, phrasing - absolutely wonderful!

[@user-xs6hi9tr5b]

Jakub Orlinski for simplicity, avoiding overwhelming mannerisms, clarity of sound, fantastic pure pitch and very well composed sound. Natural voice, no unnecessary tremolo, well controlled expression but still retaining its depth and feelings.

[@BlackHermit]

I prefer all of them!

[@jenciavragutte9398]

Andreas Scholl toujours ! ❤

[@laustiola]

Philippe Jaroussky soars like a bird above the rest!

[@eheckendorn]

Fully agree. He ranks first.

[@monela72]

Scholl without a doubt! Listen to his wonderful singing skill. Maravilloso!

[@imankhodaei7062]

They are all brilliant artists.

[@iwonasz4852]

To zestawienie, to jak różne relacje świadków niewyobrażalnego cierpienia Matki Boga! Właśnie to, że są tak różne jest piękne i wartościowe. Gdybym miała wybrać najbliższe mi wykonania to byłby to Scholl z jego powściągliwością w oddawaniu emocji i wspaniały Jakub Orliński, który cudownie niuansuje barwą głosu tekst w poszczególnych frazach.

[@shanesowell4124]

Andreas Scholl!

[@dansmonjardin]

Jakub Józef Orliński , Andreas Scholl.

[@arielle9945]

Orlinski definite winner from me! Such an angelic voice 🤩

[@MrAlexb67]

my favorit is jakub. he was touching my spiritual side. 🙏🏼

[@audiolivrobom]

Mead and Lemieux do a very, very good job, but both have a lot of upper palate coverage (which works okay with Vivaldi, but I feel Stabat Mater begs for clearer voices... Not a problem they can - or should - solve, of course). It is a personal choice, but I'm being picky here... I like Scholl's passage to the lower tones; he is impeccable, almost going to his full voice, despite losing a tiny bit of volume, it seems, but it could be the way it was recorded. Jaroussky voice loses body in the lower bits, despite having a delicate timbre that I'd expect could take the passages more fiercely. Orliński is a chapter on himself; he makes the most of the dynamics, maybe even too much, in this case, for me, which is probably a rendition that is quite baroque-y, and could be counted as a positive... So, I tend to stay with Scholl, followed by Orliński and then Jaroussky. Remembering that Jaroussky and Lemieux sing the version half a tone up, which changes the spaces of the voice quite a lot... All do an astounding job, of course, and they would benefit from being evaluated individually and not in comparison to each other. Because this variety is the beauty of music.

[@ttaibe]

I feel like you'd be the guy to talk to if I was looking for as particular sound and or style XD. If I knew how to describe it of course. anyway for me personally. I usually prefer lower over higher. So I don't like Jaroussky and Lemieux. That that is just taste, not a reflection on quality. If it feels to high for me, I get stressed. edit: atm it's Orlinsky for me. The style is the most congruent with baroque. I don't get 'interupted' by style elements that for me, clash with the style of the music.

[@audiolivrobom]

@@gnarbeljo8980 Thank you so much for taking the time to offer this well-thought-out and heart-felt answer! And I completely understand these soft spots you talk about! I have plenty of them! I wish I had the opportunity to watch any of these performing live, to be honest... Not easy for me, as I'm rather far. And this is the positive/negative point of a recording for me: it is treacherous, because it freezes only ONE version, and it has a specific "gaze" that obviously changes according to the surroundings, the day, the breakfast one had... But at the same time, it gives the opportunity for people like me, who are quite far, to still be able to listen to amazing performances. And as I was reading your take on the Orliński phenomenon, I can only imagine where he will get to in the coming decades... Happy to live in a time where we can still do music, despite all the difficulties. Thank you again. Musica è la cosa più bella.

[@peterhansen5804]

Jakub Orlinski has that androgynous sound in abundance, but Scholl is great, too

[@TallerdeVitrales]

Congratulations for every wonderful singer. My heart with them. No choice at all. Viva la música!! Bravo!

[@Cristinact]

They're all incredible, but Scholl definitely takes me straight to an 18th -century palace music session!

[@lynnettelh568]

Gosh! They all have their beautiful versions, I love them all. It shouldn't be a competition they all show their years of voice control in the most sensuous of ways.

[@hispid1]

Orliński - just because.

[@sulltk1447]

He sings as pure as he is beautiful.

[@chrst7346]

the winner is indoubtedly Vivaldi, as all those singers bring alive his wonderful music and give it a meaning, thus by bringing forth all kinds of different aspects and sentiments going along. The Calling for superlatives, surpassings and victories of musicians one over another… well, as teasing it may be to make up a ranking, to me it always misses the point of music as an ephemeric sensation which has to be re/created each time anew. BUT, I do find it most interesting to compare the different qualities of different singers. And whilst Scholl, Jaroussky and Mead represent to me the ‚classical‘ countertenor, ie angelic pure sweet chastity of a treble before puberty which is a perfectly fine thing, Orlinski‘s strength in voice and core are so very special in that league of gentlemen… Yes, he sings high, but the force and expression of his timbre are so grounded, warm and down to earth - they are masculine unlike the others… For me Orlinski is the outstanding counter that could reprensent violence, power and fierceness in a way to verily fill in a heroic Handel role like Julius Caesar and BE IT while on stage. 😅

[@bezawitgetenet2077]

Amazing comment!!!!!

[@jdaveyw]

Why compare? Each as beautiful as the other.

[@alexdelaloire8739]

Exactly! After listening to each of them, I'm so lost cause each performance took me to a different universe each time

[@TinyEpics]

They are all extraordinary in their own ways but if my body is anything to go by I prefer the first. I had goosebumps from head to toe during this one for some reason. 😮

[@Zebula1918]

orlinski does not sing only with his voice and in addition the baroque orchestra that accompanies him is one of the most renowned

[@Crazy5exycurvy]

Yes, the ensemble accompanying him creates the best accompaniment.

[@ascarius]

all are outstanding... but the timbre of Philippe Jaroussky touches me like no other

[@xbluebells]

Thanks this was really fun hearing the subtle differences... what a beautiful world we live in. The qualities I detected Scholl- (exceptional ease and exquisite flow) Orlinkski - (emotionality) Jaroussky (enticing and flirty), Tim Mead (sad and wise), Lemeiux (unparalleled color and depth).

[@adrianereisdearaujo2802]

It's wonderful to listen them all together. Each one brings his own color to the song. They are all amazing!

[@tatopiano]

Andreas Scholl 100%

[@calmeilles]

I _prefer_ Orliński's rendition, it has depth and richness. Jaroussky is too pure. Mead puts too much vibrato in and Scholl is a bit muddy (maybe the recording rather than the rendition?). How do you even compare a contralto voice with countertenors? The range might be congruent but the voice is fundamentally different. In any case this is very much a _preference_ because I certainly cannot judge a "best", I'm not sure anybody could and feel that even putting the question is iniquitous.

[@keicbell]

Tend to agree with you - however, reading the comments generated by the controversial title makes me feel that it was perhaps a good pick. So many wonderful people listening to these stunningly pure renditions and passionately responding - even with outrage at the assumption of competition.... I wonder if we would have had such lively and knowledgeable discussion and dissection had it just been presented as 5 glorious voices!

[@OneWayToPeaceOrthodoxy]

Very distinguished comment.

[@elisabethmarkowa3119]

Orlinski und Scholl sind die Besten!

[@ritahorvath8207]

. und Scholl ist noch n bissl besser 😉 .

[@galtar06]

For me there is no surprise. Scholl and Jarousky take it all. Though the best picture award goes to Orlinski for sure ;-)

[@moinmoon261]

Jakub Josef Orlinski ❤ with his Voice I can feel the sentiment better. Listen him Live!!!! 🎉