Wonderful to hear Barnaby's beautiful countertenor voice on its own. I hadn't really appreciated his voice til this solo performance. Thank you so much for this as well as all the wonderful performances you bring us with VOCES8 and other performers. So important in this troubled world.
There are a multitude of performances of this chestnut out there, but what sets Mr. Smith's apart from the others, in my opinion, is his knowledgeability. He certainly has the voice, but unlike other mere singers, he has a conductor's understanding which informs his performance, just as it does the performances of voces8. PS I appreciate his inclusion of the peaceful and beautiful recitative, so often omitted by singers' TH-cam recordings because it doesn't show off the voice the way the aria does. Yet without it we don't even learn what kind of tree Xerses is singing to! See? That's a conductor's perspective.
After years of hearing him nourish and lead other ensembles, the time has come to hear Barnaby's consecration, in all its weightlessness, its agility and its intimacy.
Wow. Just splendid. His voice doesn't particularly stand out in the group setting, and I didn't know his full range, but this is fantastic. Is love to hear more from just him.
The sound you hear there is actually the viola though the cello player is being filmed. I've played the viola part many times, as well as the piano. It is an effective piece of harmony to capture the soul. ...
Wonderful singing. I had no idea that he was so accomplished a solo singer - he is always beautifully blended in the voces8 pieces. Remarkable. Thanks!
This is brilliant. I especially love that the recitative was included at the start. It’s a wonderful contrast to the lyric portion that everyone knows and loves.
Superb - and his album is great. I listened to him after Andreas Scholl and was surprised how close / similar they sounded. He and the Voces8 team help us all remember there is still beauty and calm in our crazy world
Beautiful rendition of a beautiful aria! And doesn't he make it look easy, too. Loved the smile on the bass player, when he hit the high note around three minutes, as I was smiling too.
Beautiful. I have heard his fabulous voice come through at times in Voces8 performances. Nice to hear the incredible depth and purity of his tone individually.
Although I have always considered another performer's version as the 'definitive' version of this aria, Barnaby has matched it for musicality and pure tone. Top E was lovely. Thank you
From the beautiful breathing and quality of production I thought when I heard this at a distance that it was Scholl - I see he trained with Scholl and seems to have taken a lot from him. I love this grown-up choirboy type of countertenor, when the voice seems soft and natural, rather than the hard constricted style.
Beyond sublime and, as someone else has already commented, to hear the recitative leading up to it, makes this, for me, a very special performance indeed.
Wonderful! What a revelation to hear Barnaby on his own.Some beautiful phrasing. I see I shall have to add his performance to my list of favourite renderings of this aria.
Like everyone else says, nice to hear Mr Smith singing solo, and what a lovely, unforced voice it is (who can abide a hooting countertenor?). As with much of Voces8, he is singing for beauty, and one might imagine a more projected or teasing performance on the operatic stage. But who cares? What beauty!
Wonderful to hear Barnaby's beautiful countertenor voice on its own. I hadn't really appreciated his voice til this solo performance. Thank you so much for this as well as all the wonderful performances you bring us with VOCES8 and other performers. So important in this troubled world.
Unbelievably beautiful. I stop doing whatever I'm doing just to listen to this beautiful voice. Thank you.
There are a multitude of performances of this chestnut out there, but what sets Mr. Smith's apart from the others, in my opinion, is his knowledgeability. He certainly has the voice, but unlike other mere singers, he has a conductor's understanding which informs his performance, just as it does the performances of voces8. PS I appreciate his inclusion of the peaceful and beautiful recitative, so often omitted by singers' TH-cam recordings because it doesn't show off the voice the way the aria does. Yet without it we don't even learn what kind of tree Xerses is singing to! See? That's a conductor's perspective.
impeccable Musicality
So cool to hear Barnaby's superb high register on it's own. Splendid performance!
*its - not it's
@@jandamskier6510 This is embarrassing... normally I'm the kind of person to want to call that out. Its a humbling experience for sure.
What a lovely full tone with depth yet tenderness, especially as he floats up to the high note at 3:08 - beautifully done!
After years of hearing him nourish and lead other ensembles, the time has come to hear Barnaby's consecration, in all its weightlessness, its agility and its intimacy.
Yes. I like the description 'weightless'. Apparently no effort on his part! Another comment used the word 'float' - also good.
So exquisitely described.
Pure delight, thank you.
Einfach wundervoll, vollkommen ausbalanciert mit Geschmeidigkeit gesungen.
Bitte mehr davon!
Was für eine beeindruckende Dynamik! Tolle Stimme. Einfach nur wunderbar.
Maravilloso y conmovedor.
Impecable voz que emociona
Wow. Just splendid. His voice doesn't particularly stand out in the group setting, and I didn't know his full range, but this is fantastic. Is love to hear more from just him.
That cello line at 1:19 always gets me. Handel was a master of achieving sublime beauty from simple lines.
The sound you hear there is actually the viola though the cello player is being filmed. I've played the viola part many times, as well as the piano. It is an effective piece of harmony to capture the soul. ...
Listening to Voces8, I had NO IDEA!!!! Barnaby's SURPRISINGLY GORGEOUS VOICE, SO SUPERB... It Takes my breath away!!!! 😳🙏👏👏👏♥️♥️♥️🌈😇
goose bumps from the first tone to the last one. BRAVO
Sublime - a voice and music to nourish the soul. Thank you Barnaby.
Wonderful singing. I had no idea that he was so accomplished a solo singer - he is always beautifully blended in the voces8 pieces. Remarkable. Thanks!
Definitely my favorite performance of the best ever song about a tree.
What a voice! I just discovered Voces8 during Lent in 2020. Their music has carried me through theses dark days.
Anne - you are not the only one. Glorious singing by Barnaby and all of Voces8 during the last 2 years, Paul
Gleiches kann ich von mir sagen. Meditation at its best.
This is brilliant. I especially love that the recitative was included at the start. It’s a wonderful contrast to the lyric portion that everyone knows and loves.
Thank you for the Grace and Beauty you sir, and your fellow artists, bring.
Oh my God thank you Mr Smith take good care of your beautiful gifted voice
sharp like a knife and soft like velvet at the same time
Bravo Barnaby. One of the best performances of that aria I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. Thank you for sharing your gift. Goosebumps. ❤️
So cute!
Dear God, I just melted listening to this! Absolutely made my day
Wow! I didnt know Barnaby was this good, great to hear him solo. More solo's Barny boy!
Unfortunately I can only hit the thumbs up button once. Heavenly! Thank you!
What a treat to hear you singing by yourself!
Superb - and his album is great. I listened to him after Andreas Scholl and was surprised how close / similar they sounded. He and the Voces8 team help us all remember there is still beauty and calm in our crazy world
Quelle splendeur!
This is bloody gorgeous. Brilliant rendition.
Beautiful, Barney! That high note knocked me over!
Great to hear Barnaby's rendition of this piece! It was absolutely beautiful.
A wonderful counter tenor voice - thank you Barnaby.
Beautiful rendition of a beautiful aria! And doesn't he make it look easy, too. Loved the smile on the bass player, when he hit the high note around three minutes, as I was smiling too.
Super!! number one! complimenti Barnaby!
There are no words!!! What an incredible and unique gift.
An amazing voice. Beautiful piece of music
Wow! Just wow! Your voice was made for Handel! I’ve always loved this aria, but now I adore it! Thank you.
Grazie! Bellissima aria dal Serse di Haendel e bravissimo il contraltista.
Sublime. What a beautiful unforced singing voice at it's very best.
Beauty that makes you weep
What an amazing, wonderful countertenor voice
Tout simplement sublime ♥️
Superb singing and playing. Heavenly !
THIS IS WHAT WE NEEDED FROM YOU Mr. Barnaby Smith
Bravo, Barnaby! An amazing discovery for me! Delightful! Thank you very much!
Wow. Beautiful performance
Beautiful. I have heard his fabulous voice come through at times in Voces8 performances. Nice to hear the incredible depth and purity of his tone individually.
Utterly beautiful, Barnaby. Thank you
Wonderful and exquisite voice. Big thanks for sharing. ❤😂❤❤❤
Was für eine unglaublich schöne Stimme.
Quite heavenly and uplifting - thank you
Never heard you sing on your own before - what a treat……..
Stunning. I was deeply touched hearing this beautiful song.
It's so wonderful, I can't put into words
Wonderful, congratulations on making such a lovely sound
Beautiful performance! Moved to tears!
The high note was simply astonishing
Although I have always considered another performer's version as the 'definitive' version of this aria, Barnaby has matched it for musicality and pure tone. Top E was lovely. Thank you
Stunning 😲
Straight to favorites! Fabulous!
From the beautiful breathing and quality of production I thought when I heard this at a distance that it was Scholl - I see he trained with Scholl and seems to have taken a lot from him. I love this grown-up choirboy type of countertenor, when the voice seems soft and natural, rather than the hard constricted style.
Amazing!! Beatifull!!
How beautiful! Thank you for sharing your gift.
Wow!! Incredible
pure and gorgeous 💖✨
So beautiful Barney-thanks for sharing your talent!
Fantastic performance, simply wonderful. Thank you so much for posting this! Xx
Beyond sublime and, as someone else has already commented, to hear the recitative leading up to it, makes this, for me, a very special performance indeed.
So pure.
Fantastic Barnaby!! Possibly this was one of the positive outcomes of Covid!! More of your amazingness please!!
Excellent control
Beautifully done! Incredible! Thank you for this!
fabulous to hear him on his own. What a gift. Might the plane tree be strong and stable for long times to come.
WOW!! So incredibly beautifully sung!! Bravo!!
So beautiful! Thank you!
Fantastic , so sublime ..... . Congratulations 👏.Thank You .
I’m informed from this video that Barnaby is not only a fantastic conductor with very good taste but also a marvelous soloist ! Bravo!
Merveilleux !
Stunning.
Heavenly singing. Bravissimo.
Just wonderful!
Beautiful ❤
Absolutely wonderful🍃thank's🍃
Bravo! Wonderful voice and beautiful performance! Regards, Will Ortiz
So schön
Stunningly beautiful
Wonderful to hear the solo if the man that guides the Voces 8 . Wonderful. Best from Laramie, Wyoming.
Wonderful! What a revelation to hear Barnaby on his own.Some beautiful phrasing. I see I shall have to add his performance to my list of favourite renderings of this aria.
Unbelievable tone!! Wow!!
Wonderful, you are so talented!
So I'm not a largo fan but my gosh, this was beautiful. Handel remains, for me, the greatest classical musician of all time
As I recall, an opinion that you share with Beethoven.
Precioso
Well look at me I'm crying listening to you.. gorgeous just unbelievably beautiful
Wow! This is beautiful
Truly beautiful rendition. Sumptuous
👏🏼❤️Fantastically beautiful!
Magnificent!
Very impressive performance!
Like everyone else says, nice to hear Mr Smith singing solo, and what a lovely, unforced voice it is (who can abide a hooting countertenor?). As with much of Voces8, he is singing for beauty, and one might imagine a more projected or teasing performance on the operatic stage. But who cares? What beauty!