Kenneth McKellar , such a wonderful tenor and I still listen to his Handel and Sacred Music albums now. Christopher Underwood from RSAMD commenting was one of my singing teachers a long while ago.
Sublime voice. Takes me back to childhood listening ti him perform on TV and radio. So moving even for a child, excitedly waiting to hear him sing. Thank you for this documentary insight into into Kenneth McKellar and seeing his daughter.👍
Kenneth McKellar was a wonderful singer. I attended two variety concerts in Johannesburg in the sixties in which he starred. He even made a recording in Afrikaans and had the best pronunciation of any "foreign" singer. Thank you for this excellent programme.
I grew up in New Jersey in the 50s/60s seeking out and purchasing his albums. By the time I was 12 I had maybe four or five of his Decca Records - mostly all Burns music. I was in love and played them relentlessly, nonstop. I never saw his shows or concerts, they weren't available to me. My parents thought I was crazy. I studied vocal music but didn't have the talent to continue, but he was always my favorite tenor. I still listen to them a lot, and attend Highlands Games when I can. I've been to Scotland once and my husband and I hope to go again so that I can tour the Hebrides. Turns out my DNA says I am 30% Scottish. I believe in genetic memory - my soul sought out and is soothed by the sounds of my ancestors.
His voice was beautiful and his technique flawless. If you listen to him singing arias e.g from Handel’s Messiah, he sings huge complicated phrases in one breath, with the runs in perfect legato. A true vocal superstar.
I had the great honour of meeting Kenneth many times in Canada, SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND. I MADE IT A PERSONAL MISSION TO HAVE HIM RECONISED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCOTTISH CULTURE AND CLASSICAL MUSIC. I WROTE SEVERAL LETTERS TO BUCKINGHAM Palace, the Queen Mother and the Prime Minister advocating that he be decorated. I heard nothing in reply but according to this documentary my efforts were not in vain as Kenneth declined. A decision that I am disappointed with but highly respect.
I gather that his reason for declining was not for any republican reasons. It was because Moira Anderson and Bill McCue got OBEs (as much for their extensive charity work as for performing per se) and he was only offered an MBE, and he didn’t think it was enough by comparison.
The program misses out his two releases in Afrikaans an EP 'In die skadu van Ou Tafelberg' (Decca 1966) and an LP. I recently had to tell a South African that "No McKellar was not South African but Scottish". It took a while to convince them as the songs had been on South African radio so often.
I remember watching Kenneth McKellar regulary on the BBC when I was a kid. great memories.
Kenneth McKellar , such a wonderful tenor and I still listen to his Handel and Sacred Music albums now. Christopher Underwood from RSAMD commenting was one of my singing teachers a long while ago.
Sublime voice. Takes me back to childhood listening ti him perform on TV and radio. So moving even for a child, excitedly waiting to hear him sing. Thank you for this documentary insight into into Kenneth McKellar and seeing his daughter.👍
Kenneth McKellar was a wonderful singer. I attended two variety concerts in Johannesburg in the sixties in which he starred. He even made a recording in Afrikaans and had the best pronunciation of any "foreign" singer. Thank you for this excellent programme.
Such a very clear, beautiful voice! Thank you for sharing🙏🙏
😅what a wonderful film and the only one I have ever been about him.I absolutely adored his beautiful voice and remember him with great affection
I grew up in New Jersey in the 50s/60s seeking out and purchasing his albums. By the time I was 12 I had maybe four or five of his Decca Records - mostly all Burns music. I was in love and played them relentlessly, nonstop. I never saw his shows or concerts, they weren't available to me. My parents thought I was crazy. I studied vocal music but didn't have the talent to continue, but he was always my favorite tenor. I still listen to them a lot, and attend Highlands Games when I can. I've been to Scotland once and my husband and I hope to go again so that I can tour the Hebrides. Turns out my DNA says I am 30% Scottish. I believe in genetic memory - my soul sought out and is soothed by the sounds of my ancestors.
His voice was beautiful and his technique flawless. If you listen to him singing arias e.g from Handel’s Messiah, he sings huge complicated phrases in one breath, with the runs in perfect legato. A true vocal superstar.
I had the great honour of meeting Kenneth many times in Canada, SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND. I MADE IT A PERSONAL MISSION TO HAVE HIM RECONISED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCOTTISH CULTURE AND CLASSICAL MUSIC. I WROTE SEVERAL LETTERS TO BUCKINGHAM Palace, the Queen Mother and the Prime Minister advocating that he be decorated. I heard nothing in reply but according to this documentary my efforts were not in vain as Kenneth declined. A decision that I am disappointed with but highly respect.
I gather that his reason for declining was not for any republican reasons. It was because Moira Anderson and Bill McCue got OBEs (as much for their extensive charity work as for performing per se) and he was only offered an MBE, and he didn’t think it was enough by comparison.
@@PipesFanaticAndy Stewart only got an MBE and he accepted it. Both Andy and Kenneth should have been knighted.
The program misses out his two releases in Afrikaans an EP 'In die skadu van Ou Tafelberg' (Decca 1966) and an LP.
I recently had to tell a South African that "No McKellar was not South African but Scottish". It took a while to convince them as the songs had been on South African radio so often.
What a beautiful vot
What is he singing starting at 3:00? It is amazing.
Handel - Xerxes: Ombra Mai Fu
Is m actually reallted to him no joke my mum told my her last name is mkellar
Scotland's second greatest star, second only to Andy Stewart.