Customer Reviews

Kathleen Battle in Concert

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kathleen Battle In Concert has been a part of my classical listening experience for many, many years, and many, many repeated playings. Every time I play it, I feel real joy at hearing Kathleen Battle in the opening bars of Purcell's "Come All Ye Songsters."

Miss Battle brings a high level of musicality, an impeccable use of phrasing and some truly beatiful high notes to a wonderful mix of lighter art/love songs, and more serious, but very joyous gospel classics, as in her rendition of "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands."

It's been too many years since Kathleen Battle has recorded such a delightful recital album. If you're reading this Miss Battle, please please record another! We miss your voice greatly!!!

The sweet and sumptuous voice of Kathleen Battle is heartwarming and heartpumping at the same time. Her light lyric soprano voice is ethereal, like from heaven above. Surely it is one of the purest, sweetest voices I have ever heard. That is why I have made this CD my most treasured one. I long have been a fan of the soprano, and love to hear anything by Kathleen. This recording offers so much to the listener. Although mainly comprised of art songs instead of arias, each one is magnificently handled. There are even four spirituals which bring the CD to a whole new level. Her high notes on these are absolutely breathtaking, especially on 'Witness' and the classic, 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands.' As for her language skills, I have never heard such good german spoken in a long while. It is clear, and with a good accent. Her italian is just as good, if not better. Her only downfall is one of the french vowel sounds that appears in a few spots(but you can't really tell unless you really listen for it). Beyond that one minor fault, Kathleen's singing is the purest I've ever heard. This is recording is one of a kind, and if you're sick of listening to sopranos who squawk their way through arias with their dark and muffled tones, give this CD a try. I promise, this is heaven, and that is why I am proud to put my name by it.

I'm sorry, but I just checked up to see if anyone else had written something about this fantastic CD, and the voice of Kathleen, and to see if I had helped anyone. I was stunned to find Ms. Bayer(who must have written her review after I did mine, because otherwise I would have commented on it before) speaking of the singer as if she was a fish out of water... I'm not sure what she's talking about, because if you listen to this CD, Battle DOES NOT sound "like a girl trying on Mommy's shoes." I was disgusted to hear this. I thought to myself, "She must not have heard this CD." I say this because I feel that Kathleen's Mozart is nothing but gorgeous to me. I don't know if it's that way for you, but that's the way I feel. For example, I believe Battle's version of Mozart's "Ridente la calma" was exquisite and well-performed...as are the rest of her other selections. Bayer also did not comment on how this recording included the four Spirituals at the end, and how she performed them. Throughout the world of opera and classical music, I have only heard praise for Kathleen's work in this area, and that people hold her in the utmost esteem. Finally, if you notice the repertory that Bayer discusses, it does not exist on this recording. Perhaps it was a mistake, and was accidentally placed in the buying info for this CD, but I want to warn you...DON'T LET IT PERSUADE YOU. There is no need to let me know if this helped you or not, I just needed to let people know. Thank you.

Go Kathleen! I often dream of what music will sound like behind the Pearly Gates of Heaven-my dreams are no more, I have found what I've been searching for. Just push play and then be prepared for your body and soul to leave this earth behind. Believe me new and established fans-she IS that good.

From the first to the last track "La Battle" captivates and stuns her audience into a cult-like stupor. Indulge in Purcell's "Music for a While". After listening to a 30 second clip, I knew I needed this CD. She slowly and sensually lulls you with her perfected pronunciation. Her performance is like rich imported chocolate melting in your mouth. On Mendelssohn's "Neue Liebe" "La Battle" does an about face and speeds things up a bit. This tounge-twisting, finger-snapping performance is outstanding. Only a great opera Diva can handle such difficult piece of work, but as well all know, Kathleen never disappoints!

Kathleen masters Mozart's " Ridente la calma, Das Veilchen and Un moto di gioia". She paints such wonders with her voice that Monet must be rolling around in his grave. ;)
The 4 Spiritual at the end deserves only the utmost Praise. "Honor, Honor, His Name So Sweet, and Witness and He's Got the Whole World in His Hand". Check out her fantastically flawless super-HIGH notes! These songs are reason enough to get this CD.

I will forever be a Battle fan because of this recital. Thank you for making the Opera world a better place. We LOVE you Kathleen!

I have been looking to reacquire this album for forever!! It's great, and I love Kathleen's voice here.

I have to say, though, that the Amazon.com editorial review must have been written for another album, for neither 'Ruhe Sanft' nor anything from 'Die Zauberflote' is on this disc.

=^_^=

I have most of Kathleen Battle's albums and must say this is my favorite. Her distinctive voice is crisp and sails effortlessly through the music, James Levine on the piano is fantastic and compliments her as if the two had been made for each other, the repitoire is expertly selected, and the recording is crystal clear. This is Battle in the prime of her career -- this is one of those albums you will find yourself coming back to.

It's hard to simply repeat what someone else has written, but before I noticed the review above, I was going to say that this is the greatest vocal recital I've ever heard. It's a pleausre to be the second to voice that opinion.

Why is the editorial review about Mozart? Amazon nods.