So, I have a new hero. His name is Gerald Finley. He is a baritone. I was privileged to see and hear his recital yesterday at Clayton State's Spivey Hall. He sang Schumann Heine settings, Ravel Nature Songs, Barber songs and some Ives songs.
First the Schumann. To say that his diction was superb is simply not enough. It wasn't just that his diction was so good or that he sang really beautifully. Finley communicated the songs in a way that was simply - well, - clear. That is the best word for it. I understood the words, but more importantly, I understood the story. I can't think of a better compliment than that. Finley uses his voice at the service of the text BUT he never sings less than beautifully. How I loved it!
At the end of the recital, I looked at my watch and sincerely believed that only an hour had passed when really, it was twice that.
THEN
He gave a master class for our students at Clayton State. here are some quotable quotes.
“You sort of have a personal angle on the piece”
“The energy is not just in the making of noise but in the activity of communicating.”
“You’ve given me a beautiful picture and we’re gonna’ take the puzzle pieces out and put it back together.”
Breath – “not stopped by your throat but (moving) through your throat”
“You like to bloom into the sound – don’t be cautious, its much more satisfying for us to hear the beginning of the tone.”
“I’m gonna pretend that I’m tired but I’m still gonna SING!”
Breath – “it’s like punctuation”
“Piano is beautiful – not soft. --- So pianissimo is even MORE beautiful. Never sing anything less than beautifully.”
“Once you start the sound, there’s no going back.”
“What is bloom? It is allowing the breath to travel a little more luxuriously.”
“These (abdominal muscles) will be your friends for life. These (vocal folds) will only be your friends as long as you treat them well.”
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