Lanza recordings that have been a source of great comfort

[Derek McGovern]

I was listening to a homemade compilation of Lanza love song renditions the other day, and two recordings that I hadn't heard in a long while---the 1953 "Beloved" and the Cavalcade "Yours Is My Heart Alone"---brought back an unexpected flood of memories. In particular, these two recordings took me back to my mid-teens, when I was struggling with what seemed at the time to be an insurmountable hurdle to my future happiness. Oh, what solace they provided! I only had two Lanza albums at that time---they were very hard to come by in NZ in the late 1970s for some reason---and one was the MGM Student Prince, which contained "Beloved," of course, while the other was an Australasian compilation simply entitled Lanza. The 1956 "Yours Is My Heart Alone" was on the latter, which also happened to feature liner notes by one Armando Cesari :) (And that's another story in itself!)  

I must have played those two recordings hundreds of times---and yet they never lost their magic (and still haven't). It was Lanza's miraculous combination of phrasing and vocal splendour that drew me in----the way he sang "I'll live or die for you," for example, or the pleading urgency of "Beloved...believe me when I tell you." The words were hardly great poetry, I would later realize, but Lanza's vocal alchemy transcended all that. He not only made me believe that what he was singing was real, but that there was a whole other romantic world out there---an alternative to the miserable existence of being a bullied and confused teen. I can't emphasize enough how important those two recordings were to me as a 15-year-old.

Which brings me to the point of this new thread. Have there been Lanza recordings for you that have gone beyond the "mere" thrill of hearing a magnificent voice and been the source of great comfort? I know that for my father the "Song of India" has been what he calls a "lifesaver"---and I can certainly understand why---while for many others Lanza's MGM recording of "I'll Walk with God" has provided real solace. (In fact, I remember a friend being asked to lend his copy of The Student Prince to a church for a funeral, and how he was told by the minister that "I'll Walk with God" was one of the most frequently requested recordings at times of bereavement. I'm not surprised!)               

Perhaps this topic is too personal for some, but I would love to hear anyone else's stories. 

Cheers

Derek 

[jora...@gmail.com]

A very interesting topic, Derek. Like most people, I grew up associating certain songs with people and periods in my life ( both happy and sad). Much of this music was songs by Mario which, even to this date, re-ignite such memories. One example is the "The Thrill Is Gone". It never fails to make me feel nostalgic about a lost love. Such is the magic of Lanza.

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Joe: I can certainly understand why "The Thrill Is Gone" might re-ignite memories! Mario's immaculate phrasing on that recording is incredibly evocative.

Back in the 1980s, I knew a woman who was unable to listen to Lanza's recordings of "Pour un Baiser" and "Che Gelida Manina" (1949 version) without bursting into tears. She was a singer herself (soprano), and it was touching (and a little unnerving!) to witness her reaction. A similar thing happened with an otherwise crusty boss whom I had when I was  in my late teens. We were working in a video studio, and one lunch hour I played him The Vagabond King (of all things), which I'd just bought from a secondhand record store. He wasn't even a Lanza fan, but after hearing "Love Me Tonight," he was wiping his eyes. I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing.

But, of course, I'm drifting away here from the original point of the thread: Lanza recordings that were a source of comfort (or inspiration) during tough times...

Cheers

Derek

[jora...@gmail.com]

 

Ok, to be rigorous(on the term solace), I'd guess I would have to go with Mario's Ave Maria from the chapel scene of Serenade. I even know  several non-Christians who are moved by this beautiful rendition. I think its the best Shubert version of this vocal prayer by any male singer.

[Derek McGovern]

Oh, I'm definitely one of those non-Christians who finds the Serenade "Ave Maria" terribly moving. Joe. (By the way, that's Schubert with a "c"---as in Franz, not J.J. The English teacher in me can't resist ) It's also one of the best scenes in all of Lanza's films.

Incidentally, I don't know if anyone noticed, but I took the unusual step in my opening post of recording myself reading it. (The attachment should play in Real Player.) I thought it'd be both fun and meaningful to encourage other members to do the same, given the deeply personal nature of this thread. Besides, I'm sure many of us are curious to hear what each other sounds like :) I think I've only ever spoken to five of our existing members: Armando, Muriella, Gary, Mike and Vince.

So why not share your thoughts (and your voice---if you dare!) on a Lanza recording that has been an inspiration or source of comfort during tough times? (No pressure to record yourself, though, as written posts alone are fine.) And if you do feel like recording yourself, then no fancy equipment is necessary---I simply used my cellphone.

Cheers

Derek 

[Derek McGovern]

P.S. Joe: There was meant to be a smiling, jumping face like this  after I wrote "The English teacher in me can't resist" in my post above!   

[leeann]

Just a quick thank you and confirmation, Derek. The mp3 file dowloads and while I haven't listened, I opened it just long enough to ensure that it plays. What a very thoughtful and excellent idea. And now to listen. Best, Lee Ann

[Lou]

Hi Derek:  I often wondered what you sounded like, but my imaginings don't come close to what I hear from your recording: warm, mellow, and soothing vocal timbre; crystal clear diction; plummy (in the best sense of the word) accent faintly reminiscent of Hugh Grant's. (If this is the "fruity accent" Linz Perigo said you "affected," I'm surprised at him because you sound very natural. Dare I speculate that maybe, just maybe, that esteemed radio broadcasting personality is more than a trifle jealous?)

When I first started listening seriously to Lanza's music, I was already a widow, a retiree. and an empty-nester. By that time, my emotional troughs were already behind me (knock on wood), so I had no occasion to seek solace in his recordings or anyone else’s. But if “great comfort” can be stretched to cover a sense of deep peace and joy, then I can say that ever since I acquired the album Christmas with Mario Lanza eight years ago, “The Virgin’s Slumber Song” has never failed to give me great comfort every year amid the secular frenzy that all but obscures the religious significance of Christmas. A believer born, bred, and educated, I had nevertheless got caught up in the commercialism that had come to dominate the celebration of Christmas. Year after year for most of my adult life, the struggle with shopping lists, invitations, and un-Christmassy Christmas decorating left me frazzled, stressed out, and above all, spiritually unmoved. I was in this state when I first heard Lanza’s exquisitely reverent  rendition of  “The Virgin’s Slumber Song.” His unutterably tender “Ah, Baby, dear one…,” sung mezza voce, touched me to the core, and as I listened repeatedly to the song, I gradually felt the secret spaces of my heart fill with deep peace and joy. Looking back to that experience, I can honestly say that Mario Lanza helped me to re-connect with the essence of Christmas: God’s Gift of  his Son to Mankind, made concrete as a baby wrapped up in his Virgin Mother’s arms. 

[Joseph Fagan]

an extraordinary, beautiful response Lou!.....and a happy Christmas  to you and your family.......Joe

[Lou]

Thank you, Joe. I wish the same for you and your loved ones.

Cheers,
Lou

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Lou

It was lovely to wake up this morning and read your heartfelt post. 

As you know, I'm not religious, but I can certainly understand why Lanza's singing in The Virgin's Slumber Song touched you "to the core." It epitomizes what James Kilbourne has written of Lanza's almost-childlike sense of wonder and sincerity---that complete lack of concern for appearing "naive" in his approach to singing:

The choirboy in Lanza appeals to one’s sense of an innocent sincerity and a joyful reaction to the wonders of the world. Most young people have it; a residue of it remains in the average adult; stamping it out in people is the goal of cynics. The greatest fear of most people is to appear naïve when what they should be afraid of is that they are dying inside. If Mario the choirboy doesn’t reach your heart, I’m afraid I don’t have much advice to give you. You have lost the magic of Christmas, the glory of a perfect sunrise, the joy of living. [...]
To a greater degree than any artist I have experienced, Mario Lanza had his own vision and couldn’t care less if you thought it was silly, crazy or too emotional. Lanza went inside himself and inside the music for inspiration, not to his last critical review. I am struck by two facts of serious singing these days. The first is that the technical proficiency from the stars to the compramarios is much greater than during the Lanza era; the second is that singing is less courageous and much less exciting than it was then. Listen to “Guardian Angels” by Lanza. There is no singer today who has the raw, open, emotive courage to sing “There’s one with shining wings who holds my hand” as Lanza sings it. He approaches it as though it were a vision. He is filled with wonder and sincerity, and the effect on the listener is magical. My God, how I miss that in the over-trained and under-felt performances that rule today!

   

Beautifully expressed. 

And thanks, Lou, for the kind words about my voice and speaking. Mr. Perigo's online jibes about my so-called "speech impediment," "affected speech," etc, stung a bit at the time (and puzzled me, since he'd never mentioned these things to my face in all the years I knew him), but I guess I got off lightly compared with his recent description of those who voted for Obama as being "unfit to live"! I can honestly say that the only conscious modification I've ever made to my speech, mainly as a result of my teaching, has been to speak more slowly and clearly---I used to be a terrible "gabbler"---and try to avoid my old Kiwi habit of mangling vowels and diphthongs :) (We New Zealanders tend to sound a bit like Pygmalion's Eliza Doolittle before Higgins got hold of her.) 

Anyway, I was trying to lead by example when I recorded my post, so I hope other members will join in as well! (And, Lou, I've often wondered what you sound like as well :))  

Thanks again for a brilliant post.

Cheers

Derek         

 

[Michael McAdam]

Very quickly (lest I forget). Yes Derek, your voice is very reminiscent of the voice I heard from Lindsay Perigo many years ago when he interviewed Anna Moffo. Definitely a mellow, listenable broadcaster's voice. 

As for the velvet sounds emanating from your pipes in this recording here, Kiwi? Take no back seat to Mr. Perigo!

Lou, in a nutshell: what a lovely, heartfelt post (your on-the-sleeve sentiments would be lauded by Lanza, I'm sure).

And.....I too would love to hear your voice, Ms Abada.

Mike

[leeann]

Lou and Derek, thank you for really beautiful and thoughtful posts. MIke's right: heartfelt. This isn't a question with quick answers; there's much to think about.  Derek, it is good to hear your splendid voice; it would be good to hop in and to hear others. (We'd clearly get a variety of accents as well!) Best, Lee Ann

[Lou]

Mike and Derek, I'd be happy to satisfy your curiosity about my voice, but I haven't been able to figure out how to self-record and send through my (Nokia) cellphone (as you suggested upthread, Derek).

Cheers,
Lou

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Lou: Well, if you do happen to discover a voice recorder function on that cellphone of yours, you should be able to send it in some form via email. And if you do, I'll be very happy to convert it to an MP3 so that we can all hear it...:)

Cheers

Derek

[Steff]

Hello everybody,

I haven’t done any post on this thread and subject yet, simply because I have no special song or aria that is a source of great comfort for me.  Of course, there are songs/arias that I favor and that come much closer to my heart and touch me more than others. I have songs that have a special meaning for me, because they go along with memories of an event that changed my life, or with a thought of a particular person who was/is important to me.

For me, a particular situation or moment in life, the atmosphere around me , and my mood of course, tells me – and this happens spontaneously- what I want Mario to sing for me, which song/aria I need to cheer me up, to celebrate, to console me.

I know that many Lanza fans find great comfort in Mario’s “Ave Maria” renditions, and in this context I remembered an article from an Australian newspaper in which Mario’s “Ave Maria” (Bach/Gounod) played an important role.

You can read the article below, but you can also listen to it on the audio which I attached (I followed Derek’s invitation to record my speaking voice!):

 

“Heard on Heard Island”   from “Cairns Post,” 20 March 1954

Members of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition stationed on Heard Island in the Antarctic were greatly pleased recently when a record of Mario Lanza singing “Ave Maria” was specially played for them in the B.B.C. programme called “Listeners’ Choice.”

“Listeners’ Choice”  is broadcast five times a week and beamed to every part of the globe and is especially welcome on Heard, a remote volcanic island which is covered in permanent ice that moves slowly down to the sea from the central mass and ends in ice cliffs between fifty and a hundred feet in height. There are only two ice-free areas that jut into the sea and even these are snow-covered in winter.  The bulk of Heard is formed by Big Ben, a dormant volcano some nine thousand feet high, and there are no trees in Heard and little vegetation.

Mail comes only once a year and communication with relatives is by radio telegram. On Friday evenings  K.S.T. Radio Australia devotes a special 15–minute session to the Expedition, when items of local interest and family news are broadcast to them. When the plan for the record of Gounod’s “Ave Maria” reached the B.B.C. it was decided to play it for them at the earliest possible moment. The B.B.C. – which already broadcast a special programme for a party of men near the other Pole, the British Expedition in North Greenland -  did not know which edition of “Listeners Choice” was received on Heard Island so to make sure that the broadcast was not missed “trailed” it several times in preceding programmes, adding that members of the expedition might be interested to know that a talk on their lonely life and the scientific research they were doing on Heard was broadcast recently in the B.B.C.’s  Home Service by Peter Lancaster Brown, a former member of the expedition.”

 

It might be interesting to add that those men participating to the expedition (they had stayed at Heard Island for about a year, living there far away from any civilization and under most difficult conditions) returned to Australia not long after the article above was printed in the newspaper. The Antarctic exploration ship “Kista Dan” brought the 14 men back home to Melbourne after an adventurous and most dangerous journey through ice floes. Heard Island was completely deserted only months later, as it was decided to build up a new research station at Mawson.

 

I’ve attached some pictures of Heard Island. You will see one of penguin “Icicle” who used to visit the tent of the radio station on Heard Island to listen to music (Swing). I wonder if this music loving fellow was there too when Mario’s “Ave Maria”was aired…..

 

 

Please enjoy the story and the pictures!

 

Steff

P.S: Thank you Derek, for converting the audio for me! When it comes to computer things I know my limitations! :)

 

 

[Barnabas Nemeth]

Referring to this thread: I have been touched for half a century by the Schubert' Ave Maria from Serenade, and for instance by the Fenesta Che Lucive or Passione every time I listen to.

Cheers, Barnabas

 

2012/12/12 Steff <Stefanie....@t-online.de>

[Armando]

What lovely voice and charming accent, Steff. It reminds me so much of Johanna Von Koczian.  

Best wishes for the festive season and thank you for all you are doing for the Mario Lanza legacy.

Armando

[Joseph Fagan]

I second the notion, Steff!!! Happy Holidays and thanks for being you!....Joe

[Derek McGovern]

Good on you for taking the plunge and sharing your lilting voice with us, Steff. And what a cute article! Yes, I do want to believe that Icicle the Penguin (and perhaps his friends in that photo) passed some pleasant evenings listening to Lanza's rendition of "Ave Maria" :) And I wonder if Mario was aware that his voice had reached the Antarctic? 

Cheers

Derek

[Steff]

 

Thank you Armando, Joe and Derek, for your kind words.

 

Steff 

[Savage]

This is totally out of line, but all I can come up with is a song that actually intensifies the pain of missing someone.  The song is "Wanting You."  No solace here!

[Derek McGovern]

Funnily enough, David, I was just playing that recording yesterday. I hadn't listened to it in ages, and hearing it again, I was reminded of what an exciting piece of singing it is. Still, I would love for him to have re-recorded a more polished version of the song, say, for the Cavalcade album. In fact, it would have fitted in perfectly on that album. 

My favourite phrase on that recording? "But I cling to the nearest chance that you may hear me." Very Lanzarian, and it gets me every time!  

I'm attaching the original Coke broadcast, as the recording uploaded on YouTube is hopelessly slow and muffled.

Cheers

Derek 

[Savage]

Derek ,

        Thanks for the clip. The You Tube recording is indeed a disaster.  My favorite two phrases are the one you mentioned and the one preceding it (Dreams are vain).  It sounds to me like a Lanza signature.  Beautiful song despite any flaws.

                                                                      David

[Derek McGovern]

I listened to Lanza's version of the "Virgin's Slumber Song" last night, and thought of Lou's post in this thread.

It really is a most beautiful piece of singing, and listening to it last night (our Christmas Eve), I could easily imagine it bringing tears to many lovers of Christmas music. (It almost made me cry.) For my money, it's the best-sung of the Christmas songs/carols on the Christmas with Mario Lanza compilation. The RCA "Silent Night" would be next, but comparing that version last night with the unreleased Coke rendition, I definitely prefer the latter.

And speaking of Christmas songs, I still wish Lanza's "O Holy Night" had been sung with a much slower tempo and a better arrangement!

Cheers---and Merry Christmas!

Derek  

[Derek McGovern]

And one other thread that's well worth visiting or re-reading. A couple of us have attached recordings of our stories to our posts; perhaps others will do the same??? :)

[Vincent Di Placido]

This is another thread I never commented on, I feel a bit embarrassed, I'm much more of a lurker than I realised, I'm obviously reading everything & answering in my head, time to write :-)
There are so many Lanza recordings that have been a comfort or have helped me, first of all the actual voice is so inspiring & awe-inspiring that it can't help but lift you & light up your soul with the sheer expressiveness & beauty. In fact these last few mornings the weather has been stunning so I've been walking to work listening to Mario & actually listening to songs that have come up in recent or revived threads like "Yours is my heart alone", "Wanting You", "The Song Angels Sing" etc. & it amazed me how much it still moves me after all these years to listen to this Tenor Supreme! When I was young I was very quiet, nervous & insecure & the sound of Lanza was such great company & comfort. I just loved hearing him sing anything, the sound & emotional outpouring was thrilling to me, it gave me a rush & excited me! Back then I was still picking up new recordings every do often which was exciting itself but beautiful poetic things like Che Gelida Manina, Song of India & Voce e Notte I would return to again & again & be transported to a magical musical paradise.