The Song Angels Sing

[Derek McGovern]

I've always felt that the two singles that Lanza made for RCA on July
24, 1952 (Because You're Mine and The Songs Angels Sing) were
brilliantly recorded, capturing the colours of his voice and his
dynamic range in a way that the studio had seldom achieved at any of
his previous sessions. It helped, of course, that Lanza was in
ravishing vocal form at the time -- and, in fact, only four days later
he would start recording The Student Prince for MGM.

Mario sings both songs virtually flawlessly, with the only fault being
a slightly disappointing ending on Because You're Mine. But what a
masterpiece of rapture and control The Song Angels Sing is! He makes
all the right decisions here, avoiding the inappropriate ending of his
film version, and singing with the same exquisite sensitivity that we
hear on, say, his MGM recording of All the Things You Are from the
previous year. But the sheer brilliance of the voice is amazing here;
just listen, for example, to the way he sings "You're the song angels
sing and you're mine" right before the chorus arrives in the middle.
There's never been a tenor voice like it. My only frustration is that
the Jeff Alexander Choir's female singers almost ruin the recording
with their onslaught of saccharine and angels. I wish there were some
way that we could banish those pious creatures! :-)

Here's a link to the recording:

http://www.4shared.com/file/55391702/935ba3a5/The_Song_Angels_Sing.html

[gary from N.S.]

Derek, many thanks for the link to this recording. I just got home
from work,after a very "lousy" day,and playing this piece has just
transformed me to feeling all is well again.
I have loved this piece for years,have played it countless times,and
never tire of the beauty of his voice.This is one of my all time
favourites sung by Mario.

The beauty and clarity of his voice,and fabulous phrasing, and
richness is totally captivating.It is pieces like this sung by Mario
that confirms to me over and over, the majesty of voice is simply the
best I shall ever hear.
Again, thanks..the timing could not have been better.

Cheers
Gary

[Joe Fagan]

Thanks Derek, a masterpiece IMO and certainly in the" Lanza Top Ten" of
English songs!........Joe

[Ann-Mai]

Hi Derek. Yes, this is a fabulous performance from Mario. I adore his
line "on a cloud far away". He really makes it sound far far away,
like it’s beyond your world. And the line "the first KISS of spring on
a morning in May" you can almost feel just how warm and cosy it is.
This song is packed with wonderful Mario lines. "This is our night, I
love you so" – ah! (sorry– I’ll get a grip)

It’s nice he chose not to end the song with a high note, like on the
sound track for the movie. It’s fun though, while I was listening to
the song for the fifth time just now, I kept expecting that high note
to come. It’s funny how your memory works sometime.

Derek, I fully agree about the choir, they are rather annoying and the
ladies’ "uuuuuh" in the beginning and in the end is actually a bit
scary – they sound a bit ghostly to me.

[Jan Hodges]

I totally agree Derek. This is beautiful,beautiful singing,....interpretation, phrasing ,excellent voice production..Mario hit the heights here. It has been one of my favourites since I first heard it all those many years ago. Of course the fact that the melody has been "lifted" from a Brahms symphony helps a little. :-). One of my desert island discs. I cannot imagine any other tenor doing this song justice. Do you know if any one else has attempted it? Jan

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Jan: To the best of my knowledge, no one else has recorded this
song -- and little wonder! This rendition has "definitive" stamped all
over it. It would be a brave singer indeed willing to invite
comparison with Lanza's unique combination of phrasing (especially
those singled out by Ann-Mai above), luscious timbre, and vocal
control here.

Yes, the song's based on a theme from one of Brahm's symphonies -- his
Fourth, I think -- and was adapted by our old "friend" Irving
Aaronson, conductor of Lanza on Broadway.

[Derek McGovern]

On 7/17/08, gary from N.S. <gmaid...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:

> Derek, many thanks for the link to this recording. I just got home

> from work, after a very "lousy" day, and playing this piece has just

> transformed me to feeling all is well again.

You're most welcome, Gary. For my father, it's Lanza's Song of India
that never fails to lift his spirits; for me, it could be any one of a
hundred or more of Mario's recordings. But certainly the fresh-eyed
wonder and radiance of Lanza's singing here would transport the
tiredest of souls! I'm reminded of Callinicos' description of the
first time that he heard Lanza in person:

"Through Mario's vocal cords, and through those bony cavities in his
throat, nose and mouth which are called the resonators, emerged
phrases of such opulence, warmth and velvety quality that I sat there
feeling some incredible joke had been played on me."

In short, a fantasy voice!

[Lou]

Hi Derek and Jan: Like The Song Angels Sing, Carreras' Close to Me
(adaptation and arrangement by John Cameron) from his best-selling
1995 album, Passion, is based on the Third Movement of Brahms'
Symphony No. 3. Although it is one of the best tracks in the album,
and much as I love Carreras voice and artistry, I find his rendition
of Close to Me doesn't even come close (no pun intended) to Lanza's
The Song Angels Sing.

[Sam]

Derek,
The RCA version of The Song Angels Sing is sung much more
delicately than the film version. I more than enjoyed hearing it. Can
you put up the RCA Because You're Mine as well? I remember that as
being uneven, but am not sure.

> > Aaronson, conductor of Lanza on Broadway.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Derek McGovern]

On Jul 18, 6:45 am, Sam <s...@bee.net> wrote:
> Derek,
> Can you put up the RCA Because You're Mine as well? I remember that as
> being uneven, but am not sure.

Hi Sam: Here's a link to the RCA Because You're Mine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6PZvj49IuM

I don't find this version uneven at all. Lanza was on fire that day,
and this performance is yet another example of his ability to switch
effortlessly between mezza voce and full voice. My only quibble (as I
mentioned earlier) is that, by his standards, the ending could have
been slightly better. It's just that it's not one of his better B-
flats -- and he was renowned for this note. It hardly matters, though,
in a performance as memorable as this.

Incidentally, for the best ending he ever performed of this song,
listen to his Albert Hall version; it's one of the most exciting B-
flats on record!

[Derek McGovern]

On Jul 17, 6:14 pm, Lou <louab...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Derek and Jan: Like The Song Angels Sing, Carreras' Close to Me
> (adaptation and arrangement by John Cameron) from his best-selling
> 1995 album, Passion, is based on the Third Movement of Brahms'
> Symphony No. 3. Although it is one of the best tracks in the album,
> and much as I love Carreras voice and artistry, I find his rendition
> of Close to Me doesn't even come close (no pun intended) to Lanza's
> The Song Angels Sing.

Hi Lou: Thanks for correcting me on the Brahms' source; it's been a
long time since I listened to that particular symphony. And, yes, I'd
quite forgotten about Carreras' version with different English lyrics
and a new arrangement. No angelic choir accompanies Jose' on his
rendition -- lucky devil! :-)

[Joe Fagan]

could someone possibly post a link to this I'd love to hear it by Carreras.
Thx.....Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Derek McGovern" <derek.m...@gmail.com>
To: "The Mario Lanza Forum" <mario...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 3:17 PM
Subject: Re: The Song Angels Sing

[Vince Di Placido]

I love Mario's Albert Hall "Because You're Mine" great ending indeed,
Derek! I love the audience reaction from the opening piano intro to
the thunderingly appreciative applause.
On Mario's commercial recording, there is a peculiar little moment at
the end between "Applause" & "Because" it just seems to me that Mario
is a bit eager to sing "Beacuse" & quickly checks himself & holds off,
just a bit over anxious & possibly a memory lapse of the arrangement
from Mario here.

[Ann-Mai]

Hi Vince
I couldn’t agree with you more. The Albert Hall "Because You’re Mine"
is thrilling, and I find it especially nice to hear how good a
connection Mario had with his audience at this concert. It shows what
a good live performer he was.

I, too, have noticed that little "B…" in the RCA, which he quickly
swallows. To be honest, the first time I heard it, I wondered why they
didn’t made a retake, but I quickly realized that the rest of the song
is so perfectly sung, that this tiny slip doesn’t matter after all,
and it would have been a pity if he had made an inferior retake just
to correct that little "b".


On 19 Jul., 03:40, Vince Di Placido <vincent.diplac...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> > flats on record!- Skjul tekst i anførselstegn -
>
> - Vis tekst i anførselstegn -

[Vince Di Placido]

Oh! Derek, "A Fantasy Voice!" That is just perfect, Mario's is a
fantasy voice, at it's best it is just perfection, a thing of extreme
beauty. It has a breathtaking effect on me & can send shivers up the
spine & make hairs stand on end!

[Muriel]

The Song Angels Sing, is, indeed, a "keeper"!! I had written the
lyrics down some time ago and sat here tonight, listening more than a
few times. I agree with the comments of the others, but would like to
add this: As the chorus introduces the song, in its seemingly heavenly
way, I picture Mario's voice appearing out of the clouds, like an
angel, and gently settling upon me, willing away all my cares.

All throughout the song, he is quietly intense, but I never want to
move a muscle, for fear that he might disappear as smoothly as he
appeared. It is only right that he ended the song as he began, without
that startling high note heard in the film version. I must revisit
this song later when I can write all my thoughts properly.

Ciao for now....Muriel

[Derek McGovern]

I was just thrilling to Lanza's RCA version of The Song Angels Sing, and thought I'd reopen this delightful old thread. (Ann-Mai and Muriella: You are both sorely missed.) 

What a magnificent recording this is! Here's the restored link for anyone who may not have heard it:

http://www.4shared.com/audio/oKY4zF-T/The_Song_Angels_Sing.html

And here's the lesser soundtrack version (running a semitone fast, annoyingly) for comparison:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iO0Wedzpeo

[Michael McAdam]

H-m-m-m-m. I was reading all the posts and thought Dr. McGovern had worked some magic and had Muriel, Ann-Mai and Vince posting again. Then I checked the dates at the top right. Pity.

 

The saccharine choir is a spoiler for me too, Derek (interestingly, most of my Lanza indoctinees find those voices a real turn off when they first hear my "audition" picks by Lanza).

The Lanza voice in this particular window of time in 1952 was absolutely sublime. A "fantasy" voice you called it. Hear, hear!

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Mike: If only that "saccharine choir" had been recorded in stereo on a separate track (a la the "Mario!" album)! After all, Vince was able to remove Franco Potenza's Italian choir completely from Voce 'e Notte. I don't mind the Jeff Alexander Screechers quite so much in the middle of The Song Angels Sing, but on the beginning and (especially) the ending, their warbling is horribly intrusive -- and truly dates the recording. 

As for working magic and luring Muriel and Ann-Mai back into the fold -- again, if only! While I'm confident that Vince's absence is only temporary, I've been truly saddened (and puzzled in equal measure, I have to admit) by the number of cherished members who've seemingly vanished from the Lanza (online) world. Where, for example, are the likes of the formerly prolific Jana and Joel and Graciela (aka Balletamie)? Or "Khanconchak" (Mark) of YouTube fame who posted some fascinating stuff here a year or two back? These were among our youngest members, and I can't believe that they've all lost interest in discussing Mario Lanza. I know the internet can be a fickle place, but still...

Any ideas, folks, as to how we can keep this forum thriving? 

Cheers

Derek  

[barry oderfer]

I would like to contribute to the forum, but, I'm basically here to learn more about Mario. The
people in the group are far more knowledgeable than I am when it comes to Mario. And,
whenever someone posts an item about Mario, I do read every last word. Believe me, I am "out
here" watching everything that is said.   Barry Oderfer.

---

Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 07:26:27 -0700
From: derek.m...@gmail.com
To: mario...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: The Song Angels Sing

Hi Mike: If only that "saccharine choir" had been recorded in stereo on a separate track (a la the "Mario!" album)! After all, Vince was able to remove Franco Potenza's Italian choir completely from Voce 'e Notte. I don't mind the Jeff Alexander Screechers quite so much in the middle of the song, but on the beginning and (especially) the ending, their warbling is horribly intrusive. 

As for working magic and luring Muriel and Ann-Mai back into the fold -- again, if only! While I'm confident that Vince's absence is only temporary, I've been truly saddened (and puzzled in equal measure, I have to admit) by the number of cherished members who've seemingly vanished from the Lanza (online) world. Where, for example, are the likes of the formerly prolific Jana and Joel and Graciela (aka Balletamie)? Or "Khanconchak" (Mark) of YouTube fame who posted some fascinating stuff here a year or two back? These were among our youngest members. but I can't believe they've all lost interest in discussing Mario Lanza.

[Shawn]

This is indeed an excellent recording and I particularly like the first minute.... "you're the song angels sing, on a cloud far away, the first kiss of spring on a morning in may...you're the smile on my face and the star on the sea,  the wind in the lace of the green willow tree." It's just beautiful singing and phrasing, and as impressive as his 'forte' singing is for much of the remainder of the song it's almost a pity that the initial soft caressing of the lyrics had to end ;-P

I apologize for my own inactivity but like Barry I always follow what is going on on the forum even when I don't feel I have much to contribute. I'm not sure what happened to Mark as he has evidently abandoned even youtube at least temporarily. It's a shame.

[norma]

I also read the Forum every night and learn so much from it

such as which recordings are the best.I have seen lists of members favourite opera and neopolitan recordings.What about favourite popular songs?

                                                                                                    All the best Norma

[gary from NS]

Hello Dr.D and everyone else. Like a number of folks, I have not been posting much at all of late,and I would say that is due to much in my life going on the past number of weeks.I do read here daily,and always leave the forum with something of interest I have learned.I actually think the forum is thriving, but is often times perhaps read by many and posted by few. I agree very much with Shawn's words on The Song Angels Sing..such wonderful singing and phrasing. 

Best to all.

Gary

[Armando]

Ciao Derek: As I’ve said to you on a number of occasions for a forum to thrive you need more than two or three people to contribute.  It seems to me that quite a few of those that read the forum are intimidated by what they regard as the superior knowledge on the part of a few of us and consequently are reluctant to post.

Knowledge is acquired over a long period of time. We all started by asking questions, probing, and learning as we went along. I would urge all who read the forum to contribute whatever you can, but above all don’t be afraid to express your opinions. We might not agree with what you say but no one is going to laugh at you.

[JOE]

Possibly one of the top 5 English songs recorded by Mario.( IMO). Simply beautiful! Its impact on me was such that even to this day I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I first heard it. I was Lanzastruck.! I heard it on the radio first and it wasn't till much later did I "see it" in Because Youre Mine.  It seemed like a strange choice for a barracks scene, but nevertheless I am happy we have it on film....Joe

[leeann]

I just realized that I joined this forum just a bit over two years ago--of course, it was on hiatus for six months of that time as Derek dissertated. It was extraordinary to read the conversations; to read everybody's points of view; to realize what a diverse  group of people ask questions and enter the discussions here.  Whether posts are long or just a couple of sentences, they are just plain interesting--it's quite remarkable.

I miss the people who haven't posted lately. And I don't know if it's possible ever to say thank you too often.  Best, Lee Ann

[Vincent Di Placido]

It's funny I was never a big fan of "The Song Angels Sing" I always
found it slightly contrived in the writing department, I was always
able to appreciate what a great job Mario was doing with it though &
what great voice he was in that day but it was never a song I went
back to again & again in fact I haven't listened to it in a long
time... Well I listened to it again just now a few times & I have been
unfair to the song, it is actually a pretty little thing & I do love
Mario's "We kiss in the light of a world all aglow, this is our night,
I love you so!" & his wonderful Mario-ism of sliding into "Lift my
heart to the sky, on the wings of a dream..." lovely stuff, it has a
become a favourite :-)

[Tony Partington]

Hello All: I suppose I find myself in the same camp as Vince. I
don't think "The Song Angels Sing" is a great song but I most
certainly think it is sung well. Derek, your comments from the very
beginning of this thread in which point out just how well Mario was
singing the day he recorded this and "Because You're Mine" is so very
true. Interesting too that you note that only a few days later Mario
started recording THE STUDENT PRINCE. Yes indeed, he was in fine vocal
form at this point in his career.

Derek, I've a question for you. In your very first post on this
thread, you mentioned a bad note at the end of one of the takes of
"Because You're Mine." Is this an outtake or is it the actual version
RCA released? I wasn't clear as to what you were referring to.

Incidently, it's ironic I think that the classical work that "The Song
Angels Sing" was styled after happens to be my favorite Brahms
symphony. His third.

Ciao ~ Tony

On May 6, 4:01 pm, Vincent Di Placido <vincent.diplac...@gmail.com>
wrote:

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Tony: I was referring to the ending of the official RCA version of Because You're Mine. I didn't say it was "a bad note," though; it's just not one of Lanza's better B flats. (The Albert Hall Because You're Mine, on the other hand, features one of his best B flats on record.) But the only reason I mentioned it was that someone had described the rendition as "uneven." To me, it's anything but uneven, and the ending is really neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things. The bottom line for me: it's a great piece of singing, and Lanza is in spectacular form, vocally and interpretively. Heck, even the recording quality is brilliant!

I was just thinking: if you'd never heard Mario Lanza sing before, and someone played you this recording -- my God! The magnificence of his voice here is just unmistakable. Little wonder indeed that Domingo describes it as "a force of nature."

Cheers
Derek

[Derek McGovern]

A P.S. to the above: I think the reason the B-flat is slightly disappointing on the RCA version of Because You're Mine is that Mario throws himself off when he almost comes in too soon on the title words. If you listen closely, you can hear him forming the "Be-" of the final line ("Because you're mine") straight after "And it's applause." He stops himself, but then barely has a chance to regroup before he has to sing the final line. They should have done a retake!

[Tony Partington]

Derek:  You're spot on about Lanza coming in too early on the end of "Because You're Mine" (studio version).  I noticed that the first time I heard the recording it and I went back and listened to it, yet again, after I entered my thoughts on the forum and there it was!  You're right, it's not that it's a bad note, hell, I have a feeling that the way Mario was singing and feeling that day it was virtually impossible for him to sing a bad note.  No, but all kidding aside, I think you are right about him starting to jump the gun so to speak and I think it may have thrown off his vocal focus a bit.  If you listen to the vowel he ends up singing in the studio "BYM" end note it sounds, to my ears, quite round with a minimum amount of squillo.  And this for a word where the singer has the option, if he wants, to sing an open "ah" - as in "...because you're MINE."  Most vocal coaches would probably tell you that you need to cover at that point in the range, a high B-flat.  Still, as you pointed out, we know very well what a good, covered B-flat sounds like from Lanza singing the end of "BYM" (RAH performance).

 

Botom line, it's as you said - they simply should have done a retake.

 

Ciao ~ Tony

[Maria Luísa]

I agree completely with your words Armando, I could not have put it
any better myself. That's all I can say.