Lawrence Brownlee: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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These days, Lawrence Brownlee spends most of his time on the stages of the world's great opera houses. That's where you'll find him singing Rossini and Donizetti. His supple, strong, high-flying voice can negotiate the tightest hairpin turns with grace and elegance; that, and his ability to command the stage as an actor, has won Brownlee the praise of critics worldwide.
But as much as he excels at opera, there's a special place in Brownlee's heart for African-American spirituals. Growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, Brownlee sang gospel music in church, and now he's returning to that tradition by releasing a new album, Spiritual Sketches - and singing selections from it here in the NPR Music offices.
Brownlee bases much of his operatic success on his sturdy church-music grounding. "I would say that the flexibility I have with my voice is in large part because I sang gospel in church," Brownlee told NPR in 2007. "It's a lot of improvisational singing with a lot of riffs or runs."
The spirituals might be well-known, but through Brownlee's voice, they shine in new, occasionally jazz-inflected arrangements by Damien Sneed. "There Is a Balm in Gilead" floats in a newly contemplative mood with the addition of a few blue notes and chromatic touches, while the spunky piano line Justina Lee plays in "Come By Here" seems inspired by great stride players like James P. Johnson.
But the heart and soul of this concert is "All Night, All Day," a performance that swells with a potent combination of tenderness and operatic horsepower. The song speaks of a protective band of angels - angels that Brownlee told the audience are watching over his 3-year-old son Caleb, who's just been diagnosed with an autism-spectrum disorder.
"It's called 'All Night, All Day,' but I've renamed it 'Caleb's Song,'" Brownlee says. The soulful vocalisms with which Brownlee closes the song are gorgeous and tinged with anguish. Afterward, I heard one NPR staffer say it was the first time she'd ever wept at a Tiny Desk Concert. --TOM HUIZENGA
Set List
"There Is A Balm In Gilead"
"All Night, All Day"
"Come By Here"
Credits
Producers: Denise DeBelius, Tom Huizenga; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Parker Miles Blohm, Denise DeBelius, Gaby Demczuk
Пікірлер: 116
My big brother. One of the best tenors around. Legend in this game. I’m a little biased.
@radioactive_baby0706
3 жыл бұрын
Me too, he's my uncle.
@jermainejr11
3 жыл бұрын
@@radioactive_baby0706, so blessed.
@Luke-ot6mk
Жыл бұрын
No you dont, your brother is really awesome! Lawrence Bronwlee, Thiago Arancam and Jonas Kaufman... My new 3 Tenors. Cheers!
One of the warmest, richest voices classically trained I've heard in years. Stunningly rich, full and touching.
I am on a binge watching his videos... Lovely strong
He gives me goosebumps every time he opens his mouth! WHAT A VOICE! I discovered him in the excellent documentary Thirteenth! I'm hooked!
"Angels watching over me" (Caleb's song) brought tears to my eyes. Just Beautiful. ❤
I saw him in concert in Kansas City a couple years ago! He was so nice and friendly with the audience.
Less than 1000 likes? Really? Absolutely stunning performance! 💕 God bless you, Mr. Brownlee and your child. Thank you for sharing your beautiful voice with us.
It's music like this that keeps you going. It makes you wanna give back to humanity, whatever field you're in, at least a fraction of what people like him have given you.
@francoisbessing
5 жыл бұрын
Yes.. he seriously is making me consider get my Master's where he studied.
A gorgeously eloquent delivery of this spiritual. LB is one of the most generous, compassionate and thoughtful artists out there. And a fiercely gifted artist.
Lawrence, it would be an honor to meet you sometime, hope you have a long, great career
Wonderful tenor. So musical with magic unforced tone and free production.
one of the best tenors in the world now!
This is healing. Shout out to all
Brownlee is my favorite
Balm is a standard piece for our church choir. So wonderful to hear such an interesting arrangement, sung much lovelier than I ever could sing it. ;)
What a voice!!!!!!! Well done.
An angel's voice!...
The core is very grounded.
ugh this is oh so luscious. brings so much comfort and beauty
The accompanist has given me my life.
WOW! BEAUTIFUL , LOVE THIS GREAT HYMN.
Extraordinário, fantástico, maravilhoso. Faltam palavras 👏👏👏👏👏
fantastic voice and piano
Yeeees!!! Sing!
beautiful!
THANK you NPR.
Awesome, Larry Brownlee! and the pianist...first time seeing it?! Wow! Impressive, Justina Lee. Well done, both of you. I'll be looking forward to seeing you on stage at an opera house near me, Larry!
Wow bravo!!
Soooooo sweet!
Loved this, thanks.
BRAVO!!!
that accompanist is fantastic!!
OMG!!!!!!!!! Chills.
This was amazing
AMAZING!!
amazing performance!
Amazing!
Soulful.
Wow Just Brilliant.
Can you believe I just found this gentlemen yesterday. After looking for Black opera singers. Amazing!
who are the four haters that don't like music
@thebacon8or99
4 жыл бұрын
30*
Looking forward to seeing him this Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland at the Grand Theatre.
Beautiful
He has developed and has a much better voice now. I'm sure he put a lot of hard work in to it and I congratulate him
Beautiful voice...!
Gorgeous
OUTSTANDING!!!!!
Excelentes felicitaciones y gracias
beautiful voice
Extraordinario.
My Favorite. What a voice❤️
Amen brother Larry!!
Awesome
Effortless beauty. Wow.
Divino este hombre
awesome voice
Extraordinario, sin palabras.
That woman was playing the mess out that piano!!!!!
@amapparatistkwabena
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks to Damien Sneed! Those are his arrangements---she's just reading the notes on the sheet! She's okay, so I'm not gonna take from her, but there are obvious mistakes such as at 5:51 and 6:43 and 6:55). I think you're probably talking about the last piece which is fine, but you MUST hear Damien play his own arrangement!
@TheSmashmanash
6 жыл бұрын
seeing as she consistently consistently collaborates with Brownlee and is a coach at a very respected university i would say she is better than ok..
Whoa! That's absolutely gorgeous!!!! Reminds me somehow of Kathleen Battle.
awesome
This man is so stunning
Bro on piano going crazy holy moly also insane voice control
Woah.
Really disappointed that NPR, supposedly a great supporter of music and musicians, didn't even mention Justina Lee, the pianist. This is art song/chamber music, NOT possible without a great collaborative pianist.
❤❤❤
I think he sings this better than anyone!
And why don't I know this man? Well now I do. A majestic voice, an inspired talent. Thanks for posting this. I needed it. (M.Mus. West Chester U.)
@radioactive_baby0706
6 күн бұрын
He's very talented, isn't he? I'm really proud to have him as my uncle. Not only is he very talented, but he is also very funny and kind as well. Thank you for your kind comment.
Bravissimo
Para mi uno de los mejores tenores ligeros del momento.
please put these recordings on spotify i need to take them everywhere i go 😔💔
Makes me want to watch him sing "Ah mes amis" from Gaetano Donizetti's La Fille du Régiment.
@hellohappypeople6646
4 жыл бұрын
there is a recording of him singing it, you should check spotify
@MalusiMasiteng
4 жыл бұрын
Michael Newberger, yes I know it. I meant to say that it reminds me of that gorgeous gem.
@hellohappypeople6646
4 жыл бұрын
@@MalusiMasiteng oops, I'm sorry, yes those high Cs are amazing
@coraggio93
2 жыл бұрын
LOL! With those high notes? If Mr. Brownlee had sung that aria, the sound would have blasted the room apart...!
I haven't heard a voice like this since Lonell Harris.
Lollol i love how she said I am NOT standing at the end
I see one thumbs down. Maybe it's not your favorite style, but shame on you.His relation to his autistic son was especially touching. Great stuff.
Would love to hear a nice Dichterliebe from Mr. Brownlee
SING!
wow! the voice is so amazing sometimes.
@MasonRVs
7 жыл бұрын
Sometimes....lul
"Angels watching over me"
perfetto
@Dawnaxel37
7 жыл бұрын
LINKAI WANG k
Ya...you would.
I'm blessed in Jesus name
There is a balm in gilead
@NPR Music, can you please tell what microphones did you use for the recording?
@jimfischer4195
3 жыл бұрын
i hear some compression on the piano. so prob on the voice as well.
3:56 all night all day
NPR- SHAME ON YOU for not including the incredible Justina Lee at the VERY least in the credits on this video! Mr. Brownlee is amazing, but he didn't do this performance by himself. Credit ALL performers in your description of the video. Yes, you did put her name in the screen credits at the end, but that will not show up in a search. Thank you.
@heathermithchell7288
3 жыл бұрын
They did place her name in the credits at the end with the notation pianist. But I agree that the title could have said featuring
1:32 Lord of the Rings?
@adamjohnson187
5 жыл бұрын
Ha! I was scrolling comments to see if anyone else heard that section stick out. It's the opening of "Go the Distance" from Hercules - not sure if it was intentional or not, though
Who is the pianist? Why is she not named?
@TheSalvillagra
4 жыл бұрын
Justina Lee
@coraggio93
2 жыл бұрын
Her name is Justina Lee. It is shown in the cerdits at the end.
Who's the accompanist?
not my cup o' tea, but he does have a great voice!
Counter tenor!
@harrymullany4789
5 жыл бұрын
Counter tenors use a fake voice (falsetto) throughout their range which he only uses occasionally.
@bennyallen8174
3 жыл бұрын
Counter tenors sing full-voice. Opera singers don’t sing falsetto. That’s some The Bee Gees and choir singers do.
@bharp4390
3 жыл бұрын
@@bennyallen8174 If your definition of full voice is a connected tone, then sure. But they certainly don't use modal tonality like a standard tenor, baritone, or bass.
23 deaf people....
He's obviously a great singer, I just dont like him.
@radioactive_baby0706
6 күн бұрын
Why?