Singing Beethoven?!


Question: Please comment on how to overcome Beethoven's unvocal approach to writing for the voice. The parts are so instrumental to the point of nearly unsingable for the chorus. Any help will be appreciated.


Answers: Please comment on how to overcome Beethoven's unvocal approach to writing for the voice. The parts are so instrumental to the point of nearly unsingable for the chorus. Any help will be appreciated.

Wow. I have been there and I am there now. I feel your plight. And if you are used to singing more dramatic operatic type music, this type of singing will be a challenge. The same goes for composers such as Handel, Bach, and Mozart's oratorio pieces (Mozart's oratorios are so vocally different from his opera works).

One thing to remember, and I often remind myself here recently with Handel coming up for myself, is to reset my mind to the era. Think "instrument" like or dancelike when singing Beethoven. Don't sing the music the same way you would sing an aria or an art song. Lighten up the voice, because you can't plow through those type of compositions vocally as you would most classical pieces. The mentality and the approach should be totally different from what you are used to singing vocally. If you lighten up the voice, you will get through the phrasing better. It will feel like you are doing something wrong at first, because as trained vocalists we aren't often trained to not do such a thing. But in order to survive Beethoven vocally, we have to. Also, since the writings seem instrument like, mimic one. I know that sounds strange, but whenever I sing The Messiah contralto solos, I think cello sound. With Bach's Christmas oratorio, I think viola. I am an alliteration type artist, so I need those types of "visuals" to get the form right. Perhaps that ideal will help you also.

It's not impossible. Just change your approach. It is challenging (especially if you have a big sound), but the more versatile you are vocally, the more jobs you can get. LOL! So become an instrument instead of a vocalist as you approach this type of challenge. Don't let Beethoven overwhelm you. It can be done and you might even have fun in the end (although I hear you saying I doubt it LOL).

I have a theory that many composers had a vendetta against vocalists. It's mostly a running joke between friends and myself, though.

Anyway, some of Beethoven's music is, indeed, bloody difficult. The main thing is to not let yourself be intimidated by the vocal range required; if you look at a piece of music and continuously say/think "Oh, I can't sing that high/low/fast", then you won't be able to do it. I assume since you are singing Beethoven that you have experience in singing. Remember to keep using your vocal technique; keep the breath hooked up to the voice at all times and let yourself sing without having a tight throat.

And, most importantly, practice. Practice a lot.

Pretend it is Bellini



The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007 enter-qa.com -   Contact us

Entertainment Categories