The most sublime/touching/beautiful piece of singing you have ever heard?

[Holden]

Three spring immediately to mind and all bring tears to my eyes - no mean feat.

From the Verdi Requiem - the Recordare.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRSX5-_n7_Q

Also from this work the lacrimosa from Fricsay's 1960 performance but I couldn't find an internet clip.

Finally Schubert's Nacht und Traume by Souzay has been mentioned. I'd like to direct you to this performance by Ann Murray and Graeme Johnson.

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

[Elgarian]

Interesting that Scherza Infida (from Handel's Ariodante) came up earlier. That would certainly feature in my list, but for me the singer would have to be Magdalena Kozena:



Also, music straight from Heaven - Sophie Daneman and Patricia Petibon singing Couperin's Leçons de ténèbres (particularly the third, where they sing together):

[False_Dmitry]

Marvellous, I was hoping the Duparc would appear soon    I would have gone for La vie interieure, but L'invitation is no less luscious

[mjwal]

Unfortunately nothing happens when I click on Whyte Lillie (the song is attr. Robert Johnson nowadays).
My choice is Alexander Kipnis singing "O Tod, wie bitter bist du" from the Vier ernste Gesänge by Brahms.
I don't know how to import YouTube songs, but it's here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZAJsUCN4ps
It's not actually a perfect piece of singing (the odd aspiration here and there, etc) but it is all the more immensely moving; sublime and touching. Isn't all the most moving music about death?

[Mandryka]

Unfortunately nothing happens when I click on Whyte Lillie (the song is attr. Robert Johnson nowadays).

I've fixed it -- but you know the song.

I would have gone for La vie interieure, but L'invitation is no less luscious

Yes both the Baudelaire songs are fantastic. Would  you choose Panzera for Duparc?

[Verena]

Unfortunately nothing happens when I click on Whyte Lillie (the song is attr. Robert Johnson nowadays).
My choice is Alexander Kipnis singing "O Tod, wie bitter bist du" from the Vier ernste Gesänge by Brahms.
I don't know how to import YouTube songs, but it's here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZAJsUCN4ps
It's not actually a perfect piece of singing (the odd aspiration here and there, etc) but it is all the more immensely moving; sublime and touching. Isn't all the most moving music about death?

I have that one on CD as well, moving indeed. As for your observation concerning the relationship between singing and death - I think it may well be true. But wait - there is one piece I originally wanted to list - I know that my redeemer LIVETH - sung by Lynne Dawson, conductor Harry Christophers (but there are many other moving performances of that song). And again, indirectly, the topic is related to death.
Here is Lynne Dawson in that song, unfortunately, the conducting is not very good IMO, as opposed to the performance with Christophers; which lessens the impact considerably:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtU1c5JZf0k

[not edward]

Janet Baker's Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen with Barbirolli (not the one from the complete Ruckert-Lieder with the New Philharmonia, but the one-off with the Halle). One of those performances after which the only thing I can listen to is silence.

[knight66]

'Vergnügte Ruh', beliebte Seelenlust' Bach sung by Janet Baker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B_4w62A5ss

The end from Coronation of Poppea, Auger/Jones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6srHvt-hbY

Schubert: Abendstern Anthony Rolfe Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOOJ1rrkCGg

Vaughn Williams; The Infinite Shining Heaven  Bryn Terfel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5OwTaDME0c

Mike

[Verena]

I have forgotten the very best Schubert "singer" 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M9Ti9YJcSs

(OK, this is cheating, but only a little bit)
Why, oh why are there so few recordings available in good sound by this artist     

[knight66]

For those who enjoy melismatic music:

Granados; Maiden and the rose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6uR0WuR8h4&feature=related


Saint Saens; Nightingale and the Rose: Rita Streich

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfyxGzvDSpY&p=2687BE484EAF148B&playnext=1&index=14


Rimsky Korsakov: Hymn to the Sun Sumi Jo

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

For this last one, I prefer Rita Streich, but it is not on Youtube, but this one is good.

Mike

[MN Dave]

"Melismatic" sounds like someone with a disease. 

[knight66]

I have forgotten the very best Schubert "singer" 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M9Ti9YJcSs

(OK, this is cheating, but only a little bit)
Why, oh why are there so few recordings available in good sound by this artist     

Yes, indeed a cheat; but a great one. He makes it sing.

Mike

[knight66]

"Melismatic" sounds like someone with a disease. 

I am tempted to click, 'report to moderator'.

Mike

[knight66]

Just one more group for now. I may be accused of spamming.

Handel: As with rosy steps from Theodora: Lorraine Hunt Lieberson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQlt1UxjvWU

Mozart Sul aria, Janowitz and Popp....conducted by Solti!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd5nFd3utLg&feature=related

Oh lovely peace: Handel Rosemary Joshua & Sarah Connolly: My ideal here is Heather Harper and Janet Baker conducted by Mackerras, but it is not on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzLDjws3pnE

Mike

[False_Dmitry]

Since this thread has become a race to stake claims on the juiciest stuff (!), I rush to get my bid in for...

Bailero (from Songs Of The Auvergne - Canteloube) - Frederica von Stade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_LUu45cHPc&feature=search

But for heart-melting incandescent glow, you'd find it hard to outstrip

Die Nachtigall - No 3 from "Seven Early Songs" (Alban Berg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxu03p7v_Uo&feature=related
... and as a sop to her many fans here, I've linked the Kozena recording   The Eaglen recording (which is fantastic, and conducted by Runnicles) ain't on YouTube, but I strongly recommend it

[knight66]

Oddly enough I am right now listening to that Berg piece, but with Jessye Norman...what do you think, too lush possibly?

I will get to Kozena next.

Mike

EDIT: Yes, Kozena makes it sound less like a lost Strauss song, I like both though.

[knight66]

Rimsky again a song: 'The Prophet' Boris Christoff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQRIClut53U&p=6CE7DE9248D745D5&playnext=1&index=

Mike

[False_Dmitry]

Well, if we're on Russian song, then here's Rachmaninov's raging, furious, near-heretical

"Christ is risen - or so they sing in the Church" (Hvorostovsky)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmdYi-F7gLU&feature=search

"Christ is risen"

"Christ is risen" they sing in holy places;
but I feel sad.. . my soul is silent.
So much blood and so many tears are shed in the
world and this song of praise before the altars
offends like a mockery.

If he was among us and could see
the achievements of our glorious age.
how brothers have come-to hate one another,
how man is shamed,
and if here, in this glittering church
he heard "Christ is risen!",
how he would weep
bitter tears before the throng!

[Elgarian]

I will get to Kozena next.

You can't have her 'Scherza Infida'. I bagged that one.

[knight66]

I would probably have the version of that by David Daniels.

Mike