| To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist> Subject: Re: Arias Transposed Date sent: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 00:41:27 -0800 Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>
> > Look at all the recital arias that are transposed all over the > place. Last I looked "where 'ere you walk" was written for tenor > voice yet we have recordings from all vocal categories. The 26 > songs and arias that everyone sings, including in competition are > transposed for various voices. Most art songs are available in > multiple transpositions. Many don't sound quite write in the > alternate keys.
Hi Alan, Yes, but Where're you walk is from a seldom performed oratorio - Semele (although it should be performed more I think). The 26 italian songs are also from operas seldom, if never performed, so it changes that perspective. The problem with opera arias is that they go with the opera - and although it may be fine to transpose the one aria for a recital or similiar event, the entire opera cannot be transposed which quite as much ease! Art songs are different - they are (usually) single pieces that in the case of the most mainstream composers, ARE available in more than one key, in some cases 3 or 4 different keys. To me, transposing an aria to a key in which it is hardly heard performed, will change the nature of the aria, and change the sound and colour. This does not mean arias shouldn't be tranposed - but since they are not often heard in other keys, it gives a little "shock" to people like me who are um, a little more pitch sensitive.....
Fiona
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